Big effort in flood protection
With 320 kilometres of river channels and 280 kilometres of stopbanks in the region, Greater Wellington is responsible for one of the largest flood protection schemes in New Zealand.
There were no major floods in the year ended June 2006 and we were able to complete repairs from the January and March 2005 events. A big effort also went into our scheme review and flood hazard investigation work.
All of the capital works undertaken by Greater Wellington on rivers in the region have an environmental enhancement component, such as restoration planting, creating green spaces and walkways. In 2005/06, the community took part in environmental enhancement projects and funding was provided to several community groups to help them in their outstanding work along riverbanks.
Implementation of the floodplain management plans on our three major western rivers – Hutt, Otaki and Waikanae – continued in 2005/06. Other projects included the completion of the Mangaroa River flood hazard assessment, work on the Lower Waiwhetu Stream and the Strand Park re-alignment of the Hutt River, and design of the Ava Railway Bridge improvements. Work continued on reviews of the Lower Wairarapa Valley development scheme and the Kopuaranga River enhancement project.