Historic Denniston access reopens in Northern Buller
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."
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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79.7% Yes
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19.9% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
Neighbourly Q&A: Renting rights with CAB's Sacha Green
We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly. This week we have the amazing Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ) who will be answering your questions about your renting rights.
A little bit about Sacha:
She has been working for CABNZ for 10 years and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge of their rights as well as ensuring access to justice.
She helps support the team of over 2,000 trained volunteers who deliver the CAB service in 80 neighbourhoods around Aotearoa by providing advice and support at a national level on a wide range of issues. One of Sacha’s work areas is leading the CAB’s social justice work on housing and tenancy issues.
Whether you're a flatmate, landlord, boarder or flatmate, you can leave a comment below and Sacha will share an answer on Wednesday from 9.30am. You may want to ask about notice periods, bond fulfillment, reasonable rent increases, or even whose responsibility it is to deal with mould in the home.
Join Sacha here on Wednesday at 9.30am. See you then!.
⇩ Share your question below ⇩
Tips for moving to a retirement village with a pet
Moving to a retirement village marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities waiting to be explored. Naturally, you want to share this journey with your beloved furry companion, and at Ryman, you are welcome to bring your pet along, provided they are suitable for the village environment.
Once your pet is approved for the village, the focus shifts to ensuring a smooth transition for them. Dogs and cats, being creatures of habit, may find relocating stressful. However, with patience and a thoughtful approach, we can mitigate their anxiety and help them settle into their new surroundings seamlessly.
For more tips click read more.
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