Crucial flood resilience work begins in Southland

The $10.8 million RIF loan will support Environment Southland to strengthen flood protection for neighbouring towns Mataura and Gore. Both towns are located on the banks of the Mataura River, which poses significant risks to these communities when heavy rainfall causes the river to rapidly rise.

The new infrastructure will improve flood protection for more than 7,000 people, over 1,500 hectares of productive land and approximately $803 million worth of homes and businesses. It will also protect key local infrastructure such as transport links and schools.

Environment Southland is co-funding $7.2 million towards the $18 million project.

The project works include building rock walls and new stopbanks, strengthening and extending existing stopbanks, and riverbed gravel works across the Mataura River through both towns. It is estimated the project will create over 30 fulltime roles during construction.

Since its launch in 2024, the RIF has prioritised investment in infrastructure that will provide resilience and protection to communities from extreme weather. To date, nearly $200 million has been allocated to 74 regional flood resilience projects across the motu, 11 of which have already been completed.