Oct 20th, 2018

Kaituna River re-diversion and Maketu Estuary enhancement project

Source: Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana

Goal of this project:

To significantly increase the volume of water (particularly fresh water) flowing from the Kaituna River into Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi/Maketu Estuary, in a way that maximises the ecological and cultural benefits (particularly wetlands and kaimoana) while limiting the economic cost and adverse environmental effects to acceptable levels.

The proposed re-diversion will maximise the flow into the estuary while keeping Te Tumu cut open for flood protection and boating access.

The re-diversion will significantly change the existing landscape, particularly to low-lying land north of Ford’s Cut. It will also re-create at least 20 hectares of wetland habitat, partially restoring the landscape to what it looked like before 1956.

See the Project Background page for further information about the rationale and preparatory work behind this project. Base funding for the project was budgeted for in the Bay of Plenty Regional Council 2015-25 Long Term Plan which was adopted on 25 June 2015.

What’s happening at the moment?

Construction work is now under way and due to be completed by June 2020.

All of the resource consents and conditions for the project were finalised in an Environment Court decision issued in May 2016. All of the land acquisitions and detailed designs for the project have now been completed. See a map of publicly owned land around the estuary.

On 29 March 2018, Regional Councillors awarded a contract for construction works to J Swap Contractors Limited. A public site blessing was held on Tuesday 12 June 2018, to mark the start of construction works for the project, see video below. Read about the event here.

Ford Road and boat ramp closures from 1 August 2018

  • Ford Road will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian access from 1 August-20 December 2018.
    Further traffic restrictions will be in place at Ford’s Cut from 8 February to 27 May 2019 when the road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm, Monday to Saturday. During this period, road access will be open all day on Sundays. On other days, members of the public that arrive before 7:00am will be permitted to spend the day at Te Tumu Cut at the coastal end of Ford Rd (also known as the Kaituna Cut) provided that they do not do not enter the construction zone – they will not be able to leave until the road re-opens at 7:00pm.
  • Ford Road boat ramp and the stop bank on both sides of Ford Road will be closed to the public from 1 August 2018-30 June 2020. Please use the alternative boat ramp at Bell Road during this time.

Construction area fly-over August 2018

The video below shows construction works underway in August 2018.

Project updates and monitoring

Project progress and monitoring results will be reported on annually and updates will be given to the community at quarterly public meetings.

  • 7 November 2018 – community site tour and update meeting
    All are welcome to join us at Tukotahi marae, 83 Ford Road on 7 November 2018:
  • 5.30-6.30pm walking tour of construction site
  • 6.30-7.45pm community update meeting

Assessment of Environmental Effects

Read the summary Environmental Effects Assessment:  Kaituna River Re-diversion and Wetland Creation Project Assessment of Environmental Effects Summary May 2014 (429KB)

Past project newsletters, videos and presentations


Videos


Newsletters


Presentations