Flood-prone Canterbury rivers in the spotlight
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Lessons learned from devastating floods in May 2021 are helping shape planning for Canterbury’s rivers.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection as part of its draft 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP).
While flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay last year attracted headlines, Canterbury has had its own damaging floods in recent years.
In 2019, the Rangitata River bridge was closed for several days following a flood, while the May 2021 flood caused widespread disruption, prompting a rethink of how ECan manages its river systems.
"A Cyclone Gabrielle event hasn’t happened, as far as we know, in Canterbury’s history, but one-in-200 year events seem to be happening more and more,’’ said councillor Ian Mackenzie, who chairs the council’s catchment resilience committee.
"Nobody is immune to being impacted by flood events."
The 2021 flood event showed the old river and drainage rating model was no longer fit for purpose, as rivers need to be looked at as a whole river system, he said.
To ensure the financial burden is spread across the region, the council is seeking to introduce a mix of district-wide and region-wide rating.
Without the council’s flood protection, land drainage and erosion control schemes, staff estimated there would be about "$9 billion per year of combined damages and lost earning potential would be felt".
Canterbury has about half of New Zealand’s river assets, with the regional council having oversight of 58 river schemes.
Flood protection work is urgently needed in the Waimakariri district, the council’s operations general manager, Leigh Griffiths, said.
Changes to the landscape caused by the growing urban environment and the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes meant "the level of flood protection is lower than would be expected", she said.
About $700,000 a year is spent on maintenance in the Ashley-Rakahuri River, with the council proposing to increase that to $800,000 per year and to initiate an eight-year, $15m upgrade programme as part of the LTP.
The work, for which the council will seek central Government funding, is likely to be similar to work planned in the Selwyn district.
Christchurch, Kaiapoi and part of the Selwyn district are protected by two levels of flood protection on the Waimakariri River, which has capacity for a one-in-500 year event.
It costs about $5m a year, with $1m coming from a targeted rate of $12 per ratepayer, per year.
The balance is funded by income from grazing and forestry on council-owned land between the stopbanks.
The capacity in some South Canterbury rivers means they "are expected to overtop their stopbanks" in a one-in-50 year flood event, while Ashburton is protected for a one-in-200 year event.
The proposed Selwyn district flood prevention work will be funded by a district-wide targeted rate and will include clearing out channels and flow paths, weed control and planting, and building resilience.
Exotic weeds, including poplars and willows, and loose shingle poses the biggest challenges, Mackenzie said.
"Bridges are more likely to survive if they’re not being treated as a battering ram [in a flood].
"Exotic weeds are one of the biggest problems.
"If we stopped doing what we do these exotic weeds would choke rivers and push them out to the berms."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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‘Healthy’ response to Waimakariri’s Long Term Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri residents have had their say on the long-term plan (LTP) and given councillors plenty to consider.
A council spokesperson said ‘‘a healthy’’ 336 submissions have been received to the 2024-34 LTP, making 1670 submission points.
The council is due to hold hearings on the submissions on May 8, from 9.30am, in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and then in the Oxford Town Hall from 3pm.
A second day of hearings will be held in the council chambers in Rangiora the following day from 1pm.
The council has signalled a rates hike of 8.94% this year, which is thought to be the lowest proposed rates rise in Canterbury.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, while continuing to pay off its earthquake recovery and Mainpower Stadium loans.
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
To support that growth, the council is proposing to spend around $693 million over the next 10 years.
Managing the natural environment, flood resilience, community facilities and transport infrastructure were being consulted on.
Key projects include the proposed Rangiora eastern link road, a draft natural environment strategy, the Rangiora Library extension and expansion plans for Mainpower Oval.
Once the hearings have concluded, the council will resume its LLT deliberations on May 21 and 22, before the final adoption in June.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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83.6% Yes
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14.2% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below!
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