Severe weather event: Updated Friday 26 August

Road closure updates - live map
Mayoral Relief Fund - more info
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence: Info on re-entry process for evacuees + FAQs
Parks and reserves closures
Frequently asked questions on water issues throughout Nelson

Updated 2:39pm 26 Aug 2022

Rocks Road to re-open 

The team at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will reopen State Highway 6 Rocks Road to traffic in both directions with speed restrictions this afternoon at about 3:00pm.

Before opening to two lanes, there will be a full road closure from noon to allow contractors to put in place the traffic control measures needed to safely open the road to two-way traffic. The road will be re-opened in both directions as soon as that work is completed. 

Cyclists may travel northbound but may have to merge with traffic in areas. For safety reasons, the southbound cycle lane will be closed.

The seaward footpath will be open for pedestrian traffic.

Drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel in the area during this afternoon’s full closure, if possible.

We thank everyone for their patience and consideration while this urgent work is completed.

Info on volunteering to help

We have been overwhelmed with the number of people keen to get involved and help their community.

In partnership with Top of the South Neighbourhood Support and Volunteer Nelson, there is now a Facebook page to help connect people in our region in need of support with those offering to help: Nelson Tasman Aug 2022 weather event - help needed/help offered group.

We also encourage those interested in helping to register on Shape Nelson here: https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/volunteer-to-help

Finally, info on how to donate to the Mayoral Relief Fund can be found here: https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/m.... Every little bit makes a difference, and all funds will go towards helping those affected by the severe weather.

The first way to help is to keep it local – for example, check on friends, whānau or neighbours to see if they need a hand. Thank you! 

Info on insurance claims

Many in Nelson are looking at complex insurance claims following the floods and slips caused by the weather event. We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that cover a lot of the issues people are considering when making a claim. You can view them here: https://www.nelson.govt.nz/services/weather-event-august-2022/insurance-faqs/ 

For costs not covered by insurance, you may be eligible for assistance from the Mayoral Relief Fund. Applications are now open at: https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/mayor-relief-fund.

Incident Information Centre has moved

It is now located at the former iSite at Millers Acre Centre, corner of Trafalgar and Halifax Street, Nelson.  

Insurance Council, EQC and other insurers, MSD, Primary Health, Red Cross and IRD will be present on-site from 8:30am – 6:30pm.

Bus updates

Route 1 Bishopdale – Normal + FREE
Route 2 Tāhunanui – Running at normal times through Rocks Road + FREE

Route 2 between Nelson and Richmond via Tahunanui will be rerouted to go via Bishopdale while Rocks is temporarily closed from midday to about 3:00pm. Those travelling from Tahunanui can take the shuttle bus through to Stoke and connect on to Nelson or Richmond from there. Route 2 will go via Rocks Road from the 3.15pm departures.
Tāhunanui Link temporary service – As timetabled and mapped, concluding from 3.15pm departures. 

Route 3 Atawhai - will run Normal route and timetableRoute 4 Brook – NormalRoute 5 Hospital – NormalRoute 6 Washington Valley – Normal service minus Moana Ave, Bisley Ave, Tāhunanui Drive, Tosswill Road, Stansell Ave, Moana Ave.Route 7 Stoke Loops – NormalRoute 8 Richmond Loops – Normal

Parks and Reserves

Staff and contractors are currently assessing tracks and establishing which areas require geotech advice.

Please be mindful that not all parks have been inspected yet. Any residual mud/water in reserves should be treated as contaminated, and it is strongly encouraged to stay out of these areas.

Tracks/reserves with tape across entrances have been inspected and will remain closed until contractors are available to make the areas safe for use.

Current closures are listed below, but to view the latest updates as they come in, visit our website.

