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Marc
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A report revealing thousands of properties in coastal Rodney are at risk of flooding has led to the immediate change of building regulations.
The council-commissioned report released last week investigated the possible effect of flooding on low-lying coastal land and found minimum floor levels for building and development were generally too low to provide protection.
About 2500 undeveloped sections or public reserves along the east coast have been identified as flood prone in conditions such as a severe storm and resulting big tides.
Some 2000 of the properties are on the Hibiscus Coast.
New building consents now require an increase in minimum floor levels in 22 areas stretching along the east coast from Whangaparaoa Peninsula north to Pakiri.
The changes could make it more expensive to build in those areas and affect building styles.
Land Information Memorandums for hundreds more existing properties in the areas will be gradually updated to include information on potential flooding hazards.
"It's taken us a couple of months to get our heads around the impact and what we need to do in response to this in terms of building consent processes, resource consent processes, notifying people and how the community might respond to it," council assets and facilities director Paul Utting says.
"That is the best information we've got and we need to respond to it accordingly."
Seawalls and stopbanks are potential long-term solutions, he says.
"But we know already the Auckland Regional Council has a preference for softer solutions such as sand dunes and beach replenishments rather than building dykes and things like that."
The 26-page report, by environmental and engineering consultants Tonkin and Taylor Ltd, says global warming and rising sea levels could also have a long-term effect.
The new regulations affect properties more than 50 metres from the high tide mark on low-lying coastal land or near estuaries in the areas identified.
Properties closer than 50 metres will be subject to more specific design regulations.
The report found there is only a 1 to 2 percent chance each year of major flooding as serious as the recent Manawatu and Bay of Plenty disasters.
It says the risk has not increased but the chance of disastrous consequences is greater because of the growth in the district, particularly along the narrow coastal fringe.
Mayor John Law says the report will help direct the council's response to the potential hazard.
"This report about Rodney's east coast gives the community a starting point from which to better assess and quantify our coastal risks. The council will be doing its utmost to ensure good information is provided to assist in understanding and responding appropriately to our environment," Mr Law says.
Western coastal areas in the district are scheduled for similar assessment. The effects of erosion were not included in the report but will be studied along with the effects of stormwater runoff.
The council believes it is one of the first local authorities in New Zealand to commission such a report.
It can be viewed at council offices, libraries and on the council's website www.rodney.govt.nz.
More information is available by contacting the council, phone: 0800 426 5169 during office hours.
The council-commissioned report released last week investigated the possible effect of flooding on low-lying coastal land and found minimum floor levels for building and development were generally too low to provide protection.
About 2500 undeveloped sections or public reserves along the east coast have been identified as flood prone in conditions such as a severe storm and resulting big tides.
Some 2000 of the properties are on the Hibiscus Coast.
New building consents now require an increase in minimum floor levels in 22 areas stretching along the east coast from Whangaparaoa Peninsula north to Pakiri.
The changes could make it more expensive to build in those areas and affect building styles.
Land Information Memorandums for hundreds more existing properties in the areas will be gradually updated to include information on potential flooding hazards.
"It's taken us a couple of months to get our heads around the impact and what we need to do in response to this in terms of building consent processes, resource consent processes, notifying people and how the community might respond to it," council assets and facilities director Paul Utting says.
"That is the best information we've got and we need to respond to it accordingly."
Seawalls and stopbanks are potential long-term solutions, he says.
"But we know already the Auckland Regional Council has a preference for softer solutions such as sand dunes and beach replenishments rather than building dykes and things like that."
The 26-page report, by environmental and engineering consultants Tonkin and Taylor Ltd, says global warming and rising sea levels could also have a long-term effect.
The new regulations affect properties more than 50 metres from the high tide mark on low-lying coastal land or near estuaries in the areas identified.
Properties closer than 50 metres will be subject to more specific design regulations.
The report found there is only a 1 to 2 percent chance each year of major flooding as serious as the recent Manawatu and Bay of Plenty disasters.
It says the risk has not increased but the chance of disastrous consequences is greater because of the growth in the district, particularly along the narrow coastal fringe.
Mayor John Law says the report will help direct the council's response to the potential hazard.
"This report about Rodney's east coast gives the community a starting point from which to better assess and quantify our coastal risks. The council will be doing its utmost to ensure good information is provided to assist in understanding and responding appropriately to our environment," Mr Law says.
Western coastal areas in the district are scheduled for similar assessment. The effects of erosion were not included in the report but will be studied along with the effects of stormwater runoff.
The council believes it is one of the first local authorities in New Zealand to commission such a report.
It can be viewed at council offices, libraries and on the council's website www.rodney.govt.nz.
More information is available by contacting the council, phone: 0800 426 5169 during office hours.
Cheers
Marc