Council operations manager Gavin Palmer said the programme of maintenance work along the Silver Stream, between Wingatui Rd and the confluence with the Taieri River, included vegetation control activities on the banks, and removal of formed beaches and islands.
"Whilst planned works are to be completed by the end of June 2024, ORC is also developing a broader programme of works to address restoration of Silver Stream’s channel capacity."
Dr Palmer said the council’s draft infrastructure strategy proposed $829,000 be allocated to the longer term capacity maintenance of the stream.
The funding would be spread across the 2024-25 to 2027-28 financial years, and ongoing capacity maintenance work incorporated as a routine activity from the 2028/29 financial year onwards.
He said the broader programme of works was in the development stage at present.
Ecological assessments and consenting activities were under way, and hydrological analysis was planned to start within the next few weeks.
Resource consent was required for some forms of the vegetation work and for any gravel or sediment removal.
The timing of the implementation of this broader work programme work would align with the council’s 2024-2034 long-term plan, when it was considered by the council.
Public submissions on the long-term plan are open until April 28.
Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairman Andrew Simms said the board was pleased the issue had been recognised by the council, but wanted the four-year project completed sooner.
"It’s vital. God’s not going to wait for us to sort out our flood banks before he drops the next big flood on us", Mr Simms said.
"What we’ll certainly be advocating for in our ORC long-term plan submissions is to see that work done without delay.
"In the scope of the budgets that the ORC have for flood protection and waterway maintenance, $200,000 a year is a very small amount for a very serious risk. Our view is that the work should be started without delay and should continue until it’s complete — not spread out over four years."
Mr Simms said the people who were most affected by floodwaters overtopping the Silver Stream had been advocating for this work for more than a decade.
"At the same time, there are multimillions of dollars being spent on other work which may also be necessary, but which in our view, doesn’t have the same implications of a failure on the Silver Stream."
