North Canterbury News: July 13, 2023

EARTHMOVING
North Canterbury News, July 13, 2023
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Access problems at Clarence
By DAVID HILL
Local Democracy Reporter
Clarence Valley farmer Steve Millard has
the job of maintaining atemporary
access to connect with the outside world.
It has been Mr Millard’s lot since the
November 2016 earthquake destroyed
the Glen Alton bridge, over the Waiau
Toa Clarence River
Mr Millard, who owns adigger and a
bulldozer, and has the job of maintaining
the ford and the road, which is subject to
several landslips.
‘‘We knew we would be isolated when
we came here, but back then we had a
decent road and abridge,’’ he says.
The Kaikōura District Council has
applied to Environment Canterbury for a
resource consent to build a$13.5 million
bridge, 500 metres upstream from the
previous bridge.
Environment Canterbury has said the
application was on hold while further
information was sought from the
Kaikōura council.
Among the challenges was addressing
the cultural concerns of Te Rūnanga o
Kaikōura.
Mr Millard and his wife Shirley are
among several properties in the Clarence
Valley, including forestry blocks close to
harvesting, some large hill country
properties and Department of
Conservation land.
For now access is via Waipapa Road,
Wharekiri Stream and apaper 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 four­wheel­drive only, as
the gravel in the creek ‘‘can be quite
soft’’, Mr Millard says.
‘‘There has been afew times when
we’ve had to abandon our vehicle and get
achopper home and it just adds to our
costs.’’
The Millards moved to the valley 11
years ago and farmed beef cattle and
deer, hosting tourists for trophy hunting
tours.
While the tourists could be flown in by
helicopter, getting stock trucks in was
more of achallenge.
‘‘You can get astock truck up here,
when the creek’s not in flood, but not a
truck and trailer,’’ Mr Millard says.
Mrs Millard says one of the neighbours
applied for Lotteries funding after the
earthquakes and received agrant which
was shared among the property owners to
assist with the extra costs such as hiring
ahelicopter.
But the funding has run out.
‘‘All we’re asking for is to get back at
least what we had,’’ Mr Millard says.
‘‘I’ve already had to call in the
helicopter when Iwas ill.
‘‘They wanted to send an ambulance,
but Isaid ‘no, send the helicopter,
because the ambulance will get stuck.’’
In flood ... The Wharekiri Stream in flood.
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDBYSHIRLEYMILLARD
Comment has been sought from Te
Rūnanga oKaikōura.
Public journalism funded through New
Zealand on Air.
What remains ... The remains of the Glen
Alton Bridge on Clarence River, which was
destroyed in the November 2016 earthquake.
PHOTO:SUPPLIEDBYKAIKŌURA DISTRICT COUNCIL
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