Ensuring Rotoehu residents are prepared in case of a natural disaster is the reasoning behind the development of a Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan for the lake community.

Unprecedented rainfall last year that resulted in the highest lake levels at Rotoehu since the 1970s, causing flooding of some properties, slips and road closures, highlighted the need for a plan for resident Julie Riggir.

A detour through forestry roads added an extra two hours’ drive time for the 30 residents at Rotoehu if they had to travel to and from Rotorua.

The high lake levels have also resulted in infrastructure like jetties and ramps becoming submerged or floating and navigation aids being moved, creating hazards in and on the water.

Julie moved to Rotoehu in October 2022, and was unsure what to do when the high lake levels started impacting properties.

“It was very concerning.

“When I decided to move here, I did a lot of study around where it would be safe to stay. I thought the lake was a safe place to stay and I didn’t consider it would be a place that might flood.

“You really don’t think about being prepared for an emergency until it actually happens to you. So, that’s one thing I would recommend to everyone. If you haven’t already made a plan, you should do it now before something does happen,” Julie says.

Rotorua Lakes Council set up an Incident Management Team to provide support for residents at Rotoehu and Rotomā affected by the high lake levels.

The team ensured there was ongoing water supply, roading maintenance, rates relief, information and welfare support if needed.

Julie says a small group of Rotoehu residents met with the council’s Emergency Management Civil Defence Coordinator Linda Johnston to work towards a community emergency management plan.

Linda says ensuring individuals, communities and organisations are prepared for an emergency is vital.

She has been a part of the (CDEM) at Council since 2014. One of her tasks is building community resilience.

“It's important to be prepared for an emergency because you never know when it's going to happen or where you or members of your family will be when it occurs.

“Any one of your family or you could be at home, work, school or pre-school or a childcare centre.

“Our team helps various community groups to develop and implement emergency response plans, which will help in emergencies,” Linda says.

Rotorua Lakes Council is part of the Emergency Management Bay of Plenty Group which provides a regional perspective across all of the seven councils in the Bay of Plenty.

The aim of the Emergency Management Bay of Plenty is to:

• Coordinate all planning activities related to hazard and emergency management

• Encourage cooperation and joint action within the region

• Determine the aspirations of our community and

• Examine the risks that hazards may pose to the goals, and prioritise each hazard.

Rotorua Lakes Council is required by the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 to plan for emergencies. The council must also maintain a Civil Defence Emergency Management Team and appoint someone as the Civil Defence controller. That role sits with Infrastructure and Environment General Manager Stavros Michael.

Linda’s role as full-time Civil Defence and Emergency Management Officer includes recruiting and training volunteers to support post-event responses.

Linda says households, as well as communities, should have a plan in place in case of a disaster and that plan should include:

• Always knowing where your family members are;

• Having a plan detailing where they will meet;

• Ensuring they have enough food and water to get them through at least three days.

Even after an event the impact on residents can be felt for months or years, Linda says.

“After the media coverage fades, our team will continue working on the challenges posed. In the case of Rotomā and Rotoehu that included ongoing collaboration with the communities to provide social and financial support to those in need.

“Additionally, when the road closures were still in place, we reached out to the Ministry of Education to explore options for educational resources for children unable to attend school.”

Currently, the council CDEM team has community plans in place for Waikite Valley, Paradise Valley, Mamaku, Rerewhakaaitu, Lake Tarawera, Lake Okareka and Lake Rotomā.

“Any group or community can request our support to develop a community emergency response plan and it was a real pleasure to work with the Rotoehu community with their plan.

“The Rotoehu Community Plan is a wallet-sized info card created by the community and designed by the council staff. The area is also covered by the more comprehensive Lake Rotomā Plan,” Linda says.

Julie says Linda was really open to listening to the Rotoehu group and ensured that what they thought was necessary was incorporated into the plan.

“You could say it was a custom made plan for Rotoehu and I know the plan will be essential, especially if we have another event like we had.”

Julie says two other Rotoehu residents, Jill Walker and Robin Skerrett, also deserved credit for their work in bringing the plan together with vital information that will be helpful before and during an event.

If a whānau, business or community group is interested in creating a plan check the Rotorua Lakes Council website, or call 07 348 4199. 

Council’s role in a civil defence emergency

Rotorua Lakes Council Civil Defence Emergency Management is legislated to provide a coordinated and integrated approach to the way significant risks and hazards are managed in the Rotorua District the four core elements of CDEM are:

• Reduction

• Readiness

• Response

• Recovery

If there is a civil defence emergency, Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) typically establishes an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and an EOC team is called into action.

There are nearly 100 council staff who have had civil defence training and can be called on to be part of an EOC team. This is work they take on in addition to their regular jobs.

During an emergency, these council staff must temporarily stop their usual work to focus on the civil defence response.

The council EOC works alongside teams from other first responders such as police, Fire Service, St John, Red Cross, the local hospital and others.

Council staff who are trained to be part of an emergency response can also be called on to assist in other regions or even other countries where there is an emergency that has not affected Rotorua. For example, during Cyclone Gabrielle, two council staff members were assigned to Tairawhiti region to provide support there.

The three main goals in an emergency response situation are to prevent loss of life, help the injured and relieve personal suffering and distress.

How prepared are you in case of an emergency?

Find out what you should know and how you can prepare: Civil Defence Emergency Management - Rotorua Lakes Council