Progress being made at "The Rock" on Kenepuru Road as road repairs continue following the July storm. Photo: Supplied / Marlborough Roads
Almost two years after the first of two devastating storms caused widespread damage to the Marlborough Sounds, the council has released details of its preferred transport options.
It has suggested road access be reinstated across the majority of the Sounds, but in the Kenepuru a balanced approach between rebuilding roads and developing marine infrastructure was needed.
Mayor Nadine Taylor said with a cost estimate of $160 million to reinstate access and $80m to adapt to future hazards, the council wanted feedback from the community.
Nadine Taylor. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
"Certainly in my time as mayor this will be the most significant decision that people of Marlborough will have to make, and that's around, how do we move forward with the fixing of these roads with the road in recovery and how do we pay for it?"
She said while it was not known what the funding mix between council and government would be until after the business case had been submitted for approval, it was likely to have a significant impact on rates for those in the district.
"The government investment in this recovery is going to be critical. It's going to be the determining factor as to whether it's affordable for the people of Marlborough or not."
The Marlborough Future Access Study has split the Sounds into five areas, with a video showing the repair options for each area.
The preferred options identified in the study are estimated to cost $160m in total:
- $45m for road access in Rai Valley-Te Aumiti/French Pass
- $5m for a road focused approach in Te Hoiere/Pelorus
- $30m for road focused approach in Queen Charlotte
- $60m for a balanced approach between roading and marine infrastructure in Kenepuru
- $20m for road access in Te Whanganui/Port Underwood.
The Kenepuru area is reported to be the most complex due to its geological instability.
The council suggested a balanced approach to repairs in the Kenepuru, where it builds back some roads, does essential repairs on others and invests in marine transport and facilities.
Transport recovery advisor Steve Murrin said the aim was to try to restore vehicle access for those in the Kenepuru area, but it would look different to what it had previously.
"We're not going to have a two-lane road like was there prior to the storm event, but there will be a number of single-lane sections. Some of the corners will be quite tight. The designs we're doing for the repairs, you will be able to get a truck and trailer around these corners but they won't be to stay in the same lane, so they're more than likely going to need to be piloted as they go in and out."
Steve Murrin. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
As it stands in the proposal, the cost of the repairs will be spread across all Marlborough ratepayers. Council chief executive Mark Wheeler said that was up for discussion and he hoped residents across the district would share their views on it.
"Blenheim residents will benefit from tourism visitation in the Sounds, so there's an argument that at least some of the costs can be shared, but should it be all of the cost?
"Those are the difficult decisions that council will have to make."
Heavy rain last year caused more damage to the slip-affected Queen Charlotte Drive. Photo: Supplied / Marlborough District Council
The proposal also includes funding for adaptation - to prepare for future storms, earthquakes, sea-level rise and other severe weather events.
"The hazard adaptation pathway has a lower capital cost but a longer-term benefit so marine access generally is what's proposed, but it does have quite high ongoing maintenance costs."
The hazard adaptation is estimated to cost $80m in total:
- $20m for marine access in Rai Valley-Te Aumiti/French Pass
- $2m for balanced/marine access in Te Hoiere/Pelorus
- $10m for marine access in Queen Charlotte
- $40m for marine access in Kenepuru
- $10 for marine access Te Whanganui/Port Underwood.
Waka Kotahi has already committed $140m in funding to repairing roads in Marlborough since the storms.
Director of regional relationships Emma Speight said many regions were currently in need of financial support to repair road infrastructure after severe weather events.
"We've been really clear that the previous funding at 95 percent is not sustainable and that we do see our partnership with Marlborough is really important, but that we have to consider the affordability across the country as a whole."
Seven community sessions will be held over the next two weeks in the Marlborough Sounds, Picton, Blenheim and Nelson.
A survey seeking the public's feedback on the proposal is open until 11 July.