Viewpoint – Prevention is better than the cure

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Wellsford people for the effort that they have undertaken to help each other and tourists that were stranded in the town recently. The roads were blocked north and south of Wellsford, which left the community stranded. The can-do attitude of this community is amazing. Labour MP Marja Lubeck and her personal assistant Tania Hamilton have stepped up and pushed for government funding to help those in need.

The Rodney district has been exposed to various weather events in our history, the recent flooding in Kumeu, the storms in 2007 and Cyclone Bola in 1988. I remember attending school over 60 years ago and school children living in the Whangaripo Valley were sent home regularly because the Hoteo River was flooding.

The variable that has changed over the past 60 years is the introduction of more housing and infrastructure in Rodney. With great wisdom and forethought, the 1908 Drainage Act was introduced to mitigate risk to properties. The Act was introduced to ensure that drainage pathways were kept clear of all obstruction so that flooding would not become a nuisance.

Over time, local councils in their wisdom, have ordered riparian planting in these channels and allowed the stormwater outlets to be blocked with no maintenance. The resulting effect is a massive blockage of silt and vegetation which acts like a plug. The land is unable to clear itself of excess water. The proliferation of introduced mangroves in the Kaipara Harbour is an example of a giant silt trap, blocking the path of overland water.

Mangawhai cleaned out the mangroves in their harbour and now the ecosystem is regenerating. The rules and regulations imposed by Council pursuant to the Resource Management Act, mean landowners cannot clear their own drains without fear of prosecution and large fines.

On a side note, as I sit here on generator power typing this article, I’m aware that power company managers have become frustrated at rules and restrictions preventing them from clearing vegetation around powerlines. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.

As I have previously reiterated, Council needs to focus and improve on its core responsibilities to the ratepayer – water, stormwater, roading and drainage.