Driving to the Arataki Visitor Centre this week to join my 7-year-old daughter’s school camp, I was deeply moved by how much of the surrounding area still feels ‘broken’ following last year’s storms.
Coincidentally, I also spoke this week with a landlord-client affected by the same storms. My follow-up research led to an important reminder: property owners severely impacted by last year’s Auckland storms have a deadline of 30 September 2024 to register with Auckland Council for a risk category assessment. If your property is deemed high risk, you may be eligible for financial support.
For more information, visit: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/06/registering-for-a-risk-category-what-you-need-to-consider/.
Should you register for categorisation? That is a personal decision to make. The following link will be helpful, but I also encourage you to speak with relevant, expert advisers: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/06/register-for-categorisation/#:~:text=Property%20owners%20who%20were%20severely,registrations%20is%2030%20September%202024
Upon registration, your property will be categorized as 1, 2, or 3 based on the risk level. It’s important to note that if your property is categorized as 2 or 3, this information will be disclosed in any Land Information Memorandum (LIM) requested for your property. The information you provide during registration, along with the assigned risk category, will also be added to your property file.
If your property receives a 2P classification, you’ll need to manage the mitigation work or hire a project manager, and part of the grant funds can cover this. Future maintenance of the asset will also become your responsibility as the property owner.
Ward Councillor Christine Fletcher expressed concern on 17 September, saying, “I am extremely worried there isn’t enough community awareness that the last chance for registering for flood buyouts is at the end of September. This could leave some at a disadvantage.” Auckland Council confirmed the expected purchase of around 900 Category 3 properties, with a total budget of $896m, shared equally with the Crown. So far, 45 homes are under contract with deconstruction partners, 25 homes have been removed, and 19 are in progress. The programme’s total spend to date is $2.94m, which includes relocating, deconstructing, and demolishing properties, as well as covering project costs for the 220 properties taken ownership of by the council. The future use of this land will focus on improving storm resilience for surrounding properties and may include uses like stormwater management, parkland, and potentially residential use where homes can be built safely. I hope part of this space can also be dedicated to community gardens”.
Of course, this is just one piece of the broader conversation we need to have to secure the future of Auckland’s landscape, and I encourage everyone to be part of it.
A personal highlight for me this September was Goodwins’ support of David Kerr’s Photography Exhibition and Charity Auction, raising funds for I AM HOPE/Gumboot Friday and the New Navigators Akarana Outreach Programme. A very special thank you to David Kerr’s Team and Emma of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club for hosting this important event, raising much-needed funds for a great cause. I AM HOPE has one goal – “positive societal attitudinal change. We know our youth struggle with distressing self-talk and overthinking, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. When we show them these thoughts are universal, we can give our kids a better life”. The I AM HOPE team has been giving free mental health talks in schools and communities across Aotearoa, reaching over 300,000 young people. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to visit: https://www.iamhope.org.nz/donate.
As always, if you have any property-related needs or are considering buying, selling, or renting, we at Goodwins are here to help. Contact us today to see how we can support you through your property journey.
