Work on one of the largest flood resilience investments backed by the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund is underway in Mataura, Southland.
Associate Regional Development Minister, Mark Patterson, who visited the site to mark the occasion, said the Mataura River flood resilience infrastructure upgrade was about safeguarding the long‑term prosperity of the region.
“That’s why the Government is backing this critical project with a $10.8 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund,” Mr Patterson says.
“The works here will strengthen flood protection for neighbouring towns Mataura and Gore, both of which are on the banks of Mataura River. The river poses significant risks to these communities when heavy rain causes the river to rapidly rise.”
The project will increase flood protection for more than 7,000 people, over 1500ha of productive land, and around $803 million in capital assets including homes and businesses, the Minister said. It will also protect key local infrastructure including transport links and schools.
Environment Southland is co-funding $7.2 million of the $18 million project.
“Southland is familiar with the devastating impacts that flooding can have, from the major events of 1984 to the widespread evacuations due to flooding in 2020. Those experiences reinforce why investing in resilience is so important,” Mr Patterson says.
The project works include building rock walls and new stopbanks, strengthening and extending existing stopbanks, and riverbed gravel works across Mataura River through both towns.
