Flooding in Omaha has become a priority project for Auckland Council and it has commissioned a far-reaching engineering survey.
Omaha Beach Community group president Peter Hooper says Council listened to residents’ complaints at a meeting on July 15 and have responded accordingly.
“I’m incredibly impressed with Council on this. They have done exactly what they said they were going to do, which is set up a serious project that we are a part of,” Mr Hooper says.
A study will start in November to produce an accurate and up-to-date flood model. Tonkin and Taylor are the selected contractors to undertake the work, which is expected to cost around $40,000 and continue well into 2017.
Once the data has been gathered, the team will focus on the broader engineering solutions required.
Council general manager for healthy waters (stormwater) Craig Mcilroy says he recognises it is a lengthy project.
“We know this will be a long wait for residents and we are grateful for their patience while we work through this to prevent future flooding,” Mr Mcilroy says.
Meanwhile, Council has already started to implement solutions for other known problem areas. These include a new catchpit on Omaha Drive to combat flash flooding during heavy rain, and work to construct a culvert and two soak holes on Mangatawhiri Road.
Resident Chris Blair says he is pleased Council has started work to prevent a repeat of last year’s flooding.
“It was chaos on Mangatawhiri Road last Christmas Eve, with flooded cars abandoned after trying to drive through,” Mr Blair says.
“Surfers were even catching waves on the main road whilst being towed behind four-wheel drives!”
