New Hokitika flood protection draws near

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By Brendon McMahon, local democracy reporter

Stage 1a of the Hokitika River flood protection works behind Westland Milk Products is virtually complete.

West Coast Regional Council infrastructure resilience group project manager Scott Hoare told the council on Tuesday that installation of the rock work was "practically complete".

Work under way this week included backfilling and topping up to the right height the top of the new wall, where the West Coast Wilderness Trail passes behind the dairy factory.

The work being completed included a new riding surface for the cycle trail.

"I believe they will be in the position of being wrapped up by the end of next week," Hoare said.

Some minor matters including removing and realigning a power pole needed to be done. From there they would be looking to finalise the account for Stage 1a.

Hoare said they were also now in a position to finally sign off the cost-sharing agreement with Westland Milk Products, previously ratified by council, for the work.

Meanwhile background work to enable Stage 1b, adjoining Gibson Quay from Westland Milk Products down to the Hokitika River bridge alongside the Hokitika rail siding to the dairy factory, was getting close to the consenting and tendering stages.

Hoare said a cultural impact process for Stage 1b was due in about two weeks. They were considering if 1b could proceed as a variation of 1A for the consenting aspect.

Beyond that a draft concept was in the offing for preliminary work for stages two and three.

The total staged scheme to raise and extend the Hokitika River true right bank protection will eventually include raised stopbanks along Gibson Quay to protect the town centre, and Kaniere township.

*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air.