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Coastal planning for Lyttelton Harbour takes big step forward

Following engagement last year with local communities, the Coastal Panel, comprised of community and rūnanga representatives, has now finalised the locations that will be prioritised for adaptation planning.

These Priority Adaptation Locations, or PALs, are defined as particularly at-risk locations that will receive an adaptation plan. They are areas where clusters of public assets, particularly critical assets, and networks of infrastructure are vulnerable to coastal hazards over the next 30 years.

The PALs have been confirmed as:

• Rāpaki
• Allandale
• Teddington
• Te Wharau Southern Charteris Bay
• Purau
• Koukourarata Port Levy.

While the PALs will be a focus, the Coastal Panel will also consider the transport and marine infrastructure networks across the Harbour as a whole, given the current and future importance of access for communities between harbour locations and the city.

As part of the feedback we gathered, we also heard from people about what they value in the area. This information then formed the basis of the Coastal Panel’s work to develop the community objectives, which are critical to the assessment of adaptation options and pathways.

The information will be used by the Council and the Coastal Panel to help develop draft adaptation pathways for the area, which communities will be able to give feedback on later this year.

You can find more information about today's announcement in the Council's Newsline story, and make sure to watch our new video diaries below, which explain more about the work the Coastal Panel is doing and why we're doing it.

Ngā mihi nui,

Darryl Millar
Independent Chair, Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour and Koukourarata Port Levy Coastal Panel

New video diaries online

We've published two new video diaries to help explain the role of the Coastal Panel, the people involved, and the decisions behind the Priority Adaptation Locations and community objectives for the Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour to Koukourarata Port Levy area.

Click on the images below to watch.

Climate action in Whakaraupō

Since mid-2020, as part of the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Planning programme and with support from Future Curious Ltd, Christchurch City Council has been working with coastal schools in the district to build an understanding of climate adaptation.  

Students from Diamond Harbour School, Governors Bay School and Lyttelton Primary School have taken part in the Climate Change Learning Programme, received support with inquiries, and engaged in relevant local and national decision-making.  

Building on this work, students from these schools participated in ‘beachinars’ last year and undertook their own process of identifying the coastal values that are important to them.

Students wanted to help inform the wider community about sea-level rise and coastal adaptation scenarios in the form of street-art murals that explore their values and relationship with the coast.  

A key message that all three schools wanted to share through their murals was that through making positive climate choices, we have hope and the opportunity for a better future, but if we do not act, we lose that better future.  
 
Governors Bay School launched its mural in December 2022.

Lyttelton Primary School is in the process of seeking final approval from the school board to paint its mural on the steps by the Lyttelton Arts Factory and, all going well, will start painting mid-June.

Diamond Harbour School has plans to paint its mural in the newly upgraded Diamond Harbour jetty later this year.

Below, from left: Governors Bay School's mural by the pool; Lyttelton Primary School's final design mock-up; and a drawing of Diamond Harbour School's mural design.

Working group re-established

On 17 May Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger re-established the Coastal Hazards Working Group to oversee the Council’s coastal adaptation work, in recognition that this is a significant programme with long-term impacts across the district.

Six councillors – including Councillor Tyrone Fields, representing Banks Peninsula – have been appointed to the working group, which is chaired by Councillor Sara Templeton.

Discussions are now under way to ensure the working group has mana whenua and other representation as appropriate. We'll keep you updated as this progresses.