In the aftermath of Auckland’s record-breaking January downpour that sunk the city under significant water levels, construction of new townhouses on a previously flooded stretch of land has come under fire. Locals voiced forth strongly-worded criticism, calling the project “stupidity,” while worrying about potential Rrisks for the prospective inhabitants of the buildings.
Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown, expressed particular concern over plots bearing resource consents that have endured prior flooding. He stated his regret that neither the developer of the property nor Auckland Council seem aware of the land’s bleak history.
The set of 24 townhouses, located at 63-65 Victoria St in Onehunga, advertises a casual comfort of living to prospective families amid a relaxing vibe. Despite the worrying history of flooding, the Auckland Council and developers ensure safety measures by elevating newly built homes up to 1.5 meters above estimated flood levels.
Insisting on the viability of development on flood-ridden lands, Brown added that once these flood-fearing houses are built over one and a half meters above the ground, it may not pose any serious threat.
Ross Gosnell, a local resident, shared how his property had previously flooded the townhouse construction site. During the January rainstorms, the water started to pour from beneath his house, and it went on to flow unstoppably for weeks.
Backed by the aggravating underground water table levels, the water swirled down the hill and pooled into a quasi-lake at the townhouse site of construction. Meanwhile, the developer declined to comment when offered the opportunity.
Brown further questioned the selection of locality in Auckland city’s property market. He highlighted the inconceivable construction permissions granted for lands with known issues of land instability and stormwater problems. Much of it, he suggested, seemed to be the result of overlooked historical lessons, altered central government mandates, or overrulings on the council positions by Environment Court decisions.
Despite the heavy criticism and the January and March floods that damaged nearly 7,000 buildings, the Council and the Government are ready to shell out over $2billion for rehabilitating uninhabitable homes and future flood damage prevention.
Further conditions, such as requiring the new homes to be built 50cm above the expected flood level, have also been imposed by the Auckland Council. The resource consent granted earlier in 2021 to the Victoria St townhouse site even confirms it’s lying on a “minor” flow path for a 1-in-100-year flood.
However, in another shocking revelation, first-home buyers of Mt. Wellington, Nick, and Rebecca Selvathesan, reported flooding issues in their new townhouse. They complained about their backyard constantly submerging into water, sometimes even during light drizzle. This incident fueled belief among them that construction in a known flood path must not be allowed any further.
To add to the ongoing worries, Gosnell expressed his apprehension about more young home buyers falling into the same ordeal as Selvathesans and perpetually living with anxiety. He phenomenally described his ordeal as “a nightmare,” evoking powerful imagery of his struggle against the disaster.
Another resident in the area reported witnessing the Victoria St construction site flooded twice this year. He even approached the construction project manager and shared photos of the waterlogged site, with a sarcastic quip describing it as a lake. Despite the warnings and the compelling photographic evidence, construction at the site pressed on undeterred.
The overall controversy flags significant questions on the construction approval by the Auckland Council – answers to which are uncertain and unsettling. Despite the clamor, Anna Wallace of Auckland Council expressed a sense of helplessness, stating that the council held no legal power in reviewing prior resource consent approvals.
However, the crisis isn’t without silver linings. Insurance Council NZ spokesperson, Sarah Knox, seized the opportunity to advise home buyers to not solely rely on a new home having building consent as a guarantee. She urged prospective owners to undertake full due diligence before purchasing a property.
