By Torika Tokalau of Local Democracy Reporting
South and West Aucklanders who were severely affected by last year’s floods can breathe a sigh of relief after a project to help reduce risks of flooding and landslides was endorsed by the council.
A total of 295 properties in Te Ararata and Harania catchments in south Auckand, and 60 properties in Muriwai will benefit from the first flood resilience project, costing $58 million.
Partially funded with central government as part of a $2 billion co-funding agreement for storm recovery, the works, endorsed by the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, will begin later this year.
Manukau councillor Alf Filipaina said the Harania and Te Ararata catchments in Māngere were amongst the worst affected in Tāmaki Makaurau.
“[It] continues to be impacted by heavy rain events,” Filipaina said.
Proposed works for the Te Ararata catchment includes increasing the stream capacity under Walmsley Road bridge, improving the maintenance access for the Mahunga Drive culverts and installing debris capture devices along the Te Ararata stream.
For Harania catchment, work includes replacing embankments at Tennessee Avenue and Blake Road with an open stream and pipe bridges to increase water capacity, and enhancing the newly created stream area with landscaping and planting.
“We’re talking about some of the highest flood risk areas in Auckland and Māngere is a priority for us,” Manukau councillor Lotu Fuli said.
“Many areas were impacted and many also need these projects so that the local community can benefit.”
For Muriwai, work includes installing a reinforced stop-bank on Domain Crescent, upgrading open channel roadside drains and driveway crossings along Motutara Road to increase the stormwater capacity, and installing sediment and debris traps that reduce the frequency of blockages and make maintenance of the network easier.
Rodney Ward councillor Greg Sayers said the severe weather in 2023 devastated Muriwai.
“These works can be done, and can be done quickly, so it’s great to play our part and endorse these so we can really get started on the region wide programme.”
The flood, landslide and stormwater resilience projects is part of council’s wider Making Space for Water programme, and the first of a series of projects that will increase flood resilience in the region.
Mayor Wayne Brown said it was good that work will progress quickly.
“So that the people living in these areas, like many in Kāinga Ora homes, are not exposed to the same risk in the future,” Brown said.
An Order in Council will help to accelerate the project and remove the immediate consenting burden and cost.
