Project Future Proof

What’s been happening and immediate work on the horizon

Work is underway on the culvert (covered drain) at the end of the construction site, and this is expected to be completed by the end of the week. The remainder of Stage 2B sheet piling work will then get underway. Capping beam work and the installation of reinforcing bar for the new floodwall will continue over the next couple of weeks. Last week, a crane was onsite to install dewatering equipment. 

You can expect to see a lot of machinery and truck movements in and around the site this week, so please be careful if you’re walking near the area.

The importance of sheet piling

With construction of Stage 2B in full swing, we’ve had a few questions around the sheet piling and how it works. By way of an overview, here’s a graphic of the work that shows where the sheet piling ‘fits’ into the new design.

Each sheet pile (there are 189 sheet piles in Stage 2B) has a specially designed clutch interlock that fits tightly with the one next to it. This interlocking design helps to create a tight seal, reducing the amount of water that can pass through the joints. To enhance the watertightness, the joints between the sheet piles are sealed with a purpose made sheet pile sealant further reducing the potential for seepage. Seepage is when water passes through a flood defence when the river level is high. While controlled seepage is good for relieving pressure of flood defences, excessive, uncontrolled seepage can lead to failure.

One more thing…

We just wanted to pass on a big thank you for your ongoing support and patience while construction work continues. It makes a big difference to the work we do each day!

What’s been happening and immediate work on the horizon

Work will begin on the existing culvert (covered drain) at the end of the construction site early this week and this is expected to be completed by the weekend. Capping beam preparation will continue including concrete work on the beam. You can expect to see concrete trucks in and around the site. The installation of reinforcing bar for the new floodwall will also begin and is expected to continue over the next couple of weeks.

Before and after

Key changes with the new design for Stage 2B (besides the improved floodwall and seepage control) include a wider single footpath on the riverside, planted up garden areas, and a higher viewpoint over the river from the new path.

Stage One Future Proof update

If you’ve visited Stage One of Project Future Proof (iSite to the McAlister Street pump station) recently, you’ll have noticed most of the balustrades are now installed. Panelled artwork is planned for the riverside of the concrete floodwall and is expected to be ready by the middle of the year.

Some people have asked about the small black lighting boxes (affectionately known as the daleks). These temporary lights have been installed along the Warren Cole Walkway while the permanent light poles are being manufactured.

Did you know?

As the century unfolds, the Bay of Plenty climate will change. As temperatures rise, our wind, rainfall and seasonal patterns will shift, and we will see more extreme events and unpredictability in our weather.

To ensure our region has a climate-resilient future, we're working to understand the impacts of climate change and take proactive steps. This includes supporting sustainable systems, infrastructure, and projects such as Future Proof.

At Regional Council, it’s our role to understand the challenges and work with our communities to reduce emissions while preparing for the effects that are already unavoidable. For more information on climate change, visit: boprc.govt.nz/environment/climate-change/

What’s been happening and immediate work on the horizon

The sheet pile work has paused at the eastern end of Stage Two (Wairere Stream Bridge to the end of Quay Street in front of the Regional Council office) so the existing culvert (covered drain) at the end of the construction site can be replaced. Capping beam preparation continues and the concrete work on the beam is about to get underway. The capping beam will be constructed around the sheet plies and bonds the new concrete floodwall to the sheet pile. We expect the remaining sheet pile section will be done towards the end of the week. There may also be some minor adjustments to the sheet piles on site.

Some geotechnical testing work within the Commercial Wharf area is planned for early this week. This work is crucial to understand ground conditions and properties for future stages of Project Future Proof.

Pohutukawa care and protection

Wondering how Council is safeguarding the health and amenity of the Pohutukawa trees on Quay Street?

During the early stages of the design process, an independent Project Arborist provided specialist information to ensure the Pohutukawa trees are protected.

Protection zones were established to determine the safe distance from the trees (and surrounding critical root zones) where underground work could take place. Pruning of the tree canopy was necessary due to space constraints and the size of the machinery required to carry out the flood protection works.

The contractor’s arborist, the project arborist and Whakatane District Council agreed on the approach for trimming of the trees, and this has been monitored by all parties. When the project is finished, the trees will be pruned on the landward side to balance the canopy and ensure a rounded appearance.

Whakatane District Council are a partner of Project Future Proof and advise in areas relating to vegetation, gardens, public access, amenity and use.

Working in partnership

Project Future Proof was one of the first projects funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund - central government co-investment initiative to help improve flood resilience for communities across Aotearoa. Future Proof is one of 42 projects around the country to receive part of the $101.1 million fund.

