Months to sort flood damage around the city

Aramoana Rd between Aramoana and Careys Bay remains closed to the general public after it was damaged during high tides last week. Photo: Tim Miller

Dunedin City Council staff and contractors were still working yesterday to clear areas affected by the floods  but most of the serious issues had now be fixed.

Council recovery manager Simon Pickford said all properties where flood assistance had been requested had been visited and very few had problems with wastewater entering living spaces.

A burst wastewater pipe near Malvern St had been given a temporary fix but permanent repairs would involve work in the bed of the Water of Leith which would likely take several months, Mr Pickford said.

The pipe was only recently repaired after being damaged during previous floods.

All reported wastewater flooding of city streets had also been cleared, Mr Pickford said.

There had been no requests for assistance from the mayoral relief fund.

While most of the roads around the city had been cleared, some areas would require further work, he said.

Aramoana Rd between Aramoana and Careys Bay remained closed to the general public and council staff and contractors were undertaking further assessment of the road.

People were still being advised to keep out of the water at Macandrew Bay and the Andersons Bay inlet after wastewater overflowed during the heavy downpour.

A notice for people not to collect shellfish from the Otago Harbour and costal beaches (Sandfly Bay to Westwood) was still in force.

Southern Clams operations manager David Redshaw said the company closed its operation in Blueskin Bay on Thursday night but was able to restart early on Sunday morning.

The company had its own monitoring system so it was not affected by the council’s notice, Mr Redshaw said.

"We’re under the Ministry of Primary industries and have our own management plan and monitoring system which we rely on."

"When fresh runs into the bay, it dilutes the saltwater and if it does that at a fast rate our monitoring system will close us, which is what happened."

tim.miller@odt.co.nz