26 April 2005

Expo To Highlight City Defences

As part of its Draft Community Plan consultation process, Hutt City Council will hold an Expo on Friday 6 May and Saturday 7 May, highlighting the city’s preparedness against flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Hutt City Council Mayor David Ogden said there had been a lot of public concern about Hutt City’s level of flood defences and its ability to cope with extreme events following three severe floods and the Boxing Day tsunami.

“The Draft Community Plan contains significantly increased spending on stormwater improvements over the next 10 years, and in order to do that we are proposing to reprioritise expenditure so as to keep rates increases below the rate of inflation and keep pressure on debt levels,” said Mayor Ogden.

“With public concern at high levels, Council wanted to use the Expo to generate feedback on the Draft Community Plan, and also explain just how the city could fare in the event of a natural disaster.”

The Expo will include presentations from Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Earthquake Commission, the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences, the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, the Rural Fire Service and the NZ Fire Service.

Council’s Emergency Management Office will also be explaining its role in coordinating assistance during extreme events.

It will be held in the War Memorial Library Foyer over two days (6 and 7 May), from 10.00am to 5pm.

“I urge people to come along and put any questions they may have to councillors or other organisations taking part,” said Mayor Ogden.

ENDS

© Scoop Media