Recovery Plan adopted as District continues long-term recovery effort

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s recovery efforts, already well underway following the severe storms earlier this year, have taken another step forward with the formal adoption of the District’s Recovery Plan. This Plan will help guide the next phase of recovery and strengthen the Western Bay’s preparedness for future severe weather events.

The storms that affected the District in January, March and April this year had a significant impact, resulting in an estimated recovery bill of $28.6 million, including approximately $15.8 million to be funded by Council.

Council's share of the recovery cost is expected to be met through a combination of existing budgets and reprioritisation, external funding from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and central government, insurance recoveries, and future Annual Plan and Long Term Plan decisions.

The Western Bay District experienced widespread slips and flooding, damage to roads, reserves and critical infrastructure, the assessment of dozens of properties due to safety concerns, and the tragic loss of two lives. Six lives were lost in Tauranga during the same storm.

At the height of the emergency response, 77 roads across the District were closed due to slips, flooding, fallen trees and debris, and many residents continue to be supported through the recovery process.

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the storms had a profound impact on communities across the Western Bay and beyond.

“Our thoughts remain with the families, friends and communities who continue to live with the impacts of these events,” says James.

“Since the severe weather, the Recovery Team, Council staff, contractors, iwi, community organisations, volunteers and government agencies have worked tirelessly alongside our communities to support recovery.”

To date, the Recovery Team has supported 98 recovery cases across the District, helping residents access support and navigate what can often be a complex and challenging recovery journey.

Mayor James says the Recovery Plan provides a clear and practical roadmap for the next phase of recovery.

“While recovery is well underway, there is still more work to do,” says James.

“In the coming months, this includes completing engagement with all affected households and placarded properties, finalising a District-wide register of damage, and confirming the sequence of priority repairs so work can begin as soon as resources allow.

“A prioritised roading recovery programme will also be published, including indicative timeframes and regular updates so communities can see what’s being fixed, when, and why.”

Council's Recovery Manager Jo Lynskey says while the Recovery Plan has only now been formally adopted, recovery work began immediately after the events.

“When communities are impacted by an event of this scale, recovery starts immediately. Supporting affected residents, assessing damage, reconnecting people with services, repairing infrastructure and planning for the future can't wait for a plan to be adopted,” says Jo.

Jo says the scale and complexity of the recovery effort has required Council to reprioritise resources and pause some planned work programmes so crews and funding could focus on urgent recovery needs, including repairing damaged roads, reserves, slips and other public infrastructure across the District.

During and after the severe weather events, 74 properties were assessed by Council building inspectors and specialist teams. Safety placards are used following natural hazard events to indicate whether buildings can be safely occupied and under what conditions.

While many properties have now been assessed and returned to normal use, 21 properties still have placards in place that either restrict or prevent access, and nine families remain unable to return home while recovery and assessment work continues.

“This is a significant recovery effort for our District, and it’s important people understand the scale of work involved.

“Some repairs and recovery work can take time because sites often require detailed assessments, engineering investigations, funding approvals and specialist design work before permanent solutions can safely move ahead.”

“We know severe weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense,” says Jo.

“Alongside supporting recovery today, we also need to strengthen how we prepare for and respond to future events as a District. This plan helps provide that direction.”

The Recovery Plan will guide recovery activity over the coming years and continue evolving as community needs change and more information becomes available.

The full Recovery Plan is available on Council’s website.