WDC rapid response reopens roads quickly

Published on 22 July 2026

Thanks to the rapid response by Waitaki District Council teams and local contractors, only 2 roads remain closed following the rain event earlier this month.

Over 100 local roads were closed by flooding, snow, slips or washout scouring, affecting well over a thousand households, and reducing travel options around the district for many others.

Whitestone Contracting Ltd visited over 80 sites to place signage, close roads and manage slips, fallen trees and make rapid safety assessments of roads elsewhere.

Meanwhile, SouthRoads was involved in multiple drainage clear-outs of both stormwater and sewage and repairing two separate water main breaks during the State of Emergency.

Most district roads including key rural corridors like Cormacks-Kia Ora, Devils Bridge Road, Steward Road and McArthurs Road were re-opened quickly – within 10 days – ensuring our rural and farming communities in Corriedale, Waihemo and the Waitaki Plains remained connected to the wider District despite poor conditions.

The remaining roads are closed because of scouring damage to the road surface or lingering low-lying floodwater.

Oamaru Harbour’s Waterfront Road will have some traffic management while contractors remove silt from the road and rail line channels, but both lanes will reopen once that work is done.

Council staff have been out checking roads around the district during the event and as floodwaters receded, to assess where remedial work will be needed. Safety for road users is the priority and will guide Council’s next steps when working with contractors.

Updates will be made on Council’s Current Road Closures webpage.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz