Te Kaupapa Tiaki Āpōpō: Te mahi whakapai ake i ngā ārai waipuke i te CBD
Project Future Proof is a multi-stage project, led by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, to upgrade flood defences (stopbanks and floodwalls) along the Whakatāne CBD stretches of the river (Ōhinemataroa).
The first part of Project Future Proof is to upgrade the stopbanks and floodwalls that have seepage issues. Seepage is when water passes through a stopbank when the river level is high. While controlled seepage is good for relieving pressure within the stopbanks, excessive, uncontrolled seepage can lead to stopbanks collapsing. While Regional Council is doing the seepage control work, they will also be raising the height of the floodwalls. This height increase is based on increased flows in the awa (due to climate change and predictions for sea level rise).
The second part of the project will be to raise the flood defences in the areas that do not have seepage issues.
Throughout this project, Whakatāne District Council are working closely with Regional Council. Together, our vision is to create a space along the waterfront that functions well in increased, heavy weather events, while ensuring the community can continue to feel connected to the awa.
Stage One (from the Whakatāne Skate Park to the iSite building) is currently underway (as of February 2024). It is expected to be complete by August 2024 (weather permitting). While this is underway, the walkway around the work site and a section of Kakahoroa Drive are closed. Detours are in place.