Started February 2024
Stage One will improve the flood defences from McAlister Street Pump Station to the Whakatāne iSite, and will be done in two parts to minimise disruption to the community.
In areas where there are stopbanks (McAlister Street Pump Station to Yacht Club), we will be increasing the size (width and height) of the existing stopbank by filling it with more earth.
In areas where there are floodwalls (Yacht Club to iSite), we will be removing and replacing the existing floodwalls, and installing seepage control. This will involve driving large steel sheet piles into the ground to form a wall.
This wall will then be covered in pre-cast concrete panels, creating a floodwall that will range in height from 0.6m to a maximum height of 1.7m (this is for a 50m stretch next to the iSite).
A design and/or narrative will be etched into the concrete floodwall to enhance the look of the wall along the walkway. We are working alongside our partners to develop the design/narrative, and the final artwork is scheduled to be on the concrete panels by early 2025.
Additional seepage control (including drains and pumps) will be installed. Any water that runs toward the roadside through the stopbank will be collected in the drains, then it will be pumped back into the river.
During the upgrade, we will improve pedestrian access onto the Warren Cole Walkway from the shopping area across the road and vehicle access into the Yacht Club car park. These changes are to make room for flood defence upgrades, while ensuring community continues to have access to the awa.