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19 February 2025, 1:37 pm
Te Awahou Foxton is set to take a significant step towards improved climate resilience with the commencement of works in the town.
Horizons Regional Council group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard says people in the Horowhenua town will see work starting in February as part of the Te Awahou Foxton Flood Mitigation Project. “This project aims to address the persistent flooding issues in Foxton township. These issues are caused by overtopping and seepage from the Foxton East Drainage Scheme,” says Dr Roygard. “The upcoming work involves the installation of sheetpiling along the true right bank of Kings Canal Drain from Avenue Road to just past Cook Street. “The sheetpilling will mitigate seepage and reinforce the current bank. This work is expected to take approximately 12 weeks, beginning with the removal of overgrown vegetation to prepare the site for contractors. “Collaboration with the community has been a priority throughout the planning and execution of this mahi. We have been in touch with schools, kindergartens, and homeowners in affected area to minimise disruption and address concerns along the way.” Tractor pumps have also been ordered, and will be used to help remove surface water from Purcell St during rain events when water cannot flow into Piriharakeke Manawatū River loop due to tidal influences, says Dr Roygard. “This mahi is being done under the guidance of a governance group established in June 2024 which features representatives from local iwi and hapū, the community, Horowhenua District Council, Horizons Regional Council, the Foxton Community Board. “A range of options have been explored to increase protection to Foxton, while the project itself has been impacted by outside factors such as Covid-19 lockdowns and Cyclone Gabrielle response. “Despite these delays, all parties remain committed to creating long-term solutions for the people of Te Awahou Foxton which aim to minimise the impact of future climatic events on the town. “There will also be additional maintenance work in the wider scheme undertaken over the next few months. “This initiative marks a crucial step in safeguarding Foxton’s future, equipping the town to better manage the challenges of severe weather and build a more resilient community.” Horowhenua District Council Māori ward councillor Justin Tamihana supports the project. “It’s great to see momentum rebuilding in this project, which is focused on delivering real benefits for the Foxton community,” he says. Horowhenua District councillor and governance group co-chair Ross Brannigan says: “Both Horizons and Horowhenua District Council should be commended for having the foresight to bring staff, elected members, and community representatives together to find solutions within a set budget that will ultimately decrease the risk of flooding to the Foxton township in future rainfall events. It has been very satisfying to see all parties come together and work collaboratively to achieve an excellent outcome to a project that has been through a number of iterations and which at times has been seen as controversial.” This work has been made possible thanks to funding through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, which Horizons secured $26.9 million from as part of Budget 2020 for climate resilience and flood protection projects in the Horizons Region. Background information The Foxton East Drainage Scheme currently provides flood protection estimated to be 1-in-2 to 1-in-5 year protection. The township regularly experiences flooding due to localised heavy rain events, including in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015 and 2017. These floods caused disruption and damage, negatively impacting the lives of people living in the town. The town currently has flood protection estimated to be 1-in-2 to 1-in-5 year protection. There are also various drainage and flood protection assets in and around the township. Image: Kings Canal in Foxton looking towards Cook St.