A timely new report demonstrates how planners and local government decisionmakers can reduce risk from coastal hazards
now, ahead of new legislation, thereby speeding up adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
The report Enabling Coastal Adaptation: Using current legislative settings for managing the transition to a dynamic adaptive
planning regime in New Zealand examines how current legislation can be used to transition to adaptive planning practices so we’re ready for new
legislation. This will reduce risks and help avoid further ‘lock-in’ of developments in areas at risk from erosion,
flooding and sea-level rise.
The report, authored by adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington with
planning experts Sylvia Allan of Allan Planning & Research and Larissa Clarke of GNS Science, was prepared as part of the Enabling Coastal Adaptation project within the
Resilience to Nature’s Challenges National Science Challenge.
“The report analyses the current difficulties of planning for ongoing sea-level rise under a planning regime that is
largely permissive and enables land-uses with very long timeframes,” says Dr Lawrence.
The authors say the report is very timely, with the COP26 UN Climate Conference currently focused on Adaptation, Loss and Damage.
“Our observations and research confirm that in Aotearoa New Zealand, developments continue to be located and intensified
in areas prone to coastal erosion and flooding.”
In February, the Government announced it would repeal the RMA and enact new legislation including a Strategic Planning
Act and a Climate Adaptation Act.
“In the meantime, current council policies, plans and practices are not adequately managing risks from ongoing sea-level
rise, rising water tables, and increased flooding,” says Dr Lawrence.
“Under current development and planning practices, we’re seeing attempts to manage these risks, for example by raising
houses or building hard barriers. But these practices are virtually certain to have only a temporary effect and can make
problems worse by lulling people into a sense of misplaced security. They transfer large costs to future generations as
the sea continues to advance inland,” says Dr Lawrence.
The report identifies how greater use of existing legislation can reduce and avoid coastal hazard risks in the period
before the legislative reforms are implemented, which may take some time. It also highlights critical issues that
require specific attention in the reform process to remove barriers and to facilitate adaptation to climate change
impacts in coastal areas.
Report recommendations include:Greater collaboration between regional and district councils on consistent use of information and methods, and the
application of regional rules that have immediate effect to control land-use change and development.The use of strategic spatial plans across a region, more effective use of subdivision controls, and greater clarity
regarding how many legacy subdivision and planning consents are not yet activated.Greater use of Dynamic Adaptive Pathways Planning to enable a shift away from ‘mitigation’ of climate change effects
using hard structures, to ‘avoid’ and ‘remedy’ in decisions on consent applications. This will help stop further
exposure to sea-level rise.