Māngere flood protection work will reduce ‘huge risk to life’

The fast-tracking of two flood protection projects in Māngere will save lives and safeguard hundreds of homes, an Auckland ecology group says.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown also applauds the move by the Government to speed up the work on two streams, which aims to protect vulnerable communities from the risk of flooding.

“There are 350 homes in Māngere that are highly prone to flooding in the event of a future flood. This will help protect not only those homes but others in downstream catchments, so it’s very welcome news,” Brown said.

The scene in Kitea Place near the Te Ararata stream. Photo: Farasat Ullah

Ōtara Lakes and Waterways Trust's Flat Bush Community coordinator Pragna Patel said she agreed with the mayor on the need to push ahead with the work.

“The flood risk has to reduce; in its current status quo, there is a huge risk to life and property - it's a miracle no one [has] died."

The water ecology group helped revitalise streams in Māngere and provided support after the devastating January 2023 floods.

"There needs to be no impediment [to this flood resilience work], otherwise Māngere is going to be at flood risk for a much longer amount of time, and it's just going to happen all over again.”

Patel said it was important to distinguish Māngere's flood resilience projects from unrelated fast-track approvals, such as those linked to mining.

Blue-green networks help to keep our communities safe during severe weather events. Photo / Auckland Council

Auckland Council needed to advance flood resilience efforts without barriers as the work would alleviate the flood risk significantly and reduce the risk of blockages, she said.

"At present, the poop levels in the stream are very high, which points to broken pipes. There is a need to fix the problem upstream rather than the ambulance at the bottom of the hill downstream.”

More than 200 homes were flooded with sewage-laden water in the Auckland floods in 2023, leading to health issues from residual mould spores, she said.

Patel acknowledged potential impacts on already busy roads in the areas.

“The traffic management issues will bring the traffic at already busy pinch points to a standstill (Walmsley Road); accessing [the] Māngere Bridge will take significantly longer in and out. The noise is going to be punishing.”

Mayor Wayne Brown welcomes the fast track to speed up the two Māngere flood resilient projects. Photo/File

Mayor Brown said money is available for the work on Te Ararata Creek and Harania Creek in Māngere.

“Now we can cut out red tape that would have slowed down much-needed work to improve physical resilience in Māngere.

“We are good to go – this decision means we can get on with actually making Māngere safer and avoid the type of damage we saw last time around.”

Earlier this year, Auckland Council requested an Order in Council from the government to enable faster delivery of the two projects in Māngere.

Orders in Council, under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Act 2023, allow the government to make temporary law changes to help communities recover from the severe weather events of early 2023.

The Government approved the work in October.

Photo / File

Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, welcomed the fast-tracking of the flood resilience projects.

"Our focus is on creating a safer and more flood-resilient community."

A council statement said the projects sought to increase safety, improve local infrastructure, and strengthen community ties, ultimately making Māngere more resilient against severe weather events.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air