Council puts stormwater responsibility onto residents

A Blockhouse Bay resident has dodged an oversized bullet from Auckland Council after being told he had to install a 50,000l stormwater tank, 47,000l more than he needed.

Nick Raywas unable to get building consent for his house extension approved until the stormwater agreement was signed off. But he argued his case. “With any planning application you are totally in their hands,” he said.

Mr Ray was told to pay for a tank that catered for his house extension as well as the upgrade of his street.

He calculated that he needed a 3000l tank but the council told him it needed to be 50,000l. “In reality not much roof space was added [during the extension]. It was only 10sq m,” he said.

“We said we have drainage on the existing house, so they let us go back to putting enough stormwater in for the extension,” he said.

However the extra meetings and paperwork to argue against the council’s decision added costs.

Mr Ray said if he had not discovered an original pipe, he would most likely have to front up the money for the 50,000l tank.

Private stormwater tanks store rainwater inside and then release it at a slower rate into public drains. The need for private tanks has increased due to Auckland’s ageing stormwater system, unpredictable weather and rise in population.

Auckland Council was unable to comment on the matter, despite Te Waha Nui calling five different people over two days.

John McLaughlan, one of Mr Ray’s neighbours, also said he experienced stormwater issues on his street in the past. “We have already improved drainage across our property,” he said, adding that it has had a positive effect.

Blockhouse Bay resident Jake Naran said that around this time of year, with trees and debris blockings drains, flooding is a common occurrence in his street as well. Mr Naran added his household was not planning on putting in a stormwater detention tank of their own.

Mr McLaughlan said that although he has put in a system to deal with stormwater, until changes are made he believes the street will struggle during storms.

Listen to more of Lachlan Waugh's interview with Blockhouse Bay resident Nick Ray.