More than 7000 Auckland properties were damaged by flooding or slips caused by the storms that hit Auckland in 2023. Photo: Stuff / Abigail Dougherty via LDR
Fewer than half of the properties damaged in Auckland's storms last year have signed up for Auckland Council's buyout scheme.
The council is reminding homeowners they have until the end of this month to opt into the scheme, which assesses a home's risk.
Natural and built environment lead Craig Hobbs said of the more than 7000 properties damaged by flooding or slips caused by the storms that hit Auckland in 2023, just 3218 have registered.
He is urging anyone who had more than half a metre of flooding in their home, was affected by a landslide or received a red or yellow sticker after the storms to sign up.
"We are making a special effort to reach homeowners we think could be at high risk but haven't heard back from many of them. Support under the categorisation programme might be the best and last option to receive local and central government support to make their home safe or move somewhere safer," Hobbs said.
"It's also important owners in impacted multi-unit developments, like apartment buildings or townhouse complexes, look at registering."
The council has been assessing and categorising affected properties based on whether there is an intolerable risk to life from future storms, and whether there was anything that could be done to reduce the risk.
There are construction and consenting grants available for homeowners to do work on their property that will reduce this risk to life, including building retaining walls and shifting or raising the home.
Where there is nothing that can be done on the property or in the community to reduce this risk, the council is offering a voluntary buy-out at a valuation before any storm damage.
So far 743 homes that opted into the scheme are eligible for a buyout in Auckland.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said knowing a property's flood risk was important.
"Sadly, there is a strong likelihood that we will experience severe weather events like this again," Simpson said.
"Signing up for these assessments will give those who live in flood and landslide prone locations a better understanding of the future risk at their home. There is also the potential for support, especially where an intolerable risk to life is identified."
The council's recovery office said about 7300 Auckland properties were impacted by the early 2023 storms, including 2555 homes given red or yellow stickers, until the home was made safe enough to live in on a day-to-day basis.
It said 1386 homeowners that had a red or yellow sticker had registered for the categorisation programme.
Most stickers have been lifted as people have undertaken the necessary repair works to make their home safe.