Options Investigated for Damaged McKee Campground

The Tasman District Council is investigating its options for dealing with damaged infrastructure in the McKee Memorial Recreation Reserve following ex-Cyclone Fehi.

The popular Council-owned campground was closed following the storm on 1 February, which flooded the reserve and further damaged its struggling sewerage system. Since then, Council staff have been assessing the damage and the best way to deal with ongoing stormwater and sewerage challenges in the low-lying site.

Water has taken a long time to drain away, but the site is now drying out. Council staff plan to begin clearing debris and tidying up the site next week, with the hope of being able to open it for limited public use once the area is safe.

Community Development Committee chairman Peter Canton said the campground was a much-loved community asset, offering a cheap, back-to-basics camping experience.
“We’re very aware that families from throughout our District have close ties to the reserve, and happy memories of family holidays stretching back many years.
“Unfortunately the infrastructure there has been under pressure for awhile, and the storm inundation from ex-Cyclone Fehi completely overwhelmed it. The sewerage and stormwater challenges are not simple, and probably aren’t going to be cheap to resolve.

“However, we hope to open parts of the reserve to the public while we work through the options for McKee’s long-term future.”

Council staff will present a report to the Community Development Committee on 12 April, with options and costs for the infrastructure repairs, and options for the future.
ENDS

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