Processing of consents for flood control works at Graham's Creek in Tairua will proceed on a 'non-notified' basis.

In a joint statement released today the Waikato Regional and Thames-Coromandel District councils say this will save time before the work can go ahead if it is given final consented approval.

Flooding has been an issue for property owners living around the Graham's Creek catchment. Photo: WRC

Recently applications were made to both councils for formal consents to do agreed flood mitigation and stopbank construction at Graham's Creek, plus an upgrade of the Causeway Bridge.

WRC's Hauraki-Coromandel catchment management team leader Emily O'Donnell says the announcement was great news.

'It means we can get on with implementation and keep the project on track and work towards peace of mind for this community.

'It also means we avoid costs associated with a public hearing if it had proceeded on a notified basis.

'We'll almost certainly be able to get on with construction at Graham's Creek in this calendar year, providing the consents are granted.”

Emily says the local community has had considerable input into the works' design and the decision to proceed on a non–notified basis reflects the effort put in by a Graham's Creek working party.

'The working party was tasked with identifying a preferred design for the works that factored in the community and environmental values,” explains Emily.

'The result is a design that provides at least 50 year flood mitigation and integrates the recreational and ecological values held at Graham's Creek.”

The plan is for the flood mitigation works to be carried out in two phases.

The first phase will see TCDC undertake the causeway bridge upgrade ad if consents from the regional council are processed by June, the physical bridge work can start in October.

This would allow for a lead time with the supply of precast concrete components. Once underway, works should take up to eight weeks to complete.

The second phase is the regional council's responsibility and will involve floodway and stopbank construction.

It's hoped to get underway with construction later this year, and completion is expected to take around 12 months.

Construction is due to be followed by restoration planting in the area which will be completely finished in 2017.

Some 12,000 plants may be put into the ground and community volunteers will be asked to help.

WRC's Coromandel constituency councillor Clyde Graf says the local community engagement had been crucial to making progress.

'Without the community's involvement and input on the Graham's Creek working group looking at the way forward we wouldn't have got this far.

'TCDC has also been a key part of the project and it's been great to be part of this effective team.”

While Tairua-Pauanui community board chair and working group member Bob Renton adds the good results were down to 'strong and focused collaboration”.

'Between regional and district council staff and our stakeholders working group we have been able to produce a good result,” says Bob. 'We are so pleased there's been a workable solution and a successful outcome.”