Tangiwai Memorial site under threat

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 649, 13 August 1996, Page 5

Tangiwai Memorial site under threat

The Tangiwai Dis aster Memorial site is under threat from erosion thanks to volcanic lahars that have caused the Whangaehu River to change course. Also threatened is the State Highway 49 bridge and the toilet block built by - Ruapehu Lions. Waimarino Community Board members heard at their meeting last Thursday that "erosion is causing major concern in respect to the viability of the Memorialif leftunchecked". Work to stabilisethe riverbank to protect the site would cost between $25,000 and $35,000, the board was told. Lahars in September last year from the Crater Lake of Mt Ruapehu caused a change in the course of the

river which has led to the erosion. "The alteration to the stream bed proper has also affected the upstream bank above the State Highway Bridge," stated Ruapehu District Council property officer Allan Low in his report. Hk added that Transit New.Zealand would need to be involved in any repair work plan to "ensure the protection works do not exacerbate their problem". Winstone Pulp International would be party to the process as their Outfall is near the protection works, the board was told. Funding for the work was discussed, following Mr Low' s statement that Tranz Rail has "indicated a willingness to assist". Board member John Compton

cited Radio New Zealand as a possible contributor for maintenance as they had been involved in establishing the memorial. "The importance of the site as a riational monument is not as yet fully recognised by other than the council and attempts through various agencies for recognition has not been successful to date," said Mr Low. Board member BobPeck asked if there was any guarantee the protection work would stand up to future lahars, and was told there was no guarantee.