Draft regional policy statement released - Otago Daily Times
A proposed new regional policy statement (RPS) for Otago faces the stark prospect of the sea level rising by at least a metre over the coming century. The Otago Regional Council recently released the proposed statement, which is intended to cover the next 10 years, and is seeking community comment by July 24. The statement is to update and replace the current one, which came into effect in 1998.... The statement says the sea level could rise at least a metre by 2115, relative to the 1990 mean sea level, because of climate change. ORC policy planning and resource management director Fraser McRae said the Dunedin City Council, Clutha District Council and Waitaki District Council would face growing challenges from sea-level rise. He noted that surging seas had already damaged several structures, including stairs attached to the sea wall at the Esplanade at St Clair. In developing the policy statement, there had already been considerable discussion with the city council and the region's district councils and. Source: www.odt.co.nz
