Changing coastline researched
‘‘There are several options – more dune planting, seawalls, raised floors, relocatable buildings, or changes to where we build.’’
Kāpiti District Council
The Kāpiti District Council is preparing locals to be ready for change as it continues work to investigate the impact of climate change on the coast.
Households will eventually have the potential impact of rising sea levels listed on their LIM report.
In a lengthy statement it says coastlines are constantly changing – daily, weekly, yearly and over decades.
‘‘It’s clear coastal communities like ours are facing more frequent, and more damaging natural hazards such as coastal erosion and inundation (flooding by the sea) due to climate change.
‘‘This is because global warming causes polar ice to melt, ocean waters to expand and sea levels to rise. It creates more frequent and extreme storms, and unseasonal weather,’’ the statement says.
The council’s primary concern is for community infrastructure and assets like roads, pipes and parks that are being damaged more often by severe weather.
The cost of repairs rests with ratepayers and the council is looking at options that could see it move some of its assets further inland.
‘‘We need to figure out whether it’s worth continually paying for repairs or adapt in other ways.
‘‘There are several options – more dune planting, seawalls, raised floors, relocatable buildings, or changes to where we build.’’
More information will soon be available in a report commissioned by the council, ‘Coastal hazard susceptibility and vulnerability assessment for the Ka¯ piti Coast District coastline’.
The methodology for the assessment is on the council website and has been included in LIMs (Land Information Memoranda) from June 2021. Read it at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/coastalscience.
The assessment, by coastal engineering and environmental experts Jacobs New Zealand Ltd
who have undertaken similar work here and internationally, was peer reviewed by Greater Wellington Regional Council and coastal engineering experts Beca Ltd.
Jacobs also met with critics Coastal Ratepayers United (CRU) to discuss their views on the methodology in late 2021.
The council has set-up the Takutai Kāpiti project to help tap into community views before any decisions are made.
Community input and advice will be led by the newly established Coastal Advisory Panel (CAP), supported by but independent of council.
The process and the panel were co-designed by local and regional council staff, Tangata Whenua, and key critics of the council’s previous approach to planning for coastal changes – CRU and North Ōtaki Beach Residents Group.
The council notes insurers and banks around the world are taking a close interest in the impact of climate change.
They want local authorities to take a long-term view and be proactive in looking at how communities should adapt to coastal changes.
Since June 2021, LIMs have included a link to Jacobs’ initial report. Once their final report is released, the council is required by law to include the information in newly issued LIMs.
Prospective buyers and existing property owners are entitled to the full picture to do their due diligence prepurchase or when deciding if they want to invest in new buildings or renovations, the council says.