Flood plan option approved

PLAIN VIEW: Residents will be updated this week on proposals for the Waiohine River flood protection scheme.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Carterton and Greytown people who may be affected by a new flood protection solution will be updated on the plan this week by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The Waiohine River Floodplain Management Planning Advisory Committee approved its preferred flood protection option for submission to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) with community consultation beginning in March 2016.

GWRC communications advisor Brigitte de Barletta said the final Waiohine River Floodplain Management Plan, if approved, would include a stopbank along part of the true right bank of the river, the Greytown side, that would protect the majority of urban Greytown against a "100-year flood".

"This stopbank would then lower to a '50-year flood' to offset the effects on the Carterton side of the river," she said.

"Everyone will be better off in floods up to the 50-year level but there would be an increase in flood levels in the Matarawa Rd area in floods greater than the 50-year return period level.

"We have spent time talking with the community at info days and had lots of one-on-ones with affected residents, but the draft will still need a full community consultation."

The Waiohine River Floodplain Management Planning Advisory Committee is led by co-chairs South Wairarapa District councillor Viv Napier and Greytown man and Waiohine River expert Bruce Slater. "The committee has been working to balance improving flood protection in a way future generations can maintain affordably," Mr Slater said. "Currently the river management is going well, but we've had a calm period in terms of floods and it's easy to be complacent about the impacts. I believe the committee has developed a workable option and we will see protection in place in a relatively short time."

Those affected by the proposals have already had preliminary discussions with GWRC flood protection officers and will be updated by letter in the week ahead.