Recent raising and lowering of the Waikato River has caused serious damage to some of the adjacent walkways.
Waipa DC’s Asset Manager Recreation, Max Ward said the damage had been relatively minor until the spillway was opened.
“It’s a bit disheartening, as we have invested a lot of time and money into the tracks over the last few years. The levels are the highest we have seen in some time, certainly the highest since the major upgrades of the walkways were completed”.
Lake Te Ko Utu and Soldier’s tracks are mostly fine, with just some minor slips, however others have not fared so well.
“Poets track, below Gil Lumb Park, (the lowest part of this track near the Victoria Street bridge below Pope Terrace) has slipped away into the river at three points, and is very dangerous at these locations. We cannot do a full damage and repair assessment until the river has subsided further, although it looks like the repair costs, if they are possible, will be significant” he says.
Settlers track and Riverside Park were both completely submerged, so there is significant silt, mud and debris to be removed. The link track to Settlers track from Dominion Avenue has also been closed due to slips.
There have been several slips below Bath Street, however most of these have been cleared already. All the damaged areas are marked and/or closed, but for their own safety, people should not proceed beyond the closed off areas.
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