Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards

Service measure 19: Percentage of stopbanks, river berms and fairways on our six major flood protection and control schemes that are inspected annually.

Target: Establish a baseline.

Result: In 2024/25, 92% of stopbanks, river berms, and fairways across the six major flood protection and control schemes (Kaikōura Rivers, Ashley/Rakahuri, Waimakariri-Eyre-Cust, Ashburton Rivers, Orari-Waihi-Temuka, and Opihi) were inspected.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It reflects our statutory obligation to maintain stopbanks, river berms, fairways and drainage assets. Following an inspection, the condition of the asset is measured on a scale of 1-5 (1: very good; 5: poor) and an overall performance assessment is made. This information supports the development of a programme of work to ensure, where appropriate, the condition sits at or below 3.

The GIS system used to document inspections for river berms and fairways did not systematically record details of when the inspection took place. This means it has not been possible to verify the percentage result. To address this issue the GIS system has been updated to capture this information going forward.

Service measure 20: Percentage of flood protection work that implements nature-based and/or multi-benefit flood and river resilience solutions.

Target: Establish a baseline.

Result: In 2024/25, 15% of flood protection work incorporated nature-based and/or multi-benefit flood and river resilience solutions.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It shows that when we carry out flood protection and maintenance work, we are taking advantage of opportunities to use multi-benefit or nature-based solutions that work with and enhance the environment, providing environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits.

Service measure 19 was designed to reflect our statutory obligation to maintain stop banks, river berms, fairways and drainage assets in line with the Department of Internal Affairs’ (DIA) Non-Financial Performance Measure Rules 2024 for flood protection and control works. Through the preparation and audit of the Annual Report 2024/25, it was identified that the service measure does not meet all of the DIA requirements to measure and report on major flood protection and control works that are maintained, repaired and renewed to the key standards defined in the Council’s planning documents (such as its Asset Management Plans, annual work programmes or the 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy in the Long-Term Plan). Additional information is provided below to address this. The Council will update its service measures and reporting to meet DIA requirements in the 2025/26 financial year.

Major flood protection and control work that are maintained, repaired and renewed

The major flood protection and control works that are maintained, repaired and renewed to the key standards defined in Council’s relevant planning documents (Asset Management Plans, annual work programme and budget, and 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy). For 2024/25, the additional measures reported are:

• 97% (actual spend $9.6M) of the flood protection and control works maintenance and repair budget was invested, exceeding the target of at least 90% of budgeted spend of $9.9M (This target is taken from the Routine Maintenance Plan section in Part A of the Flood Protection and Drainage Rating District Asset Management Plans).
• 100% of major flood protection and control work renewals commenced on or ahead of schedule, surpassing the target of at least 90%.

Maintenance and repair: We are reporting on the percentage of actual spend on maintenance and repair programmes of work, against budget. While the programme of maintenance work is based on identified priority sites, repair work is reactive, so work may be reprioritised during the year to address the impact of any minor or major flood event within the available budget (or if there is a major flood, Council may allocate additional budget). This year, 201 maintenance and repair jobs were completed with an actual spend of $9.6 million, against a budgeted spend of $9.9 million (97%). There were no major repairs required in 2024/25 due to significant flood events.

Renewals: We are reporting on the programme of work for renewals set out in the 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy. Renewal projects have commenced or are underway on the Ashley Rakahuri, Ashburton Rivers, Waimakariri-Eyre-Cust, and Orari-Waihi-Temuka schemes as scheduled. Three additional renewal projects have commenced this year. These are projects that have been brought forward from their planned commencement date due to central government funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund Flood Resilience Programme – Tranche 1.

Service measure 21: Percentage of time that the duty flood controller is available during the year.

Target: 100% duty flood controller availability.

Result: In 2024/25, we had a qualified duty flood controller on call throughout the year 100% of the time.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It provides confidence to the community that we have a qualified flood controller on call throughout the year. This means that the community, territorial authorities and the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group get the best possible information about potential flooding impacts during a flood event.

Service measure 22: Percentage of the hydrometric network sites that are operational at any given time.

Target: 90% or more hydrometric network sites that are operational.

Result: In 2024/25, we maintained 94% of hydrometric network sites operational at any given time, exceeding the target of 90%.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It provides assurance that our hydrometric network, spanning over 200 sites, is 90% operational all of the time.

Service measure 23: Percentage of natural hazards advice requests responded to within 10 working days.

Target: 90% or more advice given within 10 working days.

Result: In 2024/25, we responded to 98% of natural hazards advice requests within 10 working days, exceeding the target of 90%.

This measure ensures that we are providing the public and territorial authorities with natural hazards advice on coastal, geological and flood hazards in a timely way. We have consistently achieved this measure.

Service measure 24: Percentage of time that an Emergency Coordination Centre and a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller are available and ready to activate.

Target: 100% emergency readiness and coordination capacity.

Result: In 2024/25, our Emergency Coordination Centre and a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller were available and ready to activate 100% of the time, meeting the target.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It demonstrates Environment Canterbury’s administrative authority functions to support and enable the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and its members delivering Civil Defence Emergency Management in the region.

Service measure 25: Percentage of appointees in the Emergency Coordination Centre that are trained to Civil Defence Emergency Management Group standards.

Target: 90% or more appointees trained.

Result: In 2024/25, 100% of our Emergency Coordination Centre appointees were trained to Civil Defence Emergency Management Group standards, exceeding the target of 90%.

This is a new measure for 2024/25. It provides assurance that our appointees in the Emergency Coordination Centre are trained to the Civil Defence Emergency Group standards. Appointees are Environment Canterbury staff members and members of the public, who are volunteers.

Service measure 26: Percentage of time recreational boating and commercial shipping safety is maintained in accordance with national standards (New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code).

Target: 100% compliance.

Result: In 2024/25, we maintained recreational boating and commercial shipping safety in full compliance with the New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code 100% of the time, meeting the target.

This measures that the Harbourmaster and Coastal team are meeting their obligations under the New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code.

Service mesure 27: Percentage of time that the Harbourmaster is available during the year.

Target: 100% availability.

Result: In 2024/25, the Harbourmaster team was available 100% of the time throughout the year, meeting the target.

This measure provides confidence to the community that we have a qualified Harbourmaster on call throughout the year. This means that the Harbourmaster is able to respond to events in and on our harbours and coastal, marine and inland waterways.