Final thoughts sought on Anzac Parade flood resilience

A draft strategy to reduce flood risk and increase community resilience in the Anzac Parade area of Whanganui is open for public feedback until 14 June.

Commissioned by Horizons Regional Council, the draft strategy has been independently written by Massey University and co-designed in close consultation with Anzac Parade residents, tangata whenua, Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho, Whanganui District Council and Horizons, as well as with contributions from stakeholders within central government, the insurance sector and others.

Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard says the strategy assesses the feasibility, technical challenges and costs of a variety of options identified through the process.

“Pros and cons are outlined for a variety of potential interventions to reduce flood risk, including dredging, raising the stop bank, raising houses and a buy-out programme,” he says.

“These options are put into the context of the wider climate change resilience issues faced across New Zealand as well as important legislative reforms underway that have a bearing on the strategy.

“Measures to reduce flood risk in the short-term are also discussed in the document, including the likes of managing nuisance flooding and improvements to the early warning system and evacuation procedures.”

Dr Roygard says the draft strategy is now available on Horizons’ website for the public to view and provide any final thoughts on.

“Massey have held a number of public meetings with residents and the wider Whanganui community. However, for anyone that missed these, this is the final opportunity to provide comments and feedback on the draft strategy.

“These need to be submitted by 5pm 14 June so that Massey can integrate them into the final strategy which will be presented to Horizons’ regional council meeting on 28 June.”

The draft strategy is available on Horizons’ website and feedback can be submitted at the bottom of the page. This page also includes further background information about previous meetings and the Anzac Parade resilience strategy.

Community consultation has been led by Massey University’s experts in disaster resilience, Professor Bruce Glavovic and Dr. Martin Garcia Cartagena to ensure an independent approach to the strategy.