The panel reviewing events leading up to the Edgecumbe floods in April has asked for more time to process and interpret a large quantity of information before finalising the review report.

The independent Review team, led by Sir Michael Cullen, is looking into the infrastructure and the circumstances that led to the breach of a flood wall and associated flooding through the town of Edgecumbe on April 6.

The Review was commissioned by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in the days after the event, requesting the report be completed in July.

'When I announced this review, I said that it was imperative the Review was undertaken with all possible speed as we wanted to make sure that any improvements identified could be acted on promptly. And this hasn't changed for us,” says regional council chairman Doug Leeder.

'However, in light of the volume of technical information that the Review panel is processing within the scope of the Terms of Reference, the Review panel has asked for additional time to ensure a considered and thorough response which means that it may be a few more weeks before this review is completed.

'We have accepted the panel's request for more time because it is important that a comprehensive, quality report is received.”

The Review has made good progress and Sir Michael thanked everyone who provided information and input into the review.

"My panel is carefully and thoroughly reviewing this information and we are confident we will be able to provide the community clarity about what happened and whether things need to be done differently in the future,” says Sir Michael.

'Due to the volume and technical nature of the information received the Regional Council has agreed to some additional time to allow this to happen."

The scope of the review has two interlinked parts:

1. The operation of the Rangitaiki River Scheme assets, including design, engineering, maintenance and management, that BOPRC manages on behalf of the community;
2. Implementation of the flood management role that BOPRC delivered during the ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie event up until the breach, and in response to that breach.

More information on the Review Panel members, Term of Reference etc. is available on the website.