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Thursday 31 March 2022
Otago Regional Council (ORC) is proposing amendments to rules that help minimise the risk and impact of flooding events, as part of a bylaw review currently underway.
The Flood Protection Management Bylaw 2012 safeguards flood protection and land drainage assets owned or under the control of the Regional Council.
“Around 1600 properties in Otago have such assets near or on them, so we’re keen to get word out there about this review,” ORC Commercial and Regulatory Lead (Engineering), Alison Weaver, said.
Public consultation is open from Thursday 31 March.
The bylaw controls the type of activities that can be carried out on and near these important assets and outlines when people need to talk with ORC, and if necessary, apply for a Bylaw Authority, or ‘written permission’ to do works. This ensures that the maintenance and the performance of the assets is not inadvertently affected by the actions of people near the assets.
After reviewing the Bylaw, ORC is proposing a series of amendments to update the regulation.
“Flooding can cause significant and long-lasting damage to people’s homes, properties and livelihoods, as we’ve recently seen at Westport, North Island’s East Coast and in eastern Australia recently,” Ms Weaver says.
“That’s why the effectiveness of our flood protection infrastructure is so critical.
“This review of our Flood Protection Management Bylaw, as required under the Local Government Act, is a great opportunity to update the Bylaw and ensure it is fit for purpose.
“We welcome all feedback on the proposed amendments.”
Proposed amendments include changes to requirements around the planting, growing or removal of vegetation in specific areas that are near ‘defences against water’ (such as floodbanks, spillways or groynes), and amends a range of definitions to support changes in the Proposed Bylaw.
ORC is proposing to expand land disturbance restrictions to include all earthworks in the draft proposal, which also includes updated maps and more details about how people can object to ORC decisions.
Two new areas are proposed to be included in the Bylaw, the Albert Town rock buttress and Shotover training line, and associated flood protection vegetation.
The full list of proposed changes is available on Council’s YourSay website, at Council offices in Dunedin and Queenstown or by calling or emailing ORC for a copy.
Consultation is open from Thursday 31 March until 12pm on Monday, 2 May 2022.
For more information on the proposed amendments and the consultation process, including ways to make a submission please visit Your Say from 31 March, or call or email Council.
Council will hold a hearing on Wednesday 4 May, to hear submissions received on the proposal. Submitters giving notice of their wish to be heard will be advised of the hearing.
All responses will be considered by the Council when making a decision on the proposed changes to the Bylaw.
The full list of proposed changes is available on Council’s YourSay website from 31 March, at Council offices in Dunedin and Queenstown or by calling or emailing ORC for a copy.