Horizons encourages people to bring river damage reports to scheme meetings

Horizons Regional Council is set to hold its annual river scheme meetings, and wants those attending to bring reports of damage to river and drainage assets.

Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard says scheme liaison committee meetings are usually a time to learn about river management schemes.
 
“Scheme liaison committee groups are informal groups established by Horizons to facilitate effective communicate between scheme ratepayers, and councillors and its officers.
 
“These groups are also the eyes and ears in regards to levels of services and scheme performance.”
 
With water receding after the weekend weather event, damage to river and drainage scheme assets will start to become visible, says Dr Roygard.
 
“While our staff will be out and about doing asset inspections, landowners and others in the community will have damage they can already report. 
 
“The sooner we get reports of damage, the better information we have for planning recovery works.”

People unable to attend the meetings, but still wanting to report damage, can either email rivermanagementinfo@horizons.govt.nz or call freephone 0508 800 800.
 
People can view the meetings schedule and presentations in advance, and find a map to see which scheme their property or properties are in, at https://www.horizons.govt.nz/flood-emergency-management/flood-protection/river-drainage-schemes.

Image: A screenshot of State Highway 56 at Ōpiki, taken from Horizons' webcam in the area on the morning of Tuesday 17 February.