A 20-metre dropout along the lake edge at Tuai is under repair.

The road fell victim to Cyclone Debbie back in April 2017 with the slip taking out the full width of the road forcing a bypass to be put in place along the berm.

The dropout is just before the Tuai power station, and as well as losing both road lanes communication cables, power lines and a water main were also damaged or left dangling.

Power lines and the Genesis main fibre optic cable,

a critical link for the power stations, were temporarily moved to the side of the dropout.

A section of the water main within the roadway was also lost resulting in Tuai residents temporarily being without water.

Fortunately, the sewer main, while exposed, did not drop out.

Council secured subsidised weather-related funding from NZTA and engaged Land Development Exploration from Gisborne to conduct the geotech testing and surveying which resulted in a final design involving a steel sheet pile wall.

The remedial work will involve a five-metre-high retaining wall being built with nine-metre-long sheet piles driven into the ground and secured with ground anchors.

The $450,000 repair job is being carried out by McNatty Construction which started work in October and aims to be finished by the end of January.

Wairoa District Council chief executive Steven May said it had been a long process as Council has worked through the design and tender process.

He praised the work of the Council’s community asset group for working through the process to find the best solution.

“I would like to thank the Tuai community and Genesis staff for their patience while we have worked to find a solution.”

Council is also involved in sprucing up the Tuai area in preparation for this weekend’s East Coast waka ama regatta being held at Lake Whakamarino

The event is expected to draw hundreds of visitors.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the Tuai village and area is one of the district’s best-kept secrets.

“It really is a magical place and Council has been actively investing in the area to make Tuai even more of a destination by enhancing what is already there.”

“Work has been carried out on repairing the concrete the steps leading down to Lake Whakamarino, clearing the broken concrete around the boat ramp and tidying up the toilet block.

“Tuai is a great community, and I commend everyone who has come together to assist Council to make the most of such a beautiful area.”

 The concrete steps leading down to Lake Whakamarino are being spruced up in preparation for this weekend’s East Coast waka ama regatta.

5 December 2018

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