Flooding

Management of flood hazards, has shifted from a 'river control/flood control' approach to a more integrated 'floodplain management' approach. Reliance on structural measures, such as stopbanks and river training works, to prevent flood damage is no longer sufficient. Now more modern approaches are to develop 'floodplain management' plans or strategies. These may still make use of stopbanks, etc, but also consider land use controls (that is, adjusting our activities rather than trying to control the river) and other options such as flood insurance, civil defence procedures and education mechanisms.

The strategies promote rational use of floodplains - balancing costs and risks of land use with benefits of the land use.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Disaster Recovery Office

The purpose of the Recovery Office is to coordinate support for the community affected by the storm in July 2004, and most recently, the disaster at Matata in May 2005. The Recovery Office can support and help people, families and communities get their lives back together after a disaster, by providing specialist services and resources.

This website www.easternboprecovery.org.nz contains information for people affected by the disasters and provides an umbrella for the Whakatane District Council's Recovery Team and the supporting agencies involved in the recovery process.

Related pages

• Rivers and drainage