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.