21 Sep 2016

Work is about to begin on building-up some of the temporary stopbanks along the lower reaches of the Avon River.

The work will see parts of the stopbanks strengthened and increased in height so they provide adjoining streets and properties more protection from river flooding.

Stopbanks along the lower stretches of the Avon.

Work is about to begin on the stopbanks along the lower stretches of the Avon.

The stopbanks, which extend from just upstream of North Avon Rd to Bridge St, were built following the 2011 earthquakes to reduce the tidal flood risk in the lower reaches of the Avon, which had experienced significant settlement.

Recent investigations have shown that aside from the sections of the stopbanks constructed with sandbags, the temporary stopbanks are relatively stable. To improve them further and potentially extend their lifespan to up to 20 years the Council in May decided to replace the sandbags with more robust materials and to raise their height in places.

Contractors Paul Smith Earthmoving have been engaged by the Council to do the sandbag replacement work and will begin working on the stopbanks along Dallington Tce and Kibblewhite St on September 26.

The work on the Dallington St stopbank is expected to take about five weeks to complete and the road will be restricted to one lane of traffic. Work on the Kibblewhite St stopbank is expected to take about three weeks.

Work on the non-sandbag sections of the stopbanks is due to begin in March.