Latest news with #WillDoughty
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Spend Now To Reduce Flood Risk
Spending money now will save Kaikōura from facing the full effects of a damaging future flood, says Kaikōura District Council boss Will Doughty. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016 dislodged a significant amount of gravel, which left the town vulnerable in a major flood, he said. Environment Canterbury (ECan) has been reviewing its gravel management strategy on rivers throughout the region, with submissions closing last month. While it was difficult to estimate how much money needed to be spent now, Mr Doughty said an event similar to a Kowhai River flood in 1993, which devastated the town, would have a significant long-term economic impact. Implementing a gravel management strategy to extract excess material would help maintain the natural flow of the river and reduce the likelihood of blockages or sediment build up. ''The wandering nature of the Kowhai River and the dynamic nature of the system is a key challenge when attempting to determine the response of the river to flood events,'' he said. ''The likely damage to the town would depend on the severity and duration of the flood event, but vulnerable infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public services could be impacted, leading to both immediate repair costs and long term economic impacts.'' ECan rivers manager David Aires said tens of thousands of cubic metres of gravel were removed from the Kowhai River to assist with reconstruction work following the earthquake. Local contractors and Environment Canterbury's river engineers have removed a further 25,000 cubic metres in the last eight years. ECan manages 18km of stopbanks along the Kowhai River, which are designed for a one-in-20-year flood event. This is equivalent to around 250 to 270 cumecs of water flowing at a rate of one cubic metre per second. Mr Aires said the Kaikōura flood protection scheme is being reviewed. ''Over the next six months we will be measuring riverbed levels so we can determine where further gravel extraction might be required in the Kowhai River as we work through the scheme review.'' Reducing flood risk in rivers has been a major focus for ECan and other regional and unitary councils, which led to the report ''Before the Deluge''. The report was presented to the Government in late 2022, warning of the risks and costs of a major storm or flood event. The Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, which struck in January 2023, are estimated to have resulted in between NZ$9 billion to $14.5 billion in damage. ECan set aside $25m a year over the next 10 years in last year's 2024/34 Long Term Plan and called on the Government to contribute $38m. Last year the Government announced $9.5m funding towards three projects, including upgrades to critical and aged flood management infrastructure across the region to make it more resilient to the changing climate. ECan also spent $22.6m in repair work following the May 2021 heavy rainfall event, which caused widespread flooding and prompted a region-wide state of emergency. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Councils press on with water plan
The Kaikōura District Council held its deliberations on Wednesday, after receiving just 14 submissions, with nine backing the joint CCO proposal and four preferring to go it alone. The Hurunui District Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, to deliberate after receiving 53 submissions, with 25 in support of forming a joint CCO with Kaikōura and 23 favouring an in-house water services business unit. Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform programme. The legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government's Three Waters Reform. Kaikōura Deputy Mayor Julie Howden said the response was ''pretty disappointing'', but she was impressed with the quality of the submissions. The council's chief executive, Will Doughty, said the shares will be allocated based on the net assets of each council, but it still needs to be worked through. ''We need to ensure there is a fair and equitable allocation.'' While a final decision will be made at the May 28 council meeting, Mr Doughty said the council is still progressing towards a joint CCO with Hurunui. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said despite the low turnout, the submissions have given the councillors plenty to think about. ''A lot of people have said they have a high level of trust in the council and the council has invested heavily in our three waters services in recent years. ''We have worked through an incredibly complex process and we will deliver a proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs before the September 3 deadline.'' The Hurunui district has small population of around 13,000 over a large geographical area, while Kaikōura has a population of 4200. Both councils have invested heavily in their three waters infrastructure since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Under the new legislation, a joint CCO can borrow up to 500% of council revenue, instead of the usual borrowing limit of 280%. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Canterbury Councils Press On With Water Plan, Despite ‘Disappointing' Response
A plan for two North Canterbury councils to join forces on three waters has received a ''disappointing'' response from public consultation. The Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils have completed their consultations on a proposal to form a joint water services council controlled organisation (CCO) to manage water services. The Kaikōura District Council held its deliberations on Wednesday, after receiving just 14 submissions, with nine backing the joint CCO proposal and four preferring to go it alone. The Hurunui District Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, to deliberate after receiving 53 submissions, with 25 in support of forming a joint CCO with Kaikōura and 23 favouring an in-house water services business unit. Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government's Local Water Done Well reform programme. The legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government's Three Waters Reform. Kaikōura Deputy Mayor Julie Howden said the response was ''pretty disappointing'', but she was impressed with the quality of the submissions. The council's chief executive Will Doughty said the shares will be allocated based on the net assets of each council, but it still needs to be worked through. ''We need to ensure there is a fair and equitable allocation.'' While a final decision will be made at the May 28 council meeting, Mr Doughty said the council is still progressing towards a joint CCO with Hurunui. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said despite the low turnout, the submissions have given the councillors plenty to think about. ''A lot of people have said they have a high level of trust in the council and the council has invested heavily in our three waters services in recent years. ''We have worked through an incredibly complex process and we will deliver a proposal to the Department of Internal Affairs before the September 3 deadline.'' The Hurunui district has small population of around 13,000 over a large geographical area, while Kaikōura has a population of 4200. Both councils have invested heavily in their three waters infrastructure since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November 2016. Under the new legislation, a joint CCO can borrow up to 500 percent of council revenue, instead of the usual borrowing limit of 280%. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
