Following some preparation over the Christmas break, removal and demolition works are now well underway College Road in Edgecumbe.

The 12 properties and part-properties in the section of College Road will make way for the stopbank rebuild following the breach of the Rangitaiki River in April last year.

Shane Moore Services Ltd have been contracted to complete the works and several other contractors have been on site for specialist activities, such as asbestos removal.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Project Manager Peter Hay says that the contractors had made good progress in the first couple of weeks of the year.

'The demolition and removal works are well underway and we are making good progress on works.

'Asbestos has been removed from all the houses and the first couple of houses have been completely stripped and relocated off-site.

'The contractors are also taking all possible care to clean, sort and recycle whatever materials they are able to – bricks, timber, metals and so on. It is important to us so that we know much of the material can be reused, but also reduces the amount sent to landfill,” says Shane.

One of the next key milestones will be appointing a contractor for the stopbank re-build works. The contract was issued in early January and tenders close in the first week of February.

The slight delay in issuing the design was to accommodate recommendations made in the Rangitaiki River Scheme Review (the Cullen Report).

'Many members of the Edgecumbe community are keeping up to date and engaged with us through the rebuild process and I appreciate their ongoing support and input.

'I have had a number of comments that people are really glad to finally see movement on the site and it has felt like a lengthy process for many people.

'I think it is a significant step for the whole community,” says Peter.