RIVER EROSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 90, 17 July 1945, Page 5

RIVER EROSION

WHAKATANE BRIDGE

APPROACH

THE RECENT PETITION

In response to the petition which he received presented to the R. Semple relative to the steady erosion of the Whakatane river at Mr W. Spllivan M.P. received the following reply:— "With reference to the petition, to you from settlers in the „Whaka-» tane district in regard to the erosion of the Whakatane River I would advise that the protection work im-* mediately above the bridge, on 'the left bank was authorised late last year. Difficulty has been experienced in putting this work in hand due to shortage of labour but a contract has now been let and the work is in hand. This should have the effect of stabilising the bend and avoidr ing any chance of the river cutting through the highway. "Your petitioners ask that the river bend, which is now being protected be eliminated by a diversion cut on the right bank to give a straighter approach of the river to the bridge. This work would be feasible and would have some merit in training the river but would be expensive and would have very little, if any, effect on flobid levels. In view of the present, shortage of labour and in the case of this, cut, the necesary plant I do not feel that it would be justified to put the work in hand at the present time. However this work will be kept in mind when proposals are prepared for the comprehensive control Df the Whakatane River."