Anzac Pde's stopbanks need $1.02 million of work to withstand a 50-year flood, and Horizons Regional Council wants Wanganui's views on that.
Since 2006 Horizons has been responsible for flood protection for Wanganui city. It had a duty to inform residents of flood danger, chief executive Michael McCartney said, and
let them decide what to do.
The state of the 2.025km stopbanks caused debate at the council's catchment committee meeting last week.
Chairman Bruce Gordon moved that work be factored into the next long-term plan, 2015 to 2025, subject to discussion with Wanganui District Council and ratepayers. Councillor Greg Cox seconded that. The work would mean the average Wanganui household paying an extra $2.37 to $4.36 over a period of up to six years - depending on how long it took and how it was financed.
It would prevent $10.5 million worth of damage to 57 houses in a 50-year flood. It could also prevent the stopbanks breaching at weak points, which could cause extra damage. A cheaper alternative would be to spend $610,000 to get the stopbanks up to 30-year flood standard. Both options stop well short of the new stopbanks at Balgownie, built to withstand a 200-year flood.
