68 | T T Karen Phelps Delivering stronger flood defences The Motueka River stop banks are being upgraded to meet the demands of a changing climate. Taylors Contracting CONTRACTING Taylors Contracting is working with Tasman District Council to strengthen flood protection for residents of Peach Island in Motueka, as part of the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) investment into flood resilience. The area has lived with the risk of severe flooding of the Motueka River for decades, and its stop banks, first built in the 1950s, are being upgraded to meet the demands of a changing climate. “Over time, the stop banks have lowered for a number of reasons such as vehicle crossings, stock damage, and trees growing on or in the stop banks and the level of service they offered had reduced,” explains Andrew Plunkett, Project Manager for Taylors Contracting. “By strengthening the stop banks with modern techniques, we are preparing for future climate-related changes, protecting lives, homes, and livelihoods.” Taylors completed one section two years ago and has recently finished another — one that bore the brunt of the June/July 2025 floods. “The floods last year caused the banks to suffer over-topping that caused scouring and damage to the bank face. Our work repaired the damage and upgraded the section to improve flood resilience,” explains Andrew. The new sections include the use of Moutere clay fill. “This is very good for dam building and is less permeable than gravels and other material,” says Andrew. “Using Moutere clay fill also means we need a smaller volume of material than if other lesser quality materials had been used. The clay fill is being excavated from a local road that was not suitable for anything other than 4WD vehicles. “As a result of this project, that road is now being upgraded to a full two-lane road that allows access to all traffic and future development. That’s a real win-win for the local community and this project.” Subsurface relief drains have also been installed on the land side of the stop bank, helping manage water that seeps underneath the bank during high flood events. This will relieve the pressure that would otherwise saturate and weaken the bank’s base. A particular challenge of this project has been the need to get large earthmoving equipment on site via a single narrow bridge to the island. “With more than 60 trucks driving through each day, we’ve been extremely mindful of the need to keep dust levels to a minimum for neighbouring fruit growers with dust-sensitive crops,” says Andrew. He says the next phases of the project include constructing an outlet culvert and a refuge pad. “The refuge pad is an elevated area designed so residents can safely retreat there,” says Andrew. Robbie Swarbrick, Taylors Contracting Nelson/Marlborough Contracts Manager, says the company has a strong history in stop bank projects. As part of the government’s wider Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) $200m investment into flood resilience, Taylors Contracting has completed two stages of the Condors stop bank in Lower Wairau, Blenheim, and is currently working on replacing 1.2km of stop banks at Spring Creek behind the township in Marlborough. Taylors Contracting has been ISO 14001:2015 Telarc registered since 2002, a standard that requires every environmental incident to be proactively investigated and reviewed and an annual independent auditing process. Taylors Contracting is a family-owned business with more than 50 years’ experience in earthmoving, civil engineering, environmental and quarry services across the South and lower North Islands. The company’s work spans river protection, drainage, forestry roading, land contouring and dam and pond building. The high standard of its work has been recognised across more than a dozen industry awards since 2017, spanning erosion control, stormwater, quarrying, forestry and civil contracting. • Confined area tree removal and dismantling • Site clearance • Tree Felling • Vegetation Control • Tree Consultation • Wood chipping and Green waste removal • Stump removal • Family locally owned business • 30+ years' experience locally and around the world. Proudly Supporting Taylors Contracting • EARTHWORKS • SUBDIVISIONS • DRAINAGE • POST DRIVING SERVICES INCLUDING: www.chambersandjackett.co.nz 03 526 7719 admin@chambersandjackett.co.nz Civil Cartage | Truck Hire | Gravel Supplies 027 557 7064 | bryan@austintippers.co.nz 84-86 Beach Road, Richmond, Nelson Farm Fencing | Commercial Fencing Residential Fencing | Retaining Walls Security Fencing | Excavation Proud to support Taylors Contracting Sam: 021 541 533 | office@higginsfencing.co.nz www.higginsfencing.co.nz
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