Reconstruction work is planned for the floodbank alongside the Taieri Plain contour channel.
The Otago Regional Council has sought resource consent for reconstruction of the floodbank along the channel which runs through the Taieri into Lake Waipori intercepting flows from streams in Maungatua, so they do not flow on to the plain.
ORC environmental engineering and natural hazards director Gavin Palmer said the council had identified improvements which could be made to the channel after a review into its condition three years ago.
A 10-year programme of work was developed and about $50,000 a year allocated for the work, which would be done in sections. It involved adjusting the crest of the floodbank so it over-topped in a safer manner.
The channel, which was constructed in the 1920s, had limited capacity.
‘‘The work was identified before that in 2005 . . . it reinforced the need for improvements.''
With the more modern methods of assessment, engineers now had a better understanding of how the structure could be improved, he said.
The limited notification consent application would be considered by a panel of three regional councillors today.
