Westport disaster a ‘bottom of the cliff’ approach — new report

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Westport is an example of a 'bottom of the cliff' approach to disaster response and recovery, according to a new report.

Te Uru Kahika, representing the country's regional and unitary council sector, is advocating the Government co-invest in a whole range of projects to reduce flood risk to communities.

As Westport waits with bated breath for an answer on the $56 million proposed flood scheme, Te Uru Kahika says it is not clear how the Government intends to address the case.

"Te Uru Kahika members remain totally supportive of the West Coast councils' request for Government co-investment of $45m," the report says.

The business case was lodged last June following a request in February 2022 from then Local Government Minister Nania Mahuta for a co-investment proposal.

Te Uru Kahika describes the Westport case as "a fair cost share".

It asked that it considered together with a broader scheme, which would require the Government to put up $257m to accelerate 92 proposed flood schemes across the country.

"There is an overwhelming national interest in Government assisting to resolve Aotearoa's flood protection challenge."

It suggests the Government partner with the sector by:
-Firstly, committing $257m in the 2023 budget alongside regional council co-investment to collaborate on delivery of a three-year programme of 92 "carefully selected" flood protection projects worth a total of $428m;
-Committing to a long term "collaborative, multi-tool, and well funded" co-investment approach to build resilience against flood risks.

The report said Westport was "a regretful example" of a bottom of the cliff response and recovery, as opposed to the other scheme proposals captured under the $257m co-investment request.

It says floods are New Zealand's No 1 natural hazard and are escalating, consistent with international trends.

The regional and unitary council sector already invested about $200m a year to sustain and improve flood infrastructure. But that investment, with other flood mitigation measures undertaken by councils, could not on their own provide the security and risk mitigation/community resilience now expected of flood schemes.

Increased co-investment alongside broader measures would be required to meet the challenge.

"A step change is required. Measured urgency is needed to adapt existing flood protection measures to be fit to meet present and future risk management expectations. It is clearly in the
national interest that these adaptations occur."

Increased Government and council co-investment was required, and accelerating climate-induced high magnitude floods meant that "now is the time for action".

Te Uru Kahika said it had been attempting to push the case for Government co-investment in flood protection schemes since at least
2018.

"Our efforts have been well received but we are yet to secure the longer-term decisions, co-investment funding and partnership certainty."