Key Takeaways
- New tsunami inundation maps are available for the Western Bay of Plenty District, providing information on the risk to land and buildings in the event of a tsunami.
- The maps show where water could reach if a tsunami occurred, with wave heights ranging from 5m to 15m along the Bay of Plenty coast.
- The maps are used by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to manage natural hazard risks and inform decision-making.
- The new maps replace older maps for some areas, such as Maketū, Little Waihi, and Pukehina, and provide more accurate information on tsunami risk.
- The maps are available online and can be accessed through the council’s website, property files, and Land Information Memoranda (LIMs).
Introduction to Tsunami Inundation Maps
The Western Bay of Plenty District has recently released new tsunami inundation maps, which provide critical information on the risk to land and buildings in the event of a tsunami. These maps, developed by GNS Science (now known as Earth Sciences New Zealand), help to identify areas that could be affected by a tsunami and provide valuable insights for landowners, developers, and emergency responders. The maps are an essential tool for managing natural hazard risks and ensuring that the community is prepared for potential disasters.
Understanding the Maps and Their Purpose
The new tsunami inundation maps differ from tsunami evacuation zones, which show where people should go to stay safe in the event of a tsunami. Instead, the inundation maps show where water could reach if a tsunami occurred, with wave heights ranging from 5m to 15m along the Bay of Plenty coast. This information is crucial for landowners, as it helps them to understand the potential risks to their properties and make informed decisions about development and mitigation measures. The maps are also used by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to manage natural hazard risks and inform decision-making, particularly when processing resource consents, project information memoranda, and building consents.
The Importance of Accurate Hazard Mapping
According to Emily Watton, Western Bay of Plenty District Council acting general manager strategy and community, the new tsunami inundation maps "improve our understanding of the risks that tsunamis could create and how the district’s coastlines and low-lying areas may be affected if such an event were to occur." Watton emphasizes that improving the accuracy of hazard maps is critical due to increasing legislative requirements around natural hazard management, the need to reduce risk, and ensuring preparedness and response to potential disasters. The new maps are a significant step forward in this regard, providing more accurate and detailed information on tsunami risk than ever before.
Accessing the New Maps and Technical Information
The new tsunami inundation maps are available online at the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s website, and can also be accessed through property files and Land Information Memoranda (LIMs). For those interested in learning more about the technical aspects of the maps, a copy of the technical report by GNS Science is available on the council’s website, along with additional information on tsunamis, how they are mapped, and how this may affect the use of a property. This information is essential for landowners, developers, and other stakeholders who need to understand the potential risks and implications of tsunami events.
Implications for Affected Properties
The new tsunami inundation maps have significant implications for affected properties in the Western Bay of Plenty District. For most of the district, this is the first time that tsunami inundation has been mapped, providing landowners with critical information on the potential risks to their properties. In some areas, such as Maketū, Little Waihi, and Pukehina, the new maps replace older maps from 2017, and in some cases, properties are no longer identified as being at risk. This new information can help landowners to make informed decisions about development, mitigation measures, and emergency preparedness, and can also inform decision-making by the council and other stakeholders.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the new tsunami inundation maps for the Western Bay of Plenty District provide critical information on the risk to land and buildings in the event of a tsunami. The maps are an essential tool for managing natural hazard risks and ensuring that the community is prepared for potential disasters. As the council continues to update the natural hazards maps for the district, landowners and other stakeholders can access the new information online or through property files and LIMs. By working together to understand and mitigate the risks associated with tsunamis, the community can reduce the potential impacts of these events and create a safer, more resilient future.