Time running out to get Kaikōura Inland Road open for Christmas

Kaikōura's council faces a battle against time and no funding, as it looks to get an important tourist route fully open before Christmas.

While awaiting funding decisions from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, the Kaikōura District Council will consider making a temporary repair of more than $300,000 to the Cribb Creek bridge on the Inland Road at its November meeting.

Speaking at a council meeting on Wednesday, October 28, chief executive Will Doughty said the alternative was to ''sit and wait'' for a decision from NZTA, which could take months.

The council is facing a multi million dollar repair bill following the July flood, after more than 450mm of rain fell on July 7 and 8.

The approach to Cribb Creek bridge was washed away by flood waters, while other roads, bridge approaches and culverts remain fragile.

A temporary repair to the bridge is estimated at between $300,000 to $500,000, while a permanent fix is expected to cost $1m.

The council has already spent its roading reserves on emergency repairs following the flood, including creating a ford for four-wheel-drive access at Cribb Creek.

''We could sit and wait for a decision, which could take a few months and then be declined,'' Mr Doughty said.

''We need to work out what the council share is in a worse case scenario.''

Council operations manager Olga Joensuu said a temporary repair to the Cribb Creek bridge approach would take about three to four weeks.

''It will be a push to get it open before Christmas and it will depend on our contractor's work programme.''

Kaikōura Inland Road is an important tourist route and an alternative route for trucks unable to pass through the State Highway 1 road tunnels.

The overall recovery programme includes urgent repairs across multiple sites and has been grouped into 14 separate work packages across the district.

Other rural roads, including Puhi Puhi Road, remain ''fragile'' following the weather event.

Mr Doughty said the council has presented a business case to NZTA for emergency works funding.

Three options for co-funding were included, from a basic repair costing $8m, a mid-range recovery at $12m or long-term resilience at $30m.

The council is eligible for a 51 percent subsidy on the initial repairs, up to the equivalent of 10% of its annual roading budget of about $2m.

A 71% subsidy for any additional approved works could also be available, Mr Doughty said.

But the council is hoping for a larger subsidy, as it has an annual rates income of around $10m from just 3000 ratepayers.

Any increase in the subsidy will be subject to NZTA board approval.