Fernhill west of Hastings after the Ngaruroro River burst its banks during Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: Supplied / Dawson Bliss
Hawke's Bay Regional Council is today considering a proposal for an independent review of how its flood protection schemes stood up during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Agenda documents for today's council meeting showed council staff recommended they commission a review into the region's flood protection, control and drainage schemes during the disaster.
Cyclone Gabrielle breached stopbanks in 30 places, most on the Tūtaekurī and Ngaruroro Rivers between Napier and Hastings, and including five on the Waipawa River.
Fernhill west of Hastings after the Ngaruroro River burst its banks during Cyclone Gabrielle Photo: Supplied / Dawson Bliss
The documents said the review would be split into two parts: assessing performance and recommending improvements.
An independent panel - made up of a chairperson and two to three others - would ensure it was an "impartial, arms-length assessment of HBRC infrastructure and activities".
The community would also get the chance to have its say, with the documents indicating the panel would accept verbal and written feedback as well as organising meetings with community and stakeholder groups.
It was made clear the proposed review would not consider district or city council responsibilities during Cyclone Gabrielle - including Civil Defence responses like the timing and notification of evacuations, or anything to do with the recovery.
Civil Defence announced a separate independent review into the Cyclone Gabrielle response last week.
The review being considered by the regional council was estimated to cost more than $700,000 - not including council staff time - and was unbudgeted expenditure.
Council staff were considering how that would be added in to the 2023-2024 Annual Plan.