| 39 Horizons Regional Council REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT As well as helping to protect river communities, these projects are creating jobs and work for local consultants and contractors. Working with Horizons Regional Council to protect land and people from river lood events is Marton-based contracting irm, AndrewMorriss Concrete &Works Ltd. “We started out helping the council with smaller jobs like cleaning drains and we still do that, but over the past four years our focus has been on assisting themwith riverbank protection,” says company owner AndrewMorriss. The work involves fellingmature trees on the edge of riverbanks and tying them back in such a way as to prevent erosion and strengthen the banks, as well as placing groynes in vulnerable riverbank areas. “We’re doing a lot of rock protection work on the Rangitīkei River too, between Bulls and Scott’s Ferry.” Andrew vividly remembers the 2004 loods that sparked widespread evacuations in Fielding and Scott’s Ferry and causedmultiple slips and bridge washouts. Riverbank strengthening is vital for the protection of hundreds of acres of riverside land and property. “When you’re out there seeing the damage water can do in a heavy downpour, you appreciate how essential this work is. Horizons are great to work with. What we’re doing on the river is protecting ish life too – it is very rewarding to know that we’re helping to protect both the life of the river and the land.” Local diggers busy on flood resilience projects Undertaking river protection work requires methodical processes and unique skillsets. Andrew says younger operators have received speci ic training to bring themup to speed. “Rivers really are complex working environments. For example, there are certain times of year when we can’t do particular activities as it could impact local wild bird populations.” Founded as a concrete/concrete cutting business in 1999, AndrewMorriss Concrete &Works has since evolved into a general contracting operation o ering a wide suite of services from roading and driveways through to rock carting/supply and large-scale earthworks. Their yard in Kensington Rd, Marton is open six days a week, supplying gravels, topsoil, mulch and other bulk materials. The company’s 10-strong team is Site Safe and SiteWise certi ied and well-equipped for every job with a leet of 11 diggers (1.7 tonnes to 20 tonnes), dumpers, tractors, trucks and trailers. “We recently added a mulcher as part of our work for Horizons. It means we can clear away scrub along the banks as part of this work tomake way for native planting to enhance riverbank biodiversity.” Other clients include Rangitīkei District Council, Manawatū District Council, farmers and various food industry companies. 027 289 3799 andrew@concreteandworks.co.nz
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