Horizons Regional Council is inviting the public to a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Moutoa floodgates –the largest piece of river management infrastructure in the Whanganui-Manawatū region.
A tour of the floodgates will be held on Saturday, November 22 allowing people to see how the gates protect properties and farmland along the lower Manawatū River.
Horizons river management team leader projects Diandri van Zyl said the event will help people understand how the floodgates work and showcase recent upgrades.
“The Moutoa floodgates provide protection to communities living along the lower reaches of the Manawatū River. We’ve created this event to help these communities better understand the gates and learn about the recent upgrade work through a special up-close experience.”
Attendees will hear from a trained gate operator inside the control tower, visit interactive activity tables and take guided walks into the gate spillway area, weather permitting.
“If you’ve ever been curious about the gates and want to learn more, this is the ultimate experience,” van Zyl said.
Buses will run from Levin, Foxton and Shannon, with adult tickets costing $5 and free entry for under-14s. Each ticket includes a free drink or ice block on arrival.
“Bus seat bookings are essential, as there will be no public parking accessible during the event,” van Zyl said.
Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard said the event follows major upgrades to the gates in July.
“We recently completed upgrade work on the gates, which was made possible thanks to funding from Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit,” Roygard said.
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“This funding allowed us to complete a range of upgrades, including replacing electrical lines and an automatic power switchover system, plus replacing mechanical components used to lift and lower each of the nine floodgates.”
Seats can be book through eventfinda.co.nz.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
