Matt Cowley Tauranga City Councillor

Like most fathers, mine gave his advice freely as I was growing up. No doubt he believes I should've listened to more of his advice. But one point that did stick was that 'Mother Nature always wins, eventually”.

Let's put this in context. My dad is a typical staunch livestock farmer from rural Taranaki, who started his career in the earthmoving industry.

Last week at Tauranga City Council, elected members were briefed on the city's stormwater situation. We were brought up to speed on the highly emotional issue of people being affected by flooding around the city; and we looked at models showing how floods generally occur in Matua.

Mount/Papamoa ward councillors Steve Morris and Clayton Mitchell then met with some residents in the Mount, who are still recovering from April's floods.

Experts are predicting flood events will occur more frequently in the region, along with extended dry periods.

So, we have to change our approach to dealing with flood issues in the city. Addressing inner city flooding by installing larger-size pipes is like trying to treat diabetes by wearing larger-size pants.

Instead of defending flooding with underground pipes, I believe we need to adapt to living with flooding. Let's minimise the harm from flooding, should our defences not have the capacity to handle massive volumes of water from heavier rainfall events in the future.

In my last column, I referred to our need to stay focused on the outcomes we want to achieve; and then find the most cost-effective way of achieving them. I'm pleased to see the city's new developments (such as The Lakes and Papamoa), adapting to future flood events by designing canals and roads to draw the impact away from houses.

Our council needs to work with current at-risk households in established communities, who are dependent on an underground stormwater network. But we need long-term solutions that are proactive, rather than continuing to respond after an event happens. This is a conversation I look forward to having with you as we develop council's next 10-year plan.

I'd rather see the community invest in assets that grow in value, rather than assets that try to beat Mother Nature at her own game. We will fail and Mother Nature will always win, eventually.

Feel free to email me your thoughts at: matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz Or you can call/text me on 027 6989 548, and follow me at: www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.