PLANS TO AVERT FLOODING

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 6

PLANS TO AVERT FLOODING

PROPOSALS ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL

PRELIMINARY WORK TO COST £l2OO ADVICE TO BE GIVEN TO RESIDENTS The construction of siphons for sewers and water mains impeding the flow of the Otepuni creek and the construction of a drain from Tay street down Camden road to the creek to relieve flooding in the Islington street area were schemes adopted by the Invercargill City Council at a special meeting last night. The recent report on flooding in the city by the city engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill) was discussed and it was agreed that major schemes involving a possible £150,000 could not be contemplated at present. It was decided that a special drainage officer be engaged to make a house-to-house inspection in the low-lying Avenal and Wellesley districts to advise residents how to avert flooding. The work authorized is estimated to cost £l2OO.

The old course of the Otepuni had wound through the lower part of the city and although it had been straightened that had not altered the fact that the stream had flowed through the lowest land, Mr Corkill said. The stream provided drainage for a catchment area of 10,000 acres. He had searched for a diversion of the stream, but it would not be possible to divert the water from more than half the catchment area and even that would be very costly. The flooding at Avenal occurred because the drainage from a very wide area passed out there. Provision had been made in the present loan for the enlargement of the main sewer, but the details had not been definitely decided because consideration' 41 would have to be given to future developments in Collingwood and Grassmere. Observations taken during the last few years indicated that wet weather came in cycles alternated with dry weather. At present Invercargill was experiencing a wet period.

FIRST MEASURES Cr A. Scott said Mr Corkill had made recommendations for constructing siphons to carry sewer and water mains under the creek at Elies road, Ness street, Ythan street and Liddell street, removing old storm water drains where they were encroaching on the channel, and removing sluice gates, including that in the railway yard. These schemes would cost £7OO. He* recommended a drain from Tay street, down Camden road to the creek Y carry off some of the water from the Lindisfarne area at a cost of £5OO. There was also a new drain at the north-west corner of Queen’s Park to cost £l3OO. These schemes would cost £2500 and if they could not be financed at once they should be done next year. He moved that arrangements be made to undertake the work as soon as practicable. The first two schemes should be undertaken at once, said Cr A. W. Jones, but the new drain at Queens Park should be delayed. The expense of the two schemes would be £l2OO which the council could easily finance. In reply to a question, the DeputyMayor (Mr J. R. Martin) said Scheme 13 labour would be available for two months. The engineer said there should be no difficulty in securing pipes. “It is no use thinking about cheap labour at the present time, said Cr R. T. Parspns. “Every fit man between the ages of 21 and 40 will be required to go overseas. The main task of the moment is winning the war.” The Deputy-Mayor said that the smaller schemes suggested by the engineer could be put in hand, but the major schemes costing up to £150,000 could not be contemplated at present. In the meantime a report could be obtained from the district engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr W. G. Pearce) on the drainage of the Otepuni catchment area outside the city area and means to avert future flooding. The assistance of Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., in securing this report could be sought. FUTURE POLICY Cr E. J. McLaughlan said it might be cheaper for the council to acquire lowlying areas than to embark on a costly scheme for flood protection. It was decided to make a request for the report suggested by the DeputyMayor. It was also decided that the two cheaper schemes suggested by the engineer be carried out. Cr A. Wachner asked about the extent of the inspections made during the flood and about the results of the inspections. The engineer said that all drains were

functioning and no blockage was found. The Deputy-Mayor said that residents of Wellesley and Avenal would be asking Mr McLauchlan and him what the council would do to relieve the position and prevent future floods. Cr A. W. Jones said the residents could be advised to raise the mushroom vents to prevent overflows in the future. He moved that the services of the drainage inspector or a specially engaged officer make a house-to-house inspection and offer free advice. The motion was carried.