Dams and streams upscaled management on track

In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle's unprecedented impact on Havelock North's dam and stream network, Hastings District Council has materially enhanced its monitoring and management, and there is more to come.

Council's response represents a significant shift in approach, given the February 2023 weather event was two and a half times more severe than the system's original 1970s design parameters, and that changing climate is expected to increase the number and ferocity of storms.

“With climate change increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events, we're taking decisive actions to better protect our community,” says Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

“We have made significant progress with a much higher focus on the streams than there has been over the decades. While we cannot prepare for every event – it is impossible to provide the infrastructure to cope with storms of such a magnitude – we can and must ensure that the network is as good as it can be and that there are emergency systems in place to help people to make informed decisions during a major storm.”

Since March 2023, Council had implemented numerous practical improvements to the dams and streams network. One of the most significant changes had been the appointment of a dedicated maintenance contractor, overseen by a Council contract manager, to carry out both routine and reactive dam and stream maintenance.

Council had also leveraged technology to enhance its monitoring capabilities. A drone survey of the five Havelock North streams and dams has been completed, providing valuable data for planning and modelling activities. This technological approach extended to the installation of stream monitoring equipment, with initial trials due to start this month.

Council had also established a Programme Steering Group comprising community members, which had been meeting bi-monthly since August. Regular newsletters, drop-in sessions, and community meetings helped ensure residents could stay informed of progress and upcoming works. Public communications included an interactive dashboard where community members are able to track maintenance activities and the response to service requests.

The next 18 months will see several more significant initiatives completed. Following the stream monitoring equipment trial, Council plans to install 10 to 12 monitors across the network, high-priority mitigation infrastructure projects will continue, and Council will finalise guidelines for streambank management and remediation, including clarifying the responsibilities of Council and stream-side residents, particularly important given 90 per cent of stream banks are on private property. Work on a catchment management strategy and an asset management plan to inform long-term planning and funding decisions will also be completed. Council will also need to consider and consult on the level of maintenance long-term, and how that will be funded.

With enhanced surveillance, regular maintenance, and improved emergency response protocols in place, Council is confident these changes represent a significant step forward in protecting, managing and maintaining Havelock North's waterways.

For a comprehensive list of actions to date and planned for the next 18 months see: www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/Havelock-North-Dams-and-Streams-Actions-List

20 January 2025

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