21 Nov 2015

Auckland Council planning ahead for rising seas

8:13 am on 21 November 2015

Auckland Council says proposed tighter restrictions on coastal development will limit the impact of rising sea levels on the city.

A report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright showed 9000 homes around the country would be affected by rising seas in the next 50 years.

However, it said Auckland would be one of the least-affected regions, because most of its low-lying land was not densely built upon.

The councils' chief engineer Sarah Sinclair said it should stay that way, because the unitary plan was designed to limit development in areas affected by rising seas and erosion.

The council planned to consult residents in low-lying areas next year.