A slip on the Dun Mountain Trail could have been prevented, say two Nelson residents who were vocal in their opposition to a new “pest proof” fence being installed just below the historic track.
Well-known mountainbiking advocate Bryce Buckland and Nel- son Residents Association presi- dent Mike Rodwell, say the major slip which wiped out a section of the track should never have hap- pened.
Mike says a geotechnical report, indicating that cutting the fenceline close to the Dun Moun- tain Trail would increase the risk of slips, was ignored by council.
“Any practical person knows that cutting the toes of hills in Nelson is inviting problems big time,” Mike says.
“The experts on this project have committed a cardi- nal sin and must now front up to their mistakes.”
Nelson City Council says reopening the Dun Mountain Trail is a priority for it and the Brook
The council’s communications manager, Paul Shattock, says one option would be a “quick fix to open up the trail to cyclists and pedestrians” by removing around 4-6 cubic metres of ground.
A consent has already been granted for this under emergency works.
However, Paul says permanent repairs will take longer because the slip is situated in the conservation zone. Soil disturbance or earthworks are not permitted in this zone except for the maintenance of/an existing track on the existing alignment.
“A resource consent is required for further works to the Dun Mountain Trail because remediation of the slip is outside the parameters of emergency works.
A design will need to be submitted for approval to reinstate the trail and this will include recommendations from a geotech and arborist once that is done then resource consent will be needed.”
Paul says the new fence line can be cleared because it is wide enough to allow digger and truck access.
The bottom of the slip has already been moved by the sanctuary’s contractors and the material is being hauled to selected sites.
Mike, who is a former trustee of the Dun Mountain Trail, says both he and Bryce warned the council about the potential risks of conducting significant earthworks near the trail.
Bryce says the terrain near the slip is so steep that “the probability of slope failure was obvious and the fence should not have been allowed anywhere near the trail.”
Hudson concedes they were aware of the risk of slips but that an engineering report required by Nelson City Council for a resource consent showed that it was an acceptable route for a fence.
“We did due diligence,” Hudson says. “The report didn’t indicate there was any strong evidence to re-route the fence line.”
Paul says engineers are currently investigating whether there is a relationship between the earthworks and the slip.
