Temporary fix for sinkhole

A sinkhole in Berryfields has received a $7000 temporary repair job, however, Tasman District Council says follow-up work may cost “significantly” more.

The sinkhole appeared in Feltham St on 19 October, and although the exact cause is still unknown, it is believed to be associated with settlement along the stormwater pipe trench.

“[This] indicates a flow of groundwater happening along it,” says Tasman District Council’s waters and wastes manager, Mike Schruer.

“It appears that the ground around the manhole has been leaching into the stormwater drainage and that has caused the sinkhole.”

The stormwater pipes in this area are made of concrete with the subdivision being completed in 2019.

Temporary repairs were carried out last Friday to get the road open again, and an investigation of the cause and remedial works will follow, but possibly in a few months.

Mike says Friday’s repairs were estimated to come in at around the $7000 mark.

“But the follow-up replacement works may be significantly more depending on what sections of the stormwater pipe system will require replacement.”

Mike says that in the meantime, the area will be monitored.

“We will be checking all the other stormwater manholes in the subdivision to ensure this is not occurring elsewhere,” he explains. “While roads have been closed, all properties have access, and the road settlement is isolated to the stormwater piped trenches.”

Before the repairs were carried out, the council had traffic management in place on Woodley Rd, closing Feltham St to through access. Residents were asked to access Feltham St via Ascot St.