Raising awareness about flood hazard information
Flood hazard information for the Waiwhetu and Awamutu Streams in Hutt City and the flood and erosion hazard for the Wainuiomata River is being sent to all potentially affected landowners.
Greater Wellington Regional Council gathered this information for the Hutt Valley using aerial surveying equipment (LiDAR – Light Detection and Ranging) and using rainfall and river modelling techniques to determine flood risk areas. The information shows the extent that floodwater would spread in a 1 in 100 year return period flood event.
The information was gathered to provide advice for new building and resource consents near these waterways and has been included on Land Information Memorandums (LIMs) and Project Information Memorandums (PIMs) with Hutt City Council.
Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde says a number of rivers in the region that threaten densely populated areas have had a flood and erosion hazard assessment completed – including the Hutt, Waikanae, Wainuiomata and Otaki rivers.
“The Regional Council is now working on streams, such as the Waiwhetu/Awamutu in Hutt City and the Pinehaven in Upper Hutt, and rivers that threaten less densely populated areas, such the Mangaroa, north of Upper Hutt and the Waiohine in Greytown.”
Some 2000 properties in the Hutt Valley are affected by watercourses flooding in a 1 and 100 year return period event.
Hutt City Mayor David Ogden says knowing the extent of the flood risk is paramount to protecting homes and businesses, making decisions about infrastructure and planning emergency management.
“The family home is the biggest investment many people make and homeowners living in a flood prone area have a right to know.”
The Regional Council can provide technical information and advice to homeowners to help mitigate flood damage. Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council has sent the information out to affected property owners.