Laserfiche WebLink
<br />PSOO-24 <br /> <br />Julia Becker and David Johnston <br />Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences It <br />Wairakei Research Centre <br />Private Ba!! 2000 <br />'iaupo <br />New Zealand' <br />Ph: +64-374 8211 <br /> <br />Planning and Policy for NaturaI Hazards in New Zealand <br /> <br />Several research projects have been completed on what constitutes a "good plan" with regards <br />to natural hazards (for example, Berke and French, 1994; Burby and Dalton, 1994; Dalton and <br />Burby, 1994; Berke et al., 1996; Burby et aI., 1997). A number of New Zealand focussed studies <br />have also analysed what a "good plan" consists of (for example, Dixon et aI., 1997; Berke et aI., <br />1999) but only limited research has been undertaken specifically on New Zealand policies that <br />relate to natural hazards (Berke, 1994; Berke et a1.,1997). <br /> <br />As a result, there is still uncertainty among regional and local authorities (councils) in New <br />Zealand over natural hazard information, options for its incorporation into policy and practice, <br />and how to apply it in the "real" world. Planning and Policy for Natural Hazards in New <br />Zealand will address this issue by: <br /> <br />1 looking at current natural hazard policy within District PlanslRegional <br />Policy Statements; <br />1 examining barriers to the effective implementation of existing policy; <br />1 developing in partnership with councils a set of "best practice" options <br />for earthquakes, landslides and eruptions (and other natural hazards); and <br />1 exploring methods to encourage the use of "best practice". <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />A number of methods will be used to assess the incorporation of natural hazard information into <br />policy and plans, and the implementation of those policies. The methods will include a survey <br />oflocal and regional authorities, interviews with individuals from councils and analyses of <br />district plans and policy statements. Some methods will be adapted from previous overseas <br />and New Zealand research to allow comparisons with past results. <br /> <br />Plan and policy changes that occur as a result of natural hazard events will also be studied, <br />Lessons leamed by authorities during crisis periods often result in policy changes, therefore by <br />comparing the past and present plans of a council it will be possible to identifY both successful <br />and unsuccessful hazard management measures. <br /> <br />The results from planning and policy research will have a direct practical application for <br />regional and local authorities in New Zealand. The results will provide an indication of the best <br />use of natural hazard information, how to incorporate it into policy and options for the 411' <br />successful implementation of policies, <br /> <br />t1.'Oo <br />