Project Start Year: 2025
The Waimakariri River Flood Resilience Infrastructure Upgrades project significantly upgrades and rebuilds two floodgates on the Courtenay Stream and Kairaki Streams after earthquake damage. Works include berm vegetation strengthening along the Eyre River and stopbank upgrades along Kairaki Creek downstream from the new floodgate.
Benefits
The project increases flood resilience for local community and national assets valued at around $719 million, including 2454 hectares of land, 190 properties and one school around of the townships of Kaiapoi, Pine Beach and Kairaki.
Adaptation and Resilience
Events such as the 2023 Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle have shown that extreme rainfall and flooding are occurring more often and causing more damage than in the past. Scientific evidence points to climate change increasing the intensity and frequency of these events. This project supports the future climate and flood resilience of the region through the upgrade and repair of critical flood protection infrastructure.
Collaboration
This project has been co-funded through central government’s Regional Investment Fund (RIF) and Environment Canterbury
This project includes a significant upgrade of two floodgate structures, works to upgrade a section of a stopbank and planting which strengthens existing river berms. These flood protection works help to build resilient river communities by better protecting homes, businesses, schools, and main roads in Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki from future flood events.
Find out more on: River projects | Environment Canterbury