Wellington councils seeking efficiencies in natural hazard planning and management

Recent devastating events in New Zealand and overseas have put a spotlight on our ability to plan for and manage the Wellington region’s natural hazards, and ultimately, to protect property and lives.

According to Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde risks need to be identified, understood and factored into future development. They need to be managed in a way that is consistent and effective right across the region.

“We need to work together to achieve this so the four city councils in the region – Porirua, Wellington, Hutt City and Upper Hutt – and Greater Wellington Regional Council, will work on the development of an integrated hazard management,” says Ms Wilde.

Councils will bring together the wide range of information on natural hazards they already hold to provide an overview of all hazards in the region. They will then work to clarify the modelling, terminology and methodologies they use and to outline processes for hazard responses.

“The strategy will mean that local authorities will not have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ when it comes to natural hazards. We will have a regional framework that we can use when we are putting together district and regional plans and will be able to work seamlessly across the region when responding to natural events.”

ENDS

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