Amendments would aim to improve the efficiency of the resource consenting process for flood resilience initiatives
The coalition government has pitched temporary amendments to the Resource Management Act to bolster flood mitigation projects in Māngere.
The proposed Order in Council under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Act 2023 seeks to streamline the resource consenting process for flood resilience initiatives in Māngere’s Te Ararata and Harania catchments. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds pointed out that at present, complex resource consents that can take a year or more to obtain are needed for flood risk mitigation and resilience projects.
“Māngere was particularly affected by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, which has left homeowners concerned about the impact future severe weather events could have on their homes,” Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said. “Developing new culverts, dams and other infrastructure will help to improve the flood resilience of these communities.”
Auckland Council's undertaking of these projects will reduce the flood risk for about 376 properties, effectively shifting them from Category 2C to Category 1 under the Land Categorisation System.
“Auckland Council asked for these temporary law changes, demonstrating the coalition government’s commitment and support of a locally led recovery”, Mitchell said.
Simmonds added that the pitched legislative modifications “would allow Auckland Council to get on with the job this summer and give more certainty to homeowners about the future of their homes”.
As per the proposal, the Order would be implemented by the end of October and be lifted in October 2028.
