Westport’s flooding disaster ‘could have been avoided’
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Westport's flooding disaster "could have been avoided" if funds had been available sooner to reduce the risk.
Spending more on adaption prior to the July 2021 floods could have prevented the "social upheaval, damage and costs" of the disaster, a submission on behalf of the West Coast Regional Council says.
Westport is one of three "lessons learned" in the Te Uru Kahika Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa submission to the Government on an inquiry into community-led retreat and adaptation funding.
The aftermath of the Westport floods in July 2021 are still being mopped up as the Regional and Buller District councils move to implement a new flood scheme worth $22.9m.
Initial government funding - to pay back the regional council's catastrophe fund already spent on Westport - is now delayed in the post-election changeover.
The Te Uru Kahika submission was tabled at the council's meeting on November 13.
"Westport is the case example of social upheaval, damage and costs that could have been avoided if more central government 'adaptation' assistance had been available earlier," the submission says.
"The investment of around $10m would have saved the $100m expenditure made on recovery after the July 2021 flood event."
Westport regional council representative Frank Dooley - a critic of the slow progress since July 2021 - said Westport's disaster might have been avoided through having adaptation funding earlier.
The submission made it clear there needed to be a sustainable path for adaptation, he said.
"It is clear that central government needs to come up with a funding stream."
He referred to the Westport example of $10m needed for work well before the flood event, which spurred $100m of spending to mop up.
"That's what this report points out - it's about being pro-active," Dooley he said.
The submission also looked at learnings from Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay. It looked at the need for early central government funding, whether the response should be centrally or locally led, land use and property categorisation, and the vulnerability and tolerance of risk.
Councillor Andy Campbell said the issues addressed in the submission came after 30 years of underfunding.
Resource Management Committee chairman Brett Cummings said that had been raised by Te Uru Kahika.
The underfunding dated back to the catchment board predecessors of the current regional council structure.
The regional council initially proposed a $10.2 million scheme in late 2021 as affordable for the Westport community.
Subsequently, the Government asked the council in February 2022 to formulate a proposal as "a test case" for similar communities including future retreat and adaptation options.
The subsequent $56m Kawatiri Business Case proposal in July 2022 got an answer in the May Budget: a $22.9m scheme.
The submission described this as "a belated but good case example" of how to address flood challenges.
Campbell said the town "is still vulnerable" given that work to protect it was only starting.
Dooley said that was true, although quite a bit of the groundwork had been done.
"We are making progress: you can see around Westport although it's still frustrating."
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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