Lower Taieri
Otago Regional Council is re-establishing liaison groups for Otago flood protection and drainage schemes starting with those in the Lower Taieri.
The Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme mitigates the risk of flooding to the Taieri plain, including the townships of Mosgiel, Outram and Henley. It also protects critical infrastructure such as key transport routes (state highway and railway networks), Dunedin airport, and power and three waters infrastructure.
Along with the East and West Taieri drainage schemes, the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme was the first to be developed in Otago – works started in 1870. It is a complex network affected by many rivers. The scheme uses ponding areas to detain peak flows and ease pressure on the scheme downstream, minimising the risk that the scheme will fail. Silver Stream, Waipori River and the Ōwhiro Stream are tributaries to this lower portion of the Taiari/Taieri River.
The East Taieri Drainage Scheme is split into two areas by the Silver Stream, which flows south-west across the Taieri Plain. Drains on the northern side of the Silver Stream generally flow toward what is called the Upper Ponding area.
Drains on the southern side of the Silver Stream flow toward the Lower Ponding area. When the flow of the Taiari/Taieri River is low, these drains flow out to the river by gravity. Gravity gates close and pump stations are used when flows in the Taiari/Taieri River are high.
The West Taieri Drainage Scheme drains part of the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme – the area bounded by the Taiari/Taieri River, Lake Waipori and the West Taieri Contour Channel. A small part of the scheme lies in the Henley Floodway.
The West Taieri area differs from the other drainage schemes in that water must be pumped out – gravity cannot be used to drain water out of the scheme. A significant portion of the scheme lies at or below 1 m of sea level. There are pump stations at Waipori, Henley and Lake Ascog.
The purpose of the liaison group is to act as an informal committee who will work alongside ORC to:
The Lower Taieri Flood Protection and Drainage Scheme Liaison Group will act as an informal committee who will work alongside Otago Regional Council.
There are six seats available for community representatives to be voted on to.
Two seats are allocated to each of the East and West Taieri Schemes, as well as representatives from the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, Dunedin International Airport, and from the ORC.
In addition to these specific seats, there are two additional seats available to other representatives in the Mosgiel and Taieri area, bringing the total number of representatives to nine.
|
Representatives |
Number in group |
|
East Taieri |
2 |
|
West Taieri |
2 |
|
Dunedin International Airport |
1 |
|
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board |
1 |
|
ORC Councillor |
1 |
|
Additional seats |
2 |
|
Total |
9 |
ORC will also continue to actively engage with mana whenua on key issues relating to these schemes, allowing participation in decision-making, and support in the development of capability.
Nominations will be called for by the liaison group as positions are available or when terms end. Nominations are open to everyone who lives in the scheme area.
ORC owns and manages several other flood protection schemes and drainage schemes as well as a combined flood protection and drainage scheme.
They are:
ORC also owns but commissions external management for parts of the Lower Waitaki River Control Scheme.
There are several targeted rating schemes that may benefit from a liaison group however the initial approach will be to establish the Lower Taieri and Lower Clutha liaison groups.
It is proposed to establish the Lower Taieri Flood and Drainage Liaison Group in the 2024 calendar year. Establishing Liaison Groups for Lower Clutha and Tokomairiro schemes is recommended for the 2025/26 financial year using lessons taken from the establishment of the Taieri group.
Please feel free to reach out to ORC’s engineering team to confirm whether you live in one of the three scheme areas on engineering@orc.govt.nz
ORC owns and manages several other flood protection schemes and drainage schemes as well as a combined flood protection and drainage scheme.
They are:
ORC also owns but commissions external management for parts of the Lower Waitaki River Control Scheme.
The West Taieri Liaison Group was disestablished in October 2014 – at the time this decision was made as it was felt that the groups were no longer serving their purpose. They also lacked representation from a range of other stakeholders including mana whenua, large infrastructure providers such as Dunedin Airport or Community Board representatives.
From approximately 2019 onwards, following the discontinuation of previous liaison groups, the Council has been undertaking annual drop-in sessions in Balclutha, Mosgiel and Outram to engage with the community on activities undertaken across the schemes. While this has had some success, the approach has had some limitations.
These limitations were raised through feedback with the community and included that the drop-in style format did not provide an opportunity to discuss in detail the expenditure and decisions on some work programmes for both capital and operational work or have input into future work programmes.
As agreed by representatives of the liaison committee, the Liaison Group will meet no less that twice a year, to coincide with the development of draft annual plan budgets and following the receipt of public feedback on proposals prior to Council adoption. This will generally be between May and July and October and December. The time and location of meetings shall be agreed upon by representatives of the liaison group.
Representatives in the Liaison Group are able to submit on draft work programmes and rating proposals in the ORC’s Annual Plan or Long-Term Plan. The Liaison Group has no authority to commit the ORC to any investment path or capital and operating expenditure. The Liaison Group will operate in such a way as to not compromise the ORC’s freedom to deliberate and make such decisions as it deems appropriate.
Given the significance of the scheme to certain stakeholders, ORC has created specific positions for representatives of the following groups, these include:
This has been done to ensure these stakeholders have a seat at the table to be part of discussions and to ensure their representative groups are involved in decision making.
Yes, voting is held in person at an AGM. You will need to be present to vote, or to accept a seat in the liaison group.
If there are more nominees than positions, an election will be held at the AGM. The nominees who receive the most votes on the night will be elected to the Liaison Group.
As agreed by representatives of the liaison committee, but no less that twice a year, to coincide with the development of draft annual plan budgets and following the receipt of public feedback on proposals prior to Council adoption. This will generally be between October and December and May and July.
In addition, a public annual general meeting will be held for each scheme and shall be chaired by the Chair of the Liaison Group.
Membership of the Liaison Group is voluntary and as such is unpaid.
The Liaison Group will:
If you have any questions around the flood protection and drainage schemes, the liaison group, or the nomination process, please don't hesitate to reach out.
You can email us at customerservices@orc.govt.nz
Give your feedback using our online contact us form
Or call us freephone on 0800 474 082 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
The Lower Clutha Delta Scheme mitigates flooding and drains 9,300 hectares from north of Balclutha to the sea. The Clutha River, splitting into Koau and Matau branches, and other water sources contribute to the flow
The East Taieri Drainage Scheme, divided by Silver Stream, directs northern drains to the Upper Ponding area and southern drains to the Lower Ponding area. Low Taieri River flow uses gravity drainage; high flows need pump stations.
The West Taieri Drainage Scheme, part of the Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme, is bordered by the Taieri River, Lake Waipori, and the West Taieri Contour Channel. Unlike other schemes, it relies entirely on pump stations at Waipori, Henley, and Lake Ascog due to its low elevation, often at or below sea level.
