Stopbanks and flood ways
Stopbanks are continuous mounds of earth built near rivers to stop water from the river flooding nearby land. Americans call them levees. They may look like grassy banks, but they are actually constructed according to very specific engineering designs. When the river is in flood, they need to be able to contain the floodwaters without collapsing.
When a river isn't in flood, which is most of the time, floodways are used as recreational areas, like parks or golf courses. During a flood they need all the space in the floodway to carry the flow otherwise floodwater might spill over the stopbanks and flood people's homes. Too many trees or buildings on a floodway can take up valuable space and slow down or block the flow of water during floods.
Tree roots and rabbit tunnels in stopbanks can create weak places where water can break through and make the stopbank collapse. People can damage stopbanks by riding bikes on them, or digging holes through them for pipelines.
Activities on stopbanks and floodways were controlled in the Transitional Regional Plan until it was withdrawn on 9 February 2002. Activities on stopbanks are now controlled by district rules. The exception is Rule 52 proposed in Change 1 to the Regional Freshwater Plan, notified on 9 February 2002.
Activities on flood ways
Rule 48A of the Regional Freshwater Plan requires a land use consent for uses (as specified in the rule) of the floodways of the Waiohine River, the Ruamahanga River or the Hutt River. This is a restricted discretionary activity. This rule was added by Change 1 to the Regional Freshwater Plan, notified on 9 February 2002.
District plans may contain rules restricting the construction of stopbanks and other structures near rivers. Check your district plan for any restrictions.
Activities on and damage to stopbanks
Rule 52 of the Regional Freshwater Plan prohibits the use of any stopbank for the passage of any motorised vehicle or machinery of greater than 9 tonnes, unless the use meets two exceptions stated in the rule. This rule is added by Change 1 to the Regional Freshwater Plan, notified on 9 February 2002.
District plans may contain rules restricting activities near stopbanks and other structures near rivers. Check your district plan for any restrictions.
Construction of stopbanks
District plans may contain rules restricting the deposition of earth, or the construction of stopbanks and other structures near rivers. Check your district plan for any restrictions.