As the Moeraki community battled to reopen the main route into the historic village, the Waitaki District Council should have learnt the value of local knowledge, the need to be able to react to issues quickly and the importance of maintaining infrastructure that supports Waitaki’s assets, the three Waihemo ward candidates say.
When approached about the topic this week, candidate Paul Mutch, of Dunback, said he believed the community rebuild of Haven St proved the importance of listening to locals.
He singled out Waihemo Community Board member Jane Carlyon, of Moeraki, for her "skill and perseverance" and her ability to "pull people together" to work on a solution.
"It was the community that rebuilt the road and they have clearly lived with it and understand it and the discussions they have had over so many years has built up a knowledge about that particular road — they would understand the remedies," Mr Mutch said.
That thinking could be applied to other roads in the district and raised as an issue for the incoming council.
"These are not monstrously big issues to put right if that will is there to do it," Mr Mutch said.
"I think knowledge is close at hand. I don’t think we need to invest massive amounts of money, you know, just to discuss it. You quickly run up bills and get the discussions costing more than the remedy."
Palmerston-based Stephen Wesselingh, also running for mayor and the Waihemo Community Board, said the issues at Haven St were a symptom of the "attitude problem" at the council he wants to see addressed.
The council appeared to be "bogged down in all their rules and regulations and processes" and not able to respond to the road’s or the community’s needs in a timely fashion.
"Council decision-making and processes were far too slow to react to the situation. The community had to take the lead and try to solve the issue itself," he said, questioning the maintenance programme.
Moeraki-based Jan Wheeler said the value the community put in the road showed how important it was to protect the infrastructure that allowed access to the district’s assets.
She applauded the "extensive effort" the community had put into the road as well as the council’s show of faith as it entrusted the work to the community, but she said the road "should have received regular maintenance and the [council] should not have let it deteriorate as much as it did before the road closure".
"While Haven St was closed, the alternative detour route of Tenby St was not suitable and dangerous in places for the volumes of traffic using it," Mrs Wheeler said.
"Haven St is the main thoroughfare to Moeraki village and port — a major tourist destination. The repaired Haven St road enhances the access to this beautiful seaside fishing village."
Recent history of Haven St
2009: Following petition, WDC commits $630,000 to stabilise road.
2011: Waihemo Community Board member Jack Lyford describes road as "an absolutely shocking mess".
2013: A 350m to 400m section collapses following heavy rain, road closed.
2014: WDC holds extraordinary meeting at Moeraki marae, community offers to work to reopen road.
2015: Partnership formed between community members and WDC, community rebuilds road.
2016: Road reopens, but soon starts to settle; council assets manager says road sealed "too early" and will be monitored for two years as a gravel road.
