Ostensibly to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown plans to appoint a Crown Manager to “provide leadership” to Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils.
Brown said: “Both councils have written to me with concerns around the delivery of Crown funded flood protection works following June’s weather event and the implications for the Wairoa community going forward.”
“I expect the Crown Manager will focus on progressing the delivery of a flood management catchment plan and flood protection works, providing leadership to ensure the two councils work urgently and effectively together, with the right systems in place.”
The Government has earmarked $70 million for Wairoa flood protection works.
Exactly how a Crown Manager will speed up the process of making highly technical science and engineering judgments about the best flood protections for Wairoa is a bit of a mystery. If it’s a glorified project manager to schedule meetings, not terribly helpful; if it’s a technical expert of the calibre of Kyle Christensen, who served on the independent panel that just reported on such matters for the HBRC, then possibly much more useful.
The two councils have ten working days (from 24 July) to provide feedback to the Minister. Following that, the Minister will consider potential candidates and make a final decision regarding intervention.
HBRC takes intervention as a fait accompli, as indicated by this statement to BayBuzz, in which HBRC Chair Hinewai Ormsby welcomes the Crown’s decision to appoint a manager to “collaborate” with HBRC and Wairoa.
“We appreciate the Crown’s increased involvement with both Councils, which will significantly bolster efforts to advance flood mitigation initiatives for Wairoa.
“The Crown plays a crucial role alongside Regional Council, Wairoa District Council, and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa as we collectively seek solutions for Wairoa.
“Flood protection for Wairoa stands as one of the most intricate flood projects nationwide and remains a top priority for the Regional Council.”
Mayor Craig Little is “very happy” for a Crown Manager, telling BayBuzz: “We need to progress this work and get on with it, the community are very frustrated and anxious because 17 months on we still do not have a definite plan for flood scheme. Whilst this work isn’t what a Territorial Council would normally do, the Manager will ensure the community/wdc are listened to better.”
Mayor Little clearly sees the expected Crown Manager as an ally. He is concerned that Wairoa’s needs might get less priority as HBRC gets back to “BAU” as he puts it.
But of course “BAU” means the Regional Council must sort out the same complex issues and options with the Hastings, Napier and CHB Councils, starting with the roadmap just furnished by the HBRC-commissioned review, which will be augmented by HBRC’s detailed flood protection scheme reviews due for completion in August.
Might our councils be given a Crown Manager with whom to “collaborate” on that planning and implementation as well … could be a decade-long appointment!
Speaking of inter-council harmony, I asked Mayor Little whether his council would be joining the suit filed against HBRC by The Limery regarding HBRC’s alleged mismanagement of Wairoa’s most recent flood.
Said the Mayor: “It would be a sad day if WDC and HBRC ratepayers had to pay for a legal stash between each other, hopefully when all the facts are on the table we can then work out together if anyone is liable.”
However, the suit is filed and HBRC is already faced with diverting ratepayer money to litigation, as well as the time and attention of the same senior staff who would rather be working on the flood protection planning the Wairoa community needs.