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 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 have:
• Undertaken detailed surveys of the land in catchments to help develop computer flood models
• Produced flood hazard maps (these show which areas are likely to flood and what could be threatened as a result, for instance schools, marae etc)
• Assessed the likely consequences for a community if it is flooded and analysed options to reduce any resulting danger/threats
• Produced river management reports and flood risk reduction plans that collate the information on flood risk and management.
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
.jpg)
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?
River Management reports and river management plans have now been completed. The project is ongoing and as it evolves we will move our focus more towards the further investigation, refinement and implementation of actions to reduce flood risk.
The development and/or implementation of the actions identified in the plans will be undertaken on a priority basis, as described in the Northland Regional Council Long Term Plan 2012-2022.
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. We also presented the initial river management reports and river management plans to communities through a series of meetings held in the areas of interest.
In addition to this we also work closely with River Management Liaison Committees that help the council to plan and prioritise actions to reduce flood risk. These committees include Awanui, Kerikeri-Waipapa, Urban Whāngārei, Kaihu, Kaeo-Whangaroa, and Waitangi.
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