Damage from January 21’s tropical storm is expected to cost the Hauraki District around $5.8 million to repair, according to a document tabled at the council’s April 8 meeting.
Costs include $1.19 million for roading network repairs, up to $4.38 million for repair and resilience improvements to the Ohinemuri river trail, up to $60,000 for dune repair, an estimated $50,000 for repairs to the Waihī Wastewater Treatment Plant, around $50k to remediate slips at the Whiritoa Wastewater Treatment Plant, and up to $100k to repair the boardwalk at Waihī’s Gilmour Lake.
The report showed the weather event resulted in a cumulative rainfall of more than 350mm over 24 hours in Whiritoa, and 370mm in Golden Valley. Two red stickers, seven yellow stickers, and three white stickers were issued to properties affected by the storm.
In Whiritoa, the slips at the wastewater treatment plant caused the ponds to overflow directly to the river for several days, resulting in a notice to avoid swimming at the southern end of the beach.
General manager of service delivery Adrian de Laborde told councillors the overflow was mostly stormwater, and while it was untreated it would have been significantly diluted.
The council is undertaking geotechnical work to determine the extent of the damage and identify what remedial work will be needed, the report said. A planned project to upgrade the plant is also on hold while the site is repaired.
During the meeting, councillors also heard a report from the Water Services Team, containing updates on the district’s water treatment plant upgrade projects.
Two new raw water tanks are now operational at the Kerepēhi Water Treatment Plant, the report said, doubling the Plains Network’s raw water storage capacity.
In Waitakaruru, investigations are underway to determine the cause of multiple power interruptions which have caused several disruptions to its operation.
Meanwhile, divers were needed at the Paeroa Water Treatment Plant to clear a hardened silt layer and large rocks obstructing the intake screen at the Waitāwheta River after the January storm.
Meanwhile, the council has also approved funding of up to $10,000 plus GST for Paeroa Rotary from its Community Development Grant, as well as a one-off grant of $1700 for community magazine Whiritoa Tidings.
The Rotary grant will go towards a beautification project along Paeroa’s main street, involving initiatives such as floral planters, dog water bowls, and decorative lighting. Rotary said the project will “create a more vibrant and welcoming town centre”.
Whiritoa Tidings will use its grant to help cover printing costs for the magazine, which is published seven times a year. The magazine’s grant application said the grant was needed due to rising printing costs stemming from the fuel crisis. Councillors debated the grant’s approval; while they agreed the magazine met the criteria for the fund by contributing to the vibrancy of the Whiritoa community, some said it could set a precedent of council providing a “blank cheque” to bolster community news organisations.
In the end, most of the councillors agreed to a one-off grant for Whiritoa Tidings, with four against.
