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Puhoi isn’t the only place facing increased flood threats due to post-storm logjams and river debris, Rodney Local Board heard at its monthly meeting on March 15.
A Sandspit-based environmental group told members that Matakana also had numerous obstructions upstream from the village centre in the wake of recent storms, putting the community at potential risk.
Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) vice chair Martin Evans said in a deputation that access to the Matakana River from the reserve behind Awanui Crescent should be blocked as it was so dangerous.
“There are 11 logjams in the Awanui reserve,” he said. “The banks are vertical now, and they’re like quicksand, it’s incredibly dangerous for kids.
“We had someone in there recently and a tree fell down right in front of them.”
Evans said a workshop was needed with Auckland Council staff to walk the rivers and find where all the obstructions were, as well as a catchment management plan.
Warkworth member Ivan Wagstaff, who lives in Matakana, said it was important that the risks to the local community were communicated and acted upon.
Board chair Brent Bailey suggested that FOAM made a submission on the proposed Auckland Budget, since there was important work not currently being done, and added that the board needed a report before it could make a resolution on the matter.
