by geeves » Thu May 01, 2014 5:20 pm
some more on this
Slips close Thompsons Track update
New post by Peter Vahry on Thu May 01, 2014 6:55 pm
From NZFWDA communication with the Matamata /Piako Council...
The track condition.
There are currently 20 slips blocking the track (plus other small ones), ranging in size from 1 truck load of material to 50m sections of track totally buried.
Council estimate around 80 hours of excavator time, plus labour, chainsaws etc to clear the track. This is about $15,000-$20,000K
Council annual budget for keeping this track open is $6,500.00 so as you can see this is going to be well short of the 15 to 20k required.
This is not the only issue, Council will need to talk to two land owners along the lower section of the track as the only place where they can dispose of some of the slip material is onto their land, and unfortunately track users have upset these land owners in the past which makes it even harder. The other issues are Waikato Regional Council as a lot of damage has occurred at stream crossings. The discussion etc with these groups will take some time.
Also the slip material is saturated, any attempt to move it now will create an even bigger mess.
Therefore, the engineer’s recommendation to Council is to close the track to all vehicles until next summer. This will give them time to sort out the issues mentioned, get the funding required in place and sort out a plan of attack.
NZFWDA has offered its assistance and we will be discussing what we can do to assist in getting the track open.
This Council will also be in discussion also with Western BOP District Council who control the track at the Katikati side.
This closure will be a short term pain for a longer term gain.
We ask all that all vehicles keep away from this track for now. On top of the closure of other tracks in the area this is a major setback, but we will be doing all we can to get as many tracks as possible open again as soon as possible.
Quote from Council
“Any attempt by any club or individuals to clear Thompsons Track without council consent will be dealt with accordingly and could potentially face prosecution"
Looks like walking only for the time being. Its an excellent track Ive done this side with Harryvl a few years ago and have walked the Katikati side as well (if anyone tells you Katikati to sumit took 1.5 hours they were walking not driving)
Heres hoping for a good outcome.
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them