Southland Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw 2026
The Southland Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw 2026 aims to manage and protect the integrity of Environment Southland’s assets like flood banks, detention dams, bridges, culverts and tide gate structures which all assist in controlling flooding and protecting our communities.
The bylaw came into force on 11 May 2026 and replaces the Southland Flood Control Management Bylaw from 2020.
The bylaw restricts the types of activities that can happen in a floodway or near flood banks including any modification, planting, grazing, construction, storage of anything (such as baleage) and earthworks.
Maintaining and improving flood protection infrastructure is an important part of Environment Southland’s work. Through our comprehensive annual maintenance programme, we look after Southland’s 516 kilometres of flood banks that help to protect people, property and livelihoods.
Some activities that occur in the flood control area require authorisation from Environment Southland.
Download the Southland Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw 2026 (PDF, 1MB)
