Hazards and Risks

Natural hazards are an intrinsic part of the Kaipara District's environment, shaping its landscapes and influencing the way people live and work within it. These hazards include flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, wildfires, tsunamis, and earthquakes, all of which pose various degrees of risk to the communities, infrastructure, and natural environments within the district. Understanding these hazards and planning for their potential impacts is a critical part of ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the Kaipara District.

Flooding is a predominant hazard in the district, affecting both inland and coastal areas. Coastal hazards, including erosion and flooding associated with storms and sea-level rise, are particularly significant along the extensive Kaipara coastline, especially on the East and West Coasts where wave action during storms is a primary concern. Land instability and wildfires also pose considerable risks, while tsunamis and earthquakes, though less frequent, have the potential for high-impact events.

The implications of these hazards are heightened by the anticipated effects of climate change, which are projected to increase both the severity and frequency of these events. This makes the task of managing and mitigating the risks associated with natural hazards increasingly crucial.

The Northland Regional Council plays a pivotal role in mapping natural hazards in the region. Their recently released hazard maps for river flooding, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion provide valuable resources for identifying areas at risk and understanding how those risks may evolve with rising sea levels. These maps serve as crucial tools for land-use planning, development decision-making, and building regulation enforcement.

However, the task of managing natural hazards is not just a matter of land-use planning and regulatory enforcement; it is also about ensuring that the public is well-informed and prepared for potential disaster events. Land Information Memoranda (LIM) and Project Information Memoranda (PIM) provide essential information about known hazards for specific land sites, while resources such as the Northland Regional Council's Civil Defence page provide guidance on how individuals and communities can prepare for emergency events.

Despite these measures, challenges persist. Infrastructure and communities remain vulnerable, and the need for greater public awareness and preparedness is ongoing. The District Plan seeks to address these challenges, establishing a comprehensive, proactive approach to natural hazard management that balances the need for development with the necessity of maintaining a safe, resilient, and sustainable district.

District Level Objectives

1. To identify, assess, and manage risks associated with natural hazards in the district.

2. To ensure new development is resilient and adaptable to the impacts of natural hazards.

3. To enhance community awareness and preparedness for natural hazards.

Zone Level Objectives

1. To understand and plan for the specific natural hazards present in each zone.

2. To regulate development in hazard-prone zones to minimize the risk to life and property.

3. To support initiatives that enhance resilience and adaptation to natural hazards in each zone.

Area Level Objectives

1. To manage and reduce area-specific risks associated with natural hazards.

2. To encourage local community involvement in natural hazard preparedness and response.

3. To ensure that area-specific development is informed by the local natural hazard context.

District Level Policies

1. Promote an evidence-based approach to the identification, assessment, and management of natural hazard risks throughout the district.

2. Require all new development proposals to include a thorough assessment of potential natural hazard impacts and demonstrate resilience and adaptability in their design.

3. Develop and implement public education programs to enhance community awareness of and preparedness for natural hazards.

Zone Level Policies

1. Utilize the best available scientific and local knowledge to understand and plan for the specific natural hazards present in each zone.

2. Implement land use regulations and development controls in hazard-prone zones to minimize the risk to life, property, and the environment.

3. Facilitate and support local initiatives that enhance resilience and adaptation to natural hazards, including the development of hazard-resilient infrastructure and landscapes.

Area Level Policies

1. Establish a risk management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate area-specific risks associated with natural hazards.

2. Encourage and facilitate local community involvement in natural hazard risk assessment, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

3. Require all area-specific development proposals to be informed by a thorough understanding of the local natural hazard context, including the potential cumulative impacts of development on hazard risks.

District Level Rules

1. Implement a regulation requiring a comprehensive natural hazard risk assessment for the district, utilizing the best available scientific data and local knowledge.

2. Develop a regulation that requires all new development proposals to include a thorough assessment of potential natural hazard impacts and demonstrate resilience and adaptability in their design.

3. Establish a regulation that mandates the development and implementation of public education programs to enhance community awareness of and preparedness for natural hazards.

Zone Level Rules

1. Implement regulations that require the use of the best available scientific and local knowledge to understand and plan for the specific natural hazards present in each zone.

2. Develop stringent land use regulations and development controls in hazard-prone zones to minimize the risk to life, property, and the environment. This could include restrictions on certain types of development in high-risk areas.

3. Establish regulations that support local initiatives that enhance resilience and adaptation to natural hazards, such as the development of hazard-resilient infrastructure and landscapes.

Area Level Rules

1. Implement a regulation that establishes a risk management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate area-specific risks associated with natural hazards.

2. Develop regulations that encourage and facilitate local community involvement in natural hazard risk assessment, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

3. Require all area-specific development proposals to be informed by a thorough understanding of the local natural hazard context, including the potential cumulative impacts of development on hazard risks.

This could include maps showing hazard-prone areas, areas with specific provisions or restrictions related to natural hazards, etc.

This section would outline how the success of the policies in achieving the objectives will be monitored and evaluated. This could include indicators of hazard risk and impacts, community resilience, etc., and monitoring of policy implementation and outcomes.

Climate change is a significant and pressing issue with far-reaching implications for the Kaipara District. As global temperatures continue to rise, our district is poised to experience a host of environmental shifts and challenges. This chapter of our District Plan seeks to outline the potential impacts of climate change on Kaipara, focusing on key hazards such as sea-level rise, intensification and increased frequency of storms and floods, as well as changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.

