Project Start Year: 2025
The flood protection/resilience and associated stopbank works for Peach Island are being progressed at the same time as the Motueka Stopbanks Refurbishment Stage Two project. This project builds on earlier work that was completed in 2024 and aims to meaningfully reduce the flood risk to Peach Island residents in terms of life and property/assets.
The current scope for the project involves measures to improve maintenance access along the banks, fencing of the stopbank where stock can access it, rationalising crossings, and ensuring they are appropriately constructed. In consultation with residents, Tasman District Council is also looking to construct a flood refuge pad at the end of Peach Island Road that residents can park on and wait out a flood, as well as undertaking work to reduce flood levels on the island, should the banks be breached.
Benefits: In an annual flood or greater, the road to the island becomes impassable. This means that if residents have not self-evacuated, they must stay on the island. This work will improve the community’s flood resilience when the river rises.
Adaptation/Resilience: Flooding of the Motueka River in heavy rain events is something the local community has come to expect for many years. Providing more robust stopbanks that will last many years enables Tasman District Council to be ready for climate-related changes to the river flow in the future.
Collaboration: Funding for the Motueka Stopbanks Refurbishment Project Stage Two was approved by Kānoa Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, as part of the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund. Tasman District Council have also ensured close engagement and collaboration with their contractors, but more importantly the community who will ultimately benefit – including iwi and landowners who have a direct connection to or reliance on the River.
The Motueka River is integral to so many within the community – for business, for recreation, for life. Tasman District Council is pleased to be able to continue this work for the purpose of protecting homes and livelihoods, while building further climate resilience for the Motueka community.
Find out more on: Motueka projects | Tasman District Council