New information on coastal flooding risk

Council has received a new report detailing the risk of coastal flooding and possible effects to the districts coastline.

The report includes mapping of coastline in Poverty Bay, Wainui, Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Anaura Bay, Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.

“The Gisborne District coastline extends some 500km,” says environmental and regulatory group manager Kevin Strongman,

“With a lot of exposure to the extreme weather forces of the South Pacific Ocean, it means that flooding as result of extreme weather events, potential sea level rise and coastal erosion in some areas, are a reality for our communities.”

The report identifies areas in the coastal environment that are potentially affected by coastal hazards over at least 100 years, as required by the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS).

It does not include flooding from a tsunami event. Council has commissioned a separate report on Tsunami risk which is due later this year.

“We are in the process of interpreting this report and mapping, and deciding which scenarios are appropriate to be used for Building Act and Resource Management Act purposes,” says Mr Strongman.

The report is available online at www.gdc.govt.nz/coastal-hazard-reports/ .

ENDS

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