What are we doing?

Waikato Regional Council are involved in a number of key areas in order to reduce the risk from flooding.  These are outlined below:

Development of regional hazard management policies, strategies and plans

• Development of the Flood Risk Mitigation Plan
• Long Term Council Community Plan
• Civil Defence and Emergency Management Plan
• Flood Risk Management Strategy 2009 click here for more information
• Site-specific hazard mitigation plans
• River and Catchment Services Zone Plans
• Input into sustainable development initiatives
• Regional Plan

Provision of information, advice and advocacy

• Regional-scale flood hazard information
• Coastal Inundation Tool(external link)
• Development of detailed site-specific and flood hazard specific information
• Advocacy on hazards identification, assessment and policy development for key stakeholders
• Proactive advice to all key stakeholders

Regulatory mechanisms

• Waikato Regional Plan
• Statutory process advocacy
• Waikato River High Flow Management Plan

Community liaison, support and partnerships

• River and Catchment Liaison and Land Drainage Sub Committees
• Site specific community hazard response support
• Partnerships with key stakeholders
• Landscare groups

Physical works

• Soil conservation - management of numerous schemes with a total land retirement of more than 11,000 ha
• River management - keeping the channels clear
• Flood protection - minimising damage to urban and rural communities
• Pest control - contributes to catchment stability
• Riparian plantings.

Hazard warning and response

• Flood warning and management
• Provision and maintenance of response plans

Public awareness and education

• Regional hazards website
• Provison of information to the public
• Public awareness surveys
• Publications(external link)

Research support

• Waikato River hydrology
• Climate change adaptation 

For policy information on how Waikato Regional Council manages flood risk, check out the Regional Policy Statement.(external link)