The co-investment, which is administered through Kānoa - Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, will support Regional Council in its delivery of Future Proof flood protection infrastructure over the next three years.

What’s been happening

Last week sheet pile work continued at the eastern end of Stage Two (Wairere Stream Bridge to the end of Quay Street in front of the Regional Council office).

Contractors are making great progress and are nearly 80% through the sheet piling. This includes embedding the sheets to ground level.

Work has also started on preparing the area around the sheet piles where a capping beam will be installed. This will bond the new concrete floodwall to the installed sheet pile.

You will also notice that the old concrete wall has now been removed entirely from this section.

The construction site is limited in terms of manoeuvring area, so keeping the site tidy and removing any debris as quickly as possible has been key to good progress.

Immediate work on the horizon

This week capping beam preparation and installation will continue.

Work on replacing the existing culvert (covered drain) at the western end of the construction site is scheduled to start mid-week. We’ll be back to do the remaining sheet pile work once the drainage replacement is finished.

Exposed sheet piles near the iSite

We’ve received some queries about the exposed sheet piles near the iSite and why they haven’t been ‘capped’ like the rest of the flood wall built during Stage One

When Stage Two construction reaches the iSite area, the exposed sheet piles will be cut to ground level and the Stage Two floodwall will be stepped back and "stitched" into the Stage One wall.

The exposed piles were needed in Stage One for seepage control. To save time and money the decision was made to not cap the sheet piles, as the cap would need to be demolished to enable Stage Two wall to connect to Stage One.

Our hope this is a little bit of short-term visual pain for some longer-term gain.

Did you know?

As the climate changes, communities across New Zealand are adapting to meet the challenges of a rising sea level and more frequent, more significant rain events that may cause flooding.

Project Future Proof has two main goals: improving areas where water seeps through stopbanks during high river levels, as uncontrolled seepage can lead to stopbank failure, and ensuring flood defences meet the required level of service for large flood events. Specifically, for Whakatāne CBD, flood protection must be capable of withstanding a 1% annual event probability (AEP) until 2040.

An AEP relates to the likelihood of a flood occurring in a given year and is often expressed as a percentage. It is used to determine the risk of flooding for a specific area in terms of its "recurrence interval" or "return period." For example, a 1% AEP means there is a 1% chance of a flood of that scale, or larger, happening in any given year. This is also often referred to as a 1-in-100-year flood.

What’s been happening

This week the lead contractor began physical works on the construction site at the eastern end of Stage Two (Wairere Stream Bridge to the end of Quay Street in front of the Regional Council office). Work has focused on the removal of sections of the concrete floodwall, and the sheet piling works which started at the Wairere Bridge end of the site. 

The site is limited in terms of area and therefore sheet pile materials are being moved on to site as the works progress and any debris removed off site as quickly as possible.

Immediate work on the horizon

The remainder of the concrete floodwall will be removed, and the sheet piling work will continue. This work could extend for up to three weeks; however, this timing depends on ground conditions encountered during installation. The work can be noisy and there may be some noticeable vibration. 

As part of the upgrade existing culverts (covered drains) are being replaced. Over the next couple of weeks work will begin on the culvert at the western end of the construction site. 

Important things to remember

While the riverside carparks are unavailable, there is plenty of publicly available all day on street parking on The Strand (opposite Café Awa), Mataatua Street, Clifton Road and Totara Street.

Please continue to keep an eye out for signage and directional information along with vehicle movements from the construction site access points.

We’d be grateful if you could continue to follow this information as it’s key to keeping 
everyone safe in and around the area – thank you!

Did you know?

With sheet piling underway, a few people have asked if the installed height of the sheet piles reflect the final height of the flood wall that will be built for Stage Two.

Unlike Stage One, where the sheet piles served as seepage control (the slow movement or leaking of water through soil) and the flood wall itself, a different approach is being used for Stage Two. 

In Stage Two, the installed height of the sheet piles does not directly reflect the final height of the flood wall. Like the previous stage the sheet piles are in place for seepage control and support, but the actual flood wall will be built to a higher level on top of the sheet piles. This allows the sheet piling to be installed while still retaining important environmental features, like existing trees and blending the new wall more harmoniously into the landscape.

This approach balances both engineering requirements for flood protection while retaining the area’s natural environment as much as possible. 

What’s been happening

Last week the lead contractor established the construction site at the eastern end of Stage Two (Wairere Stream Bridge to the end of Quay Street in front of the Regional Council offices). The site is now fully fenced with designated access points, and the river side carparks and walkway are closed. The contractor has also set up their site support area off Quay Street adjacent to the work site.

