Flood-risk measures to cost $4 6m

The first stage of Horizons Regional Council's work to prevent flooding in Wanganui met with fierce opposition - now the council wants feedback on its proposed Stage 2.

"We want to hear Wanganui residents' views on the next stage of the flood protection work, how quickly they want us to complete it, or even if they want it completed," said Councillor Murray Guy, Horizons' catchment committee chairman.

Horizons took charge of flood protection for the city of Wanganui in 2006.

It is working on a new 10-year plan and needs Wanganui's answers on Stage 2 by March. Construction of Stage 2, if it goes ahead, could begin as early as July.

A public meeting will take place at the Wanganui Girls' College Hall on January 26 at 7pm. There will also be meetings in the most affected areas - Putiki and Anzac Pde. The council will also be sending newsletters to ratepayers with forms to post back, saying whether they want Stage 2 to proceed, whether it should be done in two years or stretched out over five, and how it should be funded.

Wanganui Mayor Annette Main, a former Horizons councillor, is urging residents to take time to understand the proposal and give their feedback.

The cost to the city of a 200-year flood has been estimated at $141.4 million. Water would be at least 1.5m deep in riverside houses in Ikitara Rd and the flood could wash people away, drowning them. Currently, the city is only protected from 20- to 30-year floods.

Stage 1 of the council's flood protection was done at Balgownie, because flooding the businesses there would have major economic effects. The work took two years and the result is a 3.3km stopbank, which cost about $3.2 million and was finished last year.

Stage 2 would be at two places - Putiki, upriver of the Cobham Bridge, and Anzac Pde between Young St and Georgetti Rd. They were chosen because of the number of houses affected, repeated evacuation and clean-up costs and flooding impact on access and communication.

The Putiki stopbank would cost $620,000 and protect 8ha, a school, an early childhood centre, historic marae buildings and about 30 houses.

The 2.5km Anzac Pde stopbank would protect Kowhai Park, 20ha and about 80 houses, and cost $4 million. It would need extensive work where the Matarawa Stream flows into the river.

The council has a funding formula for Wanganui flood protection. Under it, 25 per cent of the cost would be spread across ratepayers in the entire Horizons region. Of the rest, 66 per cent would be paid by people in the Wanganui urban area, with those in floodable areas paying twice as much as the others.

The average house owner in a floodable area now pays $33 a year toward Stage 1. Adding Stage 2 will increase the cost to $38 in the first year, rising to $61 at its peak in 2019.

For the average city house outside the flood area, the cost is $19 a year towards Stage 1 Adding Stage 2 will take it to $22, peaking at $35 in 2019.

For more information see the Horizons Regional Council website, www.horizons.govt.nz or ring the council on 0508 800 800.