What is the Priority Rivers Flood Risk Reduction Project?
This project initially identified 27 catchments around Northland as priorities for flood risk planning because of the potential threats the rivers and streams in them pose to lives, buildings, road access, infrastructure and agriculture. We are working with affected communities to prioritise and develop tailor-made plans to reduce flood risks.
What does the project involve?
We need to better understand the river systems involved, including how flooding affects them physically and also their impacts on local communities.
To do this we are:
• Carrying out detailed surveys of the land in catchments to help develop computer flood models
• Producing flood hazard maps (these show which areas are likely to flood and what could be threatened as a result, for instance schools, marae etc)
• Assessing the likely consequences for a community if it is flooded and analyzing options to reduce any resulting danger/threats
• Producing flood risk reduction plans and estimating the likely costs
Which rivers are included?
The 27 priority rivers or groups of streams being assessed are (in alphabetical, not priority order):
- Awanui
- Awapokonui (Pakanae)
- Awaroa-Rotokakahi and Pawarenga Streams
- Hatea
- Helena Bay River
- Kaeo
- Kaihu
- Kawakawa
- Matangirau
- Ngunguru
- Otaika
- Panguru
- Pupuke
- Ruakaka
- Taupo River
- Tauranga River
- Waiarohia-Raumanga
- Waihou (Panguru)
- Waihou (Rahiri-Rangiahua)
- Waima & Punakitere-Otaua
- Waimamaku
- Waipapa-Kerikeri
- Wairau (Maungaturoto)
- Waitangi
- Whangarei Heads Streams
- Whangaroa Streams (Totara North, Te Ngaere, Wainui & Mahineapua)
- Whirinaki
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Location map of Priority Rivers.
*From the initial 27 catchments identified in the Priority Rivers Project; the Waima and Punakaitere rivers have been combined and for this project therefore the above map only identifies 26 catchments.
How long will the project take?
Initial flood risk reduction plans have now been completed. Flood risk reduction actions identified in them will be prioritised for implementation after a new round of public consultation due to begin in mid-September 2010.
How will the community be involved?
Initially, we worked with affected communities and stakeholders to build on what we already know about the size of floods and who they affect. We also asked the community to tell us about the places/things they were especially keen to protect in their local area. This has enabled appropriate flood risk reduction options to be identified.
We embarked on a new round of public consultation to seek feedback on more than 20 draft river management plans tailor-made for their local areas.
If flood protection work is needed, who’ll pay?
Typically local communities – who stand to benefit the most – will pay for flood protection works, but only after consultation.
Contact us
For more information, please contact:
Bruce Howse
Land/Rivers Senior Programme Manager
Northland Regional Council
Ph: 0800 002 004
Email: mailroom@nrc.govt.nz