Work last week focused on site establishment, traffic management, removal of the concrete ramp over the floodwall, tree trimming and the removal/relocation of materials that will obstruct construction.

Signage was installed for the ‘Your support is Quay’ initiative. This is a themed promotional campaign to support Quay Street businesses during Stage Two. We’ve had some good feedback on the themed scrim (screening) attached to the fencing which softens the visual impact of the construction site.

Immediate work on the horizon

This week we will begin installing the sheet piles. This work is likely to continue for four weeks, however this timing depends on ground conditions encountered during installation. Sheet piling involves driving (or vibrating) interlocking steel sheets into the ground using an excavator mounted with a vibration driving head. We use sheet piles to control seepage (the flow of water passing through flood defences, for example floodwalls and stopbanks). While controlled seepage is good for relieving pressure within flood defences, excessive, uncontrolled seepage can lead to the flood defences failing.

Sheet piling work is noisy and there may be some noticeable vibration. The contractor is required to complete this work within noise and vibration levels that meet requirements under the resource consent. Part of this involves ongoing monitoring of this work to ensure it is kept within acceptable levels.

Next week we will also begin removing the old concrete flood wall.

Important things to remember

There is plenty of publicly available all day on street parking located on The Strand (opposite Café Awa), Mataatua Street, Clifton Road and Totara Street.

Please continue to keep an eye out for signage and directional information around the site. We’d be grateful if you could continue to follow this information as it’s key to keeping everyone safe in and around the area – thank you!

Did you know?

The Whakatāne-Tauranga Rivers Scheme covers the Tauranga River with a 440km2 catchment and the Whakatāne River with a 1100km2 catchment.

It stretches from Whakatāne town, Tāneatua and Waimana, down to Ruatāhuna and the Huiarau Ranges, and includes the Te Rahu, Waioho and Wairere tributaries.

It is one of five major River Schemes that were established in the 1970s by the Regional Council (then known as the Catchment Commission) to effectively manage and maintain the flood defences along the awa, to help protect the lives and livelihoods of the community.

What’s been happening

Last week signage installation for ‘Your support is Quay’ got underway. This is a themed promotional campaign to support Quay Street businesses during Stage Two.

Materials started arriving and traffic management plans were being finalised in preparation for work to begin on Monday, 10 February. The main contractor was also on site marking up the floodwall between Wairere Stream and the end of Quay Street as a part of their preparation works.

On Tuesday, 4 February our engagement team spoke with members of the public and walkway users about construction and how they may be impacted. Plans and information were shared over a cold ice block. Our team talked with over 100 different groups which reflects the value of this stunning location to our community.

Late last month, staff completed a trial of flipping or adjusting some ‘rip rap’ rock to facilitate access for white baiters to the awa. Staff are happy with how this trial went and plan to continue exploring and testing this as an option to improve river access. 

Immediate work on the horizon

Work will begin this week at the eastern end of Stage Two (Quay Street in front of the Regional Council Offices to Wairere Stream footbridge). The river side carparks, Warren Cole Walkway and the work area will be closed off by fencing and signage. Access to the work site will also be established.

You can expect some early noisy work when the concrete ramp close to the Wairere Stream is removed. This involves the use of a jack hammer followed by excavator works. The excavator will operate from Tuesday onwards. 

There will also be some chainsaw activity midweek as some Pohutukawa trees are trimmed to enable the physical works and access for machinery. This work will be undertaken by specialist arborists with oversight by Whakatāne District Council.  

Sheet pile work is planned to begin the following week starting 18th February. 

Important things to remember

The key thing to keep an eye out for over the next two weeks is signage and directional information as the construction team establish the work site. We’d be grateful if you could follow this information as it’s key to keeping everyone safe in and around the area – thank you!

Did you know?

Otuawhaki is the traditional name of the site where the Whakatane isite is located. Otuawhaki has great importance for Ngāti Awa as a fishing ground and place of learning. It is here that nets were made ready for fishing, and it is also the place from which the demi-god Tawhaki ascended to the heavens to receive the four sacred baskets of knowledge for his people. 

The proverb for Otuawhaki is: Extensive tribal matters of importance take place at Wharaurangi, and the casting of fishing nets takes place at Otuawhaki.

Stage Two construction crews will on site from Monday, 10 February and work is expected to be completed toward the end of this year.

Here’s where Stage Two work will occur:

What’s been happening

Tracks Concrete (2002) Ltd have been appointed lead contractor for Stage Two. Tracks are an experienced local contractor, having been involved in the successful delivery of numerous flood protection projects including the recently completed Future Proof Stage One, and floodwalls in Edgecumbe (College Road and East Bank Road).

