The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has finalised an agreement with the Provincial Development Unit (PDU) for $5.44m in
government funding for four engineering projects in Otago. The projects will help with flood resilience and
environmental outcomes, and will contribute to additional jobs for the region.
The agreement is part of a Climate Resilience Programme of works across regional councils that focuses on flood
protection and river management resilience. The funding is part of the government’s $3 billion investment in
infrastructure to support New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
The government investment in flood resilience infrastructure in and Otago was first announced in July this year.
This funding agreement has now been finalised and ORC will begin implementing the Climate Resilience Programme of works,
which includes finalising contact and procurement processes over the next 3 months for projects which have not commenced
the construction phase. ORC is also planning community information sessions to discuss the details of the four climate
resilience projects in Otago with the local residents.
ORC Chair Andrew Noone said the funding announcement is good news for Otago.
“We are excited to be part of Otago’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The government funding will cover
60% of the costs of these projects, which will reduce the cost to ratepayers for this necessary work.
“The projects will create dozens of construction, engineering, driver/operator, project management, and support roles
over the next three to four years,” he said.
ORC General Manager Operations Dr Gavin Palmer said the projects will help the region become more resilient to flooding
and the effects of future climate change.
“These four projects will enhance flood protection in West Taieri, Lower Clutha and Outram, which are prone to natural
hazards such as flooding. Dunedin International Airport is also located in this area, which adds to the importance of
the proposed works.
“In the Lower Clutha area, river management and flood protection schemes will protect productive farmland. ORC will also
upgrade and install flow management structures at Robson Lagoon, which is a culturally important biodiversity area in
Lake Tuakitoto.
“Some of these projects are well progressed with planning, consents, design and procurement. Construction has commenced
on some sites of the Riverbank Road Flood Stabilisation Project, as these are part of the Lower Clutha flood repair
program of works.
“We will hold community information sessions early next year to update the local residents about the projects and these
will be advertised closer to the time. We are looking forward to talking with people about the work we’ll be doing to
protect their agricultural land and homes from flooding,” Dr Palmer said.
The four projects and locations are:
Taieri, West Taieri Contour Channel Upgrade - Contour channel renewal/upgrade which includes bridge replacements. The contour channel assists with flood protection
and land drainage of approximately 4,000ha of land and was built in 1915.
Outram, Outram Weighting Blanket – Undertake measures to mitigate seepage through floodbank. This will reduce risk of floodbank failure and flooding of
up to 4,000ha of land, potentially including Dunedin International Airport.
Balclutha, Riverbank Road Floodbank Stabilisation – Repairing flood erosion and scour in a part of the Lower Clutha Flood Protection Scheme.
Balclutha, Robson Lagoon Flow Control Structure Upgrade (part of Lake Tuakitoto Wetland, a regionally significant wetland) - The flow management structures will allow
sustainable habitat levels and flows during flood events. The control structures will provide for the passage of native
fish.