**Update** A great watch – John Campbell and Paul Zaanen discuss coastal resilience in Westport as part of a piece called The Fight for ‘Options, hope and Choice’ in small-town New Zealand.
As the climate changes, its effects are felt across the globe, from large cities to rural communities. Led by the Government, Councils, and local communities, efforts are being made to keep New Zealand communities safe and resilient now and in the future.
After exceptionally heavy rain, combined with high tides, Westport was hit by severe flooding in July 2021 and February 2022. Almost 20% of Westport’s homes were flooded, and people were displaced. Working with Crown and local council we assisted in the feasibility and implementation of a new 22 Lot temporary village, working alongside MBIE Temporary Accommodation Services (TAS). Along with our own team, we managed the engagement of further experts to work jointly across the project’s lifespan, from feasibility, design, value engineering, resource and building consents, contractor procurement, and construction to completion.
Learning from this, Crown, Council and key stakeholders understand the need to prepare for and plan around significant future flooding events, alongside other hazards.
The Kawatiri Business Case works under the following PARA framework for adaptation:
P = Protection (flood defences etc)
A = Avoidance of the Hazards (zoning and infrastructure in areas with low to no natural hazards R = Retreat (relocation from hazards either pre or post-events)
A = Accommodate (from Civil Defence through to stormwater management)
The regions’ Master Planning, led by Paul Zaanen, is a comprehensive planning process that considers the options and opportunities for the short-, medium- and long-term future of the greater Westport area. The purpose is to provide a pathway for the community, public and private sectors, in the development of areas of land for future use, creating greater choice for the community around lower-risk areas. Economic and social development are the key focus areas, taking into account hazard planning and the general well-being of the community, where and how Westport should grow.
These initiatives are crucial for any region’s future current and future planning.
The Master Planning work being undertaken under the Resilient Westport framework is a cutting-edge approach in working alongside communities to adapt to challenges and changes over time with Joseph and Associates using significant experience in this field to initiate transformative adaptation.
Services
Community and Private Sector Engagement | Strategic Negotiations with Crown and Council | Manage Steering Groups | Feasibility | Project Management | Quantity Surveying | Value Engineering I Design Lead | Design Co-ordination and Project Monitoring | Infrastructure Services | Decommissioning | Site Restoration