Waihōpai stop bank strengthening underway

Media Release

3 February 2023

Construction work to improve the Waihōpai River stop bank on the eastern side between Stead Street and the rail crossing at the north end of Philip Street is getting underway this week.

Environment Southland catchment operations manager Randal Beal said stop banks are a critical part of Southland’s flood defences, and the Waihōpai stop bank is important for providing protection to Invercargill from the anticipated impacts of climate change.

“On the Waihōpai, we are preparing for higher water levels from storm surges, sea level rise and inundation by widening and raising the height of this section of the stop bank.”

“This work also provides us with an opportunity to further raise the height if it’s needed in the future, as our understanding of the impacts of climate change and climate models change over time.”

This section of stop bank is approximately 3.2 km long and is a combination of reclaimed land and constructed stop bank.

Improvements include strengthening and raising the height of the stop bank, as well as installing rip rap rock. The cycle track will also be rebuilt and widened to 2.5 metres.

Ryal Bush Transport Limited is delivering the contract, which is expected to be complete by June.

The first section between Beatrice Street and the railway line in underway this week. The stop bank has several areas of trees and shrubs, which unfortunately need to be removed, but the team will be looking at alternative areas for planting, and salvaging plants from these areas where possible.

Each section of stop bank will have diversions in place for cyclists and pedestrians while the work is underway. Traffic management will be in place to ensure the safety of track users while heavy transport vehicles and construction machinery are on the track.

This upgrade is part of the Resilient River Communities project, which are Climate Resilience projects delivered by Environment Southland.

The project is co-funded by Environment Southland and central Government, through Kānoa (the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment). They are part of central government’s 2020 budget, which included $210 million for climate resilience and flood protection projects across New Zealand.

Further information on the projects can be found here www.es.govt.nz/climate-resilience-programme