The Government has announced funding for eight Canterbury flood resilience projects aimed at protecting more than 10,000 houses and around 50,000 hectares of land.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said $11.4 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund would be directed towards priority projects across the region, with Environment Canterbury contributing up to $7.6 million in co-funding.
“Recent major weather events in Canterbury have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to both localised and large-scale flooding,” Jones said. “The Waimakariri District Council forked out nearly $1 million on emergency repairs after the record rainfall in May that saw local emergencies declared in Selwyn and Christchurch City.”
The funding will support work on key river systems and urban centres in Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Kaikōura, Fairlie, Geraldine, and Temuka. Projects include strengthening and raising stopbanks, repairing riparian armouring, improving flow capacity, and enhancing protection for infrastructure such as roads, rail, bridges, schools, and health facilities.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones
“With funding now secured, ECan can progress the projects in time for the summer construction season, improving flood resilience for the communities still recovering from May’s rainfall,” Jones said.
Minister for the South Island James Meager welcomed the investment, saying it was an acknowledgment of the South Island’s need for strong and resilient infrastructure.
“I’m incredibly pleased with the near $97 million investment into 32 flood resilience co-funded projects, 22 of which are in the South Island,” Meager said. “It’s an acknowledgment of the South’s need for strong and resilient infrastructure which protects our people and property from increasingly frequent severe weather.”
Minister for the South Island James Meager
He said Cantabrians would benefit from the $11.4 million investment, which spans from Temuka to Kaikōura.
“The region is vulnerable to flooding, particularly in severe weather events, and with this investment stretching across Canterbury, there’s no doubt all Cantabrians will benefit — whether that’s through enhanced protections for infrastructure like roads, rail and bridges, or important community assets like schools and health facilities,” Meager said.
The funding forms part of a $96.8 million government package supporting 32 flood resilience projects nationwide, expected to protect more than 30,000 homes, 350,000 hectares of land, and around 100,000 New Zealanders living in flood-prone areas.
