The Rangitāiki Floodway upgrade was conceived as a result of the Edgecumbe Stopbank Breach of 2004. The breach caused an estimated $35 million in damages and lost production.
In 2017 the Edgecumbe Stopbank breach caused upwards of $90 million damage.
The Rangitāiki Floodway project is a multi-stage project designed to take pressure off the flood-prone Rangitāiki River. This is done by increasing the capacity of the floodway thereby reducing flood levels in the Rangitāiki River from upstream of Edgecumbe to the river mouth.
Previously a ponding option downstream of Fonterra was being looked at to reduce the overall project costs. This option has now been abandoned.
This is because detailed design showed that this option was in fact going to be a more expensive option and the benefits are not as great as originally assessed.
Consequently the stopbank raising option is now the preferred option. The detailed design also showed that for all options the scale of work required had been under represented in previous modelling results.
Due to the above, Stage 7 of the Rangitāiki Floodway was brought forward to be completed before Stage 6.
The reason for this is that Stage 6 is a far more complex stage and more time was needed to complete the detailed design and geotechnical testing to inform the final design.
The final estimate for Stage 6 has now been produced and is shown in table 1 below:
| Stage | LTP Cost Estimate (000) | Updated Estimate (000) | Difference (000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | $ 2,428 | $ 10,915 | $8,497 |
It is acknowledged that this is a substantial increase and it is important to get your feedback on the cost increase for Stage 6.
During 2018 consultation was undertaken within the local community on options for the spillway design. The proposed option was for a lower fixed crest weir with contingency radial gates and was generally supported at the culmination of the consultation on 24th November 2018.
The option that had been prepared prior to this consultation taking place in the Long Term Plan (LTP) was for a lower fixed crest weir with no contingency allowance.
Table 2 below shows the increase in cost for the Spillway.
| Stage | LTP Cost Estimate – Lower Fixed Crest Weir (000) | Lower Fixed Crest Weir with contingency gates (000) |
|---|---|---|
| Spillway | $ 0.360 | $ 2,800 |
Given the increased cost in Stage 6 we felt it was important to re-confirm with the local community that the lower fixed crest weir with contingency gates was still the preferred option, see question 6 on the survey form.
In the information document below are examples of different property types and the impact the above proposals will have on rates. Please review these before filling out the survey which is linked below.
Central Government has announced that it wants to help with economic recovery once we are out of the Covid 19 restrictions. We have put the Rangitāiki Floodway project up as a “spade ready” project that Central Government could help fund. If successful, the increased costs outlined in this letter could be offset by the CIP funding.
The Rangitāiki Floodway project is a multi-stage project to take pressure off the flood-prone Rangitāiki River by diverting some of its flow.
Increasing the capacity of the Floodway reduces flood levels in the Rangitāiki River from upstream of Edgecumbe to the river mouth. This will in turn reduce pressure on Rangitāiki River stopbanks during large flood events.
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The summer construction season is in full swing with steady progress being made on raising the stopbanks as part of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project.
Earthworks for Stage 6a involved raising the left stopbank of the floodway north of McLean Road. Fencing and grass reinstatement will see this stage completed by the end of March.
The summer construction season is in full swing with steady progress being made on raising the stopbanks as part of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project.
Earthworks for Stage 6a involved raising the left stopbank of the floodway north of McLean Road. Fencing and grass reinstatement will see this stage completed by the end of March.
Work continues on Stage 6b with the raising of the left stopbank from McLean Road to State Highway 2. This stage has a likely completion timeframe of May/June.
Preparation works on the opposite right stopbank (6c) started in early February, while the earthworks resource consent for this stage is still pending.
Two thirds of the work on raising the stopbank for Stage 7 (between Hydro Road and SH2) was completed last year with the final section to be finished by June.
Meanwhile, detailed modelling is continuing to feed into the final design of the spillway.
Thank you to those who were able to take part in the recent online consultation about the next stages of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project.
Thank you to those who were able to take part in the recent online consultation about the next stages of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project.
Now that COVID-19 alert levels have eased, Council is inviting anyone with an interest in the Rangitāiki Floodway to another opportunity to learn more, and tell us what you think, about Stage 6 and the preferred spillway design.
Some aspects of the these stages have changed, so this consultation will explain the reasons; the relating cost increases and the potential rating impacts.
If you live within the Rangitāiki-Tarawera catchment, it’s important to find out more, and have your say.
Rangitāiki Cosmopolitan Club, 9 Bridge St, Edgecumbe
13 June 2020 - 10.00am
We’re about to begin Stage 7 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project – the section from Hydro Road to State Highway 2.
We’re about to begin Stage 7 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project – the section from Hydro Road to State Highway 2.
We’re doing this work to improve how water travels down the Rangitāiki Floodway (Reids Central Canal), which will in turn reduce the pressure on the Rangitāiki River stopbanks during large flood events. Construction works will begin in January 2020 and are expected to be completed in June 2020 but are weather dependant. We’ll keep you informed if these dates change or work goes longer than expected.
If you have further questions, please call 0800 884 880 to speak to a staff member about the project.
Stage 5 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project has reached a significant milestone with bridge construction nearing completion on Thornton Hall Road near Whakatāne.
Stage 5 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Project has reached a significant milestone with bridge construction nearing completion on Thornton Hall Road near Whakatāne.
The Rangitāiki Floodway Project is being built in stages to take pressure off the flood-prone Rangitāiki River. The current work, which started in late February this year, has seen the construction of a bifurcation channel and the upgrading of Thornton Hall Road, including the new bridge.
Project Manager for Stage 5, Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Civil Construction Engineer, Jordan Mandery says local residents will see a few final works in the area before the current stage is complete.
