Official Information Request - civil engineering works

Sent: Tuesday, 28 November 2023 4:08 pm
Subject: Official Information request - civil engineering works at end of Howard Rise/Basley Road

I refer to your Official Information request of 21 November 2023 for the purpose of the civil engineering works at the end of Howard Rise/Basley Road.

This work involves the construction of two earth stormwater detention dams and associated spillways in two normally dry watercourses in farmland above Morey Street. The purpose is to protect the land and property in and around the drainage path downstream through to Lake Rotorua from inundation resulting from large rainstorms, including those driven by the effects of climate change. This will alleviate current risks and also enable development to occur.

The purpose is achieved by retaining large flows of water from the higher hill catchments behind the dams, and allowing controlled release through primary spillways into the drainage network below, thus limiting the occurrence and impact of flooding. The government agency Crown Infrastructure Partners is funding $15m for this project as part of its aim to assist in enabling urban development.

Construction of these dams is expected to be complete by May 2024.

Attached are plans showing the upstream and downstream areas for the Morey Street East and West Dams. (Note: Although the plans say ‘preliminary draft’ the layout as shown has not changed.)

Plans for Morey Street East and West dams

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Regards