The Thames Coromandel District Council has approved an extra $300,000 to extend the bridge on the Manaia Rd causeway.

It is part of flood mitigation work at Graham's Creek and the extra funds will come from Tairua's stormwater depreciation reserves and a loan, which was signed off by council this week.

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

The 16 metre extension will help keep the road open during flooding and allow floodwaters to drain more easily when combined with floodway improvement upcoming Waikato Regional Council works.

For years property owners in the Graham's Creek catchment, which is upstream of the Manaia Road causeway, have experienced flooding.

Mayor Glenn Leach says it is good to see council finally coming to a conclusion.

'From a bridge perspective we can deliver what the Tairua and wider community are wanting.

'I want to thank the Working Group for their commitment and involvement to helping to make this happen.”

The TCDC has set aside $620,000 in its 2014-2015 Annual Plan towards upgrading the Manaia Rd causeway bridge, while the WRC has also earmarked $600,000 in its Annual Plan.

The Waikato council's floodway improvement works around Graham's Creek include stopbanks, re-contouring the floodplain to form a floodway and creek channel works.

Both pieces of work will need to be done in tandem for a successful outcome.

In June 2014 a joint working group was set up to help refine and finalise the work programme and consists of affected residents, elected members, plus staff from both councils.

The working group has held four separate workshops and came up with a preferred solution which included a two-way causeway bridge, rather than a one-lane as previously indicated.

Thames-Coromandel councillor Clyde Graf says the decision aligns with the Graham's Creek working party's wishes.

'The new bridge design will complement the wide-ranging measures being undertaken by the regional council upstream of the current bridge.

'The combined effect of both our works will provide significant flood risk relief.”

The Thames Coromandel District and Waikato Regional councils will hold an information day at the Tairua Hall Annex on Saturday, December 6, from 10am to 1pm.

Construction of the regional council flood mitigation measures and construction of the bridge are due to start in the middle of next year once resource consents are obtained for both projects.