$34 million flood protection plan gets resource consent

A $34 million improved flood protection scheme for Waimakariri, Selwyn and Christchurch has been given the go-ahead.

Environment Canterbury's 10-year Waimakariri Flood Protection Project includes upgrading primary stopbanks, enhancing rock protection and constructing a secondary stopbanking system to improve Waimakariri River flood capacity.

The decision to grant the required resource consents was issued on July 7 and the appeal period is now complete.

Environment Canterbury hazards portfolio chairwoman Jane Demeter said significant mitigation measures proposed by Environment Canterbury, and the stringent consent conditions imposed by the consent commissioners, had gone a long way to alleviate the concerns raised by submitters.

She said this included the implementation of a flood warning and evacuation plan for residents on the southern side of the river in the Halkett, McLeans Island and Coutts Island areas.

Funding for the project was confirmed in June. Passing the appeal period for the resource consents now gives the green light for design and construction to start.

Over the first three years, work will focus on filling the gaps in the existing secondary stopbank between State Highway 1 and the airport.

- NZPA