26 January 2024
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Injury suffered on a boat ramp
Enquiry
Have the below for response/answer please and thanks.
Have spoken with a Kingsley Ridings who sustained a wound when stepping on a decayed and rusted piece of metal at the Hannah's Bay boat ramp on January 12. It was part of the anti-slip grid and “covered in lake slime”.
It broke off in his heel and he had a 4cm wound almost reaching the other side of the foot.
He got an infection from it and has had four surgeries since to try and get it cleared - worst case scenario is it will need to be amputated if the infection cannot be controlled.
He said he rang Rotorua Lakes Council the day he was injured, and said he told them it was important someone cleared the metal that was “poking upright”.
“Anyone, or any kid, could go and do exactly what I did.”
Ridings said he was told his best bet was to call Bay of Plenty Regional Council. He did so, and asked them to “hurry along” the Lakes council.
He understood someone went to remove the metal that day.
Ridings contacted the (lakes) council via its website on the Saturday, asking who was responsible. He never got a reply. He said he also suggested its maintenance schedules needed looking at.
“As far as I’m concerned, whoever put the boat ramp in and left the steelwork in there for so long it has corroded over the years to next to nothing, it’s their fault.
“It brings up the question of accountability.”
He said an apology would not make up for the anguish and pain he endured the last two weeks, but to not have one was “just pathetic”.
Local Democracy Reporting visited the boat ramp on Thursday (today). The council had placed a temporary sign advising the ramp was slippy, but lay face down on the ramp. It had been secured somewhere with tape and come unstuck. (I wedged this in between posted signs so it didn't blow away but was still visible)
Pieces of rusted metal could be seen in the sand, one hand-width section half-buried and sticking upright. Local Democracy Reporting put these in the bin.
When shown a picture of metal still on the ramp, Ridings said if any had been removed it was a “crap job”.
When was the last time the boat ramp was maintained? How often should it be maintained?
When was the metal grid installed? What was its expected lifespan?
What regulations or guidelines does the council have to follow in relation to boat ramp safety and maintenance?
Why did the sign advise the ramp was slippery and not advise of the remaining metal?
Why was the metal not removed?
Ridings said he stressed the potential for further injury if it was not removed - was this taken into consideration? Why/why not?
Have there been any concerns or complaints regarding this boat ramp lodged with the council in the last two years? What were these regarding and how were they resolved?
Any other comment?
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council Group Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions – Stavros Michael:
The reporter was told the advised her request asking for how many complaints have been made in the last two years regarding Hannah’s Bay boat ramp with need to be request via LGOIMA process.
We express our sincere concern for Mr. Ridings' injuries and extend our heartfelt wishes for a swift and complete recovery. Today, we reached out to Mr. Ridings to apprise him of the measures and improvements undertaken by the Council since he reported the unfortunate incident.
On January 12, immediate action was taken by Infracore staff upon being alerted to the steel grating issue at Hannah’s Bay boat ramp. The damaged grating sections and loose fragments were promptly removed from the vicinity. A thorough search of the area was conducted, and all collected material was appropriately disposed of.
Despite our efforts, it appears that warning signs about the slippery nature of the wooden ramp were removed. These signs were replaced on January 26.
Upon learning of Mr. Ridings' injuries, Infracore staff swiftly closed the boat ramp to the public and, today, have further attended to the site. The wooden ramp underwent water blasting, and the entire grating has been removed, with plans to replace it with an aluminium grating. A metal detector was also employed to search for any remaining debris in the area.
To mitigate future risks, a new sign has been installed, cautioning the public about potential loose metal debris being washed ashore—believed to be the cause of the debris found yesterday. In light of this incident, we recognize the need to enhance our inspection procedures, particularly focusing on inspecting ramps below the waterline.
While Hannah’s Bay boat ramp underwent renewal in 2013, the longevity of the steel grating fell short of expectations. There are no specific guidelines or regulations for boat ramps. However, we carry out regular maintenance checks, six-month condition inspections, and routine accessibility assessments in line with general standards for public structures.
Clarification:
Following Mr. Ridings' contact with our call centre on January 12, he was assured that our maintenance team would be informed and would contact him if necessary. He was then transferred to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, given their responsibility for the lakes, in case he wished to report the matter to them as well. We appreciate Mr. Ridings' diligence in bringing these matters to our attention and are committed to addressing them comprehensively.