Protecting the Hutt CBD from flooding

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Kia ora, thanks for your interest. This consultation closed 14 September 2015.

Hutt River in flood

Since settlement began, the Hutt River has had a history of floods which have caused emotional and financial damage to the people and businesses of the Hutt Valley.

Consistent flooding has occurred since recording began in 1855 and, with the onset of climate change and the likelihood of more volatile weather, it's sure to continue into the future.

The current stopbanks are mostly high enough to contain a 1-in-100 year flood but in some sections they are too weak to do so.

The Hutt Valley Floodplain Management Plan was agreed with the Hutt community in 2001 and aims to minimise the flood risk by progressively strengthening flood protection throughout the valley.

GWRC is continuing to follow the plan and is now collaborating with HCC on measures to better protect the Lower Hutt CBD and its surrounding neighbourhoods from flooding and better link the CBD to the Hutt River.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is also involved in the project and investigations are under way into the replacement of Melling Bridge and a new intersection serving the bridge and SH2.

Your flood protection options


Based on a thorough analysis of 10 options, two options have been identified and are now the subject of public consultation:

  1. Option A – One Step where we provide 1 in 440 year return period flood protection that includes an allowance for climate change (by enlarging and moving stopbanks further west into Pharazyn and Marsden streets, which will require removal of property on those streets) or

  2. Option B – Two Steps where we take a staged approach (by building flood protection within the existing corridor to a slightly lower standard) which would initially require no property purchases then, in around 20 years, move to the higher Option A flood protection standards for completion in around 30 years to allow for increased river flows driven by climate change.

See the document library (right hand of page) for a full analysis of how we arrived a the options as well as full details of other aspects of the project.

We want to hear your views on these options.

You may provide feedback until 14 September by either
Your feedback will be considered by the Hutt Valley Flood Management Subcommittee and a final decision will be made in November/December.

Full information will be available to the community through:

  • Visiting one of three Open Days on the options at 131 High Street between 4-7pm on 20 August; 9-12 noon on 22 August; and 2-5pm on 29 August.

  • Viewing a display at Centre Court, Queensgate, between 10-3pm between 10- 16 August.

  • Reviewing our static shop window display at 131 High Street between 5 August – 14 September

Since settlement began, the Hutt River has had a history of floods which have caused emotional and financial damage to the people and businesses of the Hutt Valley.

Consistent flooding has occurred since recording began in 1855 and, with the onset of climate change and the likelihood of more volatile weather, it's sure to continue into the future.

The current stopbanks are mostly high enough to contain a 1-in-100 year flood but in some sections they are too weak to do so.

The Hutt Valley Floodplain Management Plan was agreed with the Hutt community in 2001 and aims to minimise the flood risk by progressively strengthening flood protection throughout the valley.

GWRC is continuing to follow the plan and is now collaborating with HCC on measures to better protect the Lower Hutt CBD and its surrounding neighbourhoods from flooding and better link the CBD to the Hutt River.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is also involved in the project and investigations are under way into the replacement of Melling Bridge and a new intersection serving the bridge and SH2.

Your flood protection options


Based on a thorough analysis of 10 options, two options have been identified and are now the subject of public consultation:

  1. Option A – One Step where we provide 1 in 440 year return period flood protection that includes an allowance for climate change (by enlarging and moving stopbanks further west into Pharazyn and Marsden streets, which will require removal of property on those streets) or

  2. Option B – Two Steps where we take a staged approach (by building flood protection within the existing corridor to a slightly lower standard) which would initially require no property purchases then, in around 20 years, move to the higher Option A flood protection standards for completion in around 30 years to allow for increased river flows driven by climate change.

See the document library (right hand of page) for a full analysis of how we arrived a the options as well as full details of other aspects of the project.

We want to hear your views on these options.

You may provide feedback until 14 September by either
Your feedback will be considered by the Hutt Valley Flood Management Subcommittee and a final decision will be made in November/December.

Full information will be available to the community through:

  • Visiting one of three Open Days on the options at 131 High Street between 4-7pm on 20 August; 9-12 noon on 22 August; and 2-5pm on 29 August.

  • Viewing a display at Centre Court, Queensgate, between 10-3pm between 10- 16 August.

  • Reviewing our static shop window display at 131 High Street between 5 August – 14 September

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Feedback Form - Hutt River CBD Stopbank Upgrade

    Flood protection, traffic flow and lifestyle opportunities in the Hutt CBD

    GWRC, HCC and NZTA would like to hear your feedback on the two options for providing flood protection for Hutt City’s CBD. It will help us determine the community’s view on whether we implement improved flood protection in one step (Option A) or two steps (Option B).

    We also want to hear your views on what we need to do to create a “riverside city”, such as environmental enhancement, providing recreation options, transport and other matters. 

    Kia ora, thanks for your interest. This consultation closed 14 September 2015.
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