Volume One 11. Natural Hazards [D] Policy 11.1.13 – Recognise that the risk to life and property during flood events is greater in rural environments. Isolation of properties affects the ability of the Council and Civil Defence to provide an emergency response in the event of flooding. The greater the distance of flooded properties from Blenheim (the location of the Emergency Operations Centre) and other towns, the longer it will take to respond to the flooding, especially in the event of large scale or District-wide events. Some communities are proactively preparing readiness plans in recognition of the additional risks created by isolation. The potential increase in flood risk caused by locating development in rural areas needs to be taken into account by individuals when purchasing properties. The Council can also recognise this issue when planning for residential growth in Marlborough. Consolidation of growth in and around existing urban areas will facilitate effective responses to flood events. This needs to be taken into account when considering the rezoning of land in rural environments to provide for residential, commercial or industrial developments. [D] Policy 11.1.14 – Require applicants for subdivision consent for land not serviced by a Marlborough District Council administered reticulated stormwater system to demonstrate that the method of stormwater management will not adversely affect any third party. The subdivision of land often acts a precursor for land use change, including the use of rurally zoned land for residential, commercial or industrial purposes. Buildings and hardstand areas (e.g. drives, car parking and yards) constructed following the subdivision of land intercept rainwater that would otherwise have soaked into the ground (or ponded) and quickly directs it to other parts of the property or offsite. If the property is not serviced by a Council administered reticulated stormwater system, this stormwater has the potential to adversely affect neighbouring properties or properties further afield. It is important that the potential for flooding is considered as part of the process of creating future allotments. This will require consideration of the likely volume, rate and direction of stormwater runoff. The policy excludes allotments to be serviced by Council administered reticulated stormwater systems, as connection to these systems allows stormwater to be removed from the property effectively. [D] Policy 11.1.15 – Any allotment of less than one hectare proposed to be created in the Rural Environment Zone or the Rural Living Zone must be shown to have a minimum area free of flooding during a flood event with an annual recurrence interval of 1 in 50 years of: (a) 1,000 square metres; or (b) 80 percent of the property, whichever is the greater. Section 106(1)(a) of the RMA provides the Council with options through the subdivision consent process for managing the material damage to land or any structure on that land as a result of flooding (and other hazards). Policy 11.1.10 sets standards for new dwellings and associated servicing to minimise material damage. However, property owners will also have a reasonable expectation that they can also use the remainder of their property on an ongoing basis. This policy establishes a standard to minimise the amount of material damage that can occur to land. The threshold of one hectare is used to differentiate between residential properties and properties used for rural purposes. The Council’s experience is that people residing on properties smaller than one hectare have expectations similar to residentially zoned properties, which is that their property will not be affected by flood events. The standards set in (a) and (b) ensure that most of a property remains capable of use during a flood event. An annual recurrence interval of 1 in 50 years reflects the standard specified in the New Zealand Building Code as the relevant measure of flood risk. 11 – 7