The Thames Coromandel District Council has announced it has approved revised government guidelines based on forecasting assumptions by the Ministry for the Environment.

As advised in the guidelines, the council will take into account a potential sea-level rise of up to 1.88m by 2150 for all major infrastructure projects proposed in its 2018-2028 long-term-plan (LTP).

“Central government needs to take the lead and set the direction, including providing mechanisms to help local governments financially,” Thames Coromandel District Mayor Sandra Goudie. “So much of this type of risk is directed and controlled through a national legislative framework and small councils like ours will need help.

“But our communities need to be aware of these changes also and we encourage our residents and ratepayers to consider how continued weather events might impact them.”

The council said further work is required to understand how best the guidance should be applied to its land use planning rules, especially as they apply to greenfield development and coastal subdivision.

“We will work closely with the Waikato Regional Council and Ministry for the Environment to make sure we are applying the guidance appropriately,” it noted.

Meanwhile, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is advocating for a central government fund and mechanisms to help local councils understand, address and adapt to climate change. By April, LGNZ intends to complete a report on the impacts of sea level rise on local government infrastructure and assets, including quantification of replacement value, the council added.


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