Ongoing hazard investigations are required to make sure enough information is available about the risk of floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and meteorological hazards in Canterbury.
Need for good hazard information
Environment Canterbury, the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, territorial authorities, infrastructure providers and other organisations need accurate information about hazards and vulnerabilities so they can make informed decisions about risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
Climate change
Climate change is predicted to affect the frequency and magnitude of some natural hazards, including floods and landslides.
Flood risk
Many of Canterbury’s communities are built on the floodplains of rivers rising in the Southern Alps and their foothills. Reducing flood risk requires a combination of measures, including land use planning, public education, river catchment works, monitoring river levels and providing flood warnings. New rating districts may be established in consultation with local communities to address specific flood risks.
Gravel demand
Demand for gravel exceeds supply in some parts of the region. Gravel extraction from rivers helps to maintain flood capacity but can also compromise the integrity of infrastructure such as bridges and stopbanks if not managed properly. Gravel extraction is managed through land use resource consents.
Dam safety
Canterbury is home to a number of large dams, particularly in the Waitaki River catchment, and further dam development in the region is likely given the increasing demand for water for irrigation. Dams must comply with the Building Act 2004 to ensure safe and sustainable design and construction and ongoing dam safety.