Tuesday 13 May 2014

Flooding Taskforce mitigation work continues across the city

The Council contractors were out first thing this morning, continuing with the ongoing flood mitigation work following yesterday's approval of the range of short term flood prevention measures recommended by the Mayoral Taskforce for Flooding.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says that we are wasting no time in getting on with short term solutions.

"The flood mitigation work is happening right now with work starting in prioritised areas of Christchurch to improve flood protection and management.

"Members of the Taskforce team have met with contractors and consultant engineers this morning to discuss the concept design of a temporary pump-station for the Flockton/Dudley Creek area.

"The team are contacting homeowners whose properties are considered to be in the 'Level One' category to discuss what options best suit their current circumstances. The team has also identified specific work in the flood-prone areas and directed contractors to focus current maintenance services in these locations.

"It is very important that households who have experienced serious flooding contact the Council so we can ensure they are included on our database and speak to them about the short term flood mitigation options in their area.

The Council is planning a schedule of community meetings and will be contacting residents early next week with the details of times and venues. At these meetings Council staff will discuss what will be happening in each of the areas.

Work happening right now:

Sediment removal - Dudley Creek:
Contractors (two excavators) are moving downstream from Slater Street, removing sediment from the creek's sides. They are removing approximately 400 millimetres along this bank. This same section of the creek was dug out to the gravel base in May/June of last year. The crews should be moving on to Julius Terrace today and will continue on down Stapletons Road.

Vegetation removal - Dudley Creek:
Vegetation within the channel that is either causing blockages or is compromising the channel width has been taken out ahead of the sediment removal.

Tree removals - Dudley Creek:
A large willow tree partially within the waterway was removed yesterday from a Chrystal Street property. The Council's tree removal team will spend the rest of the week in Banks Avenue removing trees identified as being a restriction or within channel widening areas.

Bank modification - Dudley Creek:
Contractors should be starting later this week on bank modifications along Banks Avenue (Council-owned land) to open up the waterway channel.

Sump and pipe jet cleaning - Lower Heathcote:
Council contractors are cleaning sumps, pipes and flap-gates in Clarendon and Richardson Terraces.

Surveying - Shirley:
The Council survey team is working on establishing property/stream boundaries along Banks Avenue and North Parade. The Council's property team is about to start discussions with property owners regarding boundaries that may be affected by channel widening and/or vegetation removal. This information will help with clarification so work can begin.

The Mayoral Taskforce on Flooding was set up two weeks ago to fast-track work to identify the causes and possible short term solutions available to householders experiencing repeated flooding.

In total, the Taskforce has so far pinpointed nearly 1000 Christchurch properties that have been subject to some form of flooding impact in the post-earthquake environment, with the 56 most vulnerable properties flooded inside the home two or more times since the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Further surveys and engagement with residents is likely to change the current total of properties impacted.

Flood impact analysis categories:

Level One: Two or more instances of flooding of dwelling floors since the earthquakes - 56 properties.

Level Two: Two or more instances of flooding under dwellings since the earthquakes - 471 properties.

Level Three: Two or more instances of flooding restricting resident access to dwellings since the earthquakes - 487 properties.

The Taskforce's report to the Council, the draft technical report and a map detailing the flooding analysis in the post-earthquake environment can be viewed on the Council website at www.ccc.govt.nz/floodmitigation<http://www.ccc.govt.nz/floodmitigation

Click here http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/CityLeisure/projectstoimprovechristchurch/landdrainage/ResolutionsForTodaysCouncilMeeting12May2014.pdf to view the resolutions passed by the Council at the Extraordinary Council meeting on Monday 12 May 2014.

For further information, please call the Customer Call Centre on (03) 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 or email queries to floodmitigation@ccc.govt.nz

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