Edgecumbe flood review panel granted more time

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The Rangitaiki River Scheme Review panel has been granted more time to process and interpret a large quantity of information before finalising the review report.

The independent Review team, led by Sir Michael Cullen, is looking into the infrastructure and the circumstances that led to the breach of a flood wall and associated flooding through the town of Edgecumbe in April.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council commissioned the review in the days after the event, requesting the report be completed in July.

"When I announced this review, I said that it was imperative that the review was undertaken with all possible speed as we wanted to make sure that any improvements identified could be acted on promptly. And this hasn't changed for us," said Regional Council chairman, Doug Leeder.

"However, in light of the volume of technical information that the review panel is processing within the scope of the terms of reference, the review panel has asked for additional time to ensure a considered and thorough response which means that it may be a few more weeks before this review is completed.

"We have accepted the panel's request for more time because it is important that a comprehensive, quality report is received."

Sir Michael said the review had made good progress and thanked everyone who had provided information and input.

"My panel is carefully and thoroughly reviewing this information and we are confident we will be able to provide the community clarity about what happened and whether things need to be done differently in the future. Due to the volume and technical nature of the information received the Regional Council has agreed to some additional time to allow this to happen," Sir Michael said.

Additional information

The Rangitaiki River Scheme Review (RRSR) is a technical review that will focus on the Regional Council's responsibilities. The scope of the review has two interlinked parts:

1. The operation of the Rangitaiki River Scheme assets, including design, engineering, maintenance and management, that BOPRC manages on behalf of the community;
2. Implementation of the flood management role that BOPRC delivered during the ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie event up until the breach, and in response to that breach.
More information on the Review Panel members, Term of Reference etc. is available on their website at www.rrsr.org.nz.