Landslip just ‘nature taking its course ‘ Doc tells West Coast council
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A landslip on conservation land that risks triggering a massive washout at Barrytown is just "nature taking its course".
West Coast Regional Council chief executive Heather Mabin relayed the response she had from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to the council this week following a meeting about a slip above the Granite Creek bridge on State Highway 6.
Barrytown resident Roger Reid has previously raised concern about the slip potentially having a major impact on both the highway and the settlement of Barrytown downhill of the bridge.
Reid's property is being eaten away by Granite Creek after a slip on DOC reserve into the creek behind his property a few years caused the creek to alter course.
He feared that if nothing were done the creek could either overtop his property or bypass the bridge and run down through the township.
Cr Brett Cummings raised a similar question at the council's Resource Management Committee meeting this week.
He asked who would be responsible if a tree on DOC land fell into a watercourse, dammed it, diverted it away from any stopbank and then affected adjoining private occupiers.
Mabin said she had sought clarity of that point with DOC.
"I had a conversation with [Western South Island director] Mark Davies of DOC around this particular issue, to do with Granite Creek and the fact that upstream there is a slip on DOC land that has diverted the creek.
"Eventually there's going to be a massive washout of debris ... that's going to go across the NZTA infrastructure, and the creek [bed]below the road is so high. The response was it was 'nature taking its course' and that DOC has numerous kilometres of creeks that border private land and infrastructure."
Mabin said the council approached DOC to try to get traction on the Granite Creek problem and the "pending situation" of the creek breaking out.
"I would suspect it would be much the same response to a tree falling on a stopbank," she said.
Davies was approached for further comment but declined.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.4% A week before Christmas
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33.2% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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