Kneejerk Reactions.

I have had correspondence about progress with building stopbank infrastructure in the local area.

Since Gabrielle authorities have most likely had sleepless nights after a barrage of criticism .An understandable response following a major weather event. People  have lost everything and emotions are high. It is easy to target those who at first front up (sort of) to take the flack and roll off to the office to work out a considered response.

We go through this process.

I guess what has surprised me has been the arrogance displayed by the decision makers and the total lack of serious consideration given to constructive criticism offered by those "who know".

With the passing of time it has been possible to understand this reaction and it is indeed a worry.

Back to 'progress'.

The lack of  rational thinking , lack of understanding, lack of commonsense has seen some kneejerk responses that are costing ratepayers many thousands of unnecessary  dollars.

A stopbank is being built along a stream , yes a stream, that is largely spring fed ,does not flood naturally and has flowed merrily for many years.

There used to be stopbanks along part of the stream but at some stage it was considered that the likelihood of breach was minimal and the stopbanks were left and in places removed by landowners.

This assessment was correct but now there is panic in the ranks and stopbanks are being built 'just in case ' and they are ' a secondary defence " according to the grapevine.

This idea of a 'secondary defence ' is a kneejerk reaction. An over reaction. 

What needs to be sorted are the stopbanks that breached. What needs to be sorted is the bridges that had structures that allowed dams to form behind them. What needs to be sorted is the configuration of some stopbanks that formed a dam during the flood . What needs to be sorted is why the likes of the Puketapu Bridge had so much debris build up behind it.

Kneejerk reeactions are not ideal but I guess models rule.