Marlborough Sounds residents have been told some roads will never be the same - after recent weather caused further damage to the already fragile roading network.
Cars are seen crossing the Wairau River Bridge on SH1 between Blenheim and Picton on 20 August, 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Civil Defence, Marlborough District Council and other agencies met today to discuss the region's recovery plan.
Recovery manager Dean Heiford said while life had returned to normal for some, those in Rai Valley, Canvastown, Kenepuru, Okiwi Bay, French Pass, d'Urville Island, Port Underwood and Queen Charlotte Drive remained without, or with very limited, road access.
The severe weather caused further damage to Queen Charlotte Drive, Kenepuru Road and Awatere Valley road and cut off residents across the Sounds.
"These residents and communities face a long journey back to normality. In some places, in particular in the Marlborough Sounds, the roads as we knew them will never be the same due to the extent of the damage caused in July last year, and then again a couple of weeks ago," Heiford said.
The inter-agency recovery plan followed a format established by the National Emergency Management Agency.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said it was great to see an inter-agency team come together to ensure a connected, cohesive approach to the region's recovery.
"The team has been quick to recognise the long term implications of this event and the importance of bringing people together early as we embark on the recovery journey.
"Unfortunately we are well-versed in responding to the events Mother Nature has handed out to our region but we are ahead of where we were following last year's event and I'm sure this momentum will continue," Leggett said.
One of the first recovery priorities was to speak with those who had been affected and council was in the process of organising community meetings to engage with residents.