Other hazards
The Canterbury/Waitaha region is subject to a number of natural hazards that are not specifically managed under the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (CRPS) other than through a general risk management approach. Some of these other hazards are likely to occur more frequently or become more severe because of climate change.
Here are some of the current hazards faced in Waitaha.
Issue: Wildfires
Wildfires are large, destructive fires that spread quickly through forest and scrub. During the summer months, Waitaha is dry, hot, and windy, which increases the risk of wildfires spreading. Most wildfires are either accidentally or intentionally caused by people but can also occur naturally.
As our region gets hotter, it will also get drier and windier.
This combination means that Waitaha has an increased risk of wildfire, and the fire season, which has traditionally been the summer months, could become longer.
When conditions are conducive to forest wildfire, the fuel loads can be significant and more difficult to control than other fuels such as grasslands.
For more information visit the itstimecanterbury website
Port Hills fire 2017
Issue: Drought
Climate change is expected to decrease rainfall in some parts of the region, and in these areas, periods of drought are projected to increase.
Increased periods of drought could have a significant impact on the health of our freshwater environment. Droughts also affect the amount of water available to users of water and for hydroelectricity schemes, as well as increasing the risk of wildfire.
Periods of drought are likely to increase due to climate change
Issue: Extreme weather events
Climate change projections for Waitaha indicate that we will experience more extreme weather events, such as periods of heavy rain and/or strong winds. These events are likely to become more frequent, and will affect people, communities, taonga, businesses and infrastructure.
Baynons Brake wind storm September 2013
Current actions or approach
There is no specific direction for managing risks associated with wildfires, drought and extreme weather events in the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement. This is currently being reconsidered as part of a review of the CRPS.
These risks are addressed through a general hazard management approach where subdivision, use, or development of land must be avoided if the risk from natural hazards is unacceptable. This approach is implemented through district plans which are required to ensure that natural hazards are assessed, taking into account the likelihood of the natural hazard event and its potential consequence.
The Canterbury Climate Change Risk Assessment presents an assessment of the risks in Waitaha from climate change, and climate-exacerbated hazards in the present and future.
The Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan enables water use to be managed, including during times of drought. It includes limits on the amount of freshwater that is available for use from some waterbodies.
Managing effects associated with wind and snow loading of buildings forms part of the Building Act approval process.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is responsible for managing fire hazard in New Zealand/Aotearoa. It intervenes to ensure vegetation or other things which are causing a fire hazard are removed or destroyed.