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Robin Wilson stands above the Waihopai River dam, in Invercargill, with memories of helping to build it during the construction of Southland's flood protection schemes between 1989 and 1999. He retired as Environment Southland's engineering technician last week.

As Robin Wilson begins retirement, he can look back on helping to build most of the 458km of flood banks in Southland.

His involvement with flood protection schemes, from 1989 to 1999, was one of the main memories Wilson took with him when he retired as Environment Southlands engineering technician in Invercargill on July 30.

It brought to an end his 42 years of working for the organisation, which was known earlier as the Southland Catchment Board.

Its satisfying being involved in it [flood protection work] ... at the start, seeing it finished and seeing it working, Wilson said.

Lots of bridges had to be rebuilt.

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Building flood banks in Invercargill, where the Otepuni Stream flowed was challenging, he added.

Sections of road on Conon St and Ythan St that went over the stream, had to be lifted and widened to allow for flood protection work.

Private land was bought to build flood banks on.

New flood protection was needed in Invercargill after flooding in January 1984, forced 5000 to leave their homes.

After the flood banks were built, Wilson supported the idea to install a track for walkers, runners and cyclists on flood banks in Invercargill.

The flood banks vary in height from one metre to two and a half metres, but the width is three and a half metres.

The first track, made in 2002, was from the North Rd bridge to the Queens Dr bridge and others to follow included tracks from Queens Dr bridge to the Railway bridge (Grasmere) and the Railway bridge to Stead St.

There are 26 kilometres of tracks on flood banks in Invercargill.

For nine years (2003 to 2012), Environment Southland organised a multi sport event, The Wai Tri, through Invercargill recreational areas, including the Waihopai River flood banks.

We wanted people to use the track and appreciate the river, Wilson said.

We got over 500 competitors one day.

Before retiring last Friday, Wilson was the overseeing engineer for the walking track between Invercargill and Bluff.

Its 98 per cent finished, he said.

Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said Wilson was a valuable staff member.

Robin has made a tremendous contribution to not only Environment Southland, but also the wider Southland community, Phillips said.

Hes worked with teams whove planned, developed and maintained Southlands flood protection schemes, with a particular interest in Invercargill, and the walking tracks along the city's flood banks and down to Bluff.

His steadfast approach to his work, humour, ability to get along with people, and passion for the community are just some of the reasons why he has achieved so much and been a fantastic colleague to so many for the past 42 years.

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Retired engineering technician played part in Southland's flood protection - Stuff.co.nz