Tough decision for Whanganui East residents

The Matarawa Stream flooded in June 2015. PHOTO/ PAUL BROOKS

Whanganui East residents affected when the Matarawa Stream floods have been asked whether they are willing to pay to clear it.

The annual Matarawa Flood Control Scheme meeting was on Monday night, with an add-on, Horizons Region councillor David Cotton said. Letters were sent to the 600 property owners affected when the stream floods, and about 65 attended.

They were asked whether they were willing to pay an average extra $60 to $80 a year to Horizons to clear the stream of obstacles as it runs through their suburb.

If they are not willing to pay, Horizons will not do the work, Mr Cotton said.

All its flood control schemes work the same way, with those who benefit the most paying most of the cost.

There were lots of questions at the Monday meeting, and resident Brian Vaughan said it was an angry and emotional one.

His property in Ikitara Rd was flooded in June 2015, due to a culvert problem. He said when the stream flooded it affected more people than those Horizons had identified.

He said it was good to have Horizons involved but the problem needs more Whanganui District Council input and Whanganui-wide funding.

Until now the Matarawa scheme has been paid for by farmers upstream in the Okoia valley who have benefitted. The scheme has four detention dams, to hold extra water, and a diversion channel at the Gudsell property to send 90 per cent of the extra down the Mateongaonga Stream and into the Whanganui River.

If rainfall is especially large then even the 10 per cent left in the stream can cause ponding behind the Anzac Pde stopbanks. There's also an issue with a Gerse St culvert that's too small. Water backs up behind it.

Whanganui East people with properties bordering the stream have been expected to clear the stream of obstructions. Many are elderly, and that work has not been done, Mr Cotton said.

Whanganui District Council asked for more Horizons' help the clear the stream as it runs through Whanganui East.

The work will cost $340,000 and could take place over two years. Horizons proposes to borrow the money and pay it back over 10 years.

Funding would come 20 per cent from across the Horizons Region, 20 per cent from Horizons' Whanganui ratepayers and 60 per cent from people directly affected. The average directly affected ratepayer would pay an extra $60 to $80 for 10 years, and much less after that.

The matter will be discussed at a Horizons workshop on Wednesday. It has been included in this year's annual plan and people can make submissions on that - they close on April 13.

If hundreds of the affected residents are opposed it will not go ahead, Mr Cotton said.