Alex Familton.
Community input is being sought to help solve the Waitaki
district's "huge" coastal erosion problem.
Staff from the Waitaki District Council are still assessing
what can be done to save a section of Waianakarua Rd south of
Kakanui, after about 60m of roadside collapsed into the sea
last week, forcing the closure of a 200m section of the
southbound lane.
However, Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said sea erosion was a
problem that affected a large portion of the district's
coastal roads.
"Councillors are concerned, as the problem is huge.
"The sea erosion problem extends, with various degrees of
intrusion, from the Waitaki River to the Waianakarua River
and, if all those areas were to be protected, the cost would
be astronomical. We will carefully make decisions about
possibilities on the basis of fact and engineering advice to
avoid the mistakes of the past."
Mr Familton said a solution to the immediate problem on
Waianakarua Rd would be found "as soon as possible", and
urged members of the local community, including the Waitaki
Forward group who had planned to build a protective wall on
Waianakarua Rd before the slip, to put forward their own
ideas on how best to address the issue.
"I have spoken with some people, locally, and will put their
suggestions, and any other presented information, into the
solution. For example, I welcome the Waitaki Forward group,
invite them to introduce themselves and make their
contribution to our enthusiastic team, so that we can make
progress together."
The council was determined to work towards the best outcome
for farmers and tourists, he said.
andrew.ashton@odt.co.nz
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