16 November 2016

Most DOC facilities and tracks unharmed by quakes

The Department of Conservation says overall most of its facilities appear to have escaped damage from the Kaikoura earthquakes, apart from some tracks nearer to the epicentre.

DOC’s Deputy Director-General of Operations, Mike Slater says DOC staff are working to confirm that tracks and huts in the worst affected areas are safe to use but it will be some days until we have full information.

“Visitors are advised to stay away from tracks in the Kaikoura and South Marlborough regions until they have been fully assessed. Caution is also urged on some tracks on the West Coast and North Canterbury, but the rest of the country is open and it is business as usual,” he says.

“Rockfalls and slips could still occur in the areas closest to the quake zone,” Mike Slater says, “especially with ongoing aftershocks and poor weather.”

Visitors are urged to check the DOC website or local DOC visitor centre for further information about alerts and issues.

“The priority for DOC staff is assisting with the Civil Defence response to the earthquake in the South Marlborough and Kaikoura areas, so it will take us some time to fully assess the tracks and walkways in that area,” Mike Slater says.

Region specific alerts:

For Kaikoura and South Marlborough and Nelson Tasman

• The Department is advising people to stay away from all DOC-managed tracks and conservation areas in South Marlborough and Kaikoura until further notice while damage is assessed.
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• People are also advised to stay off the Clarence River which a landslide has partially blocked until it has been assessed.
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• The Acheron Road through Molesworth Station is currently closed until further notice as damage to the road is still to be assessed. The Rainbow Road through the station is also closed until further notice due to a large slip.
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• In Abel Tasman National Park, the earthquake and heavy rainfall caused slips on the Abel Tasman Coast Track which is open but caution is required.
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• Slips have been occurring on the Totaranui Road to Totaranui campground. These are blocking the road and until they can be cleared, people planning to go to Totaranui should check the Tasman District Council website for the latest information on the road’s status.
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• There is a large slip on the Cobb Valley Track in Kahurangi National Park between Chaffey and Fenella huts. It is passable but recommended for experienced trampers only.

For Eastern South Island

• DOC staff are working from the earthquake epicentre outwards and checking the high use easily accessed assets as first priority.
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• The Waterfall Track and the Chatterton River Track near Hanmer Springs are closed.
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• Weather is stopping progress for checking more remote huts and tracks. It is predicted staff will start to undertake this work on Friday when the strong winds and rain ease.
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• Elsewhere in the East - Twizel, Dunedin, Aoraki, Mid Canterbury and non-low-lying coastal areas around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula are all open.

West Coast South Island

• High use sites have had an initial check and no major problems have been identified.
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• The more remote tracks have not been assessed yet, nor has the Wangapeka Track.
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• There’s been a rockfall at Denniston – the Brakehead site is open but Banbury Mine needs remedial work and is closed.
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• There are a few minor slips on the Heaphy track and caution is needed.
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• At Oparara, tracks are open in the area but the Honeycomb Hill caves are closed because of roof damage.

Updates will be placed on the DOC website when further information is available visit: http://www.doc.govt.nz/kaikouraearthquake. Report any safety issues to the DOC hotline 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468)

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