Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) confirmed today that funding has been secured and an alternative alignment design identified for the Whirinaki flood mitigation project – an announcement that also means the community’s post-cyclone Category 2C properties are a step closer to moving to Category 1 status.

With Central Government agreeing to redirect an additional $9million and Regional Council committing a further $3million, the project that was on hold pending a more cost-effective design solution and sourcing of additional funding, is now in a position to proceed.

HBRC Chair Hinewai Ormsby says: “Today marks a significant milestone for our Whirinaki community and residents who have faced considerable uncertainty since the cyclone two years ago. The funding commitments announced from our council and Central Government demonstrate our shared belief in the project’s benefits for impacted property owners. Most importantly, it will help them move forward with their lives.

“We are incredibly grateful for Central Government’s support and appreciate the collaborative effort that has gone into making this complex project a reality.”

Over the past six months, Regional Council has explored options to reduce the project’s costs, which had escalated to more than $34million from the original $11million budget, creating a $12million funding gap.

The original stopbank alignment that followed the Whirinaki Drain required a new culvert to be built under the State Highway as well as significant road raising to tie the road into the stopbanks, resulting in the cost blow-out. With a refined design, the total cost of the project has been reduced to approximately $23million, with the new funding bridging the gap from the original budget.

“We are committed to progressing this project with urgency to ensure the safety and resilience of our Whirinaki community including the large industrial sites which are essential for the region’s economic health,” adds Chair Ormsby.

HBRC Councillor Martin Williams agrees, saying the project is “mission critical”, not just for the Whirinaki communities it will better protect, but for the Hawke’s Bay economy as a whole.

“The Pan Pac Pulpmill, which is one of the region’s biggest employers, was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. With ever rising electricity costs as well as insurance costs and a highly volatile export market, I doubt the mill would survive another cyclone without this stopbank project, which can now proceed with secure funding. Simply put, this project falls into the is in the ‘too important to fail’ category.”

Work that had been on hold until the cost and funding issues were resolved will now recommence at pace, including the design of the flood mitigation measures and associated drainage improvements.

Category 2C property owners in Whirinaki have been advised directly of the additional project funding and revised project budget, with further community engagement occurring shortly to share the new design and revised timeframe for the project.

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