Hazard maps being updated
30 April 2018
Maps showing the possible extent of natural hazards on land in the Western Bay District are being updated to provide the best possible information for landowners.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are working on this project together. It includes reviewing existing maps relating to flooding (from extreme rainfall), coastal inundation (flooding from the sea), coastal erosion and land instability. It will also involve mapping other natural hazards such as tsunami, liquefaction, active faults and volcanic hazards.
Council's Group Manager Policy, Planning & Regulatory Services Rachael Davie says improving the accuracy of hazard maps is more critical than ever due to the increasing legislative requirements around climate change, reducing natural hazard risk, and ensuring preparedness and response to natural disasters.
"The mapping information will help people make informed decisions about undertaking building works, buying property or preparing for a natural disaster.
"As we complete each hazard map, we will notify landowners and put the information on Council's website, on property files and in any land information memoranda (LIMs) requested for properties."
Council will use the maps when processing resource consents, project information memoranda and building consents to ensure that the risk from natural hazards to people and buildings is assessed.
Mapping of all natural hazards will take at least five years due to the District's size and geographical diversity.
New hazard maps are now available for:
Flooding at Waihi Beach, Athenree and Bowentown
Flooding along the Wairoa River (downstream of the Ruahihi Power Station)
Tsunami at Maketu, Pukehina and Little Waihi
Hazard maps are also now available for:
Liquefaction - District-wide
Other hazard maps will be available soon:
Tsunami at Waihi Beach, Athenree and Bowentown (late 2018)
Coastal erosion and coastal inundation along the Tauranga Harbour (late 2018)
The remainder of natural hazard maps for the District will be completed over the coming years.
For more information visit Council's natural hazards webpage at www.westernbay.govt.nz/naturalhazards or call Council's customer services team on 0800 926 732.