Terms of Reference to be agreed for second peer review of Coastal Hazards Report

Christchurch City Council will be asked to agree to Terms of Reference for the second peer review of the Coastal Hazard Assessment Report (Tonkin & Taylor Ltd 2015) at its Council meeting next Thursday.

The Council released the Coastal Hazard Assessment Report in July 2015, identifying areas of future coastal erosion and inundation (flooding by the sea over a 50 and 100 year timeframe) for Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, taking into account the potential impact of sea-level rise. The report was independently peer-reviewed before it was released.

In response to community concerns about the science and the findings in the Report, in December 2015, the Council agreed that a further peer review of the report would be undertaken by a panel of experts, with community input sought to help develop the questions that the peer review would address.

The Council contracted GHD Consultants to independently manage the peer review process. GHD has been working with coastal communities and a Community Reference Group to develop the Terms of Reference for the review, and collate suggestions for national and international experts who will make up the panel undertaking the second peer review.

The expert panel will be appointed once the Council has approved the Terms of Reference, and contracted by GHD to produce a single report on their findings, responses to questions and recommendations.

The final peer review report is expected to be completed by August 2016.

The Terms of Reference Report going to Council can be found here by clicking on 26 May Christchurch City Council agenda, page 155.

Visit www.christchurchsealevelrise.co.nz for more information on the peer review.

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