Living with risk
25 February 2014
Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) is calling for residents to have their say about how councils should manage the potential impacts of natural hazards - such as earthquakes, floods or geothermal eruptions.
BOPRC regional planner Martin Butler said that residents are invited to attend a Living with risk' community session in Rotorua on Wednesday 12 March, from 4pm to 6pm.
A natural disaster could happen at any time. It's important to think carefully about how we can minimise the damage of such an event to our lives and livelihoods, Mr Butler said.
The Natural Hazards Policy of the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement will guide district plan rules that influence where people live and work, and how they develop land and infrastructure. We're currently reviewing that policy and we need information from the community to do so. Information gathered from the community sessions will help us to ensure a good balance between individual and shared responsibility in the policy, Mr Butler said.
We'd also love to hear from anyone who can't attend a community session but would still like to have their say, he said.
For session details and to register, contact Marie Radford at Bay of Plenty Regional Council, phone 0800 884 880 or email: livingwithrisk@boprc.govt.nz. Light snacks and spot prizes will be provided. Visit www.boprc.govt.nz/livingwithrisk to find out more.
The Regional Council is also coordinating a series of meetings with interested iwi and hapu. Mr Butler said that details will be promoted, when finalised, through local iwi and hapu networks.
The Bay of Plenty region is vulnerable to many different natural hazards. More information about these and how you and your family can be better prepared is available at www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz