26 March, 2012

Horizons takes next step in ANZAC cliffs project

Horizons Regional Council has submitted consent applications required for the realignment of the Manawatu River channel adjacent to ANZAC Park cliffs - the next step in Horizons City Reach project. This project, now in year five of a seven year programme will protect Palmerston North from a one-in-500 year flood.

Since 2004 the ANZAC Park Cliffs have retreated much faster than in previous decades, with an estimated 20,000m3 of soil now being eroded from the cliff each year. That’s enough to fill the equivalent of eight Olympic sized swimming pools.

Horizons wish to realign the Manawatu River slightly so that it is directed on a more desirable path around the Anzac Park cliff bend, at a cost of $3 million. This would improve flood protection, water quality and safety for those using the river.

“Once the works are completed and planting is established on the flatter sloped cliff face, the erosion and sedimentation issues will be addressed and the safety of recreational users will be substantially enhanced,” says Horizons operations group manager, Allan Cook

“If the cliff was left to erode and the river bend allowed to tighten further, then the stop banks on the opposite side of the river that protect the City from flooding would increasingly be at risk of river encroachment. It is preferable that we address that risk now rather than later when design options would be more limited.”

As with other aspects of the City Reach Project, the opportunity will be taken to include recreational access and amenity enhancements. Horizons will work closely with Rangitane iwi to ensure planting of the re-contoured cliff is compatible with vegetation on the adjoining Te Motu O Poutoa pa site, and opportunities will be sought to extend public walkways in the area. An example of a recently completed amenity improvement, as part of the City Reach project, is a 360m length ‘planter box’ flood wall located upstream of the Fitzherbert Bridge.

The overall works at ANZAC Park Cliffs will be a collaborative effort between Horizons, Palmerston North City Council and PMB Landco Ltd, a subsidiary of the Higgins Group. The City Council have identified the benefits to the community as increased security of City assets and existing residential developments at the top of the cliffs and reduced risk to life associated with cliff collapse.

“By working on this project collaboratively we have been able to not only address the flood protection and water quality concerns but also the issues of concern to the wider community. We have found this extremely satisfying,” says Mr. Cook.

It is expected that the consent process could take three to four months to complete. The in-channel works are scheduled for the 2012/13 summer period, with preparatory works, including the stockpiling of up to 5,000 tonnes of rock, to commence in September this year.

ENDS

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