FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Index:
1.
Why does this work need to be done?
2.
What engineering work is Horizons Regional Council proposing?
3.
How much is this flood protection work likely to cost?
4.
What is the estimated financial cost of not undertaking this work at all?
5.
How does Horizons propose that this work be funded?
6.
Which ratepayers would be paying what contribution under Horizons
proposal?
7.
What is a “scheme”?
8.
Where is the Lower Whanganui Scheme boundary?
9.
I live within the Lower Whanganui Scheme boundary. How much extra
am I likely to be paying in rates to fund this work?
10. Which areas are most likely to be affected by flooding?
11. I don’t live within the areas identified as being at risk from flooding, so
why should I pay
12. How much extra protection would Horizons’ proposed upgrade give?
13. What is meant the terms 50/100/200-year floods, and Annual
Exceedance Probability (AEP)?
14. How long is this flood protection work likely to take to complete, and
how will this process be staged?
15. How are ratepayers in the Wanganui area being kept informed about
this issue?
16. How can I find out more?
17. Where and when are public meetings being held?
18. How can I have my say?
1
Why does this work need to be done?
Refer background (above), and question 4
2
What engineering work is Horizons Regional
Council proposing?
Following considerable research into several engineering options, Horizons
proposes flood mitigation measures comprising a combination of
embankments (stopbanks), concrete flood walls and removable stop logs.
Cost, aesthetics, accessibility and other relevant factors have all been
considered when preparing this proposal.
Various design options have been prepared to achieve flood protection to
50-year, 100-year, 200-year and global warming standards (refer question
13 for definition of these terms).
3
How much is this flood protection work likely to
cost?
The initial cost of this flood protection upgrade is estimated at between $8.3
million and $11.2 million, depending on the level of protection ratepayers
choose.
The estimated capital cost of the preferred “200 year” protection option is
around $10 million. Total scheme costs over a 20-year period for that option
are estimated to be around $20 million. This includes loan servicing,
vegetation maintenance and management costs.
4
What is the estimated financial cost of not
undertaking this work at all?
Without a high standard of additional flood protection, the financial
implications alone have been estimated at between $91 - $141 million in
total.
Undertaking this work would save an estimated $1.6 - $2.1 million each and
every year.
5
How does Horizons propose that this work be
funded?
Horizons has prepared a funding model whereby the capital works would be
completed over a seven year period, providing flood protection to the 0.5%
AEP standard (refer question 13 for explanation).
Under this model, capital works would be funded partly by borrowing and
partly from rates collection (refer following Q6 for more details), with loans to
be repaid over a period of 20 years. This method of funding would ensure
that future generations contributed to the costs of work that would benefit
them
6
Which ratepayers would be paying
contribution under Horizons’ proposal
what
Under Horizons proposal, 80% of all scheme costs (capital and
maintenance) would be met by those residing within the Lower Whanganui
Scheme boundary, via a targeted rate (refer Q8 for further details)
The remaining 20% would be funded by all ratepayers living within the wider
Horizons regional boundary, through a general rate.
7
What is a “scheme”?
A scheme is a defined area that receives necessary flooding, erosion or
drainage benefits, and pays a targeted rate for that service.
8
Where is the Lower Whanganui Scheme boundary?
The proposed Lower Wanganui scheme area includes all properties within
the Wanganui district.
9
I live within the proposed Lower Whanganui
Scheme boundary. How much extra am I likely to
be paying in rates to fund this work
This will depend on a combination of your property’s capital value, its
identified risk from flood damage and the final option adopted following
stakeholder consultation. Under Horizons proposal, an average urban
Wanganui house with capital value of $215 000 would contribute between
$46.70 and $72.74. All rural properties within the Lower Whanganui
Scheme boundary would contribute $8.81.
10
Which areas are most likely to be affected by
flooding?
Very significant damage is predicted for Balgownie industrial estate, Kowhai
Park/Anzac Parade urban and Taupo Quay commercial areas. Significant
damage is predicted for the Putiki residential area. However all of the Lower
Whanganui Scheme area would be affected either directly or indirectly (refer
following question 11)
11
I don’t live within the areas identified as being at
risk from flooding, so why should I pay?
All residents living within the Lower Whanganui Scheme boundary would be
affected in the event of a major flood, either directly (through damage/loss to
their property), or indirectly (through the wider economic and social
implications of loss/damage to infrastructure, services, employment etc).
Horizons therefore proposes four rating levels for these properties as
follows: those identified as being most at risk from flooding and associated
damage would be charged at one of the two higher “direct benefit” rates (W1
or W2). All other properties would be charged at one of the two lower
“indirect benefit” rates (N1 or N2).
12 How much extra protection would Horizons’
proposed upgrade give?
The level of additional protection would depend on the scheme that
ratepayers choose, following the consultation process.
Horizons own recommendation is for 0.5% AEP as this is the accepted
national standard for equivalent major urban areas (refer following question
13). Without this level of additional protection, an estimated 660 buildings
would currently be flooded in such an event
13
What is meant by the terms 50/100/200- year floods,
and Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP)?
These terms refer to the probability of a particular flood size being equalled
or exceeded in any given year. For example, a 100-year flood has a one in
one hundred, or 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP). A 200-year
flood is larger, and has a lower occurrence probability (0.5%) in any given
year.
It is important to note that these terms cannot guarantee the frequency of a
particular size of flood, (nor can this AEP probability be considered 100%
accurate or fixed, due to various factors including the diversity of weather
patterns and ongoing predicted climate change).
14 How long is this flood protection work likely to take
to complete, and how will the process be staged?
Under Horizons’ proposal, the required capital upgrade would be undertaken
and completed over a seven year period. Work would be undertaken in
stages, and priority given to those areas at greatest risk. Balgownie
industrial estate has been identified as the likely area for stage one of this
project.
Maintenance of flood protection works and management of river edge
vegetation would be ongoing
How are ratepayers in the Wanganui area being
kept informed about this issue
15
Horizons has organised the following campaign:




