‘Abbotsford should be lesson to local bodies'

Press, 13 August 1979, Page 2

‘Abbotsford should be lesson to local bodies'

PA Wellington Abbotsford should be a lesson to all local bodies, said the president of the Geological Society of New Zealand (Dr J. W. Cole). "New Zealand is a very unstable country because of its structure, and although not involved in this particular case, also because of its seismic risk,” Dr Cole said. "As a consequence, it is imperative that adequate geological advice is obtained with, if necessary, adequate back-up drilling and other information, before subdivision. “It appears to be the usual practice for local bodies to take geological advice only when a problem arises rather than in a routine manner. “There has been a history of landslides in Dunedin. Professor Benson, of Otago University, wrote a paper in 1940, published 'n the transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, entitled ‘Landslides and allied features in the Dunedin district in relation to geological structure, topography, and engineering.’| ‘Other people have also: commented on it, and so there was plenty of geological background information. One wonders how much of this was taken into account before development. “Let us hope other bodies learn from this disaster that prevention is better than cure, and make certain that adequate geological advice is obtained before subdivision,” Dr Cole said. Residents want an independent report, Page 6.