Latest news with #HinewaiOrmsby
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Council Shapes 2025–26 Annual Plan With Community Input
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has today made decisions on its draft Annual Plan 2025–26, following public consultation between 31 March and 2 May this year. Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby acknowledges the contributions of the 99 people and groups who made formal submissions, as well as those who provided feedback via social media. 'Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views through submissions. Your feedback reinforced that affordability is what matters most to our communities.' The Regional Council has made some tough decisions and trade-offs to reduce costs across some services, she says. 'We've cut the average rates increase to 9.9 percent — a significant reduction from the 18.3 percent originally forecast for 2025–26. (Please note - this excludes the new targeted rate for the Mangarau Stream for some Hastings district ratepayers). ' This plan is about more than the next year, says Chair Ormbsy, it's about building long-term resilience for our region. 'We're preparing for the bigger conversations around future investments needed to strengthen our flood defences, and water supply resilience and support erosion control. We will engage with our community on these key priorities, with a focus on building a stronger future for Hawke's Bay.' Key decisions from consultation topics: Mangarau Stream flood resilience Regional Council will collect a new targeted rate over three years for flood resilience work for Mangarau Stream in Havelock North, following Cyclone Gabrielle. This will impact about 27,000 ratepayers in the Hastings district. We are collecting this rate to secure Crown funding as part of a regional recovery package and will pass the money collected on to Hastings District Council (HDC). HDC is responsible for the management of streams in Havelock North and are undertaking the work. Passenger transport funding Following public feedback, Regional Council will adjust the way the passenger transport service is rated. Regional Council provides the bus service, goBay and the Total Mobility scheme which provides essential services for people with permanent disabilities. The new model better reflects who has access to these services and standardises a large proportion of the amount paid by households. Upper Tukituki flood control scheme To ensure a more equitable distribution of costs among those who benefit from the scheme's protection, Regional Council will introduce a revised rating method for the Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme. The Regional Council also undertook consultation on the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035. The Regional Transport Committee are meeting on 6 June 2025 to deliberate on proposed changes. The Regional Council will formally adopt the Annual Plan 2025–26 and Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035 at the Council meeting on 25 June 2025.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Community Feedback Sought As Flood Mitigation Makes Progress
The community is being asked to provide feedback on a proposed legislative amendment that would enable a streamlined consenting process – established to speed up flood mitigation works – to be used to deliver much-needed flood mitigation to Wairoa. The Hawke's Bay Flood Protection Works Order 2024 covers eight locations across Hawke's Bay, including Wairoa, and sets out a streamlined resource consent process for flood mitigation works to help enable Councils to move Category 2C properties to Category 1. Whilst much of North Clyde is already covered under the existing Order, Hawke's Bay Regional Council has asked the Government to update the map and description for Wairoa to reflect the proposed Option 1C+. Hawke's Bay Regional Council Chair, Hinewai Ormsby, says the amendment will help to speed up the construction of the proposed flood mitigation solution. 'With the land access negotiations now well underway, it's important to look ahead to the next steps in the project. 'Provided land access can be secured, our request to the Government is important to get confirmed so we can start construction as planned in late 2025. It's also an important step for our Wairoa community who have been incredibly patient as we work through these matters.' Crown Manager, Lawrence Yule, says the project continues to make good progress in other areas following last month's confirmation of the Crown's $70 million of funding. 'With the Project Delivery Plan (PDP) approved and funding confirmed, the project's focus remains on securing the land access required to deliver flood mitigation for Wairoa. 'Negotiations have already been completed for one property, which is a fantastic outcome not just for the project but for the homeowners, who have finally been able to move forward with their lives more than two years after Cyclone Gabrielle. 'Property valuations are currently being completed on several other properties, and we continue to engage directly with impacted home and landowners to try and find a solution that enables them to move forward with certainty.' Mr Yule says additional cultural assessment activity is planned, to complement the Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) previously completed in late January. 'We recognise mātauranga Māori exists in many places and forms and remain very open to receiving further cultural input. We appreciate the way mana whenua, including marae representatives, continue to engage with us and thank those who have provided valuable input into this process.' Note: Have your say The Ministry for the Environment will be accepting feedback on the proposed amendment until 5pm on Friday, 30 May 2025. More information is available online:
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
New Plan For Wairoa River Mouth Will Improve Resilience For The Wairoa Community
A new plan for managing the Wairoa River Bar is set to improve resilience for the Wairoa community in flood events. The Intermediate Management Plan for the Wairoa Bar, led by Hawke's Bay Regional Council in collaboration with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, outlines a proactive approach to managing flood risks. The top priority remains to keep a healthy open mouth in its optimal location, and where there are opportunities to relocate the mouth from a poor to ideal location – this will be progressed. Also, as conditions allow, it has been agreed to carefully lower a section of the beach crest between Rangi-houa (Pilot Hill) and the old pier. This will be maintained, and monitored, and allow water to safely exit during a flood, reducing the need for emergency bar openings and helping to manage risk more effectively. Hawke's Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby says the plan is a more resilient way of managing the Wairoa River mouth. 'We're grateful for the partnership with Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa in delivering this important piece of work.' The plan is a 'living document' that will be reviewed and updated as needed, she says. Wairoa Mayor Craig Little welcomed Regional Council's approach to river mouth management. 'Anything that can be done to mitigate flooding risks is imperative. As we near the first anniversary of the June 2024 flooding, I am mindful that we still have many people who have not recovered from the floods, and we will support anything we can to help protect our community." Crown Manager Lawrence Yule has emphasised the importance of a holistic floodplain management approach for Wairoa, including both short-term and long-term strategies for the river bar. 'This plan marks an important step toward a safer and more consistent approach to managing the Wairoa River mouth. It's also just one piece of the puzzle, and further work to develop a permanent, long-term solution to the bar is ongoing,' Mr Yule says. The Regional Council says leading up to proposed work starting, an ecological survey of the Wairoa Bar was carried out. The community can expect to see gravel surveying starting in the coming days and diggers working on the bar in the coming weeks.
