RANGIURU SCHEME PROVING SATISFACTORY

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1948, Page 2

RANGIURU SCHEME PROVING SATISFACTORY

A scheme is weil under way to prevent liooding in the Rangiuru and Tasman Beach areas. In connection with the work done by the Pudiic Works Department's dragline, this scheme has been. progress'ing siowly but surely for some ui'onths past. In an eiiort to stop the sea washing back up the many streams at the beach, banks have been thrown up, streams cleaned and dlvertea and lloodgates are at present being installed. For many years, whenever a flood of any degree occurred 111 conjunction wltli a iiigli tide, the water has been heid near the mouths of the streams and gradually pushcci further and further back untii tlie river broke its banks and overfiowed on to fertile farm land. Incorporating a scheme devised by the Otaki Borough Councii, thc system should, and to date has, freed all the farms along the river from the fear of flooding. When completed, the "re-claimed" area will cxtend from the Otaki River across to the Waitohu Stream, including the Rangiuru Stream, the Mangapouri Stream, the Marriiigiwai Stream and tiie Waiariki Creek.

It is planned to piace a siopbank on the property of the Otaki and Porirua College Trust Board, on the northern side of Tasman Road, which will have the effect of keeping any floodwaters in the Waitohu Stream. Further, tne Rangiuru Stream is being divertea so that it will meet Elliott's Creek at a point some 500 yards south of the Rangiuru Bridge. From there the two bodies of water will pass through two five foot culverts on their way to the sea via the Otaki River. The two culverts will oe fltted with flood gales, which will allow tlie water from the stream to pass through, bu will deny entrance to any high tides. Ample provision has been made to allow for the highest of spring tides. The completion of this scheme will mean that over 1000 acres along the Otaki River will be freed from any danger of flooding, and the land will become suitabie for sub-division. Already, plans for the sub-division of a piece of land consisting of five sectlons has been broughfc before the councii for its approval. Along the river, where tiie P.W.D. drag-line has left the high bank of shingie, it is proposed to build a road which will eventually link with Rangiuru Road, near Kapiti Lane. This road will not only prove a great attraction to sightseers, hut will provide a means of quick access to the beach itself, Thus it will

act in a double capacity of stop•bank aild road.^Aljilqugh the'draglirie has' fmished its* : work' ' at this end of the .river, ■ there remains a great deal of work to» ;be done in connectidn w-ith the placing of groynes alongjihe bank to keep the river. to its. course.. No one-who has been thrown, up}qn. the beacn at Te Horo can doubt fhat the straight,ening of the river has done a great deal of good. During the last flood, 1 a spit of metal extended from the mouth of the river to aimost a quarter of a 'rnile out to sea.