Phil Mauger Sees Devastation At Goughs Bay Road First-Hand

Goughs Bay Road Residents and others in the area on the Banks Peninsula are still impacted by the effects of a series of giant mudslides that washed away roads more than five weeks ago.

Residents John and Carol Masefield reached out to independent mayoral candidate Phil Mauger to see if he could help.

After receiving the call of help from the Masefield, Mauger immediately jumped in his car to meet them. He was taken on the back of a quad bike to see the damage caused by the mudslides firsthand.

“I wanted to see for myself the damage in this area and how we can get access back and clean this area up,” says Phil Mauger. “The extent of the storm was distressing- there were more than 30 slips along the road to Goughs Bay.”

Carol Masefield said, “We were very pleased to have a visit from a Councillor in Goughs Bay that genuinely listened to our frustrations and was keen to see the destruction from the flood on 15 December first-hand.

“It was great to meet Phil and talk through the issues that we are facing. We are currently using our quad bike to take rubbish out and bring groceries home – this is nearly an hour return trip. There are other families who have also been badly impacted,” said Carol.

Phil Mauger said, “When I got back from Goughs Bay I spoke to our Council team to update them. I will be working with them to ensure the co-ordinated response that is occurring, that includes council, power and phone companies is well communicated to the affected residents.”

Phil Mauger recently had to cancel an informal gathering scheduled for later this month at Mill Cottage in Akaroa due to the country going into the red Covid alert level setting.

Phil Mauger says, “Council needs to listen to what people living on the Peninsula want for their community. I’m keen to meet as many people as possible and hear their views, as well as share my thoughts on what changes we can make. I will be rescheduling the event at Mill Cottage and look forward to meeting more people living in Banks Peninsula.”

For further information | Erin Jamieson | Convergence Communications | 021 743 237 | erin@conv.co.nz