Estuary Improvement

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 10

Estuary Improvement

It is good news that the Christchurch Drainage Board is to proceed with model studies of a barrage planned near the mouth of the Estuary to control tidal flow and to ensure adequate drainage of metropolitan Christchurch. The board uses the Estuary as the outfall of its land drainage and Sewerage systems; and, as the city grows, its disposal problems grow. The board’s chief planning engineer, Mr E. F. Scott, in a comprehensive report on the Estuary, favours a barrage, because it would enable the Estuary, to cope with the outfall more efficiently and economically than other methods considered. It would help to prevent flooding and would permit diversion of the Heathcote river at Woolston to prevent upstream flooding—a much more economical proposal than the alternative of widening the river. These improvements in the management of the city’s ultimate main drain in themselves justify the preliminary studies. But a barrage would also open

the possibility of transforming the Estuary from something of a liability into a fine civic asset. Mr Scott believes the Estuary could become “the aquatic play- “ ground of Canterbury ”, with an Olympic rowing course and facilities for boating and water ski-ing on the waterfront side. A highway bridge over thebarrage would link Moncks Bay and South Brighton and provide a fine scenic drive. Reclaimed land in the east could be sold to defray the cost of dredging or other development wo|k, or could be used as a park. The possibilities seem almost infinite. It is an attractive picture; but since the Drainage «Board’s duty is restricted to drainage, the developments Mr Scott envisages would probably be the responsibility of the City Council. If development of the Estuary, in which all of Christchurch is interested, is to go hand in hand with improved Estuary drainage, much closer collaboration among all interested organisations will be required.