Lawrence Yule has been appointed Crown Manager to Wairoa District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced.

“This critical role will focus on getting the right systems in place to deliver a flood management catchment plan and flood protection works. Mr Yule will look at identifying suitable solutions, community engagement and implementation,” Mr Brown says.

“Recent events have highlighted the vulnerability of the Wairoa township to future flood damage. There is an increasingly urgent need to progress these protection efforts. The Crown Manager’s role will be crucial to make this happen,” Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell says. 

“Wairoa has experienced two severe weather events in the last couple of years. Being Chair of Wairoa’s Flood Protection Stakeholder Group, Mr Yule understands the weather-related challenges the township is facing. 

“The Government is delivering on its commitment to support this community by increasing its flood resilience. Failure to act is not an option,” Mr Mitchell says.

The Wairoa District Council has welcomed the Government’s decision to appoint a Crown Manager to progress the flood protection works. These works relate to the Government’s investment of $70m ring-fenced for flood protection for Wairoa, with a focus on North Clyde and developing flood mitigation to enable affected properties to be moved out of the initial Land Categorisation of 2A, which has now moved to 2C.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said our town is vulnerable. We have been impacted by two significant flooding events within 18 months of each other, and we urgently need to act to develop a flood management catchment plan and flood protection works for Wairoa,”

“As independent chairman of the Wairoa Stakeholder Group, Lawrence is familiar with this project, holds a Bachelor of Engineering, and brings local and central government expertise.

“The Wairoa District Council fully supports Minister of Local Government Hon. Simeon Brown’s decision to appoint Lawrence as Crown Manager and we look forward to some real progress being made.”

In appointing Mr Yule, Minister Brown described his extensive governance experience and ability to manage strong relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, and local government, as being invaluable to progressing the delivery of flood protection planned for Wairoa.

“Mr Yule’s role will be to ensure the Councils cooperate and comply with his directions and work effectively together to mitigate the kind of disastrous flooding we saw during Cyclone Gabrielle and last June’s weather events, and to give the community more confidence.

Mr Yule’s role will begin on Thursday (15 August 2024). The term of the role is one and a half years until 13 February 2026.

12 August 2024

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