6 Apr 2018

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New information could prompt a re-think of plans to build a bund to prevent flooding in an area of Southshore and South New Brighton.

Last October Christchurch City Council decided to build a bund in the area from Bridge Street to the South Brighton jetty as a short-term, temporary intervention to reduce the flooding risk. The project was to be funded from the Land Drainage Recovery Programme (LDRP).

Construction of the bund was recommended by Council staff based on early analysis.

However, since then more detailed hydraulic modelling has been done which suggests the flooding risk is significantly lower than indicated by the early analysis.

There has also been a record high tide event which resulted in no tidal flooding on private properties along Seafield Place – the cul-de-sac expected to benefit most from the bund.

Based on that information, Council staff have prepared a report for next week’s Infrastructure, Transport and Environment (ITE) Committee which recommends that the Council defer work on the bund.

The report recommends the money allocated for the bund should be redirected to other work within the LDRP that could reduce the risk of flooding to homes that frequently flood above the floor.

The report proposes the Council continue with the work to stabilise the emergency bund along the estuary edge in Southshore and to extend the Avon River stopbanks immediately south of Bridge Street.

The ITE Committee will consider the report when it meets on Wednesday.