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Holidaymakers in Gisborne are being warned to steer clear of waterways and beaches after heavy rainfall due to serious health and safety risks.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is urging the public to follow Gisborne District Council’s advice regarding waterways affected by emergency sewer valve releases.
Emergency valves are released to prevent sewage from overflowing back into homes, on to roads and causing any health risks.
While surf and weather conditions are forecast to improve in the coming days, coinciding with the arrival of festival-goers for Rhythm and Vines, water quality notices will remain in effect. Photo / Murray Robertson
“Recent heavy rainfall has overwhelmed the city’s wastewater system, resulting in contamination in the Taruheru and Turanganui rivers, which flow into the city’s beaches,”SLSNZ said.
Contact with contaminated water poses serious health risks, it said.
It also said all patrolled beaches in the area — including Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae and Midway — are showing a red water-quality alert. This means it is not safe to swim due to the contamination.
In addition to this, surfers are advised to avoid beaches due to the extreme weather.
“Surf conditions feature large swells and strong winds, making the water particularly hazardous,” it said.
A large tree defies the current of Waimata River opposite Clifford St houses in Gisborne on December 27.
Beachgoers are advised that lifeguards will be actively engaging with the public at these beaches to communicate potential risks and offer safety advice.
While surf and weather conditions are forecast to improve in the coming days, coinciding with the arrival of festival-goers for Rhythm and Vines, water quality notices will remain in effect.
The line-up for this year's Rhythm and Vines festival boasts several high-profile international acts, from Princess Diana rapper Ice Spice to Aussie EDM duo Peking Duk and electronic rockers Pendulum.
This year the line-up boasts several high-profile international acts, from Princess Diana rapper Ice Spice to Aussie EDM duo Peking Duk and electronic rockers Pendulum.
Some 20,000 festival-goers are set to descend on Gisborne in the coming days to welcome in the new year.
Beach clean-up work carried out prior to Christmas in Gisborne has been undone by the latest stormy weather and a lot of mainly smaller debris had built up on the city beaches, as this picture taken mid-morning yesterday shows. Photo / Murray Robertson
SLSNZ advises festival goers and all members of the public to stay out of the water to avoid the risk of illness.
Gisborne District Council is monitoring the situation and will provide updates to water quality notices five days after the wastewater overflow is turned off.
“Your safety is our priority. Please adhere to all advice and precautions to protect yourself, your whānau and your community,” SLSNZ said.
More than a month’s worth of rain fell on Boxing Day in Gisborne in what was a record for the wettest December there since records were taken in 1937.
A MetService spokesman told the Gisborne Herald on Friday that the rainfall on Thursday pushed the city’s December rainfall total to 206.9mm. The previous record was 204mm, set in 1954.
Gisborne had the best weather in the country on Christmas Day at 28C but a day later was enduring conditions among the worst as a deluge arrived from the north, followed by a dose from the south.