“Getting the bridge in place is a significant milestone. We have the bridge beams on, so now we can complete the abutments and bridge approach. We expect the subbase layers of the road construction to get underway shortly and be completed by the end of October. At that point we can divert traffic across the bridge and remove the final piece of land and open the bifurcation channel,” Mr Mandery explains.
Activity around Thornton Hall Road has bound together several other improvements including upgrading the powerlines in conjunction with Horizon Energy and working with Whakatāne District Council to widen the road.
At the same time, a wetland has been created in the area where Reid’s Central Canal will meet the Rangitaiki River. Regional Council’s Land Management team has overseen initial plantings, with more scheduled once the bifurcation is open.
“I’d like to thank the residents and motorists for their cooperation and patience while these critical works are undertaken. Please continue to be considerate and follow the direction of the temporary traffic management while driving past the site as it is important for the safety of our contractors.”
“We are also looking to raise the section of stopbank alongside Thornton Road which is set out in our Long Term Plan, but we’ve decided to bring that forward while we are working in the area, so people will see that work taking place in coming weeks,” Mr Mandery said.
Check out this short video of a recent drone flight over the completed Stage 4 works and the Stage 5 works currently in progress.
Check out this short video of a recent drone flight over the completed Stage 4 works and the Stage 5 works currently in progress.
Stage 5 involves creating a bifurcation cut to connect the Rangitāiki Floodway with the Rangitāiki River, as well as building a bridge over the new bifurcation and undertaking stopbank overlay works along Thornton Hall Road. A wetland is also being created to help encourage wildlife into the area. These works are expected to be completed in September 2019 and we hope you will share the journey with us as we post regular updates of the works progress.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be undertaking a drone survey of sections of the Rangitāiki Floodway during the week of 13 – 17 May to provide council engineers with a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which will feed into the design for Stage 7 of the Floodway Project.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be undertaking a drone survey of sections of the Rangitāiki Floodway during the week of 13 – 17 May to provide council engineers with a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which will feed into the design for Stage 7 of the Floodway Project.
The data being collected is high resolution aerial photography used for photogrammetric modelling purposes and will be used for internal purposes only. The survey will be carried out by Regional Council engineers who will be wearing Hi-Vis clothing and will be in a branded Bay of Plenty Regional Council vehicle. Please feel free to approach them on the day should you have any questions.
Initial site preparation works started on Monday 25 February on the Reid’s Canal bifurcation which is Stage 5 of the multi-stage Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project commenced in 2011.
Initial site preparation works started on Monday 25 February on the Reid’s Canal bifurcation which is Stage 5 of the multi-stage Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project commenced in 2011.
The purpose of this stage is to create a bifurcation cut from the left bank of Reid’s Central Canal across Thornton Hall Road to provide a second outlet into the Rangitaiki River and out through the river mouth. These works, which are expected to be completed within six months, also include road alignment works and a new bridge to carry Thornton Hall Road over the new canal outlet.
Following selection of the successful tenderer for the Rangitāiki Floodway Stage 5 works, a karakia ceremony was held at the Reid’s Canal bifurcation with the Rangitāiki River on Monday 18 February, 2019.
Following selection of the successful tenderer for the Rangitāiki Floodway Stage 5 works, a karakia ceremony was held at the Reid’s Canal bifurcation with the Rangitāiki River on Monday 18 February with representatives of Ngāi Taiwhakaea, the works contractor, the project’s archaeology advisor and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in attendance.
Around 40 interested community members, representing a number of stakeholder groups, turned out on Saturday to hear an update on the consultation process for the upgrade of the Rangitāiki Spillway.
Around 40 interested community members, representing a number of stakeholder groups, turned out on Saturday to hear an update on the consultation process for the upgrade of the Rangitāiki Spillway.
The spillway – the mechanism to divert floodwater from the river into the Floodway - is planned for upgrade in 2020/21 and in recent months Council’s engineering team has been engaging with directly affected landowners and the wider community around the options for the spillway design.
Thank you to those people who have been involved in finding out about the options for the design of the Rangitāiki Floodway spillway and potential ponding areas.
Thank you to those people who have been involved in finding out about the options for the design of the Rangitāiki Floodway spillway and potential ponding areas.
On Saturday, 24 November, starting at 10am there will be a further information session at the Rangitāiki Cosmopolitan Club to inform interested parties about the preferred option that will be put to Council in December.
We will be asking those attending to give an indication of their level of support for the proposed option.
For further information, please email engineering@boprc.govt.nz
Drier spring weather has allowed the work to start again on Stage 4 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project after it was put on hold over winter.
Drier spring weather has allowed the work to start again on Stage 4 of the Rangitāiki Floodway Upgrade Project after it was put on hold over winter.
Meanwhile, consultation with affected landowners and the wider community over the design options to upgrade the spillway section of the Floodway is in its final stages before a recommendation is made to Council on the preferred option (lower fixed crest weir or inflatable rubber dam). The spillway is the structure that diverts floodwater from the Rangitāiki River into the floodway and its construction and associated stopbank widening will be the final stage of the project. Keep an eye on this page for publication of an information session planned for mid-November 2018.
As part of the consultation underway on the Rangitāiki Spillway, a site visit was held in Edgecumbe on 11 August this year, with over 30 people attending, including residents of property adjoining the floodway and interested members of the community.
As part of the consultation underway on the Rangitāiki Spillway, a site visit was held in Edgecumbe on 11 August this year, with over 30 people attending, including residents of property adjoining the floodway and interested members of the community.
Those who came along on the bus trip out to the spillway off Hydro Road appreciated the chance to see the current spillway up close and hear about the options available. Once the preferred option is confirmed by Regional Council, it will go through a consent process. Construction is anticipated to start in 2020. The spillway construction will mark the final stage in this multi-stage project.
There are no events scheduled for this project.