Environment Canterbury has been granted resource consent to construct stopbanks and flood protection works along the South Branch of the Ashburton River at Valetta.

Commissioner John Milligan granted the regional council resource consent to use land and materials to build the 6.5 kilometre stopbank.

The consent applications lodged with Ashburton District Council and Environment Canterbury enables work to commence, and also provides for planting on the banks of the South Branch, the damming and diverting of water during a flood, and the limited excavation and deposition of gravel, sand, and other natural materials from the river for use in the construction.

The stopbanks are designed to provide protection to the urban area of Tinwald for up to a 1 in 200 year flood, and are an integral part to the regional and district council’s management strategy for the river and surrounding areas.

The estimated construction cost for the stopbank and related river bank protection planting is $670,000.

The stopbank construction is programmed in two stages, subject to obtaining landowner access approvals. Construction for the lower section is planned later this year with construction for the upper section is planned for early 2010. The protection planting will then be undertaken.

A copy of the commissioner’s decision is available at
http://ecan.govt.nz/Resource+Consents/Hearing+Decisions/

For more information: Councillor Angus McKay, 03 302 8660 or 0274 345 513.