A new bylaw aimed at protecting Southland's extensive flood stop bank network became operational yesterday, after being adopted by Envirnment Southland earlier in the week.

The revised Southland Flood Control Management Bylaw aims to manage and protect the integrity of Environment Southland’s assets like stop banks, detention dams, bridges, culverts and tide gate structures, which all assist in controlling flooding and protecting local communities.

Environment Southland’s catchment manager Paddy Haynes said the stop bank network was incredibly important to protecting many of Southland’s towns and rural properties.

“The revised bylaw essentially restricts the types of activities that can happen in a floodway or near stop banks. This includes any modification, planting, construction, storage of anything (such as baleage) and earthworks.”

Some activities that occur in the flood control area require authorisation from Environment Southland. 

Baleage proved to be a big issue in the February floods when around 2000 bales were shifted downstream by floodwaters, causing widespread damage to property and flood control assets in Southland. 

“Good placement of baleage is important, not only for flood management but it also protects soils from heavy vehicles when conditions are wet,” Paddy said.

“Baleage needs to be stored appropriately so that we’re reducing the risk that it could cause a hazard in a future flood, either by potentially obstructing the flow of water, or by being shifted downstream by floodwaters.”

Maintaining and improving flood protection infrastructure was an important part of Environment Southland’s work. A comprehensive annual maintenance programme was in place to look after the 458km of stop banks that protected Southland's people, property and livelihoods, he said.

The previous bylaw was reviewed last year and was notified for public submissions in October. The final adopted version of the bylaw can be viewed here. One of the new additions is a set of maps making the floodway and stop bank network more easily identified by landowners.

If you need advice on baleage storage or other aspects of this new flood control management bylaw, please contact 0800 76 88 45 or email [email protected]. To apply for an authority under the new bylaw, visit the Environment Southland website.