HBRC asset management group manager Mike Adye said without this maintenance there was an increased risk of flooding to properties and/or infrastructure.
"Maintenance involves weed spraying in the base of the drains on a portion of these waterways. Spraying is also done to control noxious plants and willow regrowth where waterways have been cleared of willow trees over the past 10 or so years," he said.
Alternative approaches to maintenance needed to take into account the primary purpose of these channels and ensure that they had adequate flood capacity, he said.
Mr Adye and council chairman Fenton Wilson have visited Wairoa and discussed the issue with locals and viewed the drains and streams affected.
Mr Wilson told the delegation he was impressed with the work that went into the petition and appreciated the concerns shown.
He said council was committed to working with the community and other agencies to see if a feasible alternative solution could be found.
"If we can find a better solution that doesn't cost any more, yet still allows for effective flood management then we will be happy to implement it."
