Mid Canterbury is predicted to get warmer and wetter towards the end of this century, and could experience increased extreme weather events, causing droughts and flooding.
Climate change here may have a variety of impacts, from higher sea level to more intense rainfall, warmer temperatures and droughts. The effects may include increased frequency of flooding and coastal erosion, and changes to the sorts of crops that can be grown.
Sea level could rise by up to 0.28 metres by 2050. Increased coastal erosion is likely to impact rural and hut settlements near our river mouths.
Ashburton Mayor Donna Favel signed the New Zealand Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration in 2018. Signatories are committed to making and implementing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, engaging with tangata whenua and promoting resilience within local communities.
The District Council adopted its first formal climate change policy (PDF, 341kb) in 2019 and it was subsequently reviewed in 2022. During the review, Council identified the need for an 'action plan', to help meet the goals of the policy. The Ashburton District Council adopted the final Climate Resilience Plan on 17 August 2022.
The policy states that it will respond to climate change in ways that:
Resilience is the ability to anticipate and resist disruptive events, minimise adverse impacts, respond effectively, maintain or recover functionality, and adapt in a way that allows for learning and thriving. In essence, it’s about developing the ability to remain effective across a range of future conditions.
Donna Favel, Ashburton's Mayor in 2018, signed the New Zealand Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration (PDF, 832kb) in 2018. Signatories are committed to making and implementing plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, engaging with tangata whenua and promoting resilience within local communities.
Ashburton District Council is currently working on structure planning for the district to help shape the scale and location of future development. This will include planning for infrastructure, new development, open spaces and community facilities.
It will take into account climate-related and other natural hazards, steering development towards areas where the risks of flooding and storms are more easily managed.
In time, this will flow through into the District plan and inform existing policies and rules to support population and economic growth.
Council is continuing to work with local communities to develop local emergency response plans.
Helping communities to understand the risks they face (including climate-related risks), and the resources available to them, helps people be prepared for adverse events and identify the best way to respond.
Alongside our governance and land use, regulation and public safety actions, the Ashburton District Council has also:
