Railway irons in Southland rivers

Displaced railway irons have been identified as a potential hazard for boaties on Southland rivers this summer.

The displacement of railway irons that were used in erosion control methods several decades ago have created a safety hazard in the Makarewa, Ōreti, Mataura and Waikaia rivers, which Environment Southland has moved to address.

Railway irons have been discovered both protruding from river waters and submerged under the water surface and they pose a serious safety risk for any river users.

Environment Southland’s catchment operations team have moved quickly to remove railway irons in several locations across the Makarewa, Ōreti, Mataura and Waikaia rivers, at the following locations.

Though the removal work has been completed at several identified locations, some railway irons remain embedded in Southland rivers, posing a serious safety risk.

Environment Southland’s marine team have been out marking sites where railway irons have been discovered with buoys and flags, with warning signs erected nearby.

Locations where railway irons have been discovered include:

• In the Makarewa River, railway irons have been discovered in a section of the river adjacent to North Makarewa Grove Bush Road and Orion Road west.
• In the Ōreti River, railway irons have been discovered at several locations in a section of the river south of State Highway 99 Riverton-Wallacetown Highway and north of West Plains Road.
• In the Mataura River, railway irons have been discovered between Cattle Flat and Riversdale-Waikaia Road.
• In the Waikaia River, railway irons have been discovered in a section of the river adjacent to Waipuru Road and north of Waipounamu Bridge Road.

Sites where railway irons have been discovered in rivers are being uploaded to Environment Southland’s Beacon mapping tool at www.maps.es.govt.nz

Anyone heading out onto one of Southland’s rivers this summer should check www.maps.es.govt.nz to check whether they will be travelling into a potentially hazardous area.

However, it is important to remain on the lookout for hazards in all parts of each of Southland’s rivers.

Anyone who sees railway irons in any Southland river is encouraged to contact Environment Southland so that these hazards can be marked and removed as quickly as possible.

Sightings of railway irons can be reported to Environment Southland by emailing service@es.govt.nz or calling 0800 768 845.