Marlborough Sounds roads 'unrecognisable' after August storm

Roads in the Marlborough Sounds have been described as "unrecognisable" after last month's storm that wreaked havoc across the top of the south.

Officials in Marlborough have spent the last three weeks assessing the situation and showed 1News the damage up close.

The damage is extensive and widespread throughout the Marlborough Sounds, with landslides or dropouts every 100m in some areas.

Marlborough Roads network manager Lucan Orchard described it as "devastating".

"It's heart breaking to see the damage that's been done out there. Especially seeing that it's unrecognisable from what we've seen today".

So far 3100 faults have been identified, though that number is expected to grow. More than 670km of roads across the region have been affected.

While work is being done to clear the damage, most of the roads in the Marlborough Sounds are closed.

"It's really important because it's the safety of our people and the people that are trying to use the road," Orchard said. "The last thing we want is someone having an accident on that road."

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Among the worst hit is Kenepuru Road, which is one of the main routes in and out of the Marlborough Sounds.

It's the second time in a year that it's been damaged by a storm. Many parts of the road were still under repair from last year with $80 million set aside to fix it.

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said shortly after the storm it's possible some areas might become boat access only, though it was too early to say.

Many residents 1News spoke to said that wouldn't be acceptable and the roads need to be fixed.

Robert Harper owns Sherrington Honey and has hives throughout the Marlborough Sounds.

"I can't see much of a future without roads," Harper said. "It would be very difficult to operate a business here.

"For us as commercial beekeepers we're spread through multi locations and to try and do this by boat is probably not financially viable".

There's many farms in the Marlborough Sounds and without roads getting feed or moving stock is difficult, and expensive.

Farmer Mike Gerard says the Kenepuru Road is a link for the area.

"[It's] really important to have that road. There's 14 farms that link back to Havelock on this road," he said. "Thirty five thousand stock units that have to be moved every year".

Kristen Gerard's family have been in the Marlborough Sounds for six generations and she wants to ensure that can continue.

"We want to know that, this farm that we've struggled for 40 years to bring up to the beautiful state that it's in now, is (it) still going to be sustainable, financially and environmentally for that next generation?"

Without roads the only way in or out of the Marlborough Sounds is by boat. Once a week the Pelorus Mail Boat delivers supplies.

Everything from groceries to fuel comes in to various jetties around the region.

Manager Levon Mosdell says they're happy to be able to help, though it has been "tricky" for residents.

"Obviously when you have a road for 20, 30 years when you're living out there and suddenly you have no road it is a bit of a headache for some people".

Gillian Neal was catching a ride back to Blenheim on the mail boat to run errands.

"We've got lots of appointments that we have to co-ordinate so they all come together on one day," Neal said. "So we go from this appointment to the next one".

"And then there will be the big grocery order.... so it's just a big logistical nightmare".

There's a $25 water taxi subsidy, though trips often cost hundreds of dollars one way.

A Marlborough District Council spokesperson said it's looking at the feasibility of extra support. "We encourage people to coordinate trips or deliveries with their neighbours to save costs and time".

The council is holding a public meeting at 4pm on Friday September 16 to provide an update on the recovery effort across Marlborough.