A Flood Risk Management Framework for the Bay of Plenty Region

A regional flood risk management framework has been developed for and by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BoPRC). A literature survey of current practice was conducted and the resulting framework was developed as a pathway that can be followed from a current situation where flood related assessments have a focus on hazard (only), through to a more desirable future situation where a full risk-based assessment is undertaken. There were numerous obstacles to be overcome in implementation of this changed approach, and two pilot studies were initiated to test and iteratively refine the process. The pilot studies will also test collaborative methodology of BoPRC working with Territorial Authorities and stakeholders to develop a catchment approach to flood risk management.

One of the overall goals in implementation of this framework is to achieve a position where communities are able to live with an understanding and an acceptance of the flood risks to which they are exposed. Outcomes from the risk-based assessments are used to prioritise works (both structural and non-structural) to eliminate areas of intolerable risk. Furthermore, the framework provides a basis on which to conduct future works or continuation of development in such a way that flood risk is not increased into the future.

In this paper the background to the flood risk management framework is detailed, and the framework itself (which is a living document that evolves with time) is presented. The results of the pilot studies are presented and it is hoped that the experience gained during these processes can be applied by others.