The cost to repair walking tracks on the East Coast damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle has hit an unprecedented high, 1News can reveal.
It comes as some tracks face the possibility of never reopening.
The tranquil Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve track, once a picturesque route leading to a cascading waterfall, now lay unrecognisable. The aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle had ravaged the landscape, leaving behind a scene of chaos – toppled trees, layers of silt covering what was once familiar ground, even the carpark sign lay hidden in the rubble.
"Everything has changed so significantly," community ranger Kelly Eaton told 1News.
"The bridge, the toilets, vanished – it's a different valley now."
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has continued its tireless efforts to restore the popular walking tracks along the East Coast. However, many sites remain inaccessible, with some still undergoing assessment.
"Some structures survived but need extensive cleaning," Eaton said, emphasising the need for thorough maintenance.
"It's been an ongoing battle to rebuild amidst constant rainfall and fluctuating lake levels."
With limited resources and an overwhelming task at hand, crews faced the challenge of prioritising repairs.
Community ranger Adam Hutchins expressed the difficulty in allocating efforts based on location and popularity of tracks, acknowledging the immense shortfall in available manpower.
Numbers obtained by 1News under the Official Information Act show the financial toll of repairing storm-damaged tracks had risen steadily over the past decade. This year's repair bill reached an unprecedented high, surpassing $7 million – making Cyclone Gabrielle being the most expensive weather event to date.
"Rebuilding tracks means reimagining the paths," Eaton said, highlighting the need for adaptations due to vanished bridges and altered landscapes. However, some tracks might face closure indefinitely due to resource limitations.
For locals, witnessing beloved places vanish had been heartbreaking.
"It's devastating to see familiar spots wiped away," one local said.
"These tracks hold significant meaning, especially for educational purposes."
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