Sinkholes put a street on notice

By ELIZABETH BINNING


An 87-year-old Taumarunui woman has been evacuated from her home and other residents are on standby following the discovery of several unstable tomos (chute-like sinkholes) that could stretch hundreds of metres under the town.

The holes were discovered during a series of landslips that claimed a 25x30m section of land at the back of Heather Jensen's property.

In the past month at least three major slips - caused by groundwater seeping through the pumicey earth and weakening the surrounding land - have sent large portions of Mrs Jensen's backyard tumbling into the Ongarue River, 30m below her home.

The remaining land has now become so unstable that Mrs Jensen has been evacuated amid concerns that her entire house could crash down the cliff.

Ruapehu District Council spokesman Paul Wheatcroft said initial reports showed that the erosion had been naturally occurring underground for about 20 years.

A decision to evacuate was the only safe choice. A further study is now under way to find out how many other properties could be affected.

Neighbours have been told some of the holes, which are up to 20m wide, could run all the way down Mason St and as far out as the local golf course, several hundred metres away.

That news has caused concern in the street, where more than 100 children attend the local primary school.

Other neighbours are angry that they were not notified of the potential danger earlier.

The Clarke family, who bought a do-up property in front of Mrs Jensen's three months ago, only learned of the danger when they tried to sell their investment.

"We heard via our agent that the sale had been withdrawn because there was a tomo under there," said Jeannette Clarke.

The family have now had to sell their own home and move into the potentially dangerous do-up because they cannot afford two mortgages.

Another resident has also lost a sale following the news, while others have had difficulty opening doors and windows in their houses because the earth is moving so much.

Mrs Jensen, who is now living with relatives, said it was difficult leaving her home of nearly 20 years.

The widow said the land had been affected by slips several times in the past but never anything like this.

Her back yard is now half the size it was several months ago, the erosion having claimed her treasured gardens and magnolia trees. "It's all gone. I loved that place. It was a beautiful spot, very quiet, very peaceful."

Mrs Jensen will be paid out by the Earthquake Commission, as will other residents if their homes are deemed uninhabitable.

Commission insurance manager Lance Dixon said naturally occurring landslips on this magnitude happened up to 10 times a year.

Last year more than $4.4 million was paid out for 484 landslip claims nationwide.