Flooding maps updated for Western Bay rural areas & small settlements

Newly updated flood hazard maps for rural areas and small settlements in the Western Bay of Plenty have been published this week.

The new maps have been produced to provide up-to-date and accurate flooding information for properties outside Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa and Te Puke.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Group Manager for Policy, Planning and Regulatory Services, Rachael Davie says, “For most rural areas and some small settlements, it is the first time that flood modelling has been used, and the team have been able to correct a number of historical inaccuracies in this process.”

The possible effects of climate change have also been taken into account, including increased rainfall intensity and sea level rise (where applicable).

Rachael says, “People looking to make informed decisions about building, buying property or preparing for natural hazards will now have updated information to work with.”

The updated maps will be

• shown on relevant property files and Land Information Memoranda (LIMs);
• used when processing building and resource consents; and
• used for updating the District Plan when its review starts in 2022.

The new flood maps, along with other natural hazards which have already been identified, can be viewed on Council’s natural hazards webpage with an interactive online map. Any one can browse the map or search for a specific property by address or Parcel IDs. Affected property owners have also been notified by mail.

Council’s work to update flooding maps for rural areas and small settlements is part of a multi-year project with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The remaining natural hazard maps for the District such as coastal erosion, coastal inundation, tsunami, landslide and liquefaction 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.