Motueka stopbanks to be checked after flooding

Motueka's ageing stopbanks will be assessed after the devastating North Island floods.

Councillors have urged staff to make stopbank investigation a priority after a council contractor warned some might not survive a major flood.

Sicon contracting company spokesman John Ellis said the lower Motueka and Waimea stopbanks were up to 60 years old, and that no major remedial work had been carried out for at least 10 years.

That left Mr Ellis far from convinced he could guarantee the stopbanks were as sound as they needed to be.