Matata flood clean-up to cost $17 million

It could cost up to $17 million to clean-up flood ravaged Matata, Whakatane District councillors were told yesterday.

The figure does not include millions needed for roading and councillors will make their final decision on funding tomorrow.

Department of Conservation spokesman John Sutton said the Matata lagoon must be restored.

"Although we know the lagoon is man-made, it is now a regional and national heritage site.

"Before the floods there were known to be 18 threatened birds, rare fresh water fish and plants in habitat there.

The cost of restoring a smaller area of lagoon would be $800,000 to $1.2 million.

"There are serious health hazards in the lagoon at present.

"We have taken out an enormous amount of debris, but what is in there is what used to be in people's garages -- weedkillers, oils and diesel."

The iconic Murphy's motorcamp seems certain to be retained, with suggestions ranging from moving the grounds to constructing culverts alongside the State Highway.

Councillors prefer to spend $1 million in keeping the camping grounds and have accepted a planned realignment of the railway.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)