Fears that access could be cut to a remote facility used by schools for 50 years have led to its closure for overnight stays
Deep Cove Hostel in Doubtful Sound, stays at which are considered a rite of passage for Otago and Southland schoolchildren, has been closed because of landslide risk.
The Department of Conservation says in a statement released to Newsroom that geotechnical findings show there is a significant risk further heavy rain could cause more landslides at the Deep Cove site following one in the June on the remote location’s access road.
DoC southern South Island operations director Aaron Fleming says although the findings are preliminary there is no doubt of the risk.
He says based on present information neither DoC nor Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust, which runs the hostel, is comfortable having people stay overnight.
On June 1 heavy rain caused a landslide that took out a section of Wilmot Pass road, blocked a concrete culvert and destroyed a shed belonging to the trust.
The Deep Cove hostel has a full-time manager and each year about 2500 school kids stay to enjoy the area’s snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, walks and marine life. It has been in school use for about 50 years.
Trust chairman Mike MacManus says the closure of the 76-bed facility has so far caused the cancellation of camps for two Southland high schools.
“Nine classes of children are missing out, which is pretty gutting,” he says.
Otago University students booked to stay next week will stay instead on boats in Doubtful Sound.
Fleming says DoC and the trust are working with geotechnical engineers to gain a better understanding of the risks and possible remedial measures to enable reopening of the site.
But the work requires further detailed site assessments.
Safety first
“We understand this closure will be disappointing news for those who have fond memories of their experiences there and those who were looking forward to future camps but safety has to come first,” says Fleming.
The trust leases the land from DoC and has a concession to operate in Fiordland National Park.
“The part of the concession that lets us have accommodation overnight has been halted but people can still use facilities such as the public toilets during the day,” says MacManus.
He says this year has been a “roller coaster” with major upgrades to the accommodation, the landslide and now the closure.
Completed upgrades include the installation of doubled-glazed windows and a walk-in chiller and freezer. New flooring was about to be put down and there are plans for a new fire alarm and sprinkler system.
“Hopefully it is still worth doing all of these things,” says MacManus.
He says since the slip nine weeks ago more than 3000 volunteer hours have been spent repairing the damage including rebuilding the education centre’s hydro power supply.
MacManus says whatever the outcome of the final geotechnical report, “community goodwill” will see the hostel reopened for school camps and other overnight visitors.
He wants to make clear the decision to close the hostel to overnight visitors was jointly made.
“DoC hasn’t come in with a big stick.
“We are both concerned and we are working with each other to make this safe and right for people.”
Made with the support of the Public Interest Journalism Fund
