News release
23 May 2005

Increased flood protection measures for Hutt River

Greater Wellington plans to increase the current rate of gravel extraction from the Hutt River as a heightened safety measure against future flooding. The increase in the gravel extraction rate follows the completion of a cross-section survey to determine changes in river bed levels after the January flood.

Chair of Greater Wellington's Landcare Committee Councillor Chris Laidlaw says, "the Hutt River flood event on 6 January was similar in size to the big flood event in October 1998. However, in January certain areas of the river, particularly in the lower Hutt Valley and around Hathaway Avenue, experienced more flooding than in 1998 due partly to higher river bed levels in the reach between Melling Bridge and Kennedy-Good Bridge."

"An analysis of the survey data shows that the volume of gravel is continuing to increase and that river bed levels have risen noticeably in the last year. We have decided to increase the rate of gravel extraction in order to reduce the river bed level. The dredging work may not always look very pretty in the short term, but it's a necessary, long-term safety measure for the Hutt Valley community," says Councillor Laidlaw.

Greater Wellington's flood protection manager Geoff Dick, says "increasing our rate of gravel extraction to around the 1998 levels would restore the river bed levels back to optimum design levels. Overall we are looking at a total extraction of 320,000m³ over the next four years."

The extraction rate will be increased from the current rate of 30,000m³ to around 80,000m³ per annum.

The increase is scheduled to commence in July 2005.

Further information is available online at www.gw.govt.nz

ENDS

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