Thursday 5 June 2014

Council actively progresses flood mitigation options

Christchurch City Council has approved a range of short-term flood mitigation options to significantly enhance the city’s flood defences while long-term solutions are investigated.

At today’s Earthquake Recovery Committee of the Whole meeting, The Mayoral Flood Taskforce presented the Council with immediate, practical options to reduce flooding risk across the city.

The options, which include sixteen local area schemes to help reduce flooding in six priority areas, are estimated to cost $17.5 million and could be in place by the end of the year.

Consideration will be given to waterproofing isolated vulnerable houses that are not covered in the local area schemes. The Taskforce will trial waterproofing a house in the red zone at a cost of $15000, to determine if the protection measures will be effective on Christchurch homes.

The Council has fast-tracked the installation of the Tay Street Drain pump station, which will reduce flooding risk for at least 129 properties in the Dudley Creek/Flockton area.

The installation of the pump station will see nineteen homes reduce from Level 1 to Level 2 vulnerability, meaning they will have a significantly lower risk of flooding above the floor.

The pump station will be able to pump half a cubic metre of water per second into the Dudley Diversion within two months, and four times that amount by October when it is finished in four months. To be located on public land in either Patrick Street or Kensington Avenue, the pump station will draw water from the Tay Street and Mairehau drains. The pump station fits with the two proposed long-term options that the Council is currently investigating.

As earthquake related works, the $4.35 million cost of the pump station will come out of the earthquake response/temporary repair fund as part of the Cost Share agreement.

The Taskforce’s progress report highlights the extensive maintenance already completed across Christchurch, improving the city’s ability to handle heavy rainfall in the future. Included in this work has been the extensive clearing of vegetation and obstacles from Dudley Creek.

Three options for reducing floodwater contaminated by wastewater have been identified with further work being undertaken to determine how to progress the recommendations.

The Council is continuing to work with Central Government and other agencies, including Environment Canterbury (ECan) and EQC to refine and investigate the long-term flood mitigation options.

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