ESTUARY STUDY

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 22

ESTUARY STUDY

Rise in cost

The ecological study of the Estuary being carried out for the Christchurch Drainage Board by the University of Canterbury, under Professor G. A. Knox, is to cost more, but the board last evening agreed to this. The board agreed that the research being undertaken by Professor Knox and his team, from 1970 to 1973, was essential before any decision could be made on the proposal to construct a barrage from South Spit to Shag Rock to control the level of the Estu-

Professor Knox submitted the original estimate of $lB,OOO (agreed to by the board in 1969) plus a revised estimate showing additional cost of about $ll,OOO.

He said that increased costs were due, firstly, to increased costs of materials and salaries and, secondly, to the additional work involved in carrying out an adequate chemical survey. Mr T. B. Whelan said that if overseas consultants had undertaken the programme being carried out by Professor Knox it would have cost about $90,000. With the Wallingford Research Station reports and Professor Knox’s programme, the board would have spent about $lOO,OOO on Estuary research.