The Crinoline footbridge is back at the Riverside Park on the Taylor River Reserve and will be open for use within the next 10 days.
The footbridge was removed late last year to make way for a new purpose-built amphibious excavator – nicknamed Swampy – used for the first time to remove a build-up of sediment in the river between the Alfred Street bridge and the SH1/rail bridge.
The dredging works to remove the sediment, caused by several weather events in recent years, were required to improve the flood carrying capacity of the Taylor River for the protection of Blenheim’s township.
Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jane Tito said lingering high-water levels had delayed the planned return of the bridge and the replacement of the boardwalk in the area.
“Parks and Open Spaces will be working closely with Council’s Rivers team to manage this popular space, particularly as higher river levels have become more prevalent over time.”
Mrs Tito said there was some more work to do this week, and the area should be open within the next 10 days once the bridge and boardwalk was confirmed as safe for use.
“It is promising that the water levels have now dropped to a workable level so we will be monitoring these and, assuming conditions remain the same, the boardwalk redecking project can resume.
“We will replace the boards in stages to minimise disruption to the public and will also reconnect the fountain in time,” she said.
The Crinoline footbridge has already been refurbished and redecked with new non-slip boards.
Council’s Senior Rivers Engineer Gregor Punzel said good progress was made on dredging the river before mandatory restrictions came into effect between 1 February and 30th April to protect fish spawning throughout the tidal reach of the river
"Swampy completed removing the sediment build-up in this stretch of the river and that work will have contributed to managing water levels after Cyclone Vaianu passed through.
"The dredging we've done has improved the flood carrying capacity of the Taylor River. This is an ongoing programme - not a one-off fix - and further works will continue outside of the restricted period, in line with the routine maintenance schedule,” he said.
The introduction of cutting restrictions under the Marlborough Environment Plan has been closely monitored over the past few years by Council’s River Engineers to ensure flood carrying capacity is not compromised at any time.
There is growing evidence that while normal water levels increase temporarily during the annual restriction period, flood flows are able to wash the weed through the system without flooding consequences.
This will require Council to continue remaining vigilant in preparation for and during flood events, however it is achievable with sustainable solutions such as ‘Swampy’, Council’s Chief Rivers Engineer Andy White said.
“The challenge is in striking the right balance between flood carrying capacity, the river’s health and ecology, affordability, and aesthetics. The MEP established that balance through a publicly consulted process with which Council’s Engineers and Parks staff must comply.
“The benefits have already become apparent with the return of kōtuku (white heron), native seals and an abundance of native fish and kōura (freshwater crayfish). The river is teeming with life beneath the surface,” Mr White said.
Council’s new weed boat ‘Wee-D’ will continue to target vegetation in the town reaches and downstream to further improve drainage.
