Media Release: Resource consent application lodged for Avery’s stopbank

An application for resource consent for the Avery’s stopbank has been lodged after a complex planning process.

The work is being carried out by West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) as part of the Resilient Westport package of works. It is part of the wider flood mitigation works underway to help protect Westport from severe flooding events.

Avery’s forms part of the Lower Orowaiti area of flood protection.

The 540-metre-long stopbank, largely on Buller District Council road reserve, will be between 1.1 and 1.5 metres high and 15 to 20 metres in width, depending on location. A new main culvert will be installed as part of the work as well as some smaller ones. The stopbank height will be up to 1.7 metres as it travels over the main culvert.

West Coast Regional Council Chief Engineer Peter Blackwood says consenting can take about four to six weeks, and for the sake of efficiency, contractors have been invited to tender for the work.

“In preparation for construction, we have been engaging with nearby residents to provide information and gather property data. This section of stopbank will be the first built close to residential properties in Westport. We’ve been visiting homes in the area to explain the project and collect floor level data to further inform our flood modelling,” says Mr Blackwood.

West Coast Regional Council Construction Engineer Jordan Mandery says Rosco Contracting Ltd has been awarded the tender to construct the stopbank and install the culverts, being supplied by Humes.

“Our thanks to all the other contractors and suppliers that submitted tenders. We appreciate time and effort goes into that process.

“In terms of next steps, we anticipate that construction will begin in August or September, subject to consent. While this is slightly later than originally planned, the investigation phase was more involved than expected, particularly around culvert design and alignment,” says Mr Mandery.

Some tree removals along Orowaiti Road will be required to accommodate the new stopbank alignment.

“The trees that require removing are mostly pōhutukawa and unfortunately, they need to make way for the new stopbank. Whilst this is a necessary part of providing flood protection for Westport, we appreciate this process can be upsetting for some residents.

“The tree removal work is scheduled for late July or August and will be carried out as sensitively as possible. Removed trees will be chipped and transported off-site for composting via the Buller District Council’s green waste programme at the Westport Transfer Station, ensuring sustainable disposal and avoiding landfill,” says Mr Mandery.

Additionally, a Queen Elizabeth II commemorative magnolia tree currently located on the embankment will be carefully relocated to Victoria Square.

When construction gets underway, it is expected to involve temporary road closures on Orowaiti Road to allow for safe installation of the culvert and construction of the stopbank. Traffic management plans will be in place and communicated in advance to minimise disruption.

Construction on Avery’s stopbank is expected to take about four months.