Building consent support for Kaiaua

Property owners considering raising the floor level of homes or buildings following coastal flooding in the Kaiaua Coast now have one less thing to worry about.

Hauraki District Council has agreed to pay or waive up to $2000 in building consent fees for those at risk of flooding who wish to lift their buildings.

The offer is open to all owners of affected properties in the Kaiaua Coast area - the council has budgeted for approximately 10 consent applications per year.

Tidal surge from the January storm caused significant damage to approximately 12 homes, moderate damage to 72 homes, while 157 homes were mildly affected.

Mayor John Tregidga said the council hasn’t received any building consent applications to lift houses in the area, but there have been a number of queries from people considering this. Usual consent fees will still apply for extensions or improvements that go beyond the lifting of the building.

‘‘It’s a small thing we can do to help lift a small bit of the pressure still sitting on the shoulders of those worst affected in this community,’’ said Tregidga.

‘‘Raising the floor level of vulnerable buildings is not a magic bullet for all future hazards in the area, but it will prevent flooding in similar storm conditions to those experienced in January.’’

There’s still time to apply for financial support in the wake of coastal flooding in the Kaiaua Coast area

Tregidga urges anyone affected by coastal flooding in Kaiaua, Waharau, Whakatiwai and Pu¯korokoro-Miranda in January this year to put their hand up for financial support.

‘‘The Kaiaua Disaster Relief Fund was set up to assist people affected by the storm event and we encourage those people to come forward,’’ he said.

‘‘I know this is a really resilient community, and people don’t always like to ask for help but there are times when we all need a bit of extra support and that’s what communities are all about.’’

The fund has raised more than $40,000 and will be open for applications until March 31.