Flooding at a property on O'Donnell Ave in Wesley, Auckland in early February. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
By Kim Meredith, Local Democracy Reporting
Flood-affected Aucklanders are being urged to speak up about the $2 billion flood recovery funding agreement.
Deputy mayor Desley Simpson said the consultation was an important next step in Auckland's recovery.
"The proposed package goes beyond just buying out high-risk homes and supports a longer-term pathway for our region's resilience," she said.
"All the evidence tells us that we will experience more frequent and extreme storms in the future, so it's vital we increase our resilience now so we're not leaving our communities exposed to the ongoing risk of these extreme weather events."
Aucklanders have until 24 September to have their say on the agreement.
Auckland Council and the government will share costs of the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery plan that included a $774 million buyout package for 700 uninhabitable properties.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chairperson Tauanu'u Nanai Nick Bakulich urged his community to make their voices heard.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu'u Nanai Nick Bakulich urged his community to make their voices heard. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting / supplied
"We've had significant flood damage and we keep hearing Kāinga Ora have been taken care of, but we also have homeowners who have been badly affected."
He was frustrated with rhetoric that stereotyped Māngere as a predominantly social housing area, reminding officials that homeowners in his community needed support too.
"I've resigned myself to being the squeaky wheel, I used to think I didn't want to rock the boat but when I hear where resources are being prioritised, I've been forced to speak out," said the board chair.
How to participate in the consultation
Aucklanders can have their say by completing an online feedback form, emailing or visiting their local library or service centre to complete a paper feedback form.
About the deal
The cost-share agreement includes:
- $820m to fund projects that will help build resilience against future flood events, including the core aspects of the council's Making Space for Water initiatives.
- $390m towards the recovery costs of the transport network directly impacted by the storms.
- $774m to purchase an estimated 700 residential properties where there is an intolerable risk to life and it is not feasible to mitigate this risk.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.