$70m for Wairoa flood control

Wairoa on February 14 this year after Cyclone Gabrielle swept through, inundating the town. A deal has been struck between the Government and the five Hawke’s Bay councils which includes $70m for a fully funded flood protection scheme for the town. Picture supplied

Wairoa will get a new multimillion-dollar flood defence scheme under a new agreement struck between five Hawke’s Bay councils and the Government.

A decision on how some of the most urgent cyclone recovery costs for Hawke’s Bay will be shared between central and local Government has been made, with Hawke’s Bay’s five councils yesterday confirming the terms of an agreement worth up to $556 million, subject to consultation with communities in Hastings and Napier.

The cost-sharing agreement will see councils with Category 3 residential properties and central Government adopting a 50/50 cost-sharing approach to the voluntary buyout of Category 3 residential properties within their respective districts, with the Government contributing up to an estimated $92.5 million. Government and council contributions will be net of any insurance proceeds.

The $556 million agreement also includes $203.5 million toward flood protection for the region. Subject to design, interest in land, and ability to build, the proposed flood protection works will benefit areas currently Category 2, from Wairoa to Pōrangahau.

Also included is $70 million specifically earmarked as the estimated cost of a much needed and fully funded flood protection scheme for Wairoa.

The remaining $260 million will go towards specific transport infrastructure projects and programmes, which would include fully funding the estimated cost of the Redclyffe Bridge replacement, the Puketapu, Matapiro and Aropauanui Bridge works in Hastings, Te Reinga Bridge works in Wairoa and critical roading recovery projects in Central Hawke’s Bay. Further funding provisions would include culvert replacements, as well as additional support for transport resilience and repair initiatives across the region.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said it remained essential for the region to continue working together.

“By working together, our region’s councils and iwi have achieved a hugely positive outcome through the Government negotiation process, enabling the region to continue its transition toward meaningful, long-term recovery.

“Just as the councils have been working closely together, it remains essential for everyone involved in the recovery to work collectively for the benefit of all those communities across Hawke’s Bay that have been impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. We need to leave a positive legacy for our future generations, and it’s vital we get it right.”

See also today's editorial