Whakatomotomo Road may not be open for well over a year, local residents were told last night by South Wairarapa District Council.

At a meeting in Pirinoa, residents were briefed on the state of the road and options for remediation.

About 20 residents gathered to hear Mayor Fran Wilde, Councillor and Infrastructure Committee Chair Aidan Ellims, Infrastructure Group Manager James O’Connor and Project Manager Graham Carson share details of the report it received on the road and potential options of the future, including for short term access.

Following the prolonged severe weather in late June and early July this year, the Council commissioned an expert technical report which characterises the slip as likely to very likely to recur, with a consequence rating of “major to disastrous”. As a result, the road has now been closed to all traffic other than residents and to vehicles weighing less than 3,500kg.

Mr Carson talked the residents through the several possible options for remediation, which involve different approaches and range in cost up to $7m. Because of the extensive nature of the slip and the underlying geology, repairs will be complex and take some time to implement, he said.

The meeting also discussed options for short term access for residents by way of a possible ford across the Tūranganui River.

Council representatives told residents they were moving as fast as possible and would be working closely with NZTA Waka Kotahi and Greater Wellington Regional Council to ensure that decisions were made efficiently and speedily.

Mayor Wilde emphasised that protecting life was the Council’s top priority, but that enabling the livelihoods of residents was also a key issue and she asked for assistance for ideas for temporary access.

Access for emergency vehicles was also discussed. Police and ambulance vehicles will be able to access the road but large fire trucks carrying water would not be able to cross the unstable section of the road. The Lake Ferry Fire Brigade Chief told the residents that he would continue to work with FENZ to find an acceptable solution.

Further discussions with small groups and individuals will be ongoing, starting immediately.

Read the Technical Report: https://swdc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/Whakatomotomo-Rd-Slip-–-Options-Memorandum_Redacted.pdf

ENDS

Media contact

Email media@swdc.govt.nz