Alternatives to Takaka Hill Road Aired

By GALE,Hayley

Farm tracks over Takaka Hill and barges from Port Tarakohe could be used if the road closed.

Representatives from Transit New Zealand, Sollys Freight, Takaka’s Fresh Choice supermarket, Port Tarakohe, Federated Farmers and civil defence discussed the plans at a recent meeting with Golden Bay councillors.

The meeting followed concerns about road slips on Takaka Hill, in particular a slip below the Eureka Bend on the Takaka side, where a temporary bailey bridge was installed last year.

Golden Bay Community Board chairman Joe Bell, who chaired the meeting, said Transit had said it was investigating long-term options. The bailey bridge would be extended if the bank slipped any further, the meeting heard.

“Transit NZ are confident they could deal with the problem,” said Mr Bell. “Only a period of extremely heavy rainfall or an earthquake could close the road.”

He said a contingency plan was to be drawn up in the unlikely event of Golden Bay becoming cut off by road.

“This could involve the use of containers to transport foodstuffs and coal for the dairy factory.”

Air transport and other land routes, such as farm tracks for four- wheel-drive vehicles, were also discussed.

The road has been plagued by slumps and rock falls. Major delays were caused in November 2002 when Transit carried out stabilising work at Eureka Bend following a rock fall.

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