YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO HAVE A SAY.

Horizons Regional Council is proposing seven options for the design of the Arawhata Wetland Complex.

Once a conceptual design has been reached, it will form the basis of their resource consent applications.

“To expedite the consenting process, it is likely that the Governance Group will seek to use the ‘fast track’ pathway available under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.”

- Letter from Horizons Regional Council dated 21 September 2022, which a number of local residents tell me they have neither received nor read.

We’ve all seen the damage done by flooding in the recent season. After resource consent has been granted, I believe that it may mean you have no recourse if your property rights are affected.

Horizons Regional Council has produced reports, but these reports did not include sections on hydrolysis for the Arawhata Wetland Complex, which I believe will be critical to decision making.

I believe that what Horizons Regional Council has done at the Arawhata Wetland Complex has made the land between Waiwiri Stream and Hokio Stream a lot wetter, resulting in flooding events that Horowhenua residents haven’t seen in 70 years.

I believe that will make the land north of the Hokio Stream right up to Waitarere wetter with some flooding, with seepage also into the Koputoroa new spring showing up. I believe it will cause some flooding in Levin - houses, roads & concrete will be affected with more run off. I believe the weir is holding the lake at a higher level, going back worse than pre-European times.

This might be the last public meeting on this issue, and the outcome of this meeting will be critical in determining the future of Horowhenua. Make sure you’re there to have your say.

3pm Monday 21st November

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po (Levin Community Centre)

If you can’t attend, but wish to make your thoughts known, email Donald Hayes at dffarm@inspire.net.nz or call me on 027 473 3235.