Category 2 - initial land categorisation

Initial risk assessments were worked out by Gisborne District Council together with the Government's Cyclone Recovery Taskforce.

The assessments included data from Council, the Ministry for the Environment, claims data from insurance companies, census and Māori land information. All were used to categorise areas based on the level of future risk from severe weather events.

We're working to provide as much certainty as possible, while also taking the time to get the best solution for the right place.

Land category map for our district

The map shows the land categories as at 19 December. The number of affected properties currently identified in our region are:

• Category 3 - 62 properties, this number may increase as further assessments are made.
• Category 2A - 36 properties
• Category 2P - 182 properties
• Category 2C - 14 properties

Timeline of information

December - 253 properties removed from the FOSAL framework with others receiving a provisional 2P or 2C categorisation. These property owners should expect to receive a letter late December/early January. Assessments of the 36, 2A properties is a priority.

November - assessment of the remaining 770 category 2A properties continues. Council's technical experts are working on provisionally classifying these properties as 2P or 2C or removing them from the FOSAL framework. We will update property owners on the outcome of these assessments once they're completed.

October - letters sent to property owners notifying of updated map. Over 1000 properties have been removed from the FOSAL framework.

September - Government announces $15M in funding to lift properties flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle.

August - Property level assessments continue with a renewed focus on coordinating assessment efforts and identifying priority areas.

June to August - we held a series of drop-in sessions and community hui for residents to ask our experts questions. These sessions were all well attended. We'll hold a further round of drop-in sessions once we have more information.

June - about 1800 property owners were sent a letter outlining the initial assessment.

What's next?

Our focus continues to be on the confirmation of categorisations and identifying hazard risks.

We'll review all the technical information including individual property information to develop possible solutions.

Then we'll talk with you about possible solutions at a community or individual level and co-design possible interventions to keep your property safe.

We're all working to provide as much certainty as possible, while also taking the time to get the best solution for the right place.

If you have any questions or would like to provide specific information about your property, including photos and videos. See the FOSAL portal.

House lifting funding

In September the Government announced $15M in funding to support the lifting of eligible properties flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Te Aitanga a Mahaki through Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing Limited and Council are currently working through the agreement details of the Resilient Homes initiative along with the specific eligibility criteria properties need to meet to qualify for funding.

More information will be made available, and homeowners engaged in the coming weeks.

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Information about the Category 2 process

Can I appeal a provisional categorisation?

If you feel that the categorisation of your property is incorrect, you're welcome to provide Council with evidence to support a request for change of category. Because the categorisation process has been carried out as a technical assessment based on the risk to life from future severe weather events and the feasibility of risk mitigation options, any evidence will need to be supplied by suitably qualified and experienced experts.

You have 6 weeks to request a review from the date of your provisional classification notification letter. More more information or to discuss the process please email recovery@gdc.govt.nz

Why is it taking so long to sort out and what can I do?

It's very complex, and there's not a one-size-fits-all answer for each situation.

It's important for everyone, homeowners and Council, to have confidence in the information and evidence available to make the best decisions possible when considering the options to address risk.

While we all want to give people certainty as quickly as possible, we need to make sure we have all the information needed to make the right decision. There's a range of options for each situation and we want to make sure that decision-making takes into account the wide range of views and experiences of those who will be most impacted.

Who's making the decisions about what's happening with Category 2 areas?

Council and central government are working together on the recovery. Council has responsibility for regional recovery plans including flood mitigation plans and we are responsible for making decisions about the categorisation of areas.

About the technical panel assessing properties and decisions on category status

A technical panel of Council staff with the required expertise are assessing the properties and being assisted by other experts as and when required.

The qualifications of the panel are too many to list but they range from Council staff with over 20 years’ experience, doctorates in the geotechnical area to outside consultants with CPEng or PENgGeol registration.

The technical panel recommends the category status with the final sign off by Council’s Chief Executive.

What evidence was used to determine that the category applied is correct?

The panel used information and evidence from:

• Site visits
• Discussions with individual property owners
• Technical assessments
• Natural hazard overlay in the District Plan (TRMP)
• Information from previous flooding events
• Information on flood heights
• Flood velocity and the extent of inundation

An external company Pattle Delamore Partners (PDP) was appointed to peer review the process Council has applied for the categorisations and concluded it was a suitable methodology.