Urgent Petition to the Tasman District Council:

We, the undersigned require three immediate changes to provide proactive, practical river maintenance to better protect our communities from flooding:

1 - Proactive river and waterway management executed by local TDC offices, including permits granted swiftly by supportive staff.
2 - Reduced red tape so aggrading gravel can more easily be removed and manipulated and stop banks maintained to help contain bigger flows. 
3 - Prioritise local observations and experience over modelling to inform practical river management.

🚨 Forecasts threaten more floods in Tasman impacting the safety of our communities, homes, livelihoods, property value and infrastructure — action can’t wait. 

🚨 Communities have the wisdom and experience, skills and machinery to help mitigate this — let us use it. 

🚨 Avoid possible litigation on Council in the event of disaster, with costs passed onto ratepayers. Note - the High Court has acknowledged that Councils have a fiduciary obligation in equity to citizens.