OTEPUNI CREEK FLOODING

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 8

OTEPUNI CREEK FLOODING

PROPOSAL TO DIVERT STORM WATERS LITTLE PROSPECT OF WORK BEING DONE There is little prospect that the proposal to deal with the flooding in Otepuni Creek by diverting part of the storm waters into the Waihopai and Kingswell Creek will be carried out. After investigating the proposal the resident engineer of the Public Works Department at Invercargill (Mr W. G. Pearce) has decided that, while the scheme is practicable, it is not to be recommended because of the cost involved. This information is contained in a letter received by Mr W ; M. C. Denham, M.P., from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. ,R. Semple). After stating that Mr Pearce had investigated the matter, Mr Semple’s letter continues:—“His report states that the total catchment area of the Otepuni Creek is approximately 9965 acres. The adjoining watersheds comprise the Waihopai to the north and Kingswell Creek to the south.

“Sufficient survey has been undertaken to indicate that there is a strong possibility that the run off from 4500 acres could be diverted, part to the Waihopai and part of Kingswell Creek, but while this may be practicable, it cannot be recommended. Cuttings would run up to 20 feet in depth and be of considerable length, and contingent works would include new bridges for roads and railway, many farm bridges, land purchase and compensation for severance and enlargement of bridges and the channel in Kingswell Creek, which runs through South Invercargill Borough. “The resident engineer has insufficient information to make any estimate of the possible cost, excepting that the figure would be comparable with those given by the city engineer in his report for works within the city, and as rather more than half the catchment would still discharge through the city, considerable expenditure would still be required there. The total cost would certainly be no less than that involved by the city engineer’s proposals, and in addition there would be many difficult problems arising out of the compensation claims. In these circumstances the prospects of carrying out the work mentioned do not appear to be encouraging.”