Greater flood protection for Invercargill airport, homes
Local Democracy Reporter
17 August 2024, 1:56 AM
The ribbon was cut at Invercargill's new pump station on Friday morning. From left associate minister for regional development Mark Patterson, Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell, Te Rūnaka o Awarua chair Dean Whaanga and Fulton Hogan chief operating officer Justin McDowell.. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRNew infrastructure to protect an airport and over 100 properties has officially opened in Invercargill.
Stead St Pump Station is described by Environment Southland as an “energy efficient, fish-friendly facility” that forms part of a comprehensive flood protection scheme.
The $11 million project could prove crucial for the low-lying city in the event of heavy rainfall, while also providing safe passage for fish through its special Archimedes screw design.
On Friday, the ribbon was cut at a ceremony attended by a number of key figures, including rūnaka representatives, southern mayors, and the associate minister for regional development.
Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell said the need for the new project was driven by ageing infrastructure which dated back to the 1960s.
“This station is a strategic asset for Southland,” he said.
Construction of the building for the $11 million project began in 2022. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR
“It is a critical protection for 116 properties in the immediate area, and it's a lifeline for our community and the nationally significant infrastructure of the Invercargill Airport.”
Horrell said the opening marked a “significant milestone" for both flood protection and climate change resilience.
A special thanks was given to both Waihōpai Rūnaka and Te Rūnaka o Awarua for their work in developing the story of the place, which would soon include artwork and interpretation panels.
Te Rūnaka o Awarua chair Dean Whaanga gave a karakia to bless the site and told those gathered it was both an important project and piece of whenua for Ngāi Tahu.
“A project like this really supports our aspirations as the rūnanga, as Ngāi Tahu, to support our ninth tall tree, which is mahinga kai, and the abundance of mahinga kai,” he said.
Whaanga handed over to Waihōpai Rūnaka cultural narrative facilitator Keri Whaitiri to explain the significance of the name gifted by Waihopai Rūnaka — Te Kupeka o Waimātaitai.
That name referred to the brackish waters of the estuary, she said, where the freshwater mixed with the sea.
Pātiki (flounder) and tuna inhabited those waters, with the latter going up the river to spawn before returning to the sea.
Associate minister for regional development Mark Patterson, who attended Friday's event, described the operation as an impressive engineering feat.
An Archimedes screw design allows fish to be transferred through the station without harm. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR
Patterson said Cyclone Gabrielle had highlighted the importance of being able to keep an airport open in times of severe weather.
The need for such a facility in Invercargill has been highlighted at least twice over the past 40 years.
In 2016, a storm surge caused road closures and surface flooding around the airport as the sea spilled onto Stead St.
In 1984, the airport was flooded to depths of three metres, which resulted in flood protection works being undertaken at the Waihōpai River, Waikiwi Stream and Oreti River.
The newly opened site paid homage to former Environment Southland employee Paddy Haynes, who is commemorated by way of a plaque.
Haynes had a long-standing interest in upgrading the old pumphouse, but died prior to construction beginning, aged 65.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
