Help to fix city slip

Waikato Regional Council may help fund repairs to Waikato River bank slips.

The council's catchment services committee has agreed to a contribution of up to almost $200,000 to help repair one of two slips on the Waikato River bank near Claudelands Bridge.

It follows a request from Hamilton City Council for the regional council to pay a third of the costs.

The slip, on HCC-owned land, is separate from another larger slip on Tainui-owned land near the bridge.

The committee heard the slip on HCC-owned land had the potential to get worse within the next five years.

The regional council contribution is dependent on endorsement of the decision by the full council and costs of repairs.

Making a contribution would be consistent with the regional council's Project Watershed criteria, which provides for giving funds toward bank stabilisation.

A report said it was accepted erosion along the bank by river movement was among the contributing factors to the slip.

It also noted the regional council had sufficient catchment services cash reserves in the zone where the slip is to cover the suggested contribution.

HCC will not proceed with repairing the slip on Tainui land unless landowners agree to share costs. If agreement is reached, HCC has indicated it would ask the regional council to also contribute to the costs of fixing the larger slip.