Development of a voluntary retreat package for 35 privately-owned properties in the Awatarariki Stream ‘fanhead’ area is progressing, with property valuations underway.

Reporting to the Whakatāne District Council last week, Strategic Project Manager Jeff Farrell said an acquisition strategy – to mitigate the high loss of life risk relating to properties impacted by a major debris flow from the stream in 2005 – was dependent on the completion of a number of workstreams.

“Reducing the risk to people in the fanhead zone is the key driver of the strategy, but its success will also depend on several pivotal factors,” he said. “Firstly, property owners must be able to choose whether or not they participate, and even more importantly, any voluntary retreat process will depend on securing funding from Government agencies and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.”

Mr Farrell said the process must also be fair and legal and based on “tried and tested” acquisition principles.

The acquisition strategy will be based on the property valuations, which are being undertaken by Telfer-Young (Tauranga) Ltd and will take into account pre-debris flow rating valuations and estimated market values, 2013 rating values, and current estimated values including and excluding natural hazard risk factors. Preliminary findings will be peer reviewed by an independent valuer and are expected to be reported to the Council in September. Property owners will also be able to obtain their own valuations.

“Assuming there are no delays, we expect to be able to release the valuation results and indicative voluntary retreat proposals to owners in September. Informal discussions with funding agencies will then proceed, with the aim of allowing the Council to make a formal decision to proceed in March 2017, and make applications to both Councils’ annual plan processes,” he said. “Formal offers could then be made to property owners, potentially by July/August.”

Meanwhile, work to establish a western escape route for fanhead residents has also been approved, at an estimated cost of $29,000. This will see the construction of a narrow metalled road to provide vehicle access away from the area, in the event of a debris flow occurring before any voluntary retreat strategy can be put into effect.

Also underway is work to review the application of rates remissions for properties which cannot be developed, and the preparation of a District Plan change to exclude development in the area assessed as having a high loss of life risk.