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.
For more information, please contact Customer Services.