Project Start Year: 2024
Project Status: In Progress
Te Anau is a major tourism destination and service centre for Fiordland and Western Southland, situated on the floodplain of the Waiau River catchment, including the Whitestone River, which poses a flood risk.
This project aims to address deferred maintenance and improve the hydraulic capacity of the Whitestone River to reduce flood risk for the Te Anau Basin. Maintenance is required on a section of the Whitestone River true left flood bank, extending 2.6 km upstream and 7.5 km downstream of the State Highway 94 bridge, to address 20 deferred maintenance defects.
Benefits:
Reduces flood impacts on critical infrastructure, including telecommunications and State Highway 94, helping keep the network operating during high flows.
Supports Te Anau’s role as the gateway to Fiordland National Park, by sustaining agreed service levels and improving connectivity for visitors and businesses.
Reduces flood effects on productive farmland and local businesses, helping shorten disruption after major rain events.
Improves river health by stabilising margins, reducing sediment and contaminants, and enhancing habitats for aquatic species.
Adaptation & Resilience:
Restores the Whitestone River flood banks, improving resilience to extreme weather events.
Removes pest willows and other vegetation, enhancing river capacity and reducing future maintenance needs.
Reduces future repair costs and emergency response expenditure.
Builds local capacity in river engineering, environmental management, and project delivery.
Collaboration:
Co-funded by Environment Southland and the central government through Kānoa’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Involves 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 Te Anau Basin Flood Management Project.