“A Major Disaster”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 50, 28 May 1948, Page 5

“A Major Disaster”

Waimana River BreakOut Creates Problem Describing the recent Waimana river flood as a “major disaster”, the chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, told the Whakatane County Council’s ordinary meeting on Tuesday that major works had to be faced, but he considered the cost beyond the present means of the County and suggested that the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council should be brought directly into the picture.

Mr Burnett said the river had diverted itself from the cut back towards its old course, endangering both approaches to the bridge near Waimana. Whether the job was tackled now or when a Catchment Board was formed, it would have to be faced and, in his opinion treated as urgent. Cr A. F. McGougan said he thought it would always be difficult to hold that river in check.

Cr D. C. Butler backed up the chairman’s proposal to bring the Soil Conservation Council into it, and the meeting resolved to ask for an officer of that body to collaborate with the County engineer in a flood damage survey, the working out of a scheme of protection, and the preparing of an estimate of the cost. Concerning the erosion on Station road, Mr Brebner pointed out he had advocated the raising of that road for years. He said they had only been “playing with the job” so far as Waimana river control was concerned and it would take a lot of money to get satisfactory results.