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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Fixing 900m of dangerous roadway just north of Greymouth would cost upwards of $12 million, according to evidence presented for the 2024 West Coast Regional Transport Plan.
And despite the recognised danger to cyclists along the section of State … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Fixing 900m of dangerous roadway just north of Greymouth would cost upwards of $12 million, according to evidence presented for the 2024 West Coast Regional Transport Plan.
And despite the recognised danger to cyclists along the section of State Highway 6 north of Greymouth, it is a sum unlikely to be paid.
At the hearing into the draft plan on July 5, resident Suzanne Hills said the Coast Road was "just manageable" for cyclists but only for those who were confident and had quick reactions.
She singled out the 900m section of road just north of Greymouth's Cobden Bridge as "extremely dangerous".
Those riding in both directions contend with steep cliffs, bluffs, no road shoulders, blind corners and the narrow overbridges at Coal Creek and Camp, Hills said.
"Combined with Greymouth 'rush hour' traffic, it can be very frightening," she said.
"Something can and must be done about this dangerous 900m section of road to avoid lives being destroyed."
In a formal recommendation to the committee, council planning staff agreed the section of State highway 6 from the Cobden Bridge to Taylorville Road "is narrow and difficult for cyclists".
But they also suggested a $12m improvement project to fix those issues would not be prioritised under the draft Government Transport Policy Statement (GPS).
Investigation of options to improve the corridor for cyclists had been undertaken by the NZ Transport Agency in 2023.
"The cost of the identified solution is high, at $12m-plus. A project of this scale is not supported by the draft GPS," the staff recommendation said.
Punakaiki resident Marie Elder said the draft plan's positive endorsement of active transport recognised State Highway 6 is used by cyclists as a principal means of transport.
In contrast, the advancement of the Barrytown Flats mining proposal by TiGa with up to 50 extra heavy truck movements a day along the route, compromised that.
Elder said she personally knew of five cyclists in the regular use category.
She often saw others on her (45km) journeys from Punakaiki to Greymouth, and return.
Greymouth mayor Tania Gibson said she could not ignore the wider economic benefit of proposals like TiGa's.
She said Elder seemed to single out the impact of that on State Highway 6 without acknowledging it was already a heavy transport route, including for the region's dairy industry.
In response, Elder said Westland Milk tankers only travelled in one direction at a time, were much quieter, and locals could anticipate their movements.
However, Gibson said they were talking about a state highway that available to multiple users at any time.
"I still do not believe it is a reason not to have trucks on the road," she said.
Haddock, a Punakaiki bach owner, asked Elder how many cyclists she regularly encountered, particularly on the 30km stretch of the Coast Road from Rapahoe north.
"I don't see a lot in my regular travels," Haddock said.
Elder said there were four regular cyclists she knew of.
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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Changes to emergency work provisions in the National Transport Fund will cut local road funding and hurt West Coast communities, say the region's four councils.
In a joint submission, the Buller, Grey, and Westland district councils along with… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Changes to emergency work provisions in the National Transport Fund will cut local road funding and hurt West Coast communities, say the region's four councils.
In a joint submission, the Buller, Grey, and Westland district councils along with the West Coast Regional Council, have called for greater interagency collaboration in "a cohesive approach" to road planning and investment.
The submission will be tabled at the regional council's Resource Management Committee next week.
They are concerned changes to the funding of emergency works under the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Emergency Works Policy Review will leave areas like the West Coast worse off - at a time when extreme weather is closing its roads with increasing frequency.
"The likely consequence is a reduction in level of service on local roads, reduced maintenance, and unintended negative social and economic consequences for local communities and tourists," the joint submission says.
The councils acknowledge both they and the NZTA are challenged to "sustainably fund" road fixups in the face of the increasingly intense weather related events.
But they say while the emergency work provision review helps NZTA to address pressure on the National Land Transport Fund, the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria and funding assistance rates "will transfer considerable costs" to local councils.
District councils are already under "extreme pressure" to fund core road maintenance, operation and renewal, the submission says.
"More frequent and intense storm events resulting in flooding of roads and instability of adjoining land have highlighted the vulnerabilities of the West Coast road network."
The resulting disruption sometimes saw "displacement" of its communities with very prominent examples including "stranded tourists".
Other big impacts were the inability to move fast moving consumer goods and freight, the impact on the region's primary industries, and the loss of access to the DOC estate including the great walks in the region.
"The likely consequence of the proposed policy changes - in conjunction with forecast intensity and frequency of future weather events -
- is a reduction in level of service to our communities and businesses," the submission says.
The potential for longer or permanent road closures, loss of access, and "unintended negative social and economic consequences" were real consequences.
The Coast councils are particularly worried at the proposed change to the qualifying return period for an emergency event, for central government road repair funding, to a minimum frequency of a one-in-20-year event.
