Contractors flat out in wake of floods

1.00pm

Contractors are flat out trying to replace and repair flood-hit farm fences in the Manawatu region.

Contractor Tony Hansen said one of the biggest problems was accessing and cleaning up areas before work could start. Some were unlikely to be fixed until next summer.

"A lot of the high-country guys are holding off.

"They're fixing slips and they probably won't get on to fences until next summer."

Many fences were buried in silt and useless to contain stock, while others were unsalvageable.

"It's easier to put up new fences than try to repair stuff that's wrecked."

Contractor Ross McLean said he still had farmers ringing him, weeks after the flood.

"Not all farmers can afford to replace fences at the moment because they're not insured. You've got to wait for it to dry out before you can get a tractor in there and clean things out."

Farmers were in desperate need of gear for fencing, water reticulation and bridging, he said.

Rural Recovery Centre head Shelley Dew-Hopkins said most farmers facing the huge task of trying to rebuild their farms were not entitled to insurance payouts.

"The devastation in some areas is hard to imagine unless you've seen it."

Hill country farmers in south Taranaki, Wanganui, Rangitikei and upper Manawatu lost much of their farm to slips, which had taken away boundary fences, tracks, bridges and roads.

"The cost to farmers will be substantial. Any donations of fencing gear, troughs, water pipes or material to rebuild bridges would be much appreciated. This is a very practical way for farmers around the country to help if they want to," she said.

Particularly in demand were temporary or permanent fencing materials, including netting, battens, electric fence units, wire and insulators, water troughs, ballcocks, alkathene and pipe fittings, timber for fence rails, and bridging material including beams, railway irons, timber and power poles.

Donations of digger or bulldozer machine and driver time would also be appreciated.

Donations can be delivered to the storehouse at Wrightson in Feilding.

Farmers who want to help out can also adopt a district. A Taranaki farmer has rallied a team of farmers who are coming south with machinery and fencing materials.

Project co-ordinator Steve Barr said the aim is to provide a way for farmers throughout New Zealand to provide practical assistance to fellow dairy farmers in Wanganui, Manawatu and Horowhenua.

Farmers will help rebuild farms, homes and lives in their adopted district.

"They would be accommodated and fed while they're here for up to three weeks."

If people are interested in adopting a district, they should call Mr Barr on (06) 323-2954.

- NZPA