8 March 2005

Greater Wellington voted today to bring forward plans to raise and flood proof three houses in Otaihanga. The Kapiti Coast properties suffered flood damage from the severe storms which hit the region during the first week of January.

Chair of the Landcare Committee Chris Laidlaw said that, “Over the past two months we have carried out extensive assessment of the area and consulted widely with the Otaihanga community.”

“These three houses were originally scheduled to be raised in two or three year’s time. However, it makes much more sense to raise them while they are still in a damaged state rather than just repairing them and then raising them up later. We want to deal with the problem now to prevent this happening again.” 

Cr Laidlaw said that Greater Wellington will be holding further meetings with the Otaihanga community in due course to discuss other long-term options. These include upgrading stopbanks, raising more houses and more intensive gravel extraction of some river beds.

Greater Wellington is contributing $120,000 towards the cost of raising and flood proofing the three houses. The properties are situated in Makora Road and Toroa Road.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Chris Laidlaw
Chairperson, Landcare Committee
Greater Wellington
P 934 3143
M 027 425 4668

OR

Catriona Robertson
Senior Communications Advisor
Greater Wellington Regional Council
P 04 381 7747
Mobile: 027 246 7691
Email catriona.robertson@gw.govt.nz