Funded: $1.08m
Total cost: $1.8m
Project start year: 2024/25
This project involves fencing, drain shaping and planting drainage channels to address the significant bank erosion and slumping of drains that can happen during heavy rainfall, such as in 2022 and the 2023 North Island weather events.
Project benefits, adaptation, resilience and collaboration
This work will ensure the effective operation of the land drainage network to clear surface water, thereby reducing damage to pasture and crops and reducing overall sediment release into the Piako and Waihou river systems. It will ultimately support the functioning of the Waihou Valley and Piako River flood schemes.
Planting of the drains will improve bank stability, thereby reducing the need for mechanical cleaning or chemical spraying of the drains to ensure they remain free flowing. It will also improve both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity with the plants providing for cooler water temperatures.
Sustainable low maintenance drain management will add resilience to variable climate conditions going forward for the drainage network that stretches from Matamata to Morrinsville to Paeroa.
The project is in partnership with landowners, who will be required to enter an agreement for the works, including conditions for long term maintenance of the fencing and plants.
This work is co-funded by Waikato Regional Council and central government through Kānoa’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Waikato Regional Council has been undertaking small-scale drain planting trials for a number of years. Monitoring of its trial sites and results from others doing similar works show reduced maintenance requirements (weed spraying and mechanical excavation) and improved water quality (greater clarity, cooler temperatures and higher dissolved oxygen levels).
