Dear Members,
First a belated Happy New Year!!
2021 was a very busy year for CRU. And I expect that 2022 will be even busier.
AGM
I wanted to thank all of our members who attended our AGM last November – some 60+ members attended.
For those who were unable to attend, you can find the Minutes and Chair’s Report on our website under the tab 2021.
Science
The biggest piece of work that CRU had undertaken last year was in response to Jacobs’ Volume 1. CRU’s Expert Science Team produced a technical report and later an addendum based on the most recent IPCC findings regarding RCP 8.5.
CRU did receive a response from Jacobs’ and as a result we produced a summary document.
In November, CRU’s Science team had a meeting with Jacobs regarding the issues that were raised in our technical review. It had been agreed to earlier with Council that this meeting would be held with Chatham House Rules in effect and that Council staff would not be in attendance.
What you need to know:
On page 8, paragraph 1, the Jacobs Report states, "Therefore, we have re-defined the assessment to be coastal hazard vulnerability rather than coastal hazard risk".
Volume 1 is not a risk assessment and as a result, does not give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) and therefore, is, in our opinion "not fit" for the purposes of district planning.
The delivery of the Jacobs’ Volume 2 report to Council has been delayed.
We (CRU) hope that delay relates to their decision to remedy those issues that we raised with them, or to make it clear to the Council that their work is not in accordance with the NZCPS, and therefore cannot be used for hazard identification for the purposes of district planning or hazard identification on LIMs.
For those of you who are interested, you can find the technical reports on our website under the 2021 tab.
LIMs
CRU has also attempted to tackle the issues of LIMs. Despite written promises from Council’s Chief legal advisor, that no reference would be made regarding the Jacobs’ report, the following paragraph is included in the LIMs of every property in the district:
"The Council has commissioned a coastal hazard report titled "Kapiti Coast Coastal Hazard Susceptibility and Vulnerable Assessment" from consultancy firm Jacobs. Volume 1: Methodology report, developed to provide technical information on the methods of how the areas susceptible to present and future coastal hazards are being calculated, is now available. LIM information will be updated with Volume 2: The results report, once it becomes available."
Finally, I was unsuccessful in getting a meeting with Council or Council staff despite several requests. You can read emails between CRU and Council on our website - under the 2021 tab.
2022
This year began with a leaflet drop followed by a one page advert in the Kapiti News.
We are continuing to keep a watching brief on the science and the issue of LIMs.
What Now
At the AGM a motion was put forth and accepted to charge $30.00/member subscription this year. This is the first time in 9 years that we have increased our subs.
It is now imperative that we show our strength in numbers, so please join. We have updated our payment method on our website – making it easier to join and donate.
As I stated in the AGM, please contact your elected officials and ask them for clarification on the matters that have been raised by CRU all last year and continue to raise this year.
You can find contact details at:
https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/your-council/elected-members/councillors/
Of priority is the fact that the Jacobs’ report that is not fit for the purposes of planning and the implications this will have on our insurance and mortgage renewals.
Regards,
Salima
