Work begins on log jams at Te Arai

Clearing drains and culverts too

Recovery work has started on removing major log jams in the Te Arai River following Cyclone Gabrielle, with five priority sites identified.

In March Gisborne District Council contractors completed clearing one site at 388 Waingake Road.

“Due to silt on the riverbanks and recent rain, we need to wait for the ground to dry out before heavy machinery can get in and start work at the next sites,” a council statement says.

“Access to the other priority sites can be gained through 453 and 63 Papatu Road, 332 and 300 Waingake Road and two sites opposite 77 Whakatere Road.

“Following Cyclone Gabrielle, staff did a complete inspection by drone and identified blockages in the middle reach of the river.

“They then did on-site inspections at those identified sites.”

Council staff have also done a complete inspection upstream of the Te Arai River, and upstream of the Waingake Water Treatment Plant.

“Recovery work is in progress and our aim is to remove the major log jams before winter, weather permitting,” the council said.

As far as Te Karaka was concerned, the council said its staff have been analysing all the survey data of the middle reaches of the Waipaoa River, upstream of Kaiteretahi Bridge at Te Karaka.

“This work involves identifying the reasons for flooding and making long-term flood mitigation proposals for Te Karaka.

“Flood-spread mapping work is also in progress for modelling and then staff will come up with solutions for the township.”

■  Work has started clearing silt from the council’s rural land drainage network.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the drains at Manutuke and Patutahi were fully flooded including some areas in Muriwai.

“Contractors have started work at the Whatatuna Drain at Manutuke and from Opou Road on Friday (today).  Work will also start from Patutahi next week.

“One excavator can clear around 200m of drain each day, with some places needing more digging.”

It is estimated it will take 25 days to clear 5km of drains, weather permitting.

“Our plan is to clear 5km of drains in Patutahi, 4km in Manutuke and 2km in Muriwai, initially at critical locations and then continue work in other areas.

“We’re thankful for the recent fine weather to be able to start the work. The clearing work will be extended if the weather continues like this.

“The high water tables and soggy ground conditions have made it difficult for heavy machinery to get in and do the work until last week and we’re still experiencing difficulties at some sites.

“Making the most of the fine weather, at the same time we’re weed spraying the drains as this was missed due to the wet summer and cyclones Hale and Gabrielle,” the council said.

“Usually the drains are dug out and the silt is carted away. But due to the volume of silt, the huge workload and not enough work crews, we’ll dig the drain and leave the silt on the side as we need to use the resources and fine weather while we can.

“We’re committed to clearing the rural drainage system before the winter and this is the quickest way to get the work done.”

■   Work on roadside drains and culverts continues with 21km of drains cleared across the district last week.

It has been estimated that more than 650,000m3 silt has to be removed from drains, slips and roads.

“The silt needs to be carted to disposal sites once we gain landowner agreement and the sites are ready to take the material,” the council said.

“Also in some places the silt still needs to dry out before it can be removed.

“We know where the worst affected areas are and we’re working as quickly as we can while also prioritising reopening roads.”