New flood scheme proposed

New flood scheme proposed for Wharerangi – Tuirau.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has this week agreed in principle that a new flood control and drainage scheme be established in the Wharerangi – Tuirau area behind Poraiti near Napier, and that the beneficiaries of the proposed scheme be formally consulted.

The proposal will be advertised for consultation on Saturday 25 April in Hawke’s Bay Today and submissions will close on 27 May.

Residents in this rural area have regularly experienced flooding and drainage problems, including channel overflow, erosion of banks, obstruction by trees, and poor land drainage from the Wharerangi and Tuirau streams.

In 2007 a group of landowners approached the Council with their concerns about the Wharerangi stream and seeking advice. A public meeting in July 2008 gauged support for carrying out flood control and drainage works for both waterways and assessing how best to finance the cost.

The proposed scheme will cost $176,505 with annual maintenance of $17,750. Rating is proposed to be based on land value and the costs of the capital works on each stream to be met by the beneficiaries of that work. The maintenance costs will be divided across the whole area.