We are one of ten councils receiving a share of $7.728 million from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade early warning flood systems across the country.
The funding is administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, with Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) overseeing the programme on behalf of councils.
Tasman’s programme of work totals $1,125,000, with Kānoa providing 60% of the funding, and the remaining 40% funded by our capital expenditure allocations approved in the 2024 – 2034 10-Year Plan.
The project involves upgrades of existing sites as well as bridging gaps, blind spots and potential failure points identified in network reviews and learnings from national flood events.
The funding will enable the installation of cameras at key sites, enhance the utilisation of digital satellite technology, and relay information in real time to our website and other channels. It also covers the installation of the equipment.
The improved systems will provide benefits to many areas of Council work, as well as complement the new rain radar planned for the region by MetService.
Some work is well underway as part of efforts to recover from the weather events of June/July 2025. This included some new technology introduced near the Wairoa Gorge, as well as the upgrade of a site in the upper Motueka catchment.
The funding is being implemented right across the District – Waimea, Motueka and Tākaka Rivers, as well as increasing resources in areas such as Motupiko, Riuwaka, and sections of the Wai-iti River.
The funding covers a three-year period until 30 June 2029, but the benefits will be long-term and will help inform decisions related to emergency management in flood events.