Researchers will begin a deep drilling project in Dunedin next week to better understand the impacts of sea level rise.

Photo: 123rf

Drilling could reach more than 70 metres in depth across several coastal sites around the city centre and South Dunedin for up to three weeks.

The project is part of the New Zealand Sea Rise Programme and is being undertaken by the Otago Regional Council and GNS Science.

It will look into what types of sediments lie beneath coastal Dunedin and how they might interact with rising sea levels.

Council natural hazards analyst Sharon Hornblow said the modelling could be used to work out flooding risks.

"This project allows for an updated geological and groundwater model to be generated, which will inform us about how projected sea-level rise may impact on groundwater levels and flooding hazards.

"It also allows us to provide the Dunedin City Council with information which will help them future-proof their drainage infrastructure."

The project is supported by Oceana Gold, the Dunedin City Council and University of Otago.