Westport flood response: Bulk of new funding to be spent on ringbank for town

More details have been released showing how the government's $22.9 million package to support flood initiatives will be spent in Westport.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the funding in May. It was under half of the $56m put forward in a business case for co-funding by the West Coast Regional Council and Buller District Council last year.

The majority of the investment, $15.9m, will be spent on a ringbank around the coastal town.

The flood resilience programme is being overseen by a steering group made up of Buller District and West Coast Regional Council members, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, the Department of Internal Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency.

The group is taking a protect, avoid, relocate, accommodate approach. They are not considering managed retreat or buyouts with the funding provided.

Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine said residents needed to get used to living with higher flood flows, more stormwater and eventually, sea level rise.

"We cannot wish away this challenge. Looking around Aotearoa New Zealand, it is clear that we need to adapt our towns and cities. Westport is at the forefront of this adaptation and fortunately we do have some great options available.

"Adaptation is a complex issue, and we have an obligation to current and future residents to get started on a multi-pronged approach to dealing with it. In some ways, what we are doing is leading development of approaches to climate adaptation that can be applied in other districts."

West Coast Regional Council chair Peter Haddock said a ringbank alone was not the answer to Westport's problems.

"Really, it's just buying us some time - Mother Nature will win this battle eventually.

"The model we have adopted here shows that careful consideration has been given for residents now and for future generations, and that we have had the courage and foresight to act decisively for the long-term future of Westport."

Breakdown of $22.9m flood resilience funding:

• $15.9m for a ringbank to reduce the risk of flooding, in addition to the Westport Rating District's contribution. Further work will be needed to determine the detailed location and design of the ringbank
• $1.5m for the reafforestation of the Organs Island area
• $1m to restore the regional council's emergency funds for immediate works on Buller riverbank
• $1m to replenish the regional council's contingency fund (which has been exhausted)
• $500,000 for a development plan for Alma Road, to support the development of low-risk areas
• $250,000 for a feasibility study into strategic land purchase at Alma or other low risk sites
• $2m for an Adaptation Relief Fund to assist owners in high-risk areas for initiatives such as raising buildings, or to procure moveable flood barriers, for example
• $500,000 to improve local Civil Defence capability
• $250,000 for a sea level monitor/ tide gauge to improve early warning