"This is a significant event size increase, and as event return periods are changed as climate models are updated, it is likely that a qualifying 1-in-20-year event today could soon be a non-qualifying 1-in-15-year event."
Further, Niwa forecasts for weather related events to 2040 predicted increased intensity of cyclones, short term high intensity rainfall event by plus 4.7% for every 1C increase.
The councils are also concerned the change to subsidy provisions for local road controlling authorities who cannot afford to pay for road fixes after a major event will penalise areas with high deprivation.
As an example the Buller District Council, a high deprivation area, was still recovering from the 2021 and 2022 storm events which represented about $16.5 million of capital works now being completed on its roads.
That had only been possible due to a bespoke 95% subsidy via the NZTA.
"Without this support the community of Buller ... would not have been able to deliver this return to service for our communities."
...You can see right through them.
No, we haven't lost the plot! July 1st is International Joke Day and because laughter is good for your body, we want to get involved.
So, go on, jokers! Share your best joke below...
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A controversial West Coast private landfill under Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) watch is being given more time to fix water issues following "adverse weather".
The EPA has granted Taylorville Resource Park (TRP) an extension of… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A controversial West Coast private landfill under Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) watch is being given more time to fix water issues following "adverse weather".
The EPA has granted Taylorville Resource Park (TRP) an extension of a few weeks to meet the requirements of a three month abatement notice slapped on the site in March.
It came after the West Coast Regional Council asked the authority in February to take over its environmental compliance investigation of the Coal Creek landfill, 5km east of Greymouth.
The council was plagued with complaints about the landfill site throughout 2023.
These ranged from an overwhelming stench forcing neighbours to stay indoors, alleged asbestos generated dust, and water leaching from the site into a roadside drain.
After the authority took over investigations in February, it found leachate from the landfill had been allowed to spill from the site via an adjoining waterway.
Under the subsequent abatement, TRP were given three months to comply, ending June 14.
Investigations manager Jackie Adams said compliance officers have since visited the site and found TRP have made "significant progress".
However, the work required has not been completed due to "adverse weather conditions" during the abatement period, Adams said.
Because of this, the authority had yet to determine the final outcome of its investigation.
"Our officers will be returning to the site again in the coming weeks," Adams said.
"Once this inspection has been completed, we will determine if all the conditions of the notice have been met before considering any next steps."
LDR has asked the authority what type of weather factor was at play.
"We understand that there were poor weather conditions in April that affected TRP's ability to install the waterproof lining of the new storage pond," Adams said.
The authority recognised the future of the site as "an important issue for people in the region".
It continued to work with TRP to ensure compliance with the abatement, he said.
"Under the Resource Management Act, the EPA has specific enforcement functions to assist and intervene in an enforcement action of a council."
Adams said they will provide a further update when they have completed their follow-up inspection and confirmed any next step.
West Coast Regional Council Regulatory and Policy group manager Jocelyne Allen said they were keeping a watch on the site to ensure an "appropriate level of enforcement" in line with "the level of environmental effects".
Allen was asked to expand in what was meant by an appropriate level of enforcement.
She said the council was "using its discretion" while working through its enforcement strategy.
This was to ensure relevant treatment of the site from a compliance perspective, she said.
Allen said they expected an update from the EPA by mid-July.
The council had several options to consider, under the Resource Management Act, beyond the EPA's findings.
Those could include anything "from a warning right up to prosecution," Allen said.
The council also had the power to issue notices with conditions plus interim and enforcement orders.
Allen said they were constantly evaluating the best options, but the council had not yet taken action to say "it can't operate".
"We wouldn't just be able to shut the site down at this stage."
Allen said more recent consent applications from TRP may yet go to a public hearing, but council had to assess if the impacts were "more than a minor environmental effect" before making a hearing decision.
Allen said that could also be circumvented if the applicant themselves requested a public hearing.
TRP has been approached by LDR. Questions included if it anticipates meeting the extended abatement period, and if it would be happy for a public hearing.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Earthworks should begin along Hokitika's Gibson Quay next week on a delayed flood bank build.
The clock has been ticking on the Hokitika River protection project since last December when West Coast Regional Council awarded a contract but then … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Earthworks should begin along Hokitika's Gibson Quay next week on a delayed flood bank build.
The clock has been ticking on the Hokitika River protection project since last December when West Coast Regional Council awarded a contract but then had to wait on KiwiRail to sign the project off.
Council, in an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (July 4), approved extra costs in response to KiwiRail requirements above the original tender price.
Contractor Henry Adams was awarded the tender at the end of 2023 after last winter completing the first stage of the project, behind Westland Milk Products, and adjoining the river.
The new section runs along the railway line and Gibson Quay from Westland Milk Products down to the Hokitika Bridge.
It also adjoins the Wadeson Island and Hokitika River bank whitebaiting area.
Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the pressure is now on to finish the new flood bank within two months - with the local whitebaiting season due to start on September 1.
"It's been delayed and once again it's been a concern of council in getting through the project … I do understand that Kiwi Rail have to look after their asset," Haddock said.
In the meantime the community remained "vulnerable" to the river.
"The bulk of the works have got to be done before the whitebait season … that project will be underway immediately next week - that will be a good bit of protection works for Hokitika," Haddock said.
Dubbed '1B,' the project is the second of a suite of staged Kanoa approved flood resilience works costing several million dollars.
These will eventually improve protection to the entire Hokitika residential and business area from Kaniere to the CBD.
Haddock said KiwiRail had sought adjustment to the original contract scope.
"It had been let to Henry Adams Contracting subject to approval from KiwiRail, which has taken over nine months - because it was let before Christmas," Haddock said.
"They've finally come back and there's more work to do to protect their network."
The extraordinary meeting was required to tick off the cost of "more earthworks" and drainage in response to KiwiRail.
"There was a significant cost but it was below the budget that was allowed for the project," Haddock said.
This amounted to about $200,000 below their original budget contingencies.
"The contract is still under budget."
Haddock said the adjusted costs "were still competitive" and the council was satisfied with a staff recommendation on that basis.
Easily change the height and layout of the shelves any time as your plants grow or the items you want to showcase change with this handy pegboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
From Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for … View moreFrom Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for that Special Love!
Look for the ‘Special Love Needed’ tag on our adoption profiles, check you can provide what they need to flourish & apply online at www.spca.nz....
*The offer applies to animals looking for homes for more than 40 days; our usual adoption criteria and processes apply.
From Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for … View moreFrom Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for that Special Love!
Look for the ‘Special Love Needed’ tag on our adoption profiles, check you can provide what they need to flourish & apply online at www.spca.nz....
*The offer applies to animals looking for homes for more than 40 days; our usual adoption criteria and processes apply.
From Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for … View moreFrom Sat 6 July – Sun 21 July, we are waiving adoption fees for our long-stay residents for the right home.*
They might be older, shy, have only three legs or just need that extra bit of attention and care – but they all deserve a loving home. And they have been waiting for a long time for that Special Love!
Look for the ‘Special Love Needed’ tag on our adoption profiles, check you can provide what they need to flourish & apply online at www.spca.nz....
*The offer applies to animals looking for homes for more than 40 days; our usual adoption criteria and processes apply.
From stunning sunsets to quirky murals - we're loving seeing the beautiful photos that members are sharing across the country. These local Bright Spots add a little colour and brighten the day.
Our Bright Spots campaign closes on Sunday, 15 July so time is running out to share yours. With … View moreFrom stunning sunsets to quirky murals - we're loving seeing the beautiful photos that members are sharing across the country. These local Bright Spots add a little colour and brighten the day.
Our Bright Spots campaign closes on Sunday, 15 July so time is running out to share yours. With 10 prizes of $250 Resene ColorShop vouchers and $250 Prezzy® cards up for grabs, do take a moment and share this happy place with us.
Enter your local Bright Spots pics here today and be in to *WIN*.
This warming Hāngi recipe, created by Joy from Murray Halberg Village, serves six people with plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day. Serve hot and enjoy with family or friends on a chilly winters night.
Click read more for the full recipe.
It’s NZ House & Garden’s 30th birthday, and to celebrate they’ve put together a great offer that’ll light up your home. Purchase or gift a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and receive a Living Light luxury soy candle worth $56.90 for FREE*.
Enjoy inspirational home … View moreIt’s NZ House & Garden’s 30th birthday, and to celebrate they’ve put together a great offer that’ll light up your home. Purchase or gift a 1 or 2-year subscription to NZ House & Garden and receive a Living Light luxury soy candle worth $56.90 for FREE*.
Enjoy inspirational home & garden content, convenient monthly home delivery, exclusive subscriber-only discounts, up to 27% off retail, and a Living Light luxury soy candle worth $56.90 when you become part of the NZ House & Garden community. *T&Cs apply.
Times have changed and perhaps so has our societal rules around taking off hats when indoors. What are your thoughts?
Delve back into that garage or wardrobe! It's time to sell your gently-loved goods at The Neighbourly Winter (online!) Garage Sale
On Saturday 6th July, members will be online checking out the goods on offer so it's a great time to get rid of your winter clutter.
Maybe it's … View moreDelve back into that garage or wardrobe! It's time to sell your gently-loved goods at The Neighbourly Winter (online!) Garage Sale
On Saturday 6th July, members will be online checking out the goods on offer so it's a great time to get rid of your winter clutter.
Maybe it's time to realise that you're never going to use that snowboard or ski jacket, and that you really do have one too many heaters. Whatever it is, take a picture and put it on Neighbourly for locals to see.
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