northland chamber

Whangarei Flood Submission


Submission to:

The Whangarei District Council

Submission regarding:

CBD Flood Management Consultation

Submission by:

The Northland Chamber of Commerce

Decision sought from District Council

Consideration to Vince Cocurullos Submission below and particularly the ‘Viable Options’ and then…

To Commit exploring an extra option and gaining a professional opinion to the concept outlined in the appendixed paper by our board member Jeroen Jongejans

The Application

The Northland Chamber of Commerce currently has 350 financial members that employ the equivalent of 4000 full time employees.

Since 1903, the Northland Chamber of Commerce has served the needs of the Northland business community through its public policy and advocacy initiatives and its business development programs and services.

The Chamber also works to ensure that Northland has a business-friendly environment where all businesses can grow and prosper. With this, also comes paying close attention to the quality of life the region offers our members’ employees and families. The Chamber works to make a difference in Northland’s future and to help Northland grow.

The Northland Chamber of Commerce generally favour well researched development projects that add value to the economy, community and infrastructure of the region especially those projects that undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure that the community and environment are protected.

CBD Flood Management
The Northland Chamber of Commerce has requested its members to give us a lead on the Flood Control proposals recently put forward by the Whangarei District Council. Two members Vince Cocurullo and Jeroen Jongejans have forwarded submissions to the council as individuals separately (appendixed below) and the Northland Chamber of Commerce recommend the following actions be taken as a result of these submissions

1. In the first instance - Consideration to the proposal appendixed by Vince Cocurullo

Cocurullo has outlined some quick fix or maintenance options below that can be implemented – these are;

Dredging the harbour to depths greater than that is presently being done.
Upgrading sewer and storm-water pipes within the CBD.
Cleaning out the waterways and streams of rubbish and debris regularly.
Cleaning the cesspits and kerb and channel regularly.
Removing the Mangroves within the harbour entrance, and therefore create more spots for the boats to park.
Before all sub-divisions start they must provide approved and adequate methods of dealing with the silt from the area.

The Northland Chamber would support any combination of these activities which would reduce the immediate effect of Flooding in the CBD

2. Further investigation into the ‘Dyke’ option as outlined in the following appendix by Jeroen Jongejans.

Although some excellent work has been done to date on the 7 options we would like to see some professional consideration given to a ‘dyke’ option.

As outlined in Jongejans proposal it is possible that the ‘Dyke’ option has not been considered due to it not being a usual practice in New Zealand as it is in the Netherlands.

Initially, the Chamber can see some clear advantage with a number of additional problems being solved by utilising this option.

Tidal Control – Restricting high tides during periods of high ‘flood’ causing rainfall
Traffic Flows – Improved by double usage of the Dyke as the ‘Second Harbour Crossing’
Potential ‘Iconic feature’ – A unique point of difference for the city to assist with the Destination marketing Effort.
Control of Tide levels in the Town Basin – During times of low flood risk to enable maximum recreational and visitor usage on the water and enhancing the visual effect of the Harbourside by hiding unsightly features such as Mud Flats etc during daylight hours.

The Chamber feels that it would be prudent to invest in a professional opinion due to the potential positive effects this option could have on Flooding, Traffic and Visitor Industry issues.

We recommend that resources be earmarked for an overview opinion from a suitably qualified engineer answering the following questions.

Could a Dyke option around the Lime Burners Creek area reduce or eliminate the flooding problems in the affected area?
Would a harbour Crossing in the same area reduce or eliminate traffic congestion problems in Whangarei CBD?

We would welcome the opportunity to be heard on this application