Opinion: Te Uru Kahika – Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa Regional Chief Executive Officer Group Convenor Michael McCartney, highlights the importance of central government co-investing alongside councils in river management on an ongoing basis. McCartney states “we must do this together,” with regional government urging central government to dedicate stable funding to support future-focused flood protection and adaptation to climate change.
Following the devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, renewed discussions with central government have reinforced the importance of the Te Uru Kahika proposal: Before the Deluge, a proposal for government co-investment December 2023 for coinvestment in a further 92 flood protection projects across New Zealand. The $257m investment would fast-track these much needed flood protection works, supporting local investment of $170m.
In Aotearoa 675,000 people, or one in every seven, live in flood-prone areas. Every year, Regional and Unitary Councils contribute $200m to flood protection works with an estimated annual shortfall of investment a further $200m. Co-investment in flood risk infrastructure will enable part of a necessary multi-tool approach to flood protection. This approach includes not only floodgates, pump stations, stop banks, diversions, wetland reinstatement and river management works, but also revised spatial planning, managed retreat in some cases, and environmental considerations.
A substantial and immediate pipeline of co-investment from central government in infrastructure to improve resilience from river flood risks is the priority means of restoring the ‘flood-damaged’ confidence of New Zealanders. It would deliver savings and more effective and timely actions to substantially reduce flood risk at the most vulnerable locations throughout New Zealand.
Some of the existing infrastructure around Aotearoa are decades old and adhere to older standards. Modern practices and standards need to be implemented to build resilient river communities. It's not only councils asking for financial support. Massey University Professor in Physical Geography Ian Fuller supported Te Uru Kahika recently, noting: “The bill [for flood protection] cannot simply be laid upon the Regional Councils and Unitary Authorities, it needs to be accommodated by society as a whole because it's a societal issue.”
The December proposal follows and is concurrent to the Resilient River Communities programme which is now in its third year of five. The programme’s projects have already saved New Zealand more damages from floods in the last 6 months than they cost in total and continue to prove the success that is possible when local and central government collaborate and co-invest. Stable, long-term funding including the funding requested in the Te Uru Kahika proposal is what is needed now, to do more of this critical work.
Michael McCartney is the Chief Executive of Horizons Regional Council and Regional Chief Executive Officers Group Convenor for Te Uru Kahika – Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa