Environment Canterbury helps communities reduce the risk of flooding and erosion to their properties by carrying out river and drainage works within river rating districts. We work with communities to establish new river rating districts where the community has identified a need to reduce flood risk.
Environment Canterbury’s River Engineering staff currently maintain river works in 62 river rating districts throughout Canterbury. For many of the smaller rivers, this may simply involve maintaining a clear channel, managing vegetation along the river, and gravel extraction. For larger rivers, works may also include constructing and maintaining groynes and stopbanks. The annual programme of works is determined by a river rating district liaison committee, which represent the people within the rating district. People within the rating district pay for the majority of the works through a targeted rate, and the remaining amount is funded from a works and services rate, and the general rate to reflect the wider benefits of reducing flood risk to the community at large.
Halswell Drainage District Revised Earthquake Reinstatement Plan
The Halswell Drainage District Revised Earthquake Reinstatement Plan investigates changes to the Halswell River following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. It discusses progress, works required and costs to reinstate the waterway capacity and bank stability of the Halswell River and the associated drainage network. Its findings were presented to a public meeting on 27 March 2012 and will form the basis of reinstatement work in the catchment for 2012/13.
Read the revised Halswell Drainage District Earthquake Reinstatement Plan
For more information, please contact Customer Services.