Waimakariri Flood Damage $26,000

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32394, 5 September 1970, Page 9

Waimakariri Flood Damage $26,000

Flooding of the Waimakariri river last weekend did an estimated $26,000 worth of damage, the North Canterbury Catchment Board was told yesterday. Mr M. J. O. Dixon, chairman of the rivers control and drainage committee, said the peak levels reached in the river were among the four highest of the last 30 years. It was, he added, a “significant” flood.

Flooding caused damage at two groynes, to three chains at Kairaki rock to seven chains at Heney’s rock and two chains at the highways bridge rock.

Mr Dixon said engineers of the Catchment Board and the Ministry of Works had inspected the damage but there was no necessity for urgent repairs. He said a three-for-one subsidy would be sought towards the cost of repairs. Dr W. R. Holmes said even in a flood of the type which occurred last week, which was well and truly contained, some damage to existing works was only to be expected. He added that at no time was there any special anxiety. A full report of the flooding will be made, for record purposes, to the board at its next meeting, The board’s chairman (Mr A. T. Bell) said because of its accumulated reserves the board was able to face the cost of the repair work without any financial embarrassment.

Board staff are to meet staff of the three northern counties to discuss the dumping of rubbish in riverbeds, to ascertain council policies and provisions for controlled dumping, and to erect notices prohibiting rubbish dumping. Erosion Problem Mr Dixon said there was a comparatively serious erosion problem at Motunau Beach—to the recreational area, the access track to the beach,

and with a possible future problem for cottages in the area.

He said light protection work would be useless. The Waipara County Council will be advised that the heavy protection work considered necessary to arrest the sea coast erosion would be expensive. Engineering proposals and an estimate of costs are to be prepared and submitted to the county council for its consideration. Discharge Permits

Mr H. E. Connor, chairman of the board’s water committee, reported that board staff will discuss with the Department of Health the proposed conditions of extended temporary discharge permits to the Kaiapoi Borough Council, Kaiapoi Petone Group Textiles, Ltd, North Canterbury Sheep Farmers’ Co-op. Freezing Company, Ltd, and the North Canty Wool and Fellmongery, Ltd. Mr Connor said the Pollution Advisory Council would be advised that resource survey information to determine low flow requirements—which would assist the board to consider applications for rights should be available by March 31, 1971, the date of expiry of the temporary permits. The board is also to advise the Pollution Advisory Council that it appreciated the assurance given and hoped that pre-treatment plants would be installed before March, 1971. October 15 has been set as the date when representatives of the board, the Pollution Advisory Council, and the Christchurch Drainage Board make an inspection of the coastal water area between the Waimakariri classified area and Sumner, including the Estuary, to discuss the preliminary classification proposal.

In presenting the report of the executive and finance committee, the chairman (Dr W. R. Holmes) said that in future as a matter of policy where requests were received for the - remission of rates the board would consider these only where the territorial authority concerned had stated that ft had, by resolution, decided to remit its portion of the rates due.