Subsidy on freak flood repairs

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 16

Subsidy on freak flood repairs

Repair costs arising from damage done in freak storms at Kaikoura and Peel Forest in March will be subsidised by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council.

The Marlborough and i South Canterbury Catchment I Boards will receive half the ! local share of costs, in addition to normal subsidy, ion repairs to slip damage [estimated at §49,500 at i Kaikoura, and §lO,OOO at Peel ! Forest. Torrential rain associated ' with Cyclone Alison early in I March caused serious slip erosion to 730 hectares on [7O properties along the Kaikoura coast from Ure to I Conway. A flood-relief committee comprising representatives from Kaikoura County, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Marlborough Catchment Board was appointed, and the county was declared a disaster area. Heavy rainfall in the foothills behind Geraldine reached tremendous intensity, the greatest precipitation occurring at Peel Forest. The

event resulted in loss of life, damage to houses, roads, and forest, and left a huge trail of debris. Funds were made available from various sources for the widespread damage to Peel Forest Park (Commissioner of . Crown Lands), roading (National Roads Board), reserves and water supplies (Strathallan County Council), and completed soil conservation works (South Canterbury Catchment Board). The two catchment boards asked for help with repairs to slip erosion on 730 hectares on 70 properties in Marlborough, and 40 hectares (400 slips) on five properties in South Canterbury. The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council gave half the local share for soil conservation work normally eligible for a $1 for $1 subsidy. This amounts to a total council payment of §3 for §1 on the work.