Bay Harbour: August 11, 2021

Bay Harbour News Wednesday August 11 2021
4
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
No simple solution for
stormwater drains
• By Samantha Mythen
HEAVY RAINFALL this year
has meant the stormwater drains
at Sumner have had to be cleared
out on more than 20 occasions
to date.
City council head of three
waters and waste Helen
Beaumont said the outfalls,
which drain onto Sumner beach,
are cleared by excavators when
rain is expected. This helps to
prevent flooding in Sumner
village.
“The forecast is monitored
closely and we respond as
required,” said Beaumont.
The total recorded excavation
costs since November 2018 are
$72,929.
Over the 2020-2021 period, the
costs so far have been $26,860.
June and July costs are not
included, but these could add
approximately $18,000.
For the 2019-2020 period, the
costs were $26,943 and for the
2018-2019 period, the costs were
$19,126.
“While the costs are reasonably
consistent, is also worth noting
that the annual rainfall over that
period has been between 50-60%
of the typical annual rainfall in
Sumner,” said Beaumont.
DRAINAGE: Stormwater outflow pipes, Sumner Beach.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN ​
“As such, when a more
“typical” year occurs the
costs would be higher due to
more frequent rain events and
potentially higher rainfall.”
Beaumont said there is no
simple engineering solution for
preventing the drains from being
blocked due to dynamic sand
levels compared to the level of
the road and the drains.
“A number of years ago, the
level of sand was well below the
outfalls, it has been increasing
over many years and is currently
approximately the same height as
the road,” said Beaumont.
“The height of the outfall can’t
be increased as it would then
be higher than the point where
water enters the stormwater
network. At this point in time
responding to rain events
is appropriate.”
SOIL AND
HARDFILL
DUMPING
Deterioration ‘serious’
• From page 1
“Sadly, the gates have been left
to deteriorate and are in very
poor condition. They are in need
of tender loving care to bring
them back to pristine condition,”
he said.
“Paint has faded, the exterior
surface is pitted with rust and in
several places, the rust
has completely eaten
through the main
pillars supporting the
gates.”
Prior to his death in
June 2020, Sumner resident
Ross Clapp had
shared his concerns
about the gate’s “shabby
state,” with Latham, and asked
for his help in doing something
about it.
In response to Clapp’s concerns,
Latham had raised the
issue of the gate’s disrepair with
the board in October last year,
hoping to see action from the city
council to restore the gates or see
an alternative proposed.
“From my casual observation,
the gates will require considerable
restoration work to restore them
given the serious deterioration that
has taken place,” Latham said.
The park is actively used by
Sumner residents, with cricket
and rugby often played on the
grass area.
The Sumner-Redcliffs Historical
Society would also like to see
the gate’s repaired.
“They should not have been allowed
to get into that bad state in
the first place,” society secretary
Topsy Rule said.
“It’s just like your house, you
respect it and if it’s been broken,
you fix it.”
The park’s grounds were
remodelled, made larger and
opened in 1926. The
gates were unlocked
by Sumner Mayoress
Mrs Nicholson.
During the unlocking,
Nicholson
expressed a desire the
park would be a source
of health and happiness
for years to come.
“The gates are an excellent
example of that period in our
history,” said Latham.
In response to Hardy’s comments,
Latham said he was
pleased to learn that the gates
may be restored.
However, he remained concerned
about the lack of scheduled
maintenance previously
undertaken on the gates.
“To suggest that the gates are
‘’maintained on a reactive basis’’
is somewhat concerning,” he said.
“These gates have historical
significance for Sumner residents
and are part of our heritage. They
should be part of a scheduled
maintenance check programme. I
doubt whether the gates of Mona
Vale or the Botanical Gardens are
maintained on a reactive basis.”
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