14 Aug 2014

Flood, housing measures approved

8:59 pm on 14 August 2014

The Christchurch City Council has approved $10 million of funding for more short-term flood mitigation options to the hardest-hit areas in the South Island city.

Properties in the Flockton Basin have been repeatedly flooded.

Properties in the Flockton Basin have been repeatedly flooded. Photo: RNZ

A taskforce was set up by mayor Lianne Dalziel in May to find short-term solutions for 1500 homeowners identified as experiencing regular flooding since damaging earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Staff tasked with finding solutions to ongoing flooding say a range of short-term measures will be the best way to protect homes in areas such as the Flockton basin.

The Mayoral Flood Taskforce delivered its final report to the council today, outlining options including work to widen and deepen city waterways, temporary pumping stations and stop banks.

Taskforce leader John Mackie says the approved works in progress or scheduled, will bring flood mitigation benefits to 65 percent of the most vulnerable households.

Mr Mackie says there is still work to be done with other agencies on funding protection for individual house, which is signalled to cost $6.1 million.

A taskforce was set up by mayor Lianne Dalziel in May to find short-term solutions for 1500 homeowners identified as experiencing regular flooding since damaging earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Staff tasked with finding solutions to ongoing flooding say a range of short-term measures will be the best way to protect homes in areas such as the Flockton basin.

Emergency housing

The city council will help to fund a collaborative project with Christchurch City Mission and the Government to address emergency housing needs in Canterbury.

The Family Emergency Accommodation Project is aimed at assisting high-priority families as they transition from temporary to more permanent homes.

Councillors agreed to commit $92,000 to allow the City Mission to establish the project, with the Government contributing up to $100,000.

Housing committee chairperson Glenn Livingstone says the project will better equip the City Mission to cater for families on benefits or low wages with children and who are currently homeless.