1. LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAY 2009 Presented by Paula Hunter, MWH NZ Ltd New Zealand Climate Centre Climate Change Adaptation Conference Including Transport and Infrastructure

2. Introduction Effects of climate change on local government Functions of local government that relate to climate change adaptation Legislative framework Infrastructure Challenges Opportunities –way forward Need for integrated approaches Communicating the messages

3. Future risks … more floods Increased occurrence of heavy rainfall and floods, storms –Loss of life –Property damage –More landslides –Loss of productive soils Manawatu 04 floods direct cost $150M. One in hundred year events could become one in twenty five.

4. Future risks … more droughts Droughts more frequent, especially in the east –Changed hydro output –Competition for water (change in supply and demand)

5. Future risks … coastal flooding Sea level rise – 0.5m +? by 2100 –Storm surge and damaging waves –Salt water intrusion –Erosion –Loss of life, property damage Currently $1B of real estate within Coromandel coastal hazard setback zone alone.

6. Local Government Functions Integrated management of natural and physical resources Management of the effects of land use Avoiding and mitigating natural hazards Policy and plan making responsibilities Development approval and control powers Provision and maintenance of infrastructure Civil defence responsibilities Community support and outreach

7. Legislative Framework Resource Management Act 1991 Part 2 – sustainable management, future generations, avoiding, remedying, mitigating effects Particular regard to the effects of climate change Hierarchy of planning instruments Definition of “effects” Gather information, monitor and keep records Subdivision and resource consents Emergency provisions

8. Legislative Framework Local Government Act 2002 Main purpose “…to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities, in the present and for the future” Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) Building Act 2004 Project information memorandum Building on land subject to natural hazards Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002

9. Infrastructure Water sources, treatment and reticulation Stormwater collection, reticulation and disposal Wastewater collection, reticulation, treatment and disposal Safe sanitation - municipal waste disposal Transport/roading networks – services in roads Social infrastructure Asset planning and management Three (urban) waters – green technologies

10. Challenges Access to information - reliable, relevant, local data Differing effects and drivers Translating the big picture to the regional/local level Political risk – short term electoral cycle vs. intergenerational planning The “C C” words Restricting property rights Protecting private property Resourcing – critical mass Ability and agility to respond – planning documents

11. Opportunities – way forward What New Zealanders think – NZBCSD Survey - 76% believe climate change is a problem - 65% believe effects are already happening - 53% worry about climate change - 44% believe personal lifestyles will be affected

12. Opportunities – way forward Local Government has the mandate Adaptation already happening – often called something else Recognising multiple benefits of adaptation Insurers Opportunities – way forward

13. Integrated Approaches Inter organisational integration Internal organisational integration Integrated planning and planning instruments Integrated infrastructure Who does what? Making the connections Implementation and responsiveness

14. Community Support and Outreach Keep it personal Help people to help Use fear with caution Give people the knowledge to decide Give people the tools to act Link adaptation to positive outcomes Seeing is believing - visuals Communicating the Messages