Requested Information:

“I am writing to formally request information under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) concerning the flood risks and mitigation strategies in place for the Tawa community, particularly in light of the planned housing developments in Stebbings
Valley and upstream areas from Tawa and Porirua.
In July 2021, the Porirua Stream at Tawa experienced a significant peak flow event, with rainfall peaking around 1600 hrs on 17 July and stream flow reaching a critical point at approximately 15:55, measured at 77.692100 m³/sec. This event, observed as coming dangerously close to overtopping the banks, coupled with previous flooding in the Tawa business area and subsequent bank erosion, highlighted substantial vulnerabilities in our flood management infrastructure.
Similarly, the recent flooding in Wairoa in June 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive flood management. On 26 June 2024, heavy rainfall led to severe flooding, impacting over 500 properties and resulting in a state of local emergency. Criticism regarding the management of river bar conditions during this event reinforces the need for continuous improvements in flood mitigation efforts. Specifically, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council faced criticism for not opening the river bar sooner, which could have reduced the severity of the flooding. The council admitted that earlier action could have mitigated the impact, emphasising the need for better preparedness and quicker response times in future incidents.

Given the ongoing risks to the Tawa community due to extreme weather events and the planned future housing developments, I request detailed information on the following:
1. Enhanced Flood Monitoring and Warning Systems: What improvements have been made to the real-time monitoring and early warning systems for flood risks in the Tawa region since the July 2021 event?
2. Infrastructure Upgrades:
What upgrades have been made to stormwater systems and drainage infrastructure to handle higher volumes of runoff during heavy rainfall events in Tawa? How effective have these upgrades been in reducing flood risks?
3. Impact of Future Housing Developments:
What flood mitigation strategies are being employed to address the potential increase in runoff from the planned housing developments in Stebbings Valley and upstream from Tawa and Porirua? How is the council ensuring that these developments do not exacerbate flood risks for the Tawa community?
4. Long-term Flood Management Strategies:
What long-term strategies are in place to manage and mitigate flood risks in the Tawa region, particularly in light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events?

This information is sought to understand the measures being taken by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to protect the Tawa community from the devastating impacts of flooding and to ensure that effective measures are in place to mitigate future risks, especially considering
the anticipated population growth and housing developments. I request that the information be provided in an electronic format and look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe. If any part of this request is unclear or requires further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at"