In 2020, central government’s budget included $210 million for climate resilience and flood protection projects across New Zealand. This funding formed part of government’s response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Horizons Regional Council received $26.9 million of this funding from Kānoa, the government’s Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (REDIU). Horizons contribution to the four projects is an additional $9 million. This collaborative funding has enabled Council to accelerate work on four Infrastructure Climate Resilience Projects, which were already planned or underway, to increase our river communities resilience to the effects of climate change. The funding will also create new employment opportunities - we’ve conservatively estimated the number of jobs created as 36 across Horizons, external consultants and contractors. These projects will not only assist in keeping our communities safer but will help boost the region’s economy as work on maintaining and building new infrastructure progresses. The completion date for all four projects is March 2024.
The Palmerston North Stopbank Climate Resilience project focuses on planning, investigating, designing, and constructing improvements to flood protection across the city. These initiatives were identified as necessary in a 2019 report by Tonkin & Taylor, addressing critical areas for enhancing resilience to climate impacts.
Palmerston North Climate Resilience Project factsheet
Albert Street Stage 2 Some project highlights include the completion of Albert Street Stage 2, where the project was finalised, and the area was reinstated.
Tremaine Avenue Gabion Wall Replacement The project will involve constructing new retaining walls behind the deteriorating gabion baskets to ensure stopbank protection. Scheduled for the 2024/2025 construction season, this will improve the bank edge protection along Mangaone Stream near the Tremaine Avenue Bridge. With final designs already approved, the project is moving forward with securing resource consent and engaging with local Iwi. This initiative is an important stride in reinforcing resilience and ensuring sustainable protection for the community and the surrounding areas along the Mangaone Stream.
Belvedere Crescent Bank Upgrade At Belvedere Crescent, vegetation clearance has been completed, and negotiations for purchasing the section at 12A Belvedere Crescent have been finalized. The decontamination of the house at 14 Belvedere Crescent is done, and an Outline Plan Waiver has been received from the Palmerston North City Council.
LMS Climate Resilience Project factsheet
Moutoa Floodgates
The Moutoa Floodgates were built in response to a 1941 flood and completed in 1962. During high-flow events, they aim to redirect approximately 2,500m³/s of floodwater through a specially designed, 10km-long channel. This diversion of floodwaters protects approximately 280 km2 of land from flood damage. The structure, consisting of nine radial gates operated by wire ropes, requires careful maintenance between flood events. After over six decades of service with minimal upgrades, the latest investigation into the condition of the gates revealed that some electrical, mechanical and structural upgrades are required to ensure effective and successful operation of the floodgates.
Required upgrades include the fabrication and replacement of winches and pulley systems in some gates, which will be undertaken in stages to maintain service levels as close to regular operation as possible. Flood modelling has also been undertaken to assess potential impacts of more severe flooding and determine necessary flood contingency plans. The electrical upgrades to replace power supply to the gates is currently underway, and due to be completed by the end of September 2024. All remaining upgrades are due to be completed in 12 months from October 2024. Motorists travelling through the area should be advised that traffic management measures may be in place between 7am-5pm on weekdays at any time during the next 12 months depending on work being undertaken. The contract for construction was recently awarded for $2.5 million, with 75% of that from Kānoa.
Te Matai Road, Koputaroa Stopbank and Tokomaru River
The Te Matai Road Rock Armouring project has over 440 meters of rock placed along the outside bend upstream of Palmerston North to protect more than 360 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land. This rock armouring significantly improves flood resilience in the area, safeguarding key farming regions from erosion and potential flood damage. The project is part of a broader effort to strengthen the flood protection network around the region. Progress has also been made on the Koputaroa Stopbank construction. Upgrades to the Wet Gates have included replacing overhead power lines with underground ones and adding a handrail and static line for improved safety. Additionally, several upgrades have been made to the Tokomaru River stopbanks to ensure they meet both height and width requirements for effective flood protection. Looking ahead, additional earthworks will be done at Te Matai Road to secure the stopbank. A stopbank assessment and design are also planned for the Tokomaru River to continue improving flood resilience in that area.
The Rangitīkei Climate Resilience Project focuses on creating a more resilient approach to managing the river downstream of the Bulls Bridge. The project aims to provide more room for the river by widening its corridor, allowing for natural dynamic changes and the capacity to absorb larger flood events. A long-term strategy for the management of the river is ongoing.
Key highlights of the project include the third year of aerial spraying to target coloniser pest plants along Rangitīkei beaches, the development of Scott’s Ferry Track along the stopbank as an amenity enhancement, and additional mechanical removal of vegetation from the river berm to support better river flow. Upcoming activities include debris clearance along the river channel from Bulls Bridge to Scott’s Ferry, native planting on the berm land, and the completion of the Room for River report, which will include amended design lines.
Rangitīkei River Climate Resilience Project factsheet
The Foxton Flood Mitigation Project addresses the persistent flooding issues in Foxton Township, caused by overtopping and seepage from the Foxton East Drainage Scheme. The resilience work package, approved by the Council and the latest Kānoa approved variation, includes upstream attenuation and the installation of sheet piling on the true right bank (TRB) of King’s Canal.
Project highlights include significant progress on upstream attenuation with three quotations received, a draft License to Occupy completed, and a draft operational action plan created. Andrew’s drain outlet has been completed, and 7 Nye Land has received 348 certification from HDC. Workshops have started to identify flood resilience options for Foxton East and the review of the height for the sheet piling on the TRB of King’s Canal is also underway. The next steps include finalising the operational action plan for the upstream attenuation, obtaining approvals from two landowners, and lodging the consent application. The final legislation for the 7 Nye Land purchase is expected, along with a list from the Foxton East optioneering process to add resilience to the township. The final height for the sheet pile on the TRB of King’s Canal will also be determined.
Original (not current) Te Awahou Foxton Climate Resilience Project Factsheet