Residents living in Mokorua Grove say vibrations from heavy vehicles using Gorge Road have become a source of frustration, prompting the Whakatāne District Council to investigate the cause.

The council has agreed to clean a roadside cesspit and inspect underground pipes after residents raised concerns that a dip in Gorge Road is sending strong vibrations through nearby homes whenever trucks pass over it.

Noise from heavy vehicles and concerns about the maintenance of the roadside drain were also discussed during a meeting between residents and Whakatāne District Council transportation manager Ann-Elise Reynolds.

“To understand what’s causing the vibrations on Gorge Road, the council will arrange for the cesspit to be cleaned and the pipes beneath the road to be inspected,” Reynolds said. “This will help determine what’s happening and what needs to be done next.”

Resident Terry Brown said the problem centred on a noticeable dip in the road near the corner of Gorge Road and Mokorua Grove.

“When trucks hit that, particularly 18-wheelers, it sends massive vibrations through the whole house,” Brown said.

Resident Wendy Anderson points out there are two separate issues.

“One, the drain wasn’t laid properly and that’s causing it to sink. When heavy vehicles go over it, that causes the shaking,” she said.

“The second problem is that it isn’t being cleaned properly, which can cause it to overflow.”

Peter Bedford, whose property is closest to the cesspit, believes the problem dates to its installation.

He said contractors rushed the work after rain interrupted construction.

“That day while they were doing it, it started raining. I told them it wasn’t going to take all the run-off, and sure enough, it overflowed,” Bedford said.

“They then put two 12-inch pipes across the road to the stream, but because they were in a hurry to reopen the road, I doubt the ground around those pipes was consolidated.”

The cesspit is breaking around the edges.

“All of the pressure and vibrations are coming through the pipe into that cesspit, breaking it up.”

Bedford said the slight depression on the road above the pipes showed the surface had begun to fail.

“I think everything relates to that cesspit and the pipes. The cesspit’s been blocked for ages.”

Bedford said he regularly cleared debris from the drain to prevent overflow into Mokorua Grove.

“The house has been flooded twice because of that. In May 2019, it was raining real bad, and I got up, tried clearing that, then I had a heart attack.”

He said he had repeatedly asked the council over the years to ensure the cesspit was cleaned.

“I’ve written to the council and gone in several times. They promised they’d clean it every two weeks, but I’ve never seen anyone do anything up there.”

Reynolds said debris washed into the drain from surrounding land.

“Maintenance is carried out, and this will be increased to reduce the risk of blockages and flooding,” she said.

Residents also questioned the number of trucks using Gorge Road, particularly overnight, saying some were travelling through the district rather than servicing local destinations.

Reynolds clarified the rules governing heavy vehicles on Gorge Road, as set out in the council’s Traffic and Speed Limits Bylaw.

“Trucks travelling through the district to other regions are not permitted to use this route. However, trucks carrying goods within the district are allowed.

“Gorge Road is not approved for larger high-capacity trucks, but some permitted vehicles can still use it. The council works with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Police to support compliance with these rules.”

However, residents noted that an infringement notice of $750 has been removed as a consequence of breaching the by-law and say any action would have to go through the courts.

“If you get that one dip fixed, you probably wouldn’t notice the trucks nearly as much because it would stop the shaking,” said Brown.