Damien O’Connor, List MP Labour
It’s a very challenging situation for many farmers and homeowners who have been hammered by the recent floods across the Top of the South. In particular the Motueka Valley and its surrounding tributaries. I have travelled around as best I can and viewed a huge amount of destruction. It will take a lot of time to recover, and we all have to support the people affected.
A few months ago, the opening of the Waimea Dam was celebrated. It delivers more reliable water for growers on the Waimea Plains and supports river ecology through a more stable aquifer. It is a credit to tenacious advocates even if costing multiples of the original proposal. But the alternative lack of long-term reliable water for one of New Zealand’s most productive land areas would have been economically and environmentally unsustainable.
Even climate change deniers are now having to admit that weather events are more frequent, acute and disastrous across the planet. For our region reliant on stable weather and consistent water, life is not going to get any easier. The dam helps as do the numerous stop banks built over many generations. But the challenge grows as does the cost of all mitigation, without even considering the ever-increasing recovery costs. Insurance companies are doing those calculations now and that will no doubt eliminate cover for some in high-risk situations.
Councils are being credited or blamed depending on where you live. A government report suggesting central funded bailouts should be phased out is also a concern. For the genuine trusting Kiwi land or homeowner, they assume that approval to proceed with activity or investment comes with some security. This may no longer apply and will undermine confidence to live, work and invest in our regions.
Let the buyer beware takes on a whole new meaning particularly for poorer and disadvantaged Kiwis across New Zealand. Especially in rural areas where individuals are isolated and without the strength of collective advocacy.
It is time for us to consider the longer-term implications of these weather events alongside the critical importance of people who live outside cities and towns.
At the moment they need our help to recover. And hopefully both local and central governments will do all they can to assist as quickly as possible.
