A flood protection design that will protect a new village through the worst-case climate change scenario for the next 100 years has been prepared for Awakeri.

Whakatāne District Council approved commencement of a targeted engagement process for the Awakeri Structure Plan yesterday.

The plan would support up to 1250 homes being built in the rural area over the next 30 years.

Rangitaiki general ward councillor Gavin Dennis, pictured, said some residents were very concerned about flooding given the Mangaroa Stream, which swelled considerably during heavy rain, passed right through the proposed development area.

The area is also bordered by Te Rahu Canal and the Otarere Stream.

He asked staff whether allowances for increased water during storms had been peer reviewed.

Senior policy planner Stephen Goodwin said flood protection had been designed by the council’s hydrologist.

“Through the geotechnical findings we were advised to provide a setback from the centre of the stream or waterway for lateral spread.

What we have integrated into the plan is a wider stream corridor that allows for storage, for wetland opportunities, and for ecological enhancement.

Policy, planning and consents manager Nicholas Woodley said the plan was modelled against a climate change adjusted scenario of RCP 8.5, which assumes high emissions rates continue throughout this century.

“So, it is a highly conservative flood model that has been used. It’s based on the climate in 100 years’ time under a very extreme climate change scenario and it’s been well tested.”

Dennis also asked whether the plan would enable property owners in the area to apply for fast-track consenting.

Strategy and growth general manager Leny Woolsey said if the committee adopted the plan later this year, it did not commit the council to support or oppose any fast-track applications land owners might apply for.

“That is a separate process. Should a collective of landowners choose to do that, this will help them argue why growth is important in the community,” she said.

“This will also help council argue for investment in infrastructure – potentially, transport infrastructure such as an intersection through to the East Cape or waters infrastructure through Infrastructure Funding and Finance.”