A Wānaka resident surveys the damage in 2021 after heavy rain causes significant erosion in Rockabilly Gully. Rockabilly Gully is on track to receive a new stormwater basin years after the Otago Regional Council (ORC) issued an abatement notice. Department of Conservation (Doc) Central Otago operations manager Charlie Sklenar said QLDC had proactively kept Doc informed of progress on the Rockabilly Gully Erosion Remediation project. ‘‘Currently, the stormwater runs through the Hikuwai Reserve, predominantly through the Rockabilly Gully — an ephemeral watercourse. The notice required QLDC ‘‘to cease the discharge of stormwater from its stormwater network on to the Hikuwai Reserve and into the Clutha River /Mata-Aū’’.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 14, 2026 15:22 UTC