Shovel-ready funding for stop banks

Flood banks were tested during extensive flooding in Southland in February, and while they ‘‘proved their worth’’ the regional council has applied for funding to raise them even higher.

Environment Southland has applied for almost $18 million dollars’ worth of funding to upgrade some of the region’s flood protection infrastructure, as part of the Government’s shovel-ready infrastructure initiative.

Council chief executive Rob Phillips said the investment would improve the community’s resilience to floods, which are Southland’s highest risk natural hazard, and to the potential effects of climate change.

‘‘Our stopbanks showed their worth in the February floods in Gore, Mataura and Wyndham. The proposed upgrades are an investment in Southland’s future. Ensuring we have strong, efficient flood protection systems is an essential part of our preparation for the potential impacts of climate change.’’

The council has applied for funding for three separate projects.

One is a joint application with the Invercargill City Council to upgrade stop bank infrastructure in Invercargill, worth $23m. It would involve raising the height of the Stead St, Waihopai and Otepuni stop banks and replacing the Stead St pump station, which helps to drain water from the Invercargill Airport and surrounding areas.

Environment Southland has applied for approximately $7m of the total funding for that project.

Funding for the two other projects include just over $10m towards upgrading and raising the Gore, Mataura and Wyndham stop banks, and $800,000 for erosion repairs on the Waiau River, following the December flood.

‘‘It is now more important than ever to invest in maintaining and upgrading the stop banks to cope with future challenges,’’ Phillips said.