An independent review of the circumstances leading to flooding of Edgecumbe has been announced by Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder.

He says the council's first focus has been the safety of people, protection of property, and welfare.

'Staff have been working around the clock to do what they can to fill the breach, pump floodwaters and otherwise manage this significant flooding event.

'As we move into the recovery stage, we will start looking at repair and reintroduction of services to Edgecumbe. It is appropriate that a review sits alongside that process.”

The review will be independent, and chaired by Sir Michael Cullen to ensure an impartial, arms-length assessment of council infrastructure and activity.

'Sir Michael has accepted the role of chair and will lead a group of experts through this review process. Regional councillors will work with Sir Michael, with involvement from Mayor Bonne, to establish membership of the review committee,” says Doug.

'We will also work together to establish the official scope of the review. In general terms, it will focus on the events leading up to the breach of the flood wall. That includes design, engineering, maintenance and management of the assets that Regional Council manages on behalf of the community.

'I appreciate that many people in the community are looking for answers – understandably they are asking how this could happen and what could have been done to prevent it. As an eastern Bay resident myself, I understand that sentiment.

'This was a very large event. 30 per cent more water was running along the Rangitaiki than the stopbanks were designed for. The outcome of the review will be key to understanding more about this event.”

The timing for the review will be mapped out further in consultation with the group, but findings are expected in July.

More than 1600 people were driven from their homes when the floodwall collapsed.

The Edgecumbe township remains largely cordoned off to ensure public safety while flood waters are still being managed and pumped away, and to protect people from sanitation risks associated with sewage system failures and surface water contamination.

MORE RESIDENTS TO RETURN HOME

From tomorrow morning at 8am, people will be able to return to their homes in north Edgecumbe - College Road north of Rata Avenue - involving around 130 homes.

Access will be from West Bank Road. Wastewater, water and power are due to be back on in this area tomorrow and any updates will be published on the Whakatane District Council website.

Earlier today residents with properties in the south-eastern section of Edgecumbe – Hydro Road, Nikau Place, Miro Place and Konini Place – started reoccupying their properties.

Some 46 properties were involved and all have an available water supply, but still have limited wastewater services at this time. These residents are being provided with packs containing information on safety and health issues, such as water and wastewater use.

The cordon on Awakeri Road has been moved to the bridge to allow access to the reoccupied area.