Mahanga ‘pond’ raises health fears

A DECADE-OLD ISSUE: Mahanga residents want resolution to the issues around the wetlands (foreground) and Happy Jacks Road at Mahanga. Vehicle access along Happy Jacks Road, which begins off Mahanga Road and runs down to the beach road, is compromised by a knee-deep pond that has formed. File picture

A Mahanga homeowner believes that Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) is risking the health of residents with its lack of action on resolving a long-standing issue in the beach settlement.

Residents are concerned about a knee-deep pond that has formed on Happy Jacks Road that is preventing vehicle access to properties.

Mahanga homeowner and Wairoa district councillor Jeremy Harker says HBRC have put themselves in a tenuous position.

“They have consented the septic tanks on one hand but their inaction is raising the water levels, creating a health risk for permanent residents and bach owners, not to mention the impact on the natural environment which they are supposed to be protecting.

“If the ford was lowered and the Hinerauriri Stream was lowered to the same level, the swampland environment would be safe and any flooding created by heavy rainfall would flow out without creating a threat to Mahanga homeowners, their health and the environment.”

Mr Harker says the issue could be easily solved.

“The land needs to be levelled out with the road and the mouth at the same height.”

Mr Harker says HBRC are not being bold in pushing for action.

“They do not want to start anything because they don't want to alter the mouth of the Hinerauriri Stream. But the current opening is not the natural one.

“I remember local iwi talking to us at the Wairoa District Council in 2015 about the Hinerauriri Stream and where it naturally flowed into the sea, and how waka used to be floated along the stream so they could be repaired or launched.”

The stream runs through swamp land that is inland of the Happy Jacks Road and out into the river mouth, says Mr Harker.

“You can see it on Google Maps and there are residents out in Mahanga who have photos of where the Hinerauriri Stream used to be 50 years ago.

“I think the response from the HBRC stating that they are too busy dealing with the recent cyclone event to comment is quite disingenuous as they have been aware of this issue for 10 years.”

The district councillor says the swamp land that is being protected does not need to be dried out.

“I think locals agree that drying the swamp land out is the last thing that needs to be done. The middle ground needs to be found so that the water can flow out and people can access the road.”

The build-up of water has caused flooding and pooling in the backyards of a dozen houses, Mr Harker says.

“Homeowners are beginning to feel helpless and it will probably get worse in the winter.”

Mahanga resident Merv Goodley believes the outlet should be temporarily opened up.

“There is flooding in the backyards of over 20 houses. A contractor can come and fix the damage for $1100.”

Earlier, Mr Goodley wrote to The Wairoa Star complaining about the outlet being blocked by rocks and logs.

HBRC staff need to visit the site, he says.

“Has any person, for example engineers, or consent staff from HBRC, visited this site with Wairoa District Council to clarify any specifications HBRC needs?

“A meeting on site with regional and district council would sort this.”

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Wairoa representative Di Roadley acknowedges Mr Goodley's frustration.

“While there is that frustration, it is a complex situation and is not as simple as it may seem.

“I'm working with councillor Charlie Lambert on pulling together stakeholders from both Wairoa District Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council to discuss this further.”

Mrs Roadley says an appointment has been made between the two entities over the next fortnight to dicuss the history and complexity of the matter.

“Mr Lambert and I have also acknowledged Mr Goodley's request for us to visit him and we are interested in an on-site visit.”

The councillor, in her first term, says the situation has been on the HBRC radar.

“We have to work within the law and the Resource Management Act as the wetlands are under DoC (Department of Conservation) governance.”