Port Hills Fire Public Update – Friday 24 February

Media Update – 5.15pm

Water Conservation

There has been heavy demand on the water supply network as a result of the firefighting response and some damage to water pipes in the area.

Civil Defence is asking people in the Port Hills area to conserve water as much as possible over the next week while water levels in the reservoirs are restored.

Dyers Pass Road

While Dyers Pass Road remains closed by emergency services, due to the fire risk, preparations are underway to have the road open as soon as possible

An assessment team has been into the cordon to review the damage and the good news is the road surface is physically safe, however a number of other safety issues must be addressed before the road is safe to reopen to the public. These include damaged signage and barriers, the risk of rock fall and the danger posed by damaged trees.

Preparations to address these safety issues are currently underway, however contractors will not be allowed into the cordon to carry out this work until the fire risk has been eliminated. A reopening time and date cannot be made until this happens.

It is appreciated that this closure is very frustrating for the surrounding communities, but addressing all safety issues must be the priority.

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