Work to increase flood resilience in Hawke’s Bay can start sooner, thanks to a new fast consenting process, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell announced today.
“Faster consenting means work to build stop banks, spillways and other infrastructure can get underway sooner, increasing flood protection for about 975 properties and their communities,” said Minister Mitchell.
“The works will also help protect the industrial area and Napier’s wastewater treatment plant in Awatoto.”
Environment Minister, Penny Simmonds said a streamlined consenting process “allows councils to get on with the job sooner, giving affected people the certainty they need for the future of their homes and businesses”.
The streamlined consenting will only apply to applications lodged by Hawke’s Bay councils and for eight specific locations in Awatoto, Havelock North, Omahu, Pakowhai, Pōrangahau, Waiohiki, Wairoa, and Whirinaki.
“The recently approved Order in Council makes temporary changes to the Resource Management Act to streamline consenting for this flood resilience work,” said Ms Simmonds.
She said Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery Agency had requested the Order.
“Making this happen demonstrates the Coalition Government’s commitment to a locally led recovery supported by Government.”
“It also delivers on the Coalition Government’s 100-day commitment to make any additional Orders in Council to speed up cyclone and flood recovery efforts,” said Minister Simmonds.
For more information about how the Ministry for the Environment is supporting councils and communities to recover from severe weather events, visit here.
For more information about the Cyclone Recovery Unit, visit here.
