The Gisborne District Council has accepted the government's offer of $204 million to bolster the region's recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said that it is a step in the right direction for the region’s road to recovery, and acknowledged that while not perfect, it represented the best that the council could do in a challenging landscape.
Cyclone Gabrielle, which hit Tairāwhiti in February, resulted in substantial devastation, leaving many displaced. Acknowledging the urgency for prompt action in the recovery process, Stoltz said that there is a strong need to get on with the recovery process, and that the acceptance of the support package is a positive stride in that direction.
However, she also said that there is still substantial work that remains ahead before the funds are allocated. Detailed delivery plans must be formulated and submitted to the government, particularly around flood mitigation strategies and investigations into potential designs and options.
“We know the community will be keen to understand where and how this funding will be spent and we expect to be able to provide more detail to our community in the coming weeks as project plans progress,” Stoltz said.
The accepted $204 million package encompasses several key allocations, including:
The support package's approval marks the commencement of the buyout process for Category 3 properties, although several steps, including property valuations and insurance settlements, need completion before offers to affected landowners can be presented.
Guidelines for a buyout policy are under development to assist Category 3 property owners through the process, indicating the careful and considered approach taken to navigate the complex recovery operations.
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