New information points to reduced risk from natural hazards

Kaikoura District Council has revealed new technical assessments that indicate a reduced level of risk from geotechnical hazards across the region.

In line with this, the council has met with residents who have been issued s124 notices prohibiting entry to their properties due to geotechnical hazards, to gather feedback before making final decisions for the future.

“We know this has been a long process and that property owners – many facing insurance and financial challenges – want to understand their options,” Council chief executive Angela Oosthuizen said. “We have been working through the process as quickly as possible but, given the complexity of the issues, this has taken some time.”

In addition to information gathered from ongoing geotechnical assessments, the council said the change is largely due to two factors:

• GNS seismic hazard modelling shows significantly reduced risk of another earthquake.
   
• Severe weather events tested properties where hazard notices were issued. Three significant weather events have hit the region recently testing the stability of slopes in heavy rainfall - however, no significant further damage occurred to properties issued with geotechnical hazard notices.