It could be ageing infrastructure, urban creep or heavier and more frequent rain events or a combination of all three – regardless, a rethink is needed in the way we fund and manage our flood-protection schemes.
As we reported last week, thankfully regional councils are doing just that, asking the government to establish a $150 million fund to co-invest in capital works and maintenance of flood-protection infrastructure.
Last year Canterbury, Westport and Marlborough were hit hard by extensive flooding and councils argue that even a modest increase in protection could have saved some of those communities from crippling clean-up bills and the social upheaval.
They argue that climate change means heavy rain events will become more common, and while extending flood protection is an appropriate response, construction can no longer be ignored or delayed.
The proposed response could be a contrast to the way we have previously managed rivers, with engineers considering widening riverbeds by pushing back stop banks to reduce the energy of rising water.
The Ashburton River was narrowed with stop banks several decades ago, but in last year’s floods pressure from rising water caused several spots to fail, exacerbating the damage.
Rural ratepayers have logically carried most of the financial burden, as they have the most to lose, but the issue is broader.
Peri-urban development in Canterbury has been permitted alongside rivers and now those structures are exposed to flooding.
Inevitably, competing demands for ratepayers’ dollars and their ability to pay has contributed to underinvestment in flood protection.
Astonishingly, the government has not regularly contributed to the costs of flood protection since the late 1980s, even though Crown assets – roads, railway lines and other infrastructure – benefit from those schemes.
Councils estimate an extra $150m a year needs to be invested in our flood schemes, a cost that is prohibitive for ratepayers.
As is regularly reinforced, floods are incredibly damaging and disruptive to communities, so it is welcome news that councils are looking to address financial anomalies as well as considering engineering solutions.
More of the same does not appear a long-term answer.
