Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw review

The hearing for the Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw was held on 26 March 2026 and adjourned to allow for definitions to be drafted. The panel will resume and conclude their deliberations on 15 April 2026 at 3pm.

The hearing is open to the public and anyone can attend. It will also be livestreamed and can be viewed here.

The maps recommended to be appended to the bylaw are available for viewing online in SouthMaps here.

Flooding has previously caused several Civil Defence emergencies in Southland, but flood mitigation efforts have since reduced their frequency. The Council maintains essential flood protection works and assets to safeguard the region against flood damage.

The bylaw aims to protect the integrity of flood protection infrastructure such as flood banks, detention dams, bridges, culverts, and tide gate structures. The bylaw restricts activities like modification, planting, construction, storage (e.g., baleage), and earthworks within floodways or near flood banks. It also includes detailed mapping to help landowners identify affected areas.

While the current bylaw adopted in 2020 has worked reasonably well, there are some changes the Council proposes making. The proposed bylaw will allow Environment Southland to continue overseeing land use that may impact flood control and drainage systems, as well as regulate activities taking place in and around these areas.

Proposed key changes include:

Re ordering and modernising the bylaw

• Streamlined structure and updated terminology to improve readability and usability.

Updated and new definitions

• Definitions refined for consistency (e.g., “Drain”, “Floodway”).
• New definition for “stock” to support new grazing provisions.
• Removed definition for “bed” as it’s no longer used.

New provision allowing Environment Southland to undertake works without approval

• Council can carry out maintenance, upgrades and emergency works on flood control assets without needing to apply for a bylaw authority (excluding new works).

Controls on stock grazing

• New rules restricting grazing of stock on flood control works (but not floodways) between June and August to protect the integrity of the structures.

Updated obligations for landowners/occupiers

• Clearer requirements for maintaining access and complying with obligations where flood control works are located on private land.

Removal of maps from the bylaw

• Maps will now be kept as online resources, allowing updates to me made without a full bylaw review.

📅Consultation Dates: 12 January – 5pm Monday 16 February 2026

🌐Submit your feedback below or download the PDF submission form.

📞Or call: 0800 76 88 45

📍Hard copies available at Environment Southland, 220 North Road, Invercargill, council offices and libraries around the region.

📍Chat to us about the changes at events this summer - A+P Shows and the Southern Field Days.