Controversial floodwall ‘may never stop leaking’
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Transfer of a controversial Franz Josef flood bank into West Coast Regional Council ownership remains to be seen as engineers assess the extent of its leaks.
The Havill Wall was controversially authorised by former Westland mayor Bruce Smith and his close ally, former councillor Durham Havill, following an April 2016 storm.
The event saw the Waiho (Waiau) River overtop an existing stopbank at the northern entrance to Franz Josef and wipe out the sewage treatment site.
It also ruined the now abandoned Scenic Group Franz Josef Mueller Wing hotel complex.
Transfer of the wall's ownership to the regional council is included in its 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP) as it moves to complete a $12.5 million stop bank improvement scheme in the area.
But during the recent formal LTP hearing, council chief executive Darryl Lew said the underlying engineering integrity of the Havill Wall still needs to be better understood.
Councillor Peter Ewen said he still felt uneasy about the Havill Wall and wanted to see how it coped with "a real southerly storm".
Councillor Andy Campbell, chair of the Franz Josef Joint Rating District, said the wall as it was, "may never stop leaking".
Lew said the regional council knew full well of the Havill Wall's "seepage" issue.
But at this stage council needed to fully understand to what extent that seepage compromised the structure's flood protection value.
Lew said all flood banks administered by council across the region to some extent "have seepage" and were never entirely "impervious flood barriers," he said.
It was if the degree of seepage was "acceptable to its viability", with that aspect currently under engineering investigation.
Lew said if the seepage was assessed as acceptable without compromising the protection value of the wall, "then that's fine".
If not, then it would not be acceptable to take on ownership.
Lew also noted the Government money for the north bank scheme had included future mitigation of the Havill Wall.
Ewen asked if the ownership transfer idea also extended to an emergency extension built at the end of the wall by the district council, following the January 2024 weather event.
The district council built the small extension amidst fears that, with the Waiho River having swung north into the neighbouring Tatare Stream, it might eventually take out the Franz Josef sewage ponds on the same side.
Lew said what the district council had done was "really an isolated" piece of work and the regional council did not intend to take it on.
The Havill Wall was controversially thrown up without regional council consent.
In 2017 Westland District got a grilling from the Office of the Auditor General over its actions, and the wall subsequently got retrospective consent.
The regional council has already undertaken work on the Havill Wall under its $12m Waiho northern bank protection scheme - which aims to increase resilience for the tourist hotspot of Franz Josef.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.5% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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