Regional Council has been working with Quay Street businesses on a campaign to support them during Stage Two. “Your support is Quay” has included collaboration on signage, messaging, and promotional material. The businesses have provided helpful feedback on the project which has influenced the construction programme and implementation. 

Thank you to Ngāti Pūkeko and Ngāi Taiwhakaea who led a karakia at Otuawhaki (Whakatane iSite) on Tuesday morning (28 Jan) to acknowledge the start of project.

Immediate work on the horizon

This week will involve getting material ready (off site) in preparation for work to begin on Monday 10 February. 

Traffic management planning is underway as part of preparing the site for construction work. 

“Your support is Quay”, signage production is also underway with installation planned by the end of the week.

Important things to remember

The key thing to keep an eye out for over the two weeks is signage and directional information as the construction team set up.  

We’d be grateful if you could follow this information as it’s key to keeping everyone safe in and around the area – thank you!

Stage One of Project Future Proof has reached another milestone, with the concreting of the floodwalls to begin early next month.

Project Future Proof is a multi-stage, multi-year project, led by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, in partnership with Whakatāne District Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, to upgrade the flood defences in the Whakatāne CBD so they can continue to reduce the impacts of a serious flood event on the community.

Stage One is focused on improving the stopbanks and floodwalls from McAlister Street Pump Station to the Whakatāne iSite.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Engineering Manager Mark Townsend says Regional Council has a responsibility to help reduce the impacts of significant flooding on the community.

“We do this through our flood defence infrastructure, such as stopbanks and floodwalls, by creating new flood defences or by upgrading existing ones.

“We need to upgrade our flood defences in the Whakatāne CBD so we can continue to provide flood protection to the town and adapt to meet the challenges of more frequent, more significant weather events that may cause flooding.”

Over the coming months, contractors will work in six metre sections to concrete ‘cap’ the already installed sheet piles between the Yacht Club and the iSite. This process involves using a custom steel mould that is positioned around the sheet piles and filled with concrete, giving the wall its shape. This is the same process that was used on the recently completed College Road floodwalls in Edgecumbe, another Regional Council project.  

Additional works in that area include creating stairs and an accessibility ramp for walkway users, and drainage on the roadside of the floodwall.

The Warren Cole Walkway will remain closed around the work site, with a detour in place, until the end of July. Following this, there will be a staged re-opening of the walkway.

Kakahoroa Drive will stay reduced to one lane from The Warehouse entrance to the roundabout by the iSite, creating a one-way system. Vehicles travelling towards Whakatāne Heads will need to follow a detour through town. This detour will stay in place until the end of July.

We are working with the project contractors on options for a staged re-opening of Kakahoroa Drive from August. Any changes to access for both the walkway and the road will be communicated in due course.

The project is scheduled to wrap-up around October 2024, once both the concrete work and the earthworks between the Yacht Club and the skate park are completed.

Mr Townsend says, “Thank you to the Whakatāne community for their continued patience as we work to complete Stage One as efficiently as possible.”

While works are underway, Regional Council is also working closely with project partners Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council to develop the artistic narrative that will go on the river side of the concrete panels. This artwork is scheduled to be in place by early 2025.

Stage One of Project Future Proof is one of six ‘shovel ready’ projects Regional Council received funding for as part of Central Government’s Crown Infrastructure Funding. The funding covers 75% of the initial project cost. Future stages of Project Future Proof will also receive funding as announced in May’s Budget 2024.

Stage One of this multi-stage, multi-year project to upgrade the stopbanks and floodwalls in the Whakatāne CBD has begun. We’ll be starting along the Warren Cole Walkway between the skate park and the iSite (Stage One), and working our way downstream over the coming years.

Please note, that work on sections of Stage One will cause some disruption to the community (see below and refer to the map for details).

Road closure

Kakahoroa Drive will be reduced to one lane from The Warehouse entrance to the roundabout by the iSite, creating a one-way system. Eastbound vehicles will be required to follow a detour through town.

We will close the lane and the carparks closest to the stopbanks / floodwalls, leaving the other lane open for people to enter and exit the carpark as normal.

Walkway detour

Warren Cole Walkway will be closed around the work site and a detour will be set up. This will direct walkway users to the opposite side of the road and around the construction site. You’ll be able to get back to the walkway on the other side of the iSite.

Yacht Club users will continue to have access.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please email engineering@boprc.govt.nz

BECA, on behalf of Regional Council, will be doing topographical surveying along Quay Street for a week-long period, starting Tuesday 9 January (weather permitting), in preparation for Stage Two of Project Future Proof.

