Latest news with #ShirleyMillard
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
WW2-type bridge considered for flood-prone Canterbury stream
A bailey bridge is being considered for the Wharekiri Stream. Photo: Supplied by Shirley Millard A bailey bridge is one option being considered to give Clarence Valley residents more reliable road access. Developed during World War II, bailey bridges are commonly used as temporary structures or for emergency situations. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said a range of options are being considered, following Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) decision last month not to extend a sunset clause on funding for a replacement bridge on the Waiau Toa Clarence River, north of Kaikōura. Doughty said the council has previously considered a bailey bridge as a temporary solution, but the cost blew out to $2m when it became clear steel abutments would be needed. ''The stream has changed, so we will relook at that. The elected members are keen to see what is the best bang for buck.'' The Glen Alton bridge was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6m from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace the bridge - a 95 percent subsidy. But the project has been beset by delays, leading to NZTA's funding being withdrawn and leaving landowners high and dry. The council has left the local share of $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget. The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikoura. Photo: Supplied by Kaikōura District Council Doughty said property owners have not given up on the goal of a replacement bridge over the Waiau Toa Clarence River. The cost of the building a new bridge is now estimated to cost $16.5m and the council would need to acquire land for an access road and a resource consent from Environment Canterbury. The previous road access was taken out by the earthquake. ''The indications are a consent might only be valid for five years, so we would need to look at what is the likelihood of getting the funding within that timeframe,'' Doughty said. The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, 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. Doughty said the cost of installing a bailey bridge on the Wharekiri Stream would depend on the size of the bridge and how long it was needed for. Bailey bridges were typically hired, rather than being a permanent structure, and could cost upwards of $30,000 a year for a single span bridge. It was unclear how any solution would be paid for or whether property owners would be asked to contribute. ''No conversations have been had with landowners about contributing,'' Doughty said. ''It is too early to say, but we've got to look at all options. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Residents risk being cut off after bridge funding dries up
Clarence Valley farmers have been left high and dry following a decision not to extend a funding deadline for replacing a quake-damaged bridge north of Kaikōura. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has informed the Kaikōura District Council it will not extend the June 30 sunset clause or offer additional funding for a replacement for the Glen Alton Bridge on Waiau Toa Clarence River, which was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. Property owners now face an uncertain future, without year-round, all weather access to the valley. Steve and Shirley Millard have been farming in the valley for 13 years, with Mrs Millard commuting to work in Kaikōura. ''It should have been done way before now,'' Steve said. ''They said they are looking at other options, but I can't see many.'' The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, 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. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said NZTA's decision is a major setback and left the council with few options. ''The project has had a number of complex issues and stakeholder challenges that, despite best efforts, council has not been able to fully overcome.'' The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6 million from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace bridge - a 95 percent subsidy, but the project has been beset by challenges. The council initially applied to Environment Canterbury (ECan) for a resource consent to build a $13.5m bridge, 500 metres upstream from the previous bridge. But this was opposed by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on cultural grounds. Last year, the council asked its contractor, Contract Structures Ltd, to provide a cost estimate for building a bridge at the original site. Going to the original site will require the council to acquire land for an access road to the new bridge, a process expected to take up to 18 month. The council will leave the local share funding of around $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget while the next steps are considered, Doughty said. NZTA regional manager central and lower South Island Peter Brown said the agency advised the council in December its application for an extension would likely be declined unless it could provide evidence by 28 February the challenges it faced could be overcome. ''Despite some progress being made on key issues, there remained significant ongoing risks and a lack of a clear path forward.'' The NZTA board met last month and declined an extension and a funding increase to $16.5m. ''We understand there will be disappointment over this decision for Clarence Valley residents,'' Brown said. ''The prolonged delays and unresolved issues make continued investment in this project untenable.'' Brown said NZTA will continue to work with the council to explore what options are available. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Farmers risk being cut off as bridge funding dries up
The Wharekiri Stream can be impassable in a flood. Photo: Supplied / Shirley Millard Clarence Valley farmers have been left high and dry following a decision not to extend a funding deadline for replacing a quake-damaged bridge north of Kaikōura. Waka Kotahi - the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) - has informed the Kaikōura District Council it will not extend the 30 June sunset clause or offering additional funding for a replacement for the Glen Alton Bridge on Waiau Toa Clarence River, which was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. Property owners now face an uncertain future, without year-round, all weather access to the valley. Steve and Shirley Millard have been farming in the valley for 13 years, with Mrs Millard commuting to work in Kaikōura. ''It should have been done way before now,'' Steve said. ''They said they are looking at other options, but I can't see many.'' The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, 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. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said NZTA's decision is a major setback and left the council with few options. ''The project has had a number of complex issues and stakeholder challenges that, despite best efforts, council has not been able to fully overcome.'' The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikōura. Photo: Supplied / Kaikōura District Council The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6 million from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace bridge - a 95 percent subsidy, but the project has been beset by challenges. The council initially applied to Environment Canterbury (ECan) for a resource consent to build a $13.5m bridge, 500 metres upstream from the previous bridge. But this was opposed by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on cultural grounds. Last year, the council asked its contractor, Contract Structures Ltd, to provide a cost estimate for building a bridge at the original site. Going to the original site will require the council to acquire land for an access road to the new bridge, a process expected to take up to 18 month. The council will leave the local share funding of around $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget while the next steps are considered, Doughty said. NZTA regional manager central and lower South Island Peter Brown said the agency advised the council in December its application for an extension would likely be declined unless it could provide evidence by 28 February the challenges it faced could be overcome. ''Despite some progress being made on key issues, there remained significant ongoing risks and a lack of a clear path forward.'' The NZTA board met last month and declined an extension and a funding increase to $16.5m. ''We understand there will be disappointment over this decision for Clarence Valley residents,'' Brown said. ''The prolonged delays and unresolved issues make continued investment in this project untenable.'' Brown said NZTA will continue to work with the council to explore what options are available. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
