Govt puts $5m towards Bay of Plenty flood reduction

The Government is putting $5 million towards reducing floods in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter said $3.367 million would go to Environment Bay of Plenty, the regional council, and $1.644 million to Whakatane District Council.

The councils asked for help to reduce chances of future flooding of the Rangitaiki River, particularly in the Edgecumbe area, and also in Awatapu, a suburb of nearby Whakatane.

"The work will greatly reduce the likelihood of flooding, and if a flood did occur, it will make it less severe," Mr Carter said.

"The councils worked with their communities, scientists, engineers and each other to find possible solutions.

"They chose what they saw as the best options and brought those to Government."

Work to be done included control gates, flood banks and a flood pump stations.

- NZPA