This project aim is to increase the level of flood protection of the Waipaoa Flood Control Scheme (WFCS) to a 100 year return period accounting for climate change effects out to the year 2090.
The WFCS comprises approximately 64km of stop banks along the Waipaoa River, together with other river control structures and protection works (pipes, floodgates etc), built in the 1950’s and 60’s to provide flood protection to the Poverty Bay floodplains and Gisborne City.
As well as making stop banks higher, construction work will widen the stop bank profile from the current 1.5m top crest. The stop bank heights are being increased by about 1-2 metres in some places.
Based on the length of the fully upgraded stop bank (60km), this project is about 85% complete. Stop bank upgrade construction works will start in Spring 2025 near Patutahi and the Whakaahu River.