Wednesday 16 December, 2015

Review Group sets priorities for flood issues

The Whanganui Flood Management Review Group has reported good progress on some high priority investigations into flooding issues highlighted during the 19-20 June flood event.

The Group, comprising representatives from Horizons, Whanganui District Council and Whanganui River iwi, met last week to discuss the initial list of issues.

Horizons group manager river management Allan Cook says all field work to survey the river channel between the Whanganui River mouth and Upokongaro has been completed and work to process the data is already well underway.

“This data will inform us of any changes in river bed levels and channel capacity since the last comprehensive survey in 1996 and will be used to aid a number of other investigation tasks,” says Mr Cook.

“Two other high priority investigations are also underway and we hope to report on these early next year. These are considering options for dredging and bank alignment improvement in the vicinity of Q-West to increase the channel depth for storm water outlet and navigation, and looking at the condition of the Lower Matarawa Stream channel.”

The Group has identified 23 total areas of investigation to address flooding issues highlighted in June. Whanganui District Council chief executive Kevin Ross says an order of priority has been established to ensure work is undertaken efficiently.

“However, this is a living document and we will continue to adapt the priority list as studies and stakeholder consultation progress. At times it is difficult to prioritise certain activities over others as everything on the list is important. But at the end of the day we have limited staff and financial resources available.”

Horizons Regional Council received a report on the Group’s progress at its final meeting for 2015 held yesterday. This report included a request from the Group to reallocate funding to an unbudgeted activity.

“Council recognised the importance of re-calibrating the Whanganui River hydraulic models to reflect the recent river survey and funding has been reallocated so it can be completed this financial year. This will provide accurate information that is crucial to flood prediction, flood protection design and flood risk advice,” says Mr Cook.

Looking ahead to 2016, a major investigation will begin in January to review the flood hydrology for the Awarua Stream, which passes under SH3 near Marybank and caused significant flooding in the Wikitoria Road area.

“We will develop options for mitigating the impact of flooding on existing residential properties and on Wikitoria Road itself,” says Mr Cook.

“The Group would like to see this area kept flood free given its importance in providing access to the airport during any emergency event.”

ENDS

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