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Buyout of Category 3 properties

In January Council appointed independent consultancy firms Align and Simpson Grierson to negotiate a purchase price with Category 3 property owners.

On 8 March 2024 Council took ownership of the first Category 3 property. Negotiation and settlement is a complex process and homeowners are being provided with support.

Removal and demolition of Category 3 properties bought by Council began in October, and is due to finish by the end of summer 2025. Council have engaged with local not for profits to reuse and repurpose items, and reduce demolition waste.

Negotiations and settlements

  • 10

    Negotiations underway

  • 4

    Negotiations completed

  • 39

    Settlements completed

Land category map for our district

The maps shows the land categories - the number of affected properties currently identified in our region as at 1 August:

  • Category 3 - 69 properties, 15 of which are under the DPMC whenua Māori and marae pathway
  • Category 2P - 163 properties.
  • Category 2C - 15 properties.

Information about the process

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 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 decides that a property is Category 3?

The Government's FOSAL framework specifies that Council is responsible for classifying land.

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.

Latest News

Our Road to Recovery

More information by land category

Here's all the information we have so far under each category. We'll update the information as the next stages are worked through.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Phone 0800 653 800 (24 hours)
Email service@gdc.govt.nz
Website www.gdc.govt.nz
In writing

15 Fitzherbert Street
Gisborne. 4010
New Zealand