A holistic response to storm recovery, and more attention to the issues faced by property owners repairing their homes is required to provide certainty in the face of the growing impact of Climate Change, says Waitākere Ranges Local Board.
This view has been expressed by the board in its feedback on Auckland Council’s Storm Recovery and Resilience consultation.
The consultation sought the public’s feedback on the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and a series of stormwater improvements called 'Making Space for Water', with a focus on the longer-term recovery.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair, Greg Presland, recently addressed Auckland Council’s Governing Body on behalf of the board to support Piha and Karekare Stickered Residents Group to provide feedback on the consultation.
He thanked the council for its support for red stickered properties and called for a holistic approach to storm recovery.
“I’d like to thank the council for deciding to allow full rates remissions for red stickered properties. The decision was appreciated by affected locals,” he said.
“The Waitākere Ranges Local Board generally supports Making Space for Water, however there is a concern that the approach focuses on addressing flood risks rather than stability issues.
“As of the last count, there were approximately 130 red or yellow stickered properties in the Titirangi and Piha Karekare areas. Only one was flooded and the rest were affected by slips.
“These areas face increased uncertainty and the prospect that as climate change intensifies and deluges increase in frequency and strength, the stability of these areas will be continuously undermined.
“We need to be doing a lot of things, planting trees and native bush and dealing with weeds as well as ensuring our infrastructure is in the best possible shape.
“In particular, Auckland Transport Road reserves need care and investment. There are a number of slips in reserves that AT appears to be disinclined to deal with.
“A holistic approach is required. I’d like to urge councillors to keep thinking about what we do to improve and maintain stability in the affected areas out west.”
In May the government announced the three categorisations of property in areas affected by the severe weather events earlier this year, of which many Category 2P property owners have to improve drainage or raise their houses by themselves.
Presland is concerned the status of these properties needs to be worked through further.
"Currently there are many people living in dread and stress in the Waitākere Ranges,” he said.
“Category 2P could be the worst of all possible worlds, having economically unfeasible projects to remediate their land. We face the prospect of villages out west having a number of houses that will never be repaired.
“I appreciate the funding issues that the storms have presented but this is an issue that requires considerable care and attention.
“Can I urge further negotiation with the Central Government to see what can be done? There are people whose quality of life depends on this being resolved in a humanitarian way.”
Stay up to date
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? You can connect with us on Facebook.
