Wainoni Park - Flood Protection Landscape Proposal

The Wainoni Park project is part of the wider Land Drainage Recovery Programme (LDRP) which seeks to restore the flooding risk in Christchurch to 'pre-earthquake levels'.

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Consultation has now closed

Consultation on Wainoni Park - Flood Protection Landscape Proposal has now closed.  People were able to provide feedback from Monday 27 April 2017 to Monday 22 May 2017.

During this time we received 13 submissions [PDF, 204 KB] on the project. The Coastal-Burwood Community Board approved the final landscape plan on Monday 19 June 2017.

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Why are we doing this?

The Wainoni Park project is part of the wider Land Drainage Recovery Programme (LDRP) which seeks to restore the flooding risk in Christchurch to ‘pre-earthquake levels’. The Aranui catchment has experienced a greater flood risk since the earthquakes due to land damage.

One way to reduce the increased flood risk is to provide more storage. The north east corner of Wainoni Park has been selected as a site for a new flood storage basin. The basin will store flood water in heavy rainfall events and release it back to the stormwater network as soon as there is capacity in the stormwater network, reducing the flood risk to properties in the adjacent areas.

There will still be flooding of streets and properties in extreme flood events after the basin is constructed, but it will be less than what might happen today.

The existing stormwater pipe in Hampshire Street will also be upgraded between Marlow Road and Portsmouth Street to increase the capacity of the pipe network and enhance the effectiveness of the basin.

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What it will look like

To provide the required stormwater storage, the north east corner of the park will be dug out by approximately one metre. Flow will be diverted into the excavated area via a pipeline from Aldershot Street only once the pipe network in the area is full. Once the storm has passed the basin will drain back via the pipeline to the pipe network. The basin will remain largely dry between storms. The banks of the basin will be stabilized to prevent any increase in lateral spreading risk to the neighbouring properties.

The proposed landscape design for the basin incorporates safe, robust planted areas including both native and exotic trees to stabilise the ground, provide shading and reflect and enhance the surrounding park environment. The majority of the basin area will be grassed beneath the trees, with low growing native grasses and wetland plants only used in areas that are either too wet or too steep to support mown grass. This combination will ensure views and safe walking routes are maintained throughout the site.

The works will require the removal of up to 27 existing trees many of which are in very poor condition. These will be replaced by a number of new trees as shown in the proposed landscape plan.

The space will be fully accessible to the public with grassed areas and open walking routes which maintain existing pathways and access routes through and around the area. Picnic areas are provided incorporating both full sun and shaded areas and shelter from the wind for the enjoyment of the community.

The proposed landscaped basin will offer a range of advantages for the long-term management of stormwater in the area. The design is based on a six-values approach to managing environments in Christchurch:

• drainage 
• landscape 
• ecology 
• recreation 
• culture
• heritage.

The existing basketball half court will be relocated to the existing carpark located next to the new Aranui Wainoni Community Centre (as approved in the Wainoni Park Masterplan), and upgraded to a full size court.

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Landscape plan

 

Location