Residents are being invited to help shape the future of the Te Onepoto Taylors Mistake to Lower Ōpāwaho Heathcote River area, as the first phase of Christchurch City Council community engagement opens on how the area could adapt to rising seas and coastal hazards.
The engagement marks the start of the Council’s next coastal hazards adaptation planning process, following its decision earlier this year to prioritise the area as the next community adaptation planning programme.
Council’s Team Leader Climate Hazards Adaptation Planning, Jane Morgan says the conversation is about understanding community priorities before any decisions are considered.
“Nothing has been decided yet. We’re at the beginning of a long-term planning journey and this first phase is about listening,” Ms Morgan says.
“We know people care deeply about the places they live, work, and spend time. Before we explore potential responses to coastal hazards and sea-level rise, we want to understand what matters most to the community and what people value about the area.”
Residents, businesses, mana whenua, and community groups are being asked to share what matters most to them, what they value about the area, and how they think future risks to public assets and infrastructure – like roads, underground pipes, and parks – should be managed over time.
As part of the engagement, residents can explore information about the challenges facing the area and a range of possible adaptation approaches. These include engineered measures like seawalls, flood defences, and pump stations, as well as nature-based approaches that create more space for rivers, wetlands, and the coast.
“There are difficult decisions ahead, and every option comes with trade-offs. Some approaches may provide more protection but cost more, while others could have impacts on the environment, access, or the way communities use certain places,” says Ms Morgan.
“By starting these conversations early, we have more time to consider our options, understand community views, and plan thoughtfully for future generations.”
Feedback is open until 31 January 2027. A final decision about the adaptation plan is expected in 2028.
People can find out more and have their say at letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/taylors-to-heathcote.
