Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws

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We can email you application material and guidance on the information you’ll need to supply.

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Please complete this form is you are ready to apply.

Application form.

Bridges – please provide:

• Details about the removal of any existing bridge/s
• Location of the new bridge
• Purpose of bridge e.g. type of traffic expected to use the bridge
• Detailed bridge design
• Information about an alternation to the existing access to the drain around the bridge or over stopbanks
• Erosion protection.

Building dwellings, garages and sheds – please provide:

• Confirmed location of the dwelling, garage or shed within the property boundary
• Details of site preparation work and recontouring e.g. building platform, removal of any existing structures or shrubs, hedges, trees
• Foundation design information (including decks) and any related geotechnical information
• Details about how stormwater and wastewater will be managed
• Information on any new inground connection services e.g. power, water, wastewater
  • We will need to understand the location, depth, how the services are being installed
• Details on associated activities that require earthworks or digging into the ground e.g. areas of hard surface (e.g. driveway, large paved areas) fencing (removal of existing and constructing new), landscaping and planting, tree removal, inground clothesline structure etc.

Culverts – please provide:

• The location of the culvert
• Culvert specifications, including length, diameter, depth, invert, material
• Proposed erosion protection/headwall design
• Details on 'sizing the culvert'
• We can provide a culvert sizing services as part of the application process with the cost charged to you - please contact us for an estimated cost. Alternatively, you can engage a suitably qualified professional to do the culvert sizing and provide the calculations with the application
• Details of the flood gate (if applicable) or other backflow preventer
• Details on associated activities proposed within the drain or within 12 metres of the drain edge e.g. fences, plantings, services, pipelines.

Directional drilling, thrusting and trenching – please provide:

• Location of planned works
• Methodology (e.g. thrusting, directional drilling, trenching)
• Will the works be carried out in a saltwater environment
• Outline of the details for the works (depth, width and proposed backfill).

Fencing – please provide:

• Location, in relation to stopbank
• What are the dimensions of the fence materials to be used?
• The number of posts being used and their depth in the ground
• Information on the foundation construction (e.g. concreting in the post or rammed earth)
• Will the posts be driven or dug?
• Do you plan on providing a mowing strip?

Geotechnical testing – please provide:

• A map showing the test locations
• Details about the proposed tests (type, depth and backfill methodology)
• If a rig is being used, does it have screw anchors?
• If so, what are the standards operating procedures for backfilling anchor holes?

Horticultural development – please provide:

• Confirmed locations of development structures, planting or earthworks and associated details for each
• Examples include water intake structures; irrigation; sub-surface drainage; artificial shelter; natural shelter; support structures; building foundations; land contouring; pump sheds and water tanks
• Details required for each, including site preparation work and recontouring e.g. building platform, removal of existing structures or shrubs, hedges, trees
• Information on any new in-ground connection services e.g. power, water
• We'll need to understand the location, depth, how the services are being installed
• Geotechnical information (including seepage analysis) of the site to help determine any remedial measures
• For example, any posts for support structures within a certain distance of a stopbank may require filter collars to be installed.

New connection to a Regional Council Scheme Drain – please provide:

• Drain location
• Proposed depth
• Will the drain be open to the scheme drain or will it include a culvert?
• If it’s a culvert please specify the material being used, its diameter, length and supporting calculations.

Riparian Planting – please provide:

• Plants you are planning to use
• Plant layout in relation to the drain edge
• Types of fencing you're planning to build and it's distance from the drain edge (if applicable)

What to plant and where?

When deciding what to plant and how wide the riparian margin should be, you need to consider the orientation of the waterway. One of the benefits of riparian planting is that it provides shade to a drain, reducing water temperature and excessive plant growth. Rivers need at least 70% shade for these benefits to be achieved.

Planting zones

Within riparian margins, there are three planting zones where different types of plants should be planted. Planting the upper and lower banks with vegetation improves conditions in waterways for animals that live in there as well as improve terrestrial biodiversity. Leaving rank grass near laneways, bridges, culverts and in swales, where excess rainfall runs off paddocks, will help filter out sediment and phosphorus.

Your local Land Management Officer (LMO) can provide you with support and advice around riparian planting.

Inground swimming pool – please provide:

• Location of pool
• Geotechnical assessment - including seepage analysis and assessment of any risk to a stopbanks integrity
• Pool specifications - dimensions, material, installation methodology, drainage and cleaning outlets
• Details about decking foundations (size of posts, depth in ground, backfill methodology)
• Information on any in-ground connection services e.g. power, water
• We'll need to understand the location, depth, how the services are being installed
• Details on associated activities that require earthworks or digging into the ground e.g. areas of hard surface (e.g. pathways, paved areas), fencing (removal of existing and constructing new), landscaping and plantings, pool sheds etc.

Water intake structures – please provide:

• Location of intake structure and any associated services, pump sheds or foundations
• Design of intake structure and how it is attached to the riverbank
• Outline of associated cabling details (method, depth and proposed backfill) beyond the structure to the destination
• Outline of how the structure will be managed during a flood event.