‘I’m trapped’: Hope fades in a ‘worthless’ housing community

A small village in the southern region is suffering from coastal erosion, and the villagers’ lives are in trouble as the river near their homes is getting closer and closer.

In February this year, a state of emergency was declared in Bluecliffe after the Waiau River breached its banks and began threatening homes.

But hopes of a resolution began to fade after a meeting in March hosted by key stakeholders in nearby Tuatapere.

Attempts to further dam the river were considered unlikely to succeed, and the cost of other works would be high.

Five months after that meeting, some residents are still confused about their precarious situation and what the future holds.

Uli Sirch has lived in Blue Cliff Beach for about 30 years and runs a honey business on his property.

She has no plans to leave—partly because it’s impossible.

“No one in their right mind would buy it (my house) because the threat is there and nothing is being done about it,” she said.

“My plan is that I’ll stay here until things change dramatically.”

Silky was outspoken when disaster struck the town in February and March, and at one point made headlines for saying he had no intention of heeding evacuation calls to leave the old garbage dump.

She said conversations with the council stalled after the meeting and she was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

“If things get dangerous, I will certainly take steps. Start living in a shed because that’s closest to the road. Maybe (I will) have to buy a caravan. Maybe (I will) have to do something else.

“But at the moment, I’m basically stuck.

“I have to stay here because I can’t sell and I can’t go anywhere else.”

Neighbor Joan Redpath, who has lived with her husband since the late 1970s, faces a similar dilemma.

Unable to afford to move, the couple decided to stick with it and let things take their own course.

Redpath said the commission would not offer solutions or financial assistance but said it would help in other ways.

“We’ve forgotten all about it. We’ve decided, and that’s how it is. We can’t change it.”

Despite the loss of about 20 to 30 metres of land in front of their house over the past year, the couple remain steadfast.

Their future in Blue Cliff hangs in the balance but they are willing to live in their caravan or shed if necessary.

“You can’t sell it (the house). It’s worthless. But that’s life.”

When answering the following questions Local Democracy ReportSouthland Mayor Rob Scott said the situation at Blue Cliff had not changed but was still being monitored.

He said the council had offered practical help to the owner to investigate buying the adjoining land but had not received much support.

“We understand the concerns of property owners and understand they are in a difficult situation, but there is not much we can do as a council beyond the assistance we have already provided.”

The council has been in regular contact with some residents but has not offered any financial assistance.

LDR is a local news organisation co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air