Construction of Stage One is due to begin later this month, with works taking place from McAlister Street Pump Station through to the iSite building.

The topographical survey will provide key information about what’s happening above and below ground, and will help inform the designs for Stage Two.

While the surveying is underway, you will see people in hi-vis along the Quay Street area accompanied by a car with flashing lights on its roof. The road and walkway will remain open during this time.

If you have any questions about the project, contact Regional Council on engineering@boprc.govt.nz or 0800 884 881.

Contractors, on behalf of Regional Council, will be conducting investigative work along Kakahoroa Drive at the end of July for up to five days (weather permitting).

This process involves digging holes along the side of the road to locate any underground utilities (such as power and gas). Once investigations have been done, the holes will be filled and the area restored.

This process will take up to a week. During this time, traffic management will be in place along Kakahoroa Drive and access may be limited. We recommend motorists use an alternative route (businesses will still have access).

This work is being done to help us prepare for construction of Stage One of Project Future Proof later this year. This is a multi-stage project to upgrade the stopbanks and floodwalls along the downtown stretches of Whakatāne.

Thank you for your patience during this time. If you have any questions, please contact engineering@boprc.govt.nz

We wanted to give a heads up to users of the Warren Cole River Walk in Whakatāne that there will be some disruption from today.

We’re doing investigations between the McAlister Street Pump Station and the Whakatāne Yacht Club  from the 4-15^th of April. At times we will need to temporarily close the walkway and will have detour signs for you to follow along the boardwalk around the flax pond lagoon.

These investigations are part of our efforts to understand more about the condition of our flood defences below the ground surface to help determine whether the stopbank needs upgrading.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding as we undertake this important work.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be doing investigations along the Wairere Stream from Quay Street to Wairere Falls next week as part of its efforts to understand more about the condition of Whakatāne’s flood defences.

From Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 July, Perry Geotech Limited staff will be working on a number of mobile rigs and hand devices.  The work along the Wairere Stream is focused on finding out the soil composition, ground stability and hydraulic capacity of the stream bed and the results will be used to determine what needs to happen next.

There will be some traffic disruption in the area identified so please be patient, take care in the area and drive safely around the worksite.

These investigations are part of a multi stage project called Project Future Proof: Whakatāne Town Centre Flood Defence Upgrade which is ensuring that our stopbanks and floodwalls will continue to protect the community from flooding in the coming decades.

One of Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s core roles is to make sure our infrastructure is protecting our people, property and livelihoods.

In Whakatāne that means making sure that our stopbanks and floodwalls will continue to protect the community from flooding in the coming decades.

As part of this we are doing some upcoming work at Mataatua Reserve.

What we’re doing:

Bay of Plenty Regional Council need to undertake geotechnical investigation work in the Mataatua Reserve on the 12^th and 13^th of May (weather dependent).

Why we’re doing it:

In April 2017, Whakatāne experienced prolonged torrential rain which caused extensive flooding and damage to homes, properties, business and infrastructure. Using data gathered during that time, alongside our growing knowledge of changing weather patterns, we’ve found that flood defences on the lower Whakatāne River need to be upgraded.

This work will be a multi stage project called Whakatāne Future Proof. We are currently in an initial phase of investigating and testing the stopbanks and floodwalls to determine what needs to be done to reduce the pressure on the stopbank during large flood events.

The work in Mataatua Reserve is focused on finding out the soil composition and ground stability.

What you’ll see:

You will see a couple of Perry Geotech Ltd contractors on a mobile rig. They will be pushing a 30mm cone head mechanically into the ground until it hits riverbed rock or other highly dense soil material and can’t go any deeper. The rod is then retracted from the hole.

Eight tests will be done in the areas outlined in yellow on the map below.

Please keep away from the site identified while this work is underway.

How we’ll do it safely:

We understand that any work done on the Mataatua Reserve needs to be done in a way that keeps everyone safe. There will be no risk to the community during this testing.

There will be no ground disturbance other than a 30mm rod being driven into the ground.

No soil will be removed, and the cone will be cleaned onsite to ensure all materials are left in the test hole and the machinery free of dirt.

The 30mm grass holes will be plugged, and grass will grow back within a month.

What’s next?

The results will be used to determine the level of upgrade required and what options are technically viable.

Once we have collated the results, we’ll be consulting with you and will keep you informed every step of the way.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions, please contact:

Lars Thiel-Lardon, Project Manager
0800 884 880
Lars.Thiel-Lardon@boprc.govt.nz