Natural Hazards

Natural hazards, such as flooding and liquefaction, can affect where and how development happens. The Natural Hazards chapter in the Proposed District Plan :

• Identifies areas at risk from natural hazards
• Manages development to keep people, property and infrastructure safe
• Helps reduce future risk as the District grows

Most existing activities can continue. New buildings or development in hazard-prone areas may need consent.

What is this chapter about?

The Natural Hazards chapter is about reducing risk. It ensures new development:

• Is located safely
• Doesn’t increase risk to people or neighbouring properties
• Doesn’t make hazard effects worse elsewhere

This helps protect homes, businesses, infrastructure and the environment.

What natural hazards are covered?

The Proposed District Plan focuses mainly on:

• Flooding
• Liquefaction

Flooding is the most significant natural hazard risk in the Gore District.

What areas are mapped?

The Proposed District Plan maps show the:

• Mataura River Floodway
• Flood banks
• Flood bank protection areas
• Actual or potential inundation areas
• Liquefaction risk areas

These maps help identify where additional care is needed during development planning.

What’s changed from the Operative District Plan?

Flooding

Previously

• The Mataura River Floodway was identified
• Many activities in the floodway require consent or are restricted

Now

• The floodway is still identified
• Clearer rules apply to:
  • New buildings
  • Structures
  • Activities that could obstruct flood flows

The focus is on protecting people and property, not stopping all activity.

Flood banks and flood protection

• Maintaining existing flood banks is generally permitted, as long as:
  • Their height, width or length is not increased
  • Legal access to waterways for mahinga kai is not blocked
• New flood banks, or increasing the size of existing ones, requires a resource consent

Building on the river side of a flood bank is discouraged and usually requires consent.

Building floor levels

Rules set minimum floor levels for:

• Homes
• Community facilities
• Other hazard-sensitive activities

This reduces flood damage risk and improves safety.

Liquefaction

Liquefaction risk is primarily managed through the Building Act, not the District Plan.

However:

• Liquefaction areas are mapped
• Developers and property owners should be aware of these risks early in project planning

Do I need a resource consent?

You may need resource consent under the Natural Hazards chapter if what you’re planning to do could increase risk to people, property, infrastructure, or the environment. You are likely to need consent if you want to:

• Build a new building or structure in the Mataura River Floodway
• Construct a building on the river side of a flood bank
• Build a new flood bank or increase the size of an existing flood bank
• Develop a home or community facility in a flood-prone area that does not meet minimum floor-level requirements

You may not need consent if:

• The activity is listed as permitted in the Proposed District Plan, and
• All standards (such as setbacks, floor levels, and location requirements) are met

If you’re unsure whether consent is required, it’s best to talk with the Council’s planning team before you start. Early advice can help you understand what applies to your property and avoid delays later.

Where can I find natural hazards information?

Regional hazard data

Environment Southland holds regional-scale natural hazards information, including flood modelling and liquefaction data.

You can:

• Visit Environment Southland's website
• Phone 0800 768 845
• Email [email protected]

District Plan hazard maps

The Proposed District Plan hazard maps are available through the Council’s GIS Public Viewer.where you can:

• Search your property
• See if hazard overlays apply
• View flood banks and flood bank protection areas, actual or potential inundation areas, and liquefaction risk areas

Expert advice

The Council engaged Tonkin & Taylor to provide expert flood risk assessments to inform the Proposed District Plan, including potential up-zoning decisions in flood-affected areas.

You can read the report by clicking on this link.

Important Note

This page provides a general overview only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the official provisions contained in the Proposed District Plan or the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991. Please refer to the Proposed Gore District Plan for comprehensive and authoritative guidance.

Details about the review, hearing process and background information, including supporting documents, reports and maps, can be found by clicking this link to the Council’s Let’s Talk website.