A new map showing areas at risk of flooding in Kaeo doesn't tell locals much they don't already know - but could have repercussions for people building in flood-prone areas if government regulations are tightened up in future.
The Northland Regional Council has released flood maps for the Kaeo and Waitangi catchments, showing the likely extent of 10-year and 100-year floods. All 600 people with property in the risk areas are being notified.
The maps are part of the council's Priority Rivers Plan, which aims to reduce flood risk along 26 rivers, 22 of which have been mapped so far. The purpose is to show where flood hazards are and help inform decision-making by landowners and district councils.
The Kaeo map shows most of the land in the Kaeo and Pupuke valleys is at risk but with surprisingly little difference in the extent of 10- and 100-year floods. The difference would be in the depth of the water.
Kaeo Farm and Fuel owner John Owens, whose business was one of many hit in the 2007 floods, said the map held few surprises. He was more interested in the repercussions for people planning new buildings or alterations to existing ones in the map's flood zone.