The state of local roads was top of mind for the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board, which heard reports of roading issues from two local residents at its meeting last week in Karitane.
The first speaker at the board’s public forum was Nick Oldham, resident of Henry St in Waikouaiti, who had questions about part-charges relating to dust suppression on the gravel road and questioned why the road was not sealed, given the number of houses along it. He also raised the issue of excessive speed by some motorists on the road.
Board chairman Alastair Morrison and DCC senior officer People and Capability acting head Mike Cartwright, explained that the council had moved to a new, environmentally-friendly form of dust suppression on rural gravel roads, as engine oil was no longer acceptable. This was more expensive, and so councillors had decided to ask residents to pay half of the cost.
In relation to having Henry St sealed, Cr Jim O’Malley said he had been working on the issue of sealing roads, and would push to get the road sealed "sooner rather than later".
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board also heard from Lionel Gavin, a resident of Wright Rd in Evansdale, who spoke of the impact of logging truck movements up and down the road to a forestry plantation that was being felled.
Heavy rain had caused problems with the road surface, including slumping on a blind corner and there were problems with drainage. Requests for the damage to be repaired, and a culvert cleared had fallen on deaf ears, Mr Gavin said.
Those driving four-wheel drive vehicles were OK, but regular cars were "bellying out" on the road, he said.
The board and council representatives noted his concerns and undertook to look into the situation.
The board also heard a presentation from a representative of the Waiputai Trust, which had requested funding of $375 towards running three "Computer Learning Clinics" for local residents during the remainder of 2023.
The purpose of the clinics was to enable the community to better connect to others through technology.
The board was supportive of the project and granted the funding request.
In a lengthy board chairman’s report, Alastair Morrison covered a variety of topics, including buses, Karitane harbour, the discretionary fund, rabbit control, water drainage issues, East Otago Blokes Shed, vegetation, and local policing.
