Public meeting on Kaituna River re-diversion

Monday 23 April 2018

Public information sessions will be held on Wednesday 2 May, ahead of work to partially re-divert freshwater flows from the Kaituna River into Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi (Maketū Estuary) starting this July.

“It’s great to finally be able to deliver on this work that the community has been asking for since 1979,” said Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kaituna Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy.

Locals are invited to drop-in and discuss the project with Regional Council staff and contractors between 3.30-5.00pm, or attend the public meeting for a formal presentation at 5.30pm. The information sessions will be held at Whakaue Marae, 721 Maketū Road on 2 May.

Mr de Monchy said that since 1956, almost all the Kaituna River’s flow has been diverted out to sea at Te Tumu.

“It was done to protect the low-lying farmland from flooding and improve drainage, but the resulting loss of freshwater inflow has severely degraded wildlife, kaimoana (seafood), water quality and the mauri (life force) of Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi/Maketū Estuary,” he said.

Construction work will be starting this July, to return twenty percent of the Kaituna River’s freshwater flows back into the estuary and recreate at least 20 hectares of new wetlands. Existing levels of flood protection and boating access at Te Tumu cut will be maintained.

The construction work includes creation of a new channel to carry fresh water from the river into a new inlet structure at Ford’s Cut. Existing stop banks will be shifted and upgraded. Ford’s channel will be widened and the Ford Road boat ramp will be upgraded.

Mr de Monchy said that the project will improve kaimoana (fish and shellfish) habitat and public facilities in the long term. But to achieve that some temporary Ford Road and boat ramp closures will be required from 1 August.

“We’ll be asking fishermen, boat ramp users and other locals to be patient with us and help by using alternative boat ramps, river and beach access points at Bell Road, Kaituna River Road, Maketū Road or Karewa Parade, while the Ford Road-end facilities are closed,” he said.

Ford Road end (from Ford’s cut bridge to Te Tumu cut) will be closed from 1 August to 20 December and traffic restrictions will remain in place until June 2020. Ford Road boat ramp and the stopbank west of Ford Rd, will be closed to the public from 1 August 2018 until 30 June 2020.

People can subscribe to receive email updates or see further information about the project at www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunamaketurediversion.

Mr de Monchy said that the Regional Council considered 18 different methods and options for re-diverting the Kaituna River and creating new wetlands before making a final decision based on thorough engineering, hydrology and ecology investigations, as well as iwi and community consultation.

“All of the resource consents and conditions for the project were finalised in an Environment Court decision issued in May 2016. Following two years of work on land acquisitions, detailed design and contract tender processes, a $13.5m construction contract to complete the project was awarded to J Swap Contractors Ltd on 29 March this year,” he said.

ENDS

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