Land ownership queried in bridge repair case

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 622, 6 February 1996, Page 6

Land ownership queried in bridge repair case

In the case of a bridge that serves private property on Karioi Domain Road, the Waimarino Community Board decided last Thursday to let the matter lie on the table until research is carried out into where the bridge lies in relation to the road reserve. The property owner affected has asked the council to replace the bridge which is in a dangerous state. On behalf of the estate of the owner, Ross Wallis called for funding to be made available for the repair or replacement. He said in a submission received in November 1995 that the application may be "expanded to seek further redress from the council for costs sustained by the estate of K M Wallis (the property owner) due to the prior negligence of the council." In his report to the board the roads asset manager Jim Moore said the council is not required to maintain any road or structure on it but does have some responsibility when one becomes unsafe. The bridge was not built by the council' s predecessors, the Waimarino District Council or the Waimarino County Council, but by the Wanganui District Council for private access to their own metal pit. Mr Moore recommended that the bridge be removed if it is not brought up to standard by its users within six months.