We protect against flood damage and issues from land drainage through several systems – or what we call Rivers and Drainage Schemes.
The Rivers and Drainage Schemes are defined areas of land where we build and maintain flood defences (such as stopbanks, floodwalls, pump stations, flood gates etc), manage riverbank erosion risks and undertake drain maintenance.
Ratepayers across the region contribute to river and drain management. However, if you live within a scheme, you pay an additional targeted rate for the level of benefit you receive.
For example, if your property is in a low-lying area, you are more at risk from flooding than someone who is located on higher ground. Therefore, as your property receives greater benefit from the scheme assets and services, your property will have a different classification and a different rate than someone else who may not benefit as much.
There are four major Rivers Scheme targeted rating areas (Kaituna Catchment Control, Rangitāiki-Tarawera, Whakatāne-Tauranga and Waioeka-Otara) and a major Drainage Scheme covering the Rangitāiki Plains area.
There are also 34 minor drainage and pumping schemes on the Rangitāiki Plains and Ōpōtiki area. In the Rangitāiki Plains area, it is common for properties to contribute to three separate schemes (i.e. the Rangitāiki-Tarawera Rivers Scheme, the Rangitāiki Drainage Scheme and one of the minor pumping schemes).
Find out more about flood protection around the rohe here.