Latest news with #DistrictPlans
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Who will pay to protect communities from flooding?
Canterbury councils want to know who pays for preparing for climate change as major storms and flooding threaten local communities. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has warned a lack of clarity over who pays for measures to protect communities from sea level rise, flooding and weather events could leave ratepayers with a hefty bill. The concern follows the release of a report from the Ministry for the Environment's Independent Reference Group on Climate Adaptation, which raises the question of who should pay. Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said his council is beginning work on a climate adaptation strategy as it looks to prepare for the threat of sea level rise and the growing number of severe weather events. For earthquakes and flooding events, the council has insurance through the local authority protection plan, which covers 40 percent and the balance coming from Government or loan funding. But preparing for sea level rise and flood mitigation measures costs money, Mr Millward said. As the risks become more severe, there may be changes to what insurance is available, or even ''no insurance at all''. ''Does it fall back on the ratepayer or the taxpayer? It is a bit more complicated and a lot more discussion has to happen.'' Councils already have clauses in District Plans identifying natural hazards and impose regulations such as minimum distances from the waterline and raising floor levels to 1.5 metres off the ground. ''People like living near the beaches or rivers, but it puts those properties at risk, so there is going to be a lot of modelling work done to identify the risks and develop and array of tools,'' Millward said. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said the region's councils are working on adaptation plans, following the launch of the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum in December. ''One thing is for sure - there is going to be a bill. I think we do need clarity and it is a conversation we need to have. ''I think the steps Canterbury has taken as a region to put that action plan in place has put us in a good position. ''It's a much bigger issue than any one particular district and the more joint action we can be doing the better.'' The recent report warned it may not be sustainable for government buy-outs to continue for properties in at risk areas, with weather events such as those facing the Nelson region expected to become yearly events in some areas. It recommends phasing out those buy-outs over a 20 year period. Adaptation measures, such as flood schemes, sea walls and infrastructure, should be funded by those who benefit, the report advised. On Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told RNZ the government will not be able to keep bailing out homeowners after major floods. The Hurunui District Council has completed climate adaptation plans in partnership with its beach communities. It has led to the council buying a $3.8m block of land south of Amberley to prepare for future events. Residents from at-risk communities will be able to secure sections by paying a targeted rate over the next 30 years. The plot of land would be attached to their existing property, so the two properties cannot be sold separately. When the time comes, residents could transport their house to the new section, or build onsite. Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie the issue is complex and councils need some guidance from government. ''Some guidance suggests we should be involved at all. We should only be involved in roads and pipes. ''There needs to be a good sensible conversation about this.'' LGNZ vice president Campbell Barry said the ministry's report has failed to address some concerns previously raised by local government. ''It's good to see the report's sense of urgency. Our submission on climate adaptation in June last year stressed that action is needed now. ''We need to have better policies and frameworks in place to cater for increasingly severe and frequent weather events. ''Local government can't afford to have another Cyclone Gabrielle. The aftermath of a significant weather event like that comes with massive financial, infrastructure and human costs for communities.'' Barry said the lack of clarity meant the burden of paying for adaptation was likely to fall on ratepayers. Luxon said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts had been working to get a bipartisan view on how to deal long term with major weather events. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
As The Sea Level Rises, Who Will Pay? Councils Seek Answers
North Canterbury's councils want to know who pays for preparing for climate change as major storms and flooding threatens local communities. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has warned a lack of clarity over who pays for measures to protect communities from sea level rise, flooding and weather events could leave ratepayers with a hefty bill. The concern follows the release of a report from the Ministry for the Environment's Independent Reference Group on Climate Adaptation, which raises the question of who should pay. Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said his council is beginning work on a climate adaptation strategy as it looks to prepare for the threat of sea level rise and the growing number of severe weather events. For earthquakes and flooding events, the council has insurance through the local authority protection plan, which covers 40 percent and the balance coming from Government or loan funding. But preparing for sea level rise and flood mitigation measures costs money, Mr Millward said. As the risks become more severe, there may be changes to what insurance is available, or even ''no insurance at all''. ''Does it fall back on the ratepayer or the taxpayer? It is a bit more complicated and a lot more discussion has to happen.'' Councils already have clauses in District Plans identifying natural hazards and impose regulations such as minimum distances from the waterline and raising floor levels to 1.5 metres off the ground. ''People like living near the beaches or rivers, but it puts those properties at risk, so there is going to be a lot of modelling work done to identify the risks and develop and array of tools,'' Millward said. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said the region's councils are working on adaptation plans, following the launch of the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum in December. ''One thing is for sure - there is going to be a bill. I think we do need clarity and it is a conversation we need to have. ''I think the steps Canterbury has taken as a region to put that action plan in place has put us in a good position. ''It's a much bigger issue than any one particular district and the more joint action we can be doing the better.'' The recent report warned it may not be sustainable for government buy-outs to continue for properties in at risk areas, with weather events such as those facing the Nelson region expected to become yearly events in some areas. It recommends phasing out those buy-outs over a 20 year period. Adaptation measures, such as flood schemes, sea walls and infrastructure, should be funded by those who benefit, the report advised. On Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told RNZ the government will not be able to keep bailing out homeowners after major floods. The Hurunui District Council has completed climate adaptation plans in partnership with its beach communities. It has led to the council buying a $3.8m block of land south of Amberley to prepare for future events. Residents from at-risk communities will be able to secure sections by paying a targeted rate over the next 30 years. The plot of land would be attached to their existing property, so the two properties cannot be sold separately. When the time comes, residents could transport their house to the new section, or build onsite. Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie the issue is complex and councils need some guidance from government. ''Some guidance suggests we should be involved at all. We should only be involved in roads and pipes. ''There needs to be a good sensible conversation about this.'' LGNZ vice president Campbell Barry said the ministry's report has failed to address some concerns previously raised by local government. ''It's good to see the report's sense of urgency. Our submission on climate adaptation in June last year stressed that action is needed now. ''We need to have better policies and frameworks in place to cater for increasingly severe and frequent weather events. ''Local government can't afford to have another Cyclone Gabrielle. The aftermath of a significant weather event like that comes with massive financial, infrastructure and human costs for communities.'' Barry said the lack of clarity meant the burden of paying for adaptation was likely to fall on ratepayers. Luxon said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts had been working to get a bipartisan view on how to deal long term with major weather events.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘One-stop Shop': How RMA Reforms Could Shake Up Local Government
Proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) could bring sweeping changes for local councils. Amid speculation the Government is looking at local government amalgamation as part of the legislation, some believe many council functions could be stripped from them leaving them wondering what functions would be left at a local level. But Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling firmly believes there is a future for separate district and regional councils. ''There needs to be a partnership between local, regional and central government and we (ECan) are good at bringing people together. ''If you are in Kaikōura, your main focus is Kaikōura, but at a regional level my focus is Canterbury.'' Among the proposed changes is compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) functions to go to ''an Environment Protection Authority-type regulator''. A single regional plan is proposed, which would bring together ECan's seven regional plans, four river plans, the 10 District Plans and the various spatial plans developed by local councils. Mr Pauling believes there needs to be something at a regional level for planning and consenting, ''but you can still have delivery of services done at a local level''. He says the proposed changes could lead to a ''one-stop shop'' for consents, instead of developers having to apply to ECan and local councils for different consents for the same development, but is not convinced a unitary authority is the answer. ''You shouldn't have a student marking their own exams.'' A single spatial plan chapter for the region is expected to have legislative clout. But whether this will prevent housing developments, such as the proposed Ohoka sub-division, near Kaiapoi, appearing outside of a designated urban area remains uncertain. ''I suspect not because of the premise in the RMA reforms for private property rights,'' ECan deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs says. ECan is continuing preparation work for a new Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan and a single regional plan. Former ECan chairperson Peter Scott blasted his colleagues last month for ''wasting money'' in allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of change. But Mr Swiggs said staff were conducting research and analysis which will help to inform future plans, regardless of the planning framework. ''We still have work to do and we need to get on and do it,'' Mr Swiggs said. ''The work of our staff will endure regardless of what planning frameworks we have in place in the future.'' In November, ECan voted to delay notifying the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. The council is also waiting for advice from the Environment Minister on whether it can notify a plan change to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan designed to resolve issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling in 2023. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said amalgamation is a local decision and the Government will not force councils to amalgamate. He said the RMA replacement legislation will include provisions relating to the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government. "I have asked my officials to work with the sector on what that could mean for councils." RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the new legislation "will provide a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape" and an emphasis on property rights.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
'One-stop shop': How RMA reforms could shake up local government
Proposed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act could bring sweeping changes for Canterbury councils. Amid speculation the Government is looking at local government amalgamation as part of the legislation, some believe many council functions could be stripped from them, leaving them wondering what functions would be left at a local level. But Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling firmly believes there is a future for separate district and regional councils. ''There needs to be a partnership between local, regional and central government and we (ECan) are good at bringing people together. ''If you are in Kaikōura, your main focus is Kaikōura, but at a regional level my focus is Canterbury.'' Among the proposed changes is compliance, monitoring and enforcement (CME) functions to go to ''an Environment Protection Authority-type regulator''. A single regional plan is proposed, which would bring together ECan's seven regional plans, four river plans, the 10 District Plans and the various spatial plans developed by local councils. Pauling believes there needs to be something at a regional level for planning and consenting, ''but you can still have delivery of services done at a local level''. He says the proposed changes could lead to a ''one-stop shop'' for consents, instead of developers having to apply to ECan and local councils for different consents for the same development, but is not convinced a unitary authority is the answer. ''You shouldn't have a student marking their own exams.'' A single spatial plan chapter for the region is expected to have legislative clout. But whether this will prevent housing developments, such as the proposed Ohoka sub-division, near Kaiapoi, appearing outside of a designated urban area remains uncertain. ''I suspect not because of the premise in the RMA reforms for private property rights,'' ECan deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs says. ECan is continuing preparation work for a new Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan and a single regional plan. Former ECan chairperson Peter Scott blasted his colleagues last month for ''wasting money'' in allowing staff to continue planning work in the face of change. But Swiggs said staff were conducting research and analysis which will help to inform future plans, regardless of the planning framework. ''We still have work to do and we need to get on and do it,'' Swiggs said. ''The work of our staff will endure regardless of what planning frameworks we have in place in the future.'' In November, ECan voted to delay notifying the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement until January 2026, while it awaits more certainty with RMA reform. The council is also waiting for advice from the Environment Minister on whether it can notify a plan change to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan designed to resolve issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling in 2023. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said amalgamation is a local decision and the Government will not force councils to amalgamate. He said the RMA replacement legislation will include provisions relating to the roles, responsibilities and processes of local government. "I have asked my officials to work with the sector on what that could mean for councils." RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the new legislation "will provide a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape" and an emphasis on property rights. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
