Wayne Brown opposes council compensating flood-hit homeowners

PHOTO: Wayne Brown (left) and Chris Hipkins (right) in February. (Source: Supplied)

Mayor Wayne Brown says his council shouldn’t be responsible for compensating flood-hit Auckland homeowners, adding that “central government needs to provide leadership” on the issue.

It comes as flooded West Auckland property owners continue looking for compensation from the Government following the Anniversary Weekend flash flooding.

Some residents have previously shown frustration over perceived failings by the council in maintaining stormwater infrastructure before the January natural disaster.

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Brown’s office signalled his council’s position in a media release this morning. The Government has yet to announce support for a longer-term managed retreat.

The mayor said, “central government needs to provide leadership around storm-related compensation, and any mandates must be properly funded.

“Any use of limited public funds needs to be prudent and consistent with public benefit.

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“Our current position is that Auckland Council is not a guarantor of private property interests, and we are generally not responsible for compensating property owners in case of loss due to a severe weather event or natural disaster,” he said.

He added that “thinking about what happens next and our respective roles and responsibilities as part of a complex national response in no way diminishes our commitment to supporting those hardest hit by the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle”.