Environment Southland has an important role in maintaining and protecting the integrity of our stop bank network which spans more than 500km across our region.
Our catchment operations team monitors the stop bank network and schedules maintenance work in the interests of ensuring stop banks are able to effectively protect people, property and livelihoods.
The Southland Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw 2020 recognises the risks that trees close to stop banks pose and it requires vegetation removal if it’s within 7.5 metres of the stop banks.
In accordance with these regulations, vegetation will be removed along the true left stop bank of the Waihōpai River in a section between Dee Street and Queen’s Drive in Invercargill.
Work is scheduled to get underway on 2 December and is expected to take two weeks.
The duration and completion of the work will depend on weather and ground conditions.
Murihiku Southland’s stop banks protect people, homes, businesses, as well as the city’s airport and transport network which is vital to many services such as food supply.
Vegetation on or near stop banks has the potential to cause serious integrity issues which puts that protection at risk.
Where there is vegetation with no grass cover underneath, the exposed earth can scour quickly during a flood event if the stop banks overtop, leading to stop bank failure.
