Pressure on council to protect Hokitika from flooding

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Earthworks should begin along Hokitika's Gibson Quay next week on a delayed flood bank build.

The clock has been ticking on the Hokitika River protection project since last December when West Coast Regional Council awarded a contract but then had to wait on KiwiRail to sign the project off.

Council, in an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (July 4), approved extra costs in response to KiwiRail requirements above the original tender price.

Contractor Henry Adams was awarded the tender at the end of 2023 after last winter completing the first stage of the project, behind Westland Milk Products, and adjoining the river.

The new section runs along the railway line and Gibson Quay from Westland Milk Products down to the Hokitika Bridge.

It also adjoins the Wadeson Island and Hokitika River bank whitebaiting area.

Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the pressure is now on to finish the new flood bank within two months - with the local whitebaiting season due to start on September 1.

"It's been delayed and once again it's been a concern of council in getting through the project … I do understand that Kiwi Rail have to look after their asset," Haddock said.

In the meantime the community remained "vulnerable" to the river.

"The bulk of the works have got to be done before the whitebait season … that project will be underway immediately next week - that will be a good bit of protection works for Hokitika," Haddock said.

Dubbed '1B,' the project is the second of a suite of staged Kanoa approved flood resilience works costing several million dollars.

These will eventually improve protection to the entire Hokitika residential and business area from Kaniere to the CBD.

Haddock said KiwiRail had sought adjustment to the original contract scope.

"It had been let to Henry Adams Contracting subject to approval from KiwiRail, which has taken over nine months - because it was let before Christmas," Haddock said.

"They've finally come back and there's more work to do to protect their network."

The extraordinary meeting was required to tick off the cost of "more earthworks" and drainage in response to KiwiRail.

"There was a significant cost but it was below the budget that was allowed for the project," Haddock said.

This amounted to about $200,000 below their original budget contingencies.

"The contract is still under budget."

Haddock said the adjusted costs "were still competitive" and the council was satisfied with a staff recommendation on that basis.