11 March 2009

Statement from David Thornton on slips problems at Mulberry Place

Council release secret report then ducks for cover.

Report shows residents homes still under threat and recent repair to Mulberry Place has not removed threat of further slips.

At last night’s Glenfield Community Board meeting Councillor Grant Gillon, chair of North Shore City Council’s Strategy & Finance Committee, - together with an entourage of council officials and consultants - finally released a geotechnical report on the stability of land at Mulberry Place.

Councillor Gillon has today informed me he is removing himself from any further direct involvement in the Mulberry Place problem.

The geotech report clearly states that the land remains unstable and the recent construction of a new retaining wall, to support the roadway at Mulberry Place, does not bring any stability to the earth bank below it.

The report acknowledges there may be imminent danger to the driveway directly in front of the three units at 1 Mulberry Place.

Riley consultants propose more investigations to ascertain if it would be feasible to carry out remedial work which may stabilise the whole of the area affected – basically the land on which two condemned house stand, plus four surrounding neighbours.

The Riley report was peer-reviewed by Tonkin & Taylor who concluded – The stability of the slope is clearly below that required to ensure a stable building platform and this has implications to the wider site.

The review also raises possible further instability during construction of suggested remedial measures.

No one could give any guarantee that the threatened homes at 1 Mulberry Place could be fully insured even if the possible remedial measures were successful.

Residents are now seeking an urgent meeting with the consultants to answer questions on the reports.

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