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A network of sirens that can give residents warning of an approaching tsunami, costing $50,000 each, is being considered for Orewa.
Auckland Civil Defence’s review into upgrading and extending emergency warning systems in the region is currently doing the rounds of the various local boards and other “stakeholders”.
According to Hibiscus & Bays Local Board deputy chair Greg Sayers, Civil Defence is considering installing as many as five sirens throughout Orewa.
Mr Sayers says that the organization is considering powerful sirens that include a PA broadcast system and cost in the vicinity of $50,000 each.
He says that if this goes ahead, the estimated total cost of $250,000 would be “a great investment in Orewa residents’ safety should a natural disaster, such as a tsunami, occur”.
There are other sirens being considered for wider Rodney – Mr Sayers says these are cheaper at around $20,000 each.
Once Civil Defence has considered feedback from this consultation process, a report will be drafted that will go to the Civil Defence committee. It will then be presented with a recommendation to the local boards.
Auckland Civil Defence’s head of emergency management operations, Aaron Davis, has told Hibiscus Matters in the past that, as a high-risk area, Orewa may get the sirens – but that will not be known until the review is complete and final decisions made.
Mr Davis says sirens have a role to play, especially if the threat comes in the middle of the night. “At 3am, people are not checking their emails or text messages but they may hear a siren,” he says.
The sirens are only part of a warning system that includes email, SMS or text messages and broadcasts through traditional media.
