I was heartened by the Budget news last week that our Council is to receive $9 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund towards $15 million of flood protection works, with the other $6 million coming from ratepayers.
The timing of this new funding is perfect as we shift our focus from the recovery work associated with the August ’22 storm to strengthening our defences against future events. It required strong advocacy to secure $12.3 million from the previous Government last July to help with the cost of fixing the damage.
This further funding from the new Government is the dividend of months of lobbying. We put the case alongside other flood-affected Councils that it is better to invest in the fence at the top of the cliff than the ambulance at the bottom. The 60% Government share for this new flood protection work is very strong. We got 20% for the recently completed Saxton Creek project.
A total of $9 million of this new investment is to be spent on the Maitai catchment with an upgrade and realignment of 350m of the stopbank in the Hanby Park-Mill Street-Clouston Terrace area, a complete rebuild of the Cleveland Terrace flood intake, 200m of new piped drainage around Queens Gardens to protect properties in eastern Bridge St including the Suter Art Gallery and a 60m floodwall adjacent to Clouston Terrace to protect Nile Street East residents.
The remaining $6 million is to be invested in flood repairs and improvements in Devenish Place, Frenchay Drive in Atawhai, Todds Valley Stream and Hillwood Stream at Seafield Terrace in the Glen.
Nelson did particularly poorly from the Provincial Growth Fund under the previous Government, receiving only 1% of the funding despite making up 5% of the provincial population. I’m determined we’ll do better from the new Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund. It is a good start that we have secured $9 million of the first tranche of $101 million or 9%.
We can never provide 100% protection from storms, particularly with the increased intensity and frequency expected from climate change, but this investment will reduce the flood risk for hundreds of Nelson properties.
