Flood resilience to increase with installation of egress gate at Kōwhai Park

Horizons Regional Council will begin work to install an egress gate on the stopbanks of Kōwhai Park to help increase flood resilience in the area on Monday 10 July.
 

Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard says the work is expected to take approximately two weeks and will require the closure of the footpath within Kōwhai Park adjacent Ikitara Road and Georgetti Road while this takes place.
 
“During previous floods on the Whanganui River the awa has overtopped the stopbanks at Kōwhai Park and has had trouble getting out,” Dr Roygard says.
 
“The installation of an egress gate on the stopbanks will allow floodwaters to return to the main stem of the awa quicker, rather than remaining ponded within Kōwhai Park and the Anzac Parade area.
 
“This will help reduce the amount of time properties in the area could be impacted by floodwaters and will provide better access for residents and emergency services after a flood. We apologise for the disruption to people who use the footpath, we are doing what we can to minimise the impact of works and hope the community recognise the value the gate will add.”
 
Dr Roygard says the gate is part of a longer-term project to address areas along the river where staff have previously involved temporary structures when there was a possibility of flooding.
 
“Installing permanent infrastructure is a key part of making this area of the city more resilient and less reliant on manual installation that takes time and coordination of people,” says Dr Roygard.
 
“In addition to this project, our resilience work in lower Whanganui includes continuing to strengthen flood control structures as part of the Te Pūwaha port revitalisation project and engagement with residents at Pūtiki alongside Massey University.”