Auckland Council to 'make way for water' with proposed recovery plan

Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Seve Uatea in his house on Clover Drive in the aftermath of intense flooding in Auckland on January 27.

With a nine-pronged plan, Mayor Wayne Brown wants to fix Auckland's water problems in just six years.

In a new proposed programme called “Making Space for Water”, the council would deliver on nine initiatives including storm water maintenance and rehabilitating streams.

It would also include “site-specific solutions for high-risk properties”.

“We need to make space for water to move safely through the region without causing unacceptable risk to people, property, infrastructure, and the environment,” Brown said.

In May, cars and people negotiated flooded roads on Bader Drive Mangere – barely three months after the January floods.

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The proposed plan, developed by Healthy Waters, will go to the council Governing Body for endorsement in June and then go out for public consultation.

People in flood-affected homes have been waiting to hear on the council’s approach to managed retreat – a planned move out of flood plains and at-risk spots.

Brown said the council is “awaiting clarity” from the government.

But buying property could be part of the plan, he said.

“Auckland Council cannot act as the sole guarantor for private properties.

“However, property acquisition is appropriate for stormwater solutions that benefit the wider community as part of our plans for ‘Making Space for Water’.”

Brown said this programme will define the city’s approach to recovery and risk reduction from flooding.

“With thousands of properties directly affected by recent flood events, Aucklanders want clear communication, direction, and leadership from central and local government to help them make decisions,” he said.

“‘Making Space for Water’ would prioritise known areas of critical flood risk, but further investigative work is needed before these locations can be confirmed.”

Brown said for now, ‘Making Space for Water’ initiatives could cost more than $1 billion over six years.

That cost is beyond Auckland Council’s capacity, he said.

“Funding to support the programme next year would be part of the final Mayoral Proposal,” he said.

“Additional sources of funding would also need to be investigated, including private sources, targeted rates, and central government.

“I am working hard to put Auckland Council on secure financial footing, so we can respond to these challenges and focus on providing core infrastructure and services.”

Councillor Richard Hills said the planning, environment & parks committee had commissioned urgent work to review land use rules in response to flooding.

“It is crucial we listen to and work with affected communities as we develop our plans.

“We must take leadership on blue-green infrastructure and rollout interventions that respond to climate change and improve our environment.”

Councillor John Watson said progress has been made in planning for this crucial infrastructure of the future.

“Now we need to ensure timely delivery of the actual projects to address these flood risks.”

The nine proposed initiatives in the plan:

Blue-green networks in critical flood-risk areas: Stormwater solutions (stream daylighting, widening, and realignment), enhancing parkland or open space, and property acquisition and removal.
High-risk properties: Working with property owners on engineering solutions, managed retreat, and property acquisition.
Culvert and bridge upgrades: The assessment, replacement, and upgrade of vulnerable assets.
Overland flow path management: Work to repair, maintain, and monitor overland flow paths, and educate property owners.
Rural settlements: Responding to three waters needs in storm-affected communities including marae and papakāinga, and supporting community resilience planning.
Flood intelligence: Investment in planning and modelling tools to enhance council decision-making.
Stream rehabilitation: Vegetation management, slope stabilisation, bank battering, stream channel modification, and advice for property owners.
Community-led flood resilience: Advice for property owners in high-risk areas, industry-specific advice, public events, and awareness campaigns.
Increased maintenance: Maximising stormwater networks’ efficiency, including street sweeping, catchpit cleaning, and weed clearance from streams.