20 May 2015

WCC considers flood fight funds

1:38 pm on 20 May 2015

The Wellington City Council is looking to spend nearly $20 million on five flood-prone areas.

Contractors cleaning up remnants of mud and silt that flooded Wright Street, Mount Cook, Wellington.

Contractors cleaning up remnants of mud and silt after flooding in April on Wright Street in Mount Cook. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The council is proposing an extra $8 million for the work - which would bring the total to be spent on the areas to $18 million over three years.

Some parts of the city have flooded three times in the past month - including around the Basin Reserve, Aro Street, and Lyall Parade in Lyall Bay.

The council's environment committee chair, Iona Pannett, said the $18 million could pay for some private properties to be raised on their foundations, or for waterproof doors to be installed in businesses.

The council may also consider buying flood-prone properties.

The extra funding will be considered as part of Wellington's long-term plan and won't be confirmed until next month.

The money would come on top of more than $200 million already set aside to upgrade stormwater systems in the next ten years.

Flooding on a Wellington street

Cars splash through surface flooding in Wellington on 12 May. Photo: Andrew Dalziel

Streetsoundz owner Krisna Magan (left) estimates the flooding has caused more than $100,000 in damage.

Heavy rain caused water damage to Streetsoundz - near the Basin Reserve - in April. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

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