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September 2020 Edition
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Funded: Flood recovery work along the rangitata river is one of the targets of a $15.5 million flood protection fund.
photo supplied by eCan
Funding boost to Canterbury’s flood protection infrastructure
Canterbury will benefit from $15.5 million in central government funding for flood protection measures which will help keep rural communities safer.
❚ by Kent Caddick The funding will be put towards six projects, which have a total combined value of $24.2 million. The funding forms part of the $210 million for shovel-ready climate resilience and flood protection projects being delivered through $3 billion of infrastructure contingency set aside in the 2020 Budget. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said the funding would help to stimulate regional economies and get people into work.
“There is no doubt climate change poses a real danger to our regions through extreme weather events, coastal inundation, and the associated problems such as erosion, flooding and the destruction of infrastructure,” Peters said. “This has a negative impact on those regional economies and their productivity. It is imperative that we are providing our regions with the resources they need to protect against these issues.” Environment Canterbury River Engineering Manager, Leigh Griffiths, said she is delight-
ed by the funding announcement and excited to be able to progress six projects across Canterbury. “Improving flood protection is a critical ‘first step’ climate change adaptation action,” she said. “This is a great example of where co-investment can truly benefit local communities and provide for current inhabitants and future generations for years to come.”
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