Project Start Year: 2024
Project status: Completed May 2025
Ōtautau township, located on the floodplain of the Aparima River and Ōtautau Stream, is a crucial service centre for the surrounding rural area, providing essential emergency services. The town and nearby farmland have a history of flooding, which is expected to worsen with climate change.
This project upgraded key parts of the flood infrastructure network to reduce erosion, increase river stability, and improve river channel capacity for higher flows. Stage one involved placing 3,600 tonnes of rock to protect the stopbank toe and removing 2 ha of crack willow to enhance stream capacity. Stages Two and Three focus on a 3km section of flood bank upstream of the Aparima River Bridge, northeast of Ōtautau and involved repairing and strengthening access ramps and further willow removal.
Benefits:
Reduces flood impacts on homes, businesses, productive farmland and local infrastructure by restoring channel conveyance and sustaining agreed service levels.
Stabilises river margins and improves waterway function through pest-tree removal, targeted erosion repair and appropriate planting, helping keep sediment in check and habitats in better condition.
Builds local delivery capability in river engineering and project management, supporting reliable, cost-effective works.
Adaptation & Resilience:
Strengthens Ōtautau’s flood banks and key reaches of the Aparima flood infrastructure scheme to perform to the agreed level of service as rainfall and flow extremes increase.
Prepares for future upgrades by improving floodplain capacity (pest-tree removal, erosion-control planting) and leaving room for staged adaptations if conditions change.
Supports climate adaptation by improving flow paths and sediment transfer, reducing erosion risk and maintaining channel capacity over time.
Collaboration:
Co-funded by Environment Southland and central government through Kānoa’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Involves experienced local contractors and partners for efficient delivery, cost savings, reduced transport costs, and a lower carbon footprint.
This project reflects Environment Southland’s commitment to managing flood risk and climate impacts to support the wellbeing of Murihiku Southland’s communities, economy and environment.
Learn more about Environment Southland's Aparima flood infrastructure project.
