BRIDGE BUILD-UP: Woody debris continued to collect at Gladstone Road Bridge this morning, leaving just two sections of free-running river. An operation to clear the build-up yesterday was delayed. Contractors were on site ready to go, with traffic management in place, when the decision was made to hold off until tonight. A Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman said they wanted to ensure they did not impede emergency services and that it was safer to wait 24 hours for the work to begin. “The bridge will be closed from 7pm tonight through to 6am tomorrow to allow the debris to be cleared,” Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller Nedine Thatcher Swann said. “While it is hoped it will take just one night to complete the task, it could span over two as the team works with the tides and the weather.” Picture by Liam Clayton
Damaged on-farm infrastructure and stock losses have left some farmers in a “pretty dire” situation after ex-Cyclone Hale blasted its way across the region on Tuesday night.
The worst-hit areas were around Tolaga Bay — Mangaheia, Mangatuna and Mangatokerau — where fences and floodgates were destroyed and hundreds of stock lost. Substantial crop damage also occurred on the flats around Tolag...
