A plan is being made to restore the health of Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon, and we want the community's input.
News
Leading community resilience
Last updated: 31 August 2023
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Portfolio: Climate change and community resilience
We are increasing the resilience of Canterbury communities against natural and human-induced hazards through risk reduction and collecting, providing, and communicating natural hazard information.
We are building community adaptive capacity and we help our community respond and recover when emergencies occur.
This work includes:
- Natural hazards investigations, advice, regulatory framework and risk reduction
- Operating the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group
- Emergency management training
- Community resilience through development of the Community Resilience Strategy.
How are we tracking on our Levels of Service?
Level of Service 18: Provide information and advisory services that enable people to understand natural hazard risk and make informed decisions.
As part of this level of service we will:
- 18.1 Respond to requests for natural hazards advice in a timely manner.
How did we do: We All natural hazard requests received throughout the year were recorded and responded to within 10 working days.
Achieved
Level of Service 19: Enable the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.
As part of this level of service we will:
- 19.1 Comply with the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group/Environment Canterbury Service Level Agreement, including the provision of suitably trained staff.
- 19.2 Review the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan.
How did we do: We continued to provide a broad range of administrative functions to support the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group in 2022/23. This included managerial oversight of the Emergency Management Office, financial management and reporting services, and collection of targeted rates.
The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan went out for public consultation during June/July 2022 and was adopted by the Joint Committee in August 2022. A minor review of the Plan was completed in early 2023 prior to obtaining partner sign-off and publishing on the CDEM website.
Achieved
How are we doing on our key initiatives?
Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group capability and capacity review
How are we doing: KPMG have been contracted to undertake an extensive review of CDEM, looking at structures and resourcing across the region.
On track
Develop a strategy for Waitarakao/Washdyke including technical investigations & community engagement
How are we doing: Community engagement commenced in May, focused on capturing stories, ideas and the importance of community voice while allowing opportunities to share strategy development processes. The engagement campaign utilises our website and social media pages, advertising and maildrops in the catchment area in addition to events such as a lagoon open day, held on 4 March during Seaweek.
On track
Investigate development of a Canterbury Resilience Strategy
How are we doing: A resilience inventory scan, undertaken with the University of Canterbury, has captured themes of the resilience orientation of districts within the region. Staff are reviewing and preparing recommendations for Council.
On track
Recent highlights and updates
News
The Rakaia River berm is being transformed with native flood protection trees replacing pest plants in this ecologically significant area.
News
We have four flood protection projects along the Waihī River in Geraldine, including targeted weeding, native planting, and a memorial site.
News
Canterbury's main centres are being aerially surveyed, adding to our knowledge around the region, and our climate and flood resilience.
News
The coastline from Waiau-toa/Clarence River to Waimate has been captured in 3D by LiDAR (light detection and ranging) via Land Information New Zealand.
Stories
Over a period of more than 100 years, the Waitarakao lagoon has deteriorated. Find out more about the history of the lagoon and how it can be protected.