Time Running Out To Replace Quake Damaged Bridge

Friday, 4 October 2024, 7:00 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The fate of a replacement Clarence River bridge hangs in the balance, as costs escalate and a sunset clause on funding approaches.

Conversations are continuing with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency over plans to replace the Waiau Toa Clarence River bridge, which was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016, Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said.

He said Waka Kotahi has asked the council to make application for a funding increase and extension to the June 2025 sunset clause, with a response not expected until next month.

‘‘Time keeps going by, but I think by the end of this calendar year we will be in a position to make some key decisions.

‘‘We’ve got to just keep pushing on to try and get an outcome.’’

Mr Doughty said Waka Kotahi has advised there is ‘‘no certainty’’ the council’s application will be approved.

But the agency has given approval for the council to work towards acquiring the necessary resource consents and land.

Waka Kotahi had approved a 95 percent subsidy to build a new $13.5 million bridge 500 metres upstream from the previous crossing.

But this site faced opposition from Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura due to cultural reasons.

The Rūnanga has indicated it will support building a new bridge at the original site, which is also preferred by property owners.

The council’s contractor, Contract Structures Ltd, has completed a 50% design for the new bridge at the original site, with its initial cost estimate exceeding the approved budget.

‘‘If any additional funding is needed we will need to look at the local share,’’ Mr Doughty said.

‘‘We have looked at a number of options and we are at an option which has to work, if we want to end up with a bridge.’’

A resource consent still needs to be obtained from Environment Canterbury and the council will likely need to purchase land for a new road.

The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, some large hill country properties and Department of Conservation land.

For now access in and out is via Waipapa Road, Wharekiri Stream and a paper road through several properties.

But the Wharekiri Stream is prone to flooding in heavy rain events and can be impassable for up to two weeks.

Access is by four-wheel-drive only.

‘‘It has been a long journey and we are hopefully heading towards a positive outcome,’’ Mr Doughty said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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