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Waipawa: $9 million confirmed for stopbank upgrades
The height and width of the stopbank, which runs between Coronation Park and Rathbone St, will be increased to a one-in-100-year flood mitigation level and 'include an additional 700mm of freeboard'. However, the council says the exact height it will be raised to has yet to be determined. 'The damage to the stopbanks in Coronation Park and below the State Highway [2] bridge during the cyclone were a significant concern for our community,' chairwoman Hinewai Ormsby said. 'While repairs were undertaken in the weeks after the cyclone, we recognise that these measures do not meet the new standards that have been developed post-Cyclone Gabrielle.' She said the improvements would ensure the safety and resilience of the community. The regional council confirmed some landowners' properties may 'potentially' be affected by the works including truck movements, river access, heavy machinery operating, or construction noise - and the community will be kept up to date with any impacts. Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said the Waipawa community 'would be thrilled about this'. 'Cyclone Gabrielle has left an indelible mark, and progress like this is so vital for restoring confidence in having a safe future in our communities.' The project is still in the development phase. A timeframe for when the project could be completed has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, cyclone-related road repairs on Cooks Tooth Rd in Pōrangahau have been brought forward, and added to this year's planned works.
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Central Hawke's Bay Stopbank Upgrades Confirmed
The Central Hawke's Bay township of Waipawa has got a boost with the confirmation of a $9 million joint funding package from Central Government and Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for the upgrade of its flood infrastructure. The announcement is positive news for Waipawa, which was badly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and now the funding has been confirmed, next steps include progressing the stopbank design and gathering site specific information to aid in a consent application. Conversations will also begin with project partners and key stakeholders including landowners whose properties may potentially be affected by the works. Information about community engagement sessions will be shared in the coming months to enable Waipawa residents to be kept fully informed. The height and width of the stopbank, which runs for three kilometres from Coronation Park to Rathbone Street along the left bank of the Waipawa River, will be increased to a 1-in-100-year flood mitigation level and will also include an additional 700mm of freeboard to meet flood infrastructure standards now being adopted across Hawke's Bay. Wherever possible on the main river systems, vehicle and emergency access ramps will also be improved. The upgrade project is part of Central Government's and HBRC's North Island Weather Event (NIWE) Resilience Programme – Level of Service Stopbank Improvement Project - a $30 million project to be delivered by HBRC. HBRC Chair Hinewai Ormsby emphasised the importance of the stopbank upgrade in safeguarding the community against future flood risks, particularly in the context of climate change. "The damage to the stopbanks in Coronation Park and below the State Highway bridge during the cyclone were a significant concern for our community. While repairs were undertaken in the weeks after the cyclone, we recognise that these measures do not meet the new standards that have been developed post-Cyclone Gabrielle. Therefore, we are committed to making the essential improvements to ensure the safety and resilience of our community. 'We deeply appreciate the support from Central Government, which has provided crucial funding for this vital work in our rohe. This investment is not just about infrastructure; it's about protecting our people and our place. Together, through continued partnerships and dedicated efforts, we are building a more resilient future for Hawke's Bay." Central Hawke's Bay District Mayor Alex Walker says the 'amazing' community in Waipawa would be thrilled about this. "They have been articulating their local knowledge and fear of living behind these damaged stopbanks strongly and we now have the support to address their concerns. Cyclone Gabrielle has left an indelible mark, and progress like this is so vital for restoring confidence in having a safe future in our communities." While the stopbank project is the current focus for improving flood resilience for the Waipawa township, HBRC is undertaking ongoing and complimentary river management and flood resilience work in the district. The Council is also working with its partners on the 'Reimagining Flood Resilience' project which is taking a longer-term view on the future of the Upper Tukituki and Heretaunga Plains Schemes. This project is still in the development phase but aims to engage with stakeholder groups from July 2025. Note: A 1:100 or 1-100-year annual recurrence interval (ARI) is a flood event that has on average a one in 100 chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year. On average, a flood of this magnitude is expected to occur once every 100 years. However, since these are probabilities and not certainties: it is possible for two 1-in-100-year floods to happen within 100 years, or even within the same year.
