Deputy mayor Denise Eaglesome-Karekare asked Mike Hardie, acting group manager for community assets and services, how work was progressing.
“I am keen to do something there, but if it keeps slipping and becomes impossible to move, would we have money to throw at something that keeps giving issues or do we need a more permanent solution?”
Mr Hardie said that was the challenge the council faced.
“A new alternative is $40-50 million but for now we have to keep the road open until we think of a new plan.”
An alternative route for Blacks Beach Road has been on and off the council table, along with plans for further sea walls and revetments, for some time.
Two sea walls were built along the road in 2015 and the work was priced at $530,000. Five had been planned.
Further revetments as well as alternative routes to the 11.3km road from Nuhaka to Opoutama were investigated in 2020 after Wairoa received $300,000 through the Provincial Growth Fund to support investigations into all the options for access to the peninsula.
After five months of assessments it was decided that the existing route provided the best value for money, with an expected rehabilitation cost of around $8.5m, while also offering the greatest benefits and least risks to the community.
“We may need to revisit it. Is it the best thing to be doing or do we repair it each time it slips?” asked Mr Hardie.
“There have always been issues with the coastline but now we have the slips at the top causing issues.”
Asked what he thought long-term, Mr Hardie said the current road was not in the best spot.
“With climate change and future weather events, chucking money at it may not be the best option.”
Ms Eaglesome-Karekare agreed.
Mr Hardie said a solution would be available.
“It’s there but the affordability is a challenge. We would need NZTA to co-fund it.
“It’s not just Blacks Beach, it’s the whole section — it’s a big job.”
Ms Eaglesome-Karekare said Rocket Lab and others needed to be brought into the discussion.
“Farms at Māhia that want a solution could also be part of the conversation.”
Mr Hardie also gave updates on four roads and bridges.
“Te Reinga Bridge was demolished and temporary bridge designs are nearly finished.”
Minor ground issues were causing the designs to need tweaking, said Mr Hardie.
It was heartbreaking for the affected communities, he said.
“The weather conditions with rain and high rivers are not helping us.”
In his report, Mr Hardie mentioned Te Puna Bridge (Mangapoike Road) requiring a temporary ford crossing, with major challenges on-site with river flow and levels.
The Waikare Bridge at Glenbrook also required a temporary ford crossing, with contractors struggling to work with the design — again, due to river flow and levels.
The future of the Nūhaka River Road was deemed uncertain due to severe damage from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Rocket Lab was approached for comment about the Māhia road issues.
The slips had not caused any disruption to their operations, said senior director communications Morgan Bailey, but the situation was precarious and they were monitoring it closely.
“All it takes is another storm or a bit more heavy rain to cause another collapse that could make the road impassable for all users.
“Many of New Zealand’s regional roads are under strain right now, especially on the East Coast, and stretching local councils and their limited resources to the limit.
“Government funding into future-proofing roads in the region and throughout New Zealand is crucial to keep communities connected.”
Asked if there was additional cost to their programme from the road closures and maintenance, she said central and local governments split the responsibility for maintaining, funding and managing New Zealand’s roading networks, but in a region like Māhia and Wairoa, with a small population, this could be a challenge for local government.
“Rocket Lab has long advocated for increased central government funding to strengthen the roading in the Māhia and Wairoa region, which played a role in the $8.3m Mahia roading investment by the Provincial Growth Fund granted in 2020.”
This announcement, at the same time as the $300,000 PGF grant for the peninsula access investigation, included $7m to seal a 12.5km section of Mahia East Coast Road which leads to the space company’s launch complex at the tip of the peninsula.
“As recent weather events have proven, though, more support is needed as these roads are vital to all users and sectors including farming, forestry, healthcare, tourism and general public use.
“In addition to the Government, Rocket Lab has directly invested more than $1m in roading on the Māhia Peninsula.”