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20 000 leaflet drops in Wanganui: 28 March - 1 April 2008
Local radio coverage: March - May 2008
Local newspaper coverage: from Dec 07 - May 2008
Horizons quarterly Across the Region magazine (local edition): 28
March 2008
**Key stakeholder meetings: Feb - April 08 (see below**)
Public open meetings: March - April 08 (refer following question 18
for further details)
**A Whanganui River Protection Working Party has been assembled
comprising councillors and officers from Horizons Regional Council and
Wanganui District Council, together with Whanganui River iwi and
community representatives. This group will meet with key stakeholders from
the Wanganui community throughout the consultation process
16 How can I find out more?

Extensive further information on this issue is available on our
website at www.horizons.govt.nz
(Follow Council/Current
consultation links, or use word search function)

Horizons is holding public open meetings (refer following
question 17 for further details).

You may also visit Horizons’ Wanganui regional office at 181
Guyton Avenue, Wanganui, between 8am - 5pm Monday to
Friday
17 Where and when are public meetings being held?
Horizons is holding the following four open days at various locations in
Wanganui, with open invitation to the public. There is no need to book in
advance:

Central: Saturday 29 March, 9am
Venue: General Rivers Traders Market:

Balgownie Estate Area: Thurs 3rd April 6.30 pm
Venue: Sailing Wanganui Clubrooms, 70 Gilbert St

St Johns Hill: Friday 11 April, 6.30pm
Venue: Wanganui Bridge Club

Kowhai Park area: Wednesday 16 April 6.30 pm
Venue: Wanganui Girls’ School Hall, Jones Street
18 How can I have my say?
All Horizons ratepayers will have the opportunity to make submissions
on the proposed project during Horizons Draft Annual Plan consultation
period. Written and oral submissions can be made from 1 April to 2 May
2008, and submissions will be heard during May 2008.
Submission forms are available online or from Horizons offices, and can
be completed and submitted either manually or electronically