Stormwater issues flow on

Stormwater has flooded parts of Tauranga at times.

Tauranga properties will continue to be hit by flooding as the Tauranga City Council adopts a "safety to persons" approach, meaning only about 40 properties will qualify for improvements.

During the first day of the city council's Long Term Plan deliberations, it yesterday voted seven to four in favour of a new approach to stormwater infrastructure improvements - meaning the council will only intervene if there is a safety risk to people on private property in a flood.

Currently, this applies to about 40 properties, most in Matua, Gate Pa and in the Waimapu catchment. Any properties that flood and are still habitable without danger to people will not qualify for upgrades. The funding of the stormwater works remains to be decided and will be voted on either on Friday or Monday.

Councillor Gail McIntosh was one of the elected members who voted against the plan, saying it did not look after the "little people", those who would not think about making a submission to the council.

Councillor Steve Morris requested three amendments be added to the plan, including approaching the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for a funding contribution to stormwater works. The second addition was finding data to identify other catchments or streets that had experienced the most frequent flooding in the last 20 years "to inform future capital expenditure decisions". Mr Morris lastly requested that targeted rates in these areas be considered in the 2016/17 Annual Plan. All three amendments were passed.

Mr Morris felt a more "nuanced" approach was needed to dealing with other areas in the city that were impacted by flooding, such as the Commons Ave and Maunganui Rd area, where sewage had been known to flow through properties.

Mayor Stuart Crosby called the stormwater problems "one of the biggest issues facing the city". He said this new approach was not a complete package, but set a direction so the council could get more information.

Councillor Kelvin Clout said this plan was "a great balance" between protection and addressing issues with fiscal responsibility. He supported the first two amendments but not the third as targeted rates in such small areas would result in "a massive amount per property".