Otago Regional Council (ORC) is responsible for looking after Otago’s flood protection and drainage schemes, this means the hard infrastructure protecting our communities. At Silver Stream in Mosgiel ORC has engaged contractor Fulton Hogan for the Silver Stream Capacity Improvements project which will restore and improve the stream’s ability to manage floodwaters along the section between Wingatui Road, Mosgiel, and where Silver Stream joins the Taieri River. Sediment movement and erosion have changed the stream’s shape and reduced its capacity, limiting the effectiveness of the Gordon Road spillway.

Last summer, the team completed work between the Taieri river and Riccarton Rd West. This season’s work is planned to complete the next stage to the work between Riccarton Rd West and Gordon Rd.

Fulton Hogan will remove sediment and shape the channel within the floodbanks as part of this project. This will involve excavating and carting material from the Silver Stream channel, followed by reinstatement works, which include the application of a grass mix.

For the bulk of the works, excavators will remove the material and load it into several off-road dump trucks, which will cart it to local tip sites.

Once the excavation is complete, the exposed cut face will be sprayed with a grass seed and stabiliser mix that will allow for good grass growth.

This project involves carefully removing sediment and restoring the channel to improve water flow, while maintaining the ecological values of the stream. The work is designed to improve the Gordon Road spillway’s operating threshold, reducing flood risk to properties downstream.

The area covered by the works is from Riccarton Rd West to Gordon Rd. The works will be completed on both sides of the Silver Stream in stages.

Work will start on the Mosgiel side, which will close from the stream up to the property boundary, including the walkway. If residents access the walkway directly from their property, they will not be able to do so during the closure. Signs will be posted at the Gordon Rd, Carlyle Rd and Riccarton Rd entrances, advising that the area is temporarily closed.

Once work has been completed on the Mosgiel side, crews will shift to the Dukes Road side.

Large machinery with limited visibility will be operating in the area. The excavator will need to swing around and move unexpectedly, while the dump trucks need to reverse and perform various manoeuvres. Both these operations present a danger to the public and to any uncontrolled dogs.

The grass seed can also take a few weeks to sprout, so we need the public and livestock to remain off these areas.

Fulton Hogan are planning to establish the site mid November

Mosgiel side closed from mid-November to mid-December 2026

Dukes Road side closed from mid-December 2026 to mid-February 2027 Please note: these dates are subject to change due to the work being weather dependent.

Both sides will be open over the Christmas period (22nd Dec to 11th Jan)

ORC Manager Engineering Brett Paterson says, “We’re asking the public to respect the closures and signage for their own safety. Please keep dogs on a lead and stay away from any working machinery.”

Web page link: www.orc.govt.nz/silverstreamwalkway

You can read more about ORC’s flood protection schemes and how they are managed here: www.orc.govt.nz/floodschemes