Emergency work being carried out on the Waiau River bar is to be halted ahead of predicted strong sea swells and gale winds.

A local state of emergency was declared at the western Southland hamlet last week (8 Feb), after heavy rain and sea swells saw up to 10 metres of land lost to the sea as well as threatening houses and a landfill.

The emergency was further extended this week.

Environment Southland and its contractors have been working towards opening the Waiau River bar since Tuesday morning, however the volume and nature of the material to be moved is proving more challenging than anticipated.

Group controller Simon Mapp said, “We had hoped the opening could be completed this week, but the scale of the work required combined with the predicted strong sea swells and gale force winds from Sunday to Tuesday mean that this work will need to be paused.

“Works will halt from Sunday 18 February for health and safety reasons and will most likely return to the area early on Wednesday 21 February, if conditions are safe. We’re hopeful the work will be completed by the end of next week.

Work on the Waiau River bar is proving a bigger job than first anticipated. Photo: EMS

“We know residents want to see this work completed as soon as possible, however the safety of those doing this work is paramount given the challenging physical environment.”

Timing of sea swells, tides and river flows will play a key part in the success of the opening, and Meridian is supporting this by managing the river flow as much as possible. 

Roads in the area will continue to be restricted for public access.