Historic Denniston access reopens in Northern Buller

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Historic access to the Denniston Incline in Northern Buller has reopened after being closed since Cyclone Dovi in February 2022.

The access, administrated by the Department of Conservation, became unstable as slips came down during the cyclone.

Conns Creek Rd provides access to the foot of the historic Denniston Incline, just inland from Waimangaroa.

The road was once the track bed for a 2.7km branch railway from Waimangaroa to take coal coming down the Denniston Incline for transport the Westport wharves.

The incline, once described as "the eighth wonder of the world", worked from 1880 until its closure in 1967.

It is administered within the DoC Denniston heritage area.

Conns Creek Rd is also the route for the Buller District Council water supply pipeline to the settlement of Waimangaroa.

The road closed while repairs were carried out on significant slips caused by Cyclone Dovi.

DOC Buller area manager Suvi van Smit said the road had about 10 slips along its length, or one slip about every 100m.

"It also affected the water line to Waimangaroa. The track is now open to the public."

However, while pedestrians could now get in, it was not yet suitable for ordinary vehicle access, van Smit told the West Coast Conservation Board.

DOC was working with Heritage New Zealand on historic stone culverts along the road.

The Buller District Council started a $2.3m project in September 2022 to replace its water line, which was completed in winter 2023.

Meanwhile the nearby historic Britannia Track, also administered by DOC, has been closed since early 2021 following a major slip on a rock overhang about 1.2km from the car park.

The historic 12km long pack track leads to the historic Britannia stamper battery towards the Denniston Escarpment.

Board member John Taylor asked if the department had now "written off" the track.

Van Smit said the main erosion problem was at the bottom end of the track due to stream incursion but there were also "large slips" along the track.

"It's very unsafe but due to be reassessed in February."