The Kaipara District, with its extensive coastal areas and low-lying lands, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels present a critical challenge, with places like Dargaville and Ruawai already facing the risk of regular flooding. These climate changes threaten to disrupt not only our landscapes but also up to 200km of our district's road networks.

The implications of these changes extend beyond physical landscapes. Our economy, public health, and the wellbeing of our communities are also at risk. The changing climate stands to affect our economies, built environments, cultures, health, and lifestyles, and the natural world that surrounds us. Certain ecosystems and communities may be particularly vulnerable, and it is crucial to identify and address these vulnerabilities in our adaptation strategies.

Recognising the scale of the challenge, the Kaipara District Council has adopted the Kaipara Ki Tua: Climate Smart Strategic Framework in October 2021. This comprehensive framework brings together the climate change work towards Council’s climate smart vision, setting a series of goals and principles that guide our approach to this existential issue. We are also working closely with coastal communities on developing robust adaptation plans.

Nevertheless, effective climate change adaptation is not an effort that can be shouldered by the Council alone. It is a collective endeavour that requires the participation of all residents of Kaipara. Everyone has a role to play in reducing their carbon footprint, and we encourage our residents to stay informed about the impacts of climate change and to take action where they can.

The Kaipara District Council’s Climate Change E-Hub provides valuable resources on how individuals and communities can contribute to our district's climate change resilience. By working together, we can navigate the challenges of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for Kaipara.

District Level Objectives

1. To integrate climate change adaptation strategies in district-wide planning and policy-making.

2. To raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and the importance of adaptation measures.

3. To support the district's transition towards a climate-resilient future.

Zone Level Objectives

1. To develop and implement zone-specific strategies for adapting to climate change.

2. To ensure new and existing development in each zone is resilient to climate change impacts.

3. To promote sustainable practices that contribute to climate change adaptation.

Area Level Objectives

1. To identify and address area-specific climate change risks and vulnerabilities.

2. To foster community engagement in local climate change adaptation efforts.

3. To support the integration of climate change adaptation measures in local development and decision-making processes.

District Level Policies

1. Policy D1: Integrate climate change adaptation into all district-wide planning and decision-making processes.

2. Policy D2: Develop and implement a comprehensive program to educate and inform the public about the impacts of climate change and the need for adaptation.

3. Policy D3: Advocate for and support initiatives that contribute to the district's transition towards a climate-resilient future.

Zone Level Policies

1. Policy Z1: Create and implement zone-specific climate change adaptation strategies that consider the unique environmental, economic, and social contexts of each zone.

2. Policy Z2: Ensure that all new and existing development within the zone is designed and managed to be resilient to climate change impacts.

3. Policy Z3: Encourage and incentivize sustainable practices in each zone that contribute to climate change adaptation and resilience, such as green infrastructure and low-impact development.

Area Level Policies

1. Policy A1: Conduct regular assessments of area-specific climate change risks and vulnerabilities, and incorporate the findings into local planning and decision-making processes.

2. Policy A2: Facilitate community engagement in local climate change adaptation efforts, including opportunities for public input and participation in adaptation planning.

3. Policy A3: Support the integration of climate change adaptation measures in local development, including through the use of guidelines, incentives, and regulations to promote climate-resilient design and practices.

District Level Rules

1. Policy D1: Implement a regulation that requires the integration of climate change adaptation into all district-wide planning and decision-making processes. This could include requirements for climate change impact assessments for all major policy decisions.

2. Policy D2: Develop a regulation that mandates the implementation of a comprehensive program to educate and inform the public about the impacts of climate change and the need for adaptation.

3. Policy D3: Establish regulations that support initiatives contributing to the district's transition towards a climate-resilient future. This could include incentives for climate-resilient practices and developments.

Zone Level Rules

1. Policy Z1: Implement regulations that require the creation and implementation of zone-specific climate change adaptation strategies. These strategies should consider the unique environmental, economic, and social contexts of each zone.

2. Policy Z2: Develop regulations that ensure all new and existing development within the zone is designed and managed to be resilient to climate change impacts. This could include requirements for climate-resilient design and construction practices.

3. Policy Z3: Establish regulations that encourage and incentivize sustainable practices in each zone that contribute to climate change adaptation and resilience. This could include requirements or incentives for green infrastructure and low-impact development.

Area Level Rules

1. Policy A1: Implement regulations that require regular assessments of area-specific climate change risks and vulnerabilities. The findings should be incorporated into local planning and decision-making processes.

2. Policy A2: Develop regulations that facilitate community engagement in local climate change adaptation efforts. This could include requirements for public consultation and participation in adaptation planning.

3. Policy A3: Establish regulations that support the integration of climate change adaptation measures in local development. This could include guidelines, incentives, and regulations that promote climate-resilient design and practices.

This could include maps showing areas at risk from climate change impacts, areas with specific provisions or restrictions related to climate change adaptation, etc.

This section would outline how the success of the policies in achieving the objectives will be monitored and evaluated. This could include indicators of climate risk and adaptive capacity, progress in implementation of adaptation measures, etc., and monitoring of policy implementation and outcomes.