Works to cut flood risk in Kaitaia

The culvert under Allen Bell Drive on Friday morning

The Far North District Council has undertaken work at one location in Allen Bell Drive Kaitaia, which it is confident will substantially reduce the risk of flooding, and is in the process of doing the same at another, near the intersection with Donald Road.

At least two Housing New Zealand houses were flooded in the early hours of Thursday morning, when stormwater from Donald Road spilled over the culvert. One of the houses had been inundated in March, the other in May.

The culvert under Allen Bell Drive on Friday morning after it was cleaned

The council's general manager - infrastructure and asset management, Jacqui Robson, said Housing NZ had recently informed the council of flooding problems at the Donald Road end.

This had had a serious impact on tenants, and infrastructure staff moved quickly to undertake flood prevention work there, as had already been undertaken in response to the same problem adjacent to No 60.

A custom-made grate was to have been placed in front of the culvert last week, to prevent debris from blocking it, but Thursday's heavy rain had prevented that. It would now be installed over the next few days.

A large quantity of silt had been removed, clearing the all but blocked culvert.

Ms Robson said work near No 60 had begun three months before, contractors removing silt and debris from a grate at the culvert's mouth. The FNDC, Northland Regional Council and contractors were planning a more permanent fix for flooding problems caused by slips upstream.

A substantial rock dam had been built to filter silt from the water and allow it to settle, with two smaller rock areas helping to control water flows, and also serving as filters.

The second stage would involve additional rock dams and drain reshaping, with the NRC planting trees to stabilise land upstream. Flooding problems at the Donald Road end would also be discussed with the NRC.

Meanwhile area manager Noeline Tua said Housing NZ had worked closely with agencies including the Ministry for Social Development to help the family affected by last week's flooding.

"Our staff responded quickly by arranging temporary accommodation for the family," she said.

"I'm pleased to confirm the family have accepted our offer of another property, and will be able to move into this home before the end of this month."

Housing NZ had a number of properties in flood-prone areas. Those issues had been discussed with the district council, whose response had been greatly appreciated.

"We understand the council had steps in place to rectify the issue, but the flooding occurred before those measures could be instigated," Ms Tua added.

"Housing NZ will continue to work with the council to resolve these issues moving forward."