MOVING FORWARD FROM CYCLONE GABRIELLE

On 14 February 2023, Hawke’s Bay was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. There was tragic loss of life, displacement of many whānau, destruction and damage to critical infrastructure, significant impacts to the regional economy and private sector industries, and the isolation of many communities.

The matters included in this consultation document are designed to help those most impacted, and our region as a whole, to move forward with greater certainty and urgency.

We have outlined the Crown’s regional funding support package, which includes the voluntary purchase of Category 3 properties, so you can provide informed feedback on this proposal.

The Crown’s offer for Hawke’s Bay

Napier City Council, together with the other Hawke’s Bay Councils, has been in complex discussions with the Crown to settle on a support package to allow our communities to move forward with their lives.

Understanding the regional offer from the Crown is essential to make an informed decision about whether accepting the offer is the right way forward for Napier.

The overall Crown offer for Hawke’s Bay ($556m) includes:

• $260m of Crown funding toward Hawke’s Bay’s transport recovery

• $203.5m of Crown investment in regional flood protection

• A capped Crown contribution of $92.5m toward Category 3 voluntary residential property purchases.

The offer is conditional on a partnership approach with all Hawke’s Bay councils, and councils sharing the cost with the Crown of voluntary Category 3 residential property purchases, roading and bridges repairs and flood mitigation.

What would the Crown’s regional offer mean for Napier?

• $32m toward full replacement of the Redclyffe Bridge. Hastings District Council will receive the same amount for their 50% share of the bridge.

• $3.5m (50%) to allow Napier City Council to administer voluntary residential property purchases in Category 3 areas.

• Region-wide connectivity and resilience including road repairs and flood mitigation.

• Broader economic benefits to the region that will flow through Napier. This includes:

• Commerce and tourism businesses will benefit from having roads and bridges reinstated

• Pan Pac will benefit from the flood mitigation package

• The rural sector will be able to recover and export through Napier Port again.

This is an all or nothing package

To access the funding, all Hawke’s Bay councils must agree to all portions of the integrated package. Councils cannot ‘cherry pick’ the parts they want.

Those councils are:

• Napier City Council (NCC)

• Hastings District Council (HDC)

• Wairoa District Council (WDC)

• Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (CHBDC)

• Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC)

If any council declines the regional offer from the Crown, the total offer for Hawke’s Bay is declined.