FULL RESERVE CLOSURES

• Grampians Reserve
• Botanical Hill Reserve (incl. Centre of NZ) - Olive Hill track only will be opening to the public this weekend. 
• Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve
• Tantragee Reserve
• Atmore Reserve
• Titoki Reserve
• Pipers Reserve
• Brook Conservation Reserve
• Marsden Valley Reserve
• Roding Reserve
• Corder Park
• Moana Reserve
• Moncrieff Reserve

INDIVIDUAL WALKWAY AND TRAIL CLOSURES

• Coppermine Trail (entire trail closed)
• Maitai River Walkway, upstream from Domett Street Bridge
• Commodore-Zeehaen Walkway
• Days Track Walkway between Moana Ave and Grenville Tce
• Maire-Zeehaen Walkway
• Rocks-Malcolm Walkway
• Tamaki St Walkway
• Tamaki-Princes Walkway
• Atawhai-Iwa Walkway
• Days track – Prince Drive to Rocks Road section is closed / Toi Toi to Princes section is open and safe 
• Manuka Street Walkway       

CEMETERIES

• Hallowell Cemetery
• Marsden Valley Cemetery is closed to vehicles over the weekend.

PLAYGROUND CLOSURES

• Corder Park
• Frenchay Reserve
• Plumtree Lane (Poorman Stream Esplanade in Marsden Valley)
• Riverside Reserve
• Waahi Taakaro (Sunday Hole)

Sports fields

Sports fields in Nelson have re-opened to the public. The pitches took on a lot of water, but this has drained off and they look in good shape. 

Unfortunately, the floods caused considerable damage at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course, which remains closed until further notice.

Cemeteries

Marsden valley Cemetery is now open, but traffic is closed in the one-way system due to a damaged road. Hearses and families attending for a burial will be allowed to drive in under sexton's directions. They will need to drive out the same way they drove in.

Wakapuaka Cemetery is now open to the public.

Conserve water

Residents in the Nelson City area should continue to be mindful of water usage, especially at peak times. For FAQs about water water in Nelson, including drinking water supply, stormwater intakes, works on Rutherford Street and Devenish Place, read more here: https://our.nelson.govt.nz/sto... 

Health and safety 

There are some boil water notices in place across the wider Tasman Region. Please keep up to date with these notices via the Tasman District Council website. For those on private supplies, please check your infrastructure and, if you have any doubts about the safety of your supply, take the precautionary approach and boil water before use. 

Please remember to wash your hands, especially prior to preparing food or things like babies bottles. If your water supply is contaminated or you’re not confident that it’s not, please use boiled water or bottled water for activities like washing your hands or brushing your teeth. 

Cleaning up 

When out and about cleaning up your belongings or property, please remember to keep your health in the forefront of your mind.  

Flood waters, soil, silt and mud can host an array of nasty bugs, especially if floodwaters were contaminated with sewage during the worst of the event. Flood-damaged items left in moist conditions for more than a few days may also be prone to mould, which can have negative impacts on your health.  

We encourage the use of PPE during clean up where possible, including masks and gloves. Please also remember that children and pets don’t have the same understanding of these risks as you may, so additional precautionary measures may be advised.  

We are aware that, as some of the mud dries out, areas of the earth are becoming prone to dust. We encourage the use of appropriate PPE where possible (e.g. masks) to help to prevent any potential health impacts that this may cause. 

Mud & Dirt 

Cleanfill (soil and mud) that was deposited around homes by flooding can be disposed of at two sites: 

Stoke (corner of Main Road Stoke and Saxton Road – the old Circus set up location) or 
QEII Reserve (north of the Miyazu Gardens). 
The Stoke site is for households and can accommodate small trucks and cars with trailers only, and will be open 8am–6pm.  
The site for commercial operators and large vehicles at Vickerman Street (opposite Burnsco Nelson) reached capacity Tuesday 23 August. From Wednesday 24 August, QEII Reserve is open to commercial operators. Access is from Atawhai Drive (SH6).  

Rubbish & Small Appliances 

Transfer stations around the region continue to accept flood-damaged goods for free; this service is available until Sunday 4 September.  

Skips have been placed around the worst-hit areas of Nelson City to allow the quick and easy disposal of flood-damaged small household items (I.e. toys, clothes, pots, pans, small appliances etc.).  

Please transport larger items such as whiteware, carpet, rugs and furniture to the Nelson Waste Recovery Centre. Flood-damaged goods can be disposed of at this centre free-of-charge through until Sunday 4 September. 

If commercial cleaners are covered through your insurance, they will likely take care of this for you. If you are unable to sort this yourself, please contact Nelson City Council on 03 546 0200.