Current river works

We are completing tree harvesting operations on Environment Canterbury land downstream of SH1. 

The land is heavily populated with invasive sycamores. Although not a legally declared pest species, sycamores can cause adverse environmental effects, forming dense stands which outcompete and displace native plants. 

The trees will be harvested and chipped, with the land being replanted with flood protection trees.  

There will be a large increase in forestry traffic exiting and entering onto SH1, with temporary speed restrictions during this time. SH1 will also be closed at critical points of the tree work, as a safety precaution.  

The contractor will be undertaking traffic management, however, there is likely to be some disruption during this time. 

WHAT: Tree harvesting on the Ōrāri River 

WHERE: Downstream of SH1 

WHEN: 23 April to 30 June 

We are completing tree harvesting operations at two sites on the Ōpihi River:  

Upstream of Waitohi Pleasant Point Road at Stratheona Huts  

In the Environment Canterbury Nursery on River Road. 

Trees at the nursery site have been wind damaged and are creating a hazard, while trees at Stratheona Huts are being harvested to subsidise river engineering works within the scheme.  

There will be a large increase in forestry traffic in the area for the month while trees are harvested and then removed from site. The contractor will be undertaking traffic management on site, however, there is likely to be disruption during this time, including restricted access to the walking track during forestry operations.  

WHAT: Tree harvesting on the Ōpihi River 

WHERE: Stratheona Huts & at the Environment Canterbury nursery on River Road 

WHEN: 23 April to 31 May 

We have engaged contractors and are about to start physical works to replace the Huritini/Halswell Weed barrage. The proposed works include upgrading and replacing the existing temporary weed barrage across the Halswell River. The new barrage will provide a more robust solution with a longer service life and will continue to ensure we can maintain the weed cutting programme on the Halswell River into the future. 

This operation will involve:  

• The temporary storage of materials (rock, piles, and machinery) 
• Carting rock by truck and trailer to site along both Sportsman Avenue and along the true left bank spoil track (access from Ducks Pond Road) [February]  
• Temporary bank stability works to create a platform to access the river [February/March]  
• Installation of 10 piles across the river by use of excavator [March]  
• Installation of rock lining in the riverbed [April].  

Works are being done in accordance with resource consents: CRC235345 & CRC235346. Access to the river via the Greenpark Huts boat ramp will be maintained for the duration of works.   

WHAT: Installation of a new Weed Barrage  

WHERE: Huritini Halswell River – Greenpark Huts at the end of Sportsman Ave  

WHEN: Mid-February to mid-May 2024   

We are repairing a number of erosion sites and improving channel alignment on the Waikirikiri/Selwyn River in the coming months. 

The river has run dry through the sections of the river where works will be carried out, so no works will be undertaken in flowing water.  

Works will include the use of a bulldozer, excavator and dump trucks to move gravel within the riverbed. At some sites willow planting and anchored tree protection (ATP) works will be undertaken during winter for flood protection. 

WHAT: Channel realignment and erosion repairs         

WHERE: Waikirikiri/Selwyn River – Various sites from Greendale downstream to Brookside Burnham Road  

WHEN: Approximately 4-5 weeks of work from April-May 2024

From late November, we will be carrying out maintenance works on willows in the Cam River to improve the flow capacity of the river and reduce flood risk. This work will involve topping and trimming back these trees and, in some cases, their removal.   

Bank disturbance will be kept to a minimum and no native vegetation will be removed.  

Many of these trees are in poor health and pose a risk to the community, as they could fall onto banks/tracks or into the river, impeding water flow, which could lead to out of channel flooding. 

This work will be undertaken by contractors and Environment Canterbury staff. 

WHAT: Maintenance and removal of willow trees     

WHERE: Cam River/Ruataniwha, starting at Bramleys Road and working downstream towards SH1 

WHEN: late November 2023 to mid-2024 

In winter 2021, constant, heavy rainfall led to flooding throughout Waitaha Canterbury, particularly between the Waimakariri District through to the Mackenzie Country. The extreme weather event caused damage to homes, land and flood protection infrastructure. 

Flood recovery works map 

Immediately following the mid-2021 floods, we assessed Environment Canterbury-owned flood protection and erosion control infrastructure across Waitaha.

The remaining infrastructure repair works have been given a high, medium or low priority to assist with work scheduling. We have an interactive map where you can find more information about our flood repair works, including finished works. 

The Climate Resilience Programme 

As part of the Central Government COVID-19 recovery programme, we have an additional $24.2m investment in river enhancement occurring across Waitaha, as part of the Resilient River Communities Programme. There are six projects being delivered as part of this programme.  

This collaborative funding investment, being made over three years, is enabling us to undertake significant upgrade work, construct new infrastructure and improve existing natural infrastructure, that would have otherwise taken many years to fund through rates alone.  

As the flood remediation works are completed, communities across Waitaha will benefit from increased flood resilience and protection, and enhanced biodiversity in our river corridors.  

Updates on the six projects that make up our Climate Resilience Programme can be found on the project webpages.