Stopbank showoff to students
Spring Creek School and Taylors Contracting hope the first visit of students to their stopbank construction site, and the donation of a set of hi-vis vests, starts a great relationship. Photo: Supplied.
Students from Spring Creek School recently swapped their classrooms for a construction site to learn more about the project that will defend their hometown from future flooding.
On December 11, the local schoolchildren explored the site with Taylors Contracting staff, who hosted an educational visit to its flood protection upgrade project near the township, showed students heavy machinery up close, and teaching them about the work being carried out to strengthen stop banks along Peninsula Road.
The upgrade, led by Taylors on behalf of Marlborough District Council, aims to protect Spring Creek and State Highway 1 from future flood risks.
“We understand how important this work is for the Spring Creek community, with half the current crew working the stopbanks being locals, and we love that the children are so interested in what’s happening right on the school’s doorstep,” said Charlie Taylor, CEO of Taylors Contracting.
“Encouraging that curiosity is important - you never know who might become a future digger operator or environmental advisor.”
To support ongoing engagement including future tours of the works as they happen over the next two years of the project and beyond, Taylors is donating a set of child-sized high-vis vests to the school.
Principal Cheryl Alderlieste praised the initiative, calling the visit “a meaningful learning opportunity” that helped students understand environmental stewardship and construction safety.
The project addresses vulnerabilities caused by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and subsequent floods in 2021 and 2022. Funded by Marlborough District Council and Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, the $22.5 million upgrade is scheduled for completion in June 2027.