Drop-in sessions to keep people up to date with recovery/rebuild work

Crew members working at Devil’s Elbow, a crucial part of the SH2 link to Gisborne and a key part of the coming drop-in sessions. Picture supplied

Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) is inviting locals throughout Tairāwhiti to learn more about the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and rebuild.

TREC is an alliance set up to plan, design and manage the delivery of much of the recovery and rebuild work needed on the state highway and rail networks along the East Coast, in partnership with local contractors and suppliers.

It is also working closely with iwi and district council partners.

Since July when TREC was created, the focus has be en on recovery work to restore access to parts of the State Highway network, such as fixing damaged sites along SH35 and around Mangahauini.

Across Tairāwhiti more than 120 recovery sites have been completed from a total of 264.

A further 25 are in construction and 78 in design.

The recovery work will continue until the end of the year.

From next week, TREC is hosting a series of drop-in sessions for local communities to get to know more about TREC’s ongoing recovery work, to meet the team and share local knowledge.

“We’ll be asking people for their views and feedback on potential long-term rebuild projects, including Mangahauini Gorge on State Highway 35,” TREC Tairāwhiti spokesman Richard Bayley said.

“At the same time, we’ll be providing a progress update on large projects, such as the State Highway 35 Hikuwai bridges, and talking about resilience sites being investigated along-State Highway 2.

“These initial projects are a key focus because they’re all critically important parts of the network to keep freight moving and communities connected, especially in emergencies.”

While the alliance was using the expertise of local contractors to carry out work, the input from local communities, iwi, hapū and other organisations would be invaluable., Mr Bayley said.

“We want to hear from the people who live and work in these communities and who drive the state highway network regularly.

“We are grateful to communities for all their support since Cyclone Gabrielle, crews for their hard work and road users for their understanding. We know it hasn’t been easy with so many worksites in operation and we do want to reiterate our thanks to people for their support while we restore access and rebuild a more resilient network.”

TREC wants as many people as possible to have their say on the network and in particular, the current focus area of Mangahauini Gorge.

• People who cannot make any of the drop-in sessions are invited to have their say via an online questionnaire, available from Tuesday, March 19, to Tuesday, April 16, on the TREC webpage of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Community drop-in sessions

Waikare and District Sports Club, Putorino, Tuesday, March 19, 5pm to 7pm;

Kahungunu Marae, Nuhaka, Monday, March 25, 4pm to 6pm;

Wairoa Community Centre, Tuesday, March 26, 5pm to 7pm;

Opotiki School, Wednesday, April 3, 5pm to 7pm;

Rangatira Tavern, Te Karaka, Thursday, April 4, 4pm to 6pm;

Midway Surf Life Saving Club, Gisborne, Monday, April 8, 5pm to 7pm;

Reynolds Hall, Tolaga Bay, Tuesday, April 9, 5pm to 7pm;

Haven Senior Citizens Association, Tokomaru Bay, Wednesday, April 10, 5pm to 7pm.