6 March 2023
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: DIA Three Waters requirements on annual plan process
Enquiry
How does council’s need to get approval from DIA in relation to three waters impact on [the annual plan] process?
Response
From DCE Infrastructure and Environment, Stavros Michael:
We won’t know until we have a draft annual plan whether the significance threshold for DIA approval may be triggered.
If it is, obtaining DIA approval would be an extra step in the process and that approval would, we understand, be needed prior to formal adoption of the annual plan, so before final decision-making.
The advice from DIA is that if any significant decisions are proposed in relation to three waters, councils should notify DIA once a draft plan is finalised for public consultation and it will then confirm, decline or require further information about a proposal. We’ve been advised that DIA would endeavour to do this within 20 working days but that that is indicative only as some decisions may be more complex.
Once our draft annual plan is finalised we can determine if we require DIA approval and go through the prescribed process.
Additional note for reporter: not for quoting but for your understanding and knowledge (DIA will be able to provide more information/explanation about its approval process and why this has been introduced), please note that the DIA process applies only to proposals that are “significant” as per the threshold that has been determined. So if what’s proposed does not meet that significance threshold, it does not need DIA approval.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: 2023 NIWA climate summary
Enquiry
I am working on an article based on NIWA's climate summary which showed record rainfall for the Bay of Plenty region and that Rotorua experienced it's third wettest summer since records began.
In light of this, I was hoping you would be able to provide a response toat least the first of these questions before 4.30pm today.
- Does the council have an estimate of the cost of damages from Cyclone Gabrielle?
- What lessons has the wet summer taught the council for the future?
Response
From DCE Infrastructure and Environment, Stavros Michael:
The extreme weather we continue to experience highlight the importance of community preparedness to deal with these types of events.
As an organisation we continue to work with developers to ensure good planning and design of housing and commercial development that address foreseeable risks such as flooding and land stability and as part of our long-term infrastructure strategy, are continuing to upgrade three waters infrastructure and increase its capacity in line with climate change predictions.
However, it’s important for people to understand that this does not guarantee there won’t be flooding or damage as a result of future events because we cannot predict the nature, intensity or extent of future weather events that could exceed the network’s design capacities.
That means preparedness and resilience at an individual, household and wider community level are key and we will continue to work with our community on emergency preparedness plans and will continue to work with council staff and partner agencies who undertake civil defence duties, to maintain our civil defence response capabilities.
See below, estimated costs resulting from Cyclone Gabrielle:
Roading – emergency repairs and slip clearing approx. $500,000
Buildings – Energy Events Centre roof damaged, cost to repair unknown
Nursery – Majority of the Greenhouses damaged, cost to repair unknown
Trees – significant number of trees down on roadways, reserves, Titokorangi and Whakarewarewa approx. $150,000
Lakeside structures – damage to some jetties and walkways approx. $150,000