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From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Greymouth is the only West Coast town considered an urban area under new national planning standards, the first day of regional plan hearings heard.
The Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TPPP) hearing opened on Monday with a powhiri at the West Coast … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Greymouth is the only West Coast town considered an urban area under new national planning standards, the first day of regional plan hearings heard.
The Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TPPP) hearing opened on Monday with a powhiri at the West Coast Regional Council chambers before a panel of five commissioners including chairperson Dean Chrystal.
It comes after four years of developing the draft plan, which began in July 2019.
Principal TTPP planner Lois Easton said the plan would outline the “strategic direction” for the regional economy, such as primary production and mining.
Combining the current three district plans, dating from the 1990s, made the new plan complex, she said.
The TTPP was the first district plan to be developed under the new National Planning Standard (NPS), and is therefore the first to emerge under the new rules of the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms.
Under the NPS urban development guideline, only the greater Greymouth area with about 14,000 people fitted the definition of being a significant urban area.
Much of the rest of the West Coast's population areas were between 50 and 5000, she said.
Easton said the plan had been developed “under significant resource constraints".
It meant the draft plan had at times only drawn on past “technical advice”, rather than undertaking new research specific to the plan.
Easton said the “big issues” for the region related to primary production, mineral extraction, preservation of bio-diversity, and, significantly, the new requirements to recognise natural hazards.
“The focus on natural hazards is very new for the West Coast as the present (district) plans largely don’t focus on it at all.”
The Government directed the West Coast to combine its current three district plans after the Local Government Commission began investigating ways “to streamline” the region's approach in 2015.
The outcome was “one plan”, which would be developed under a joint committee of the three district councils and the regional council – which was ordered in 2019 to rate for the TTPP.
The joint group overseeing the plan included Poutini Ngāi Tahu, with support from planning staff from the four councils.
Easton said the focus since July 2019 had been “on strategic direction” for the region, while recognising its current plans were “very old”. It looked at developing strategic directions for land use controls.
Feedback on the changes received 534 submissions on 14,000 submission points.
There had also been work with key stakeholders in the region, which generated a high level of community engagement, she said.
“I would note there has been very significant coverage in the local news papers throughout.”
Easton said at its heart, the TTPP was a plan specific to the region, rather than a big urban centre like Christchurch.
Notably, under the new National Planning Standards driving the TTPP, there had to be strategic directions for urban development, primary production, mana whenua, and natural hazard resilience.
Easton, who hails from Gisborne, noted the whole of the West Coast was smaller than her home town – which might be considered small.
However, a lot of work was being done across the other towns to “maximise the existing infrastructure” in support of the core primary economic activities in the region, like tourism, farming, and mining. This was recognised in the plan.
The first week of hearings will be held in Greymouth until Thursday and then the process will run at least monthly, a week at a time, according to each topic chapter contained within the proposed plan.
At 96, Logan Campbell resident Russell Parrish has achieved an incredible feat - ‘knocking off’ the summit of One Tree Hill 30 times over 30 consecutive days. Plus, it was all for a great cause — raising money and awareness for Alzheimer’s in honor of his late wife Mary.
Every single day… View moreAt 96, Logan Campbell resident Russell Parrish has achieved an incredible feat - ‘knocking off’ the summit of One Tree Hill 30 times over 30 consecutive days. Plus, it was all for a great cause — raising money and awareness for Alzheimer’s in honor of his late wife Mary.
Every single day of September, come rain, shine or blustering gale, Russell set off from his home at Ryman Healthcare’s Greenlane village to walk to the top of the iconic mountain set in the heart of Cornwall Park.
The idea also coincided with Ryman Healthcare’s annual Walking for Wellness challenge, which this year aptly had an Everest theme.
Watch Russell's story and click to read the full story.
youtu.be...
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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A frustrating 15-month delay in finalising a flood resilience scheme for the town of Westport, devastated by a record flood in July 2021, is the result of bureaucracy, a councillor says.
The Government agreed in the May Budget to co-fund a $22.9m … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A frustrating 15-month delay in finalising a flood resilience scheme for the town of Westport, devastated by a record flood in July 2021, is the result of bureaucracy, a councillor says.
The Government agreed in the May Budget to co-fund a $22.9m scheme to secure Westport from future flooding as well as ready it for climate adaptation, including future retreat from some areas, after the devastating flood of July 2021.
However, West Coast Regional councillor Frank Dooley says a Department of Internal Affairs review of the technical engineering aspects of the Kawatiri Business Case, presented to the Government on June 30 2022, has held up progress for almost 15 months.
The case for a co-funded resilience scheme was sought from the West Coast Regional and Buller District councils by then Minister of Local Government Nania Mahuta in February 2022. It was seen as a 'test case' for the Government to co-fund future flood resilience schemes and was submitted to deadline, in June 2022.
No decision was announced until 11 months later.
On October 16 this year, the West Coast Regional Council said in a statement the original engineering concept design for the Kawatiri Business Case was "sound".
This came after the council sought an expert technical review of the Government-commissioned review by engineering firm Tonkin and Taylor.
Tonkin and Taylor raised questions on several technical proposals in the business case. They included,
* Heightened risk to life if the proposed flood protection walls were breached.
* Flood level risk at the Buller Bridge in Westport.
* Seismic risk and seepage concerns.
The Department of Internal Affairs commissioned the Tonkin and Taylor review in July 2022, but it was only provided to council in June this year.
Council said while there would be further design refinement before the final flood bank options were pinned down, it could now proceed to the preliminary design.
The Government co-funding in the May Budget for the resilience work came almost a year after council met Cabinet's deadline.
Westport-based regional councillor Frank Dooley said the Government review work has effectively caused a 15-month delay.
"My frustration with that is that they requested the councils to have their business case presented by 30 June 2022.
"Unbeknown to anybody, DIA went out and got an independent review."
A Department of Internal Affairs spokesperson said the delay and their decision to seek a peer review were justified.
"While we all want to see progress on this work, it is necessary that the councils, the Westport community and the Government take the required time to get this right."
The department said the delay in swearing in the new Government now meant access to funding for Westport cannot be approved in meantime.
However, Dooley said the extra work sparked by DIA had caused a "massive delay", meaning they had to wait over a year to consult with those affected in Westport.
The issues raised in the review would have been pinned down in the final design stage anyway, he said.
"There is no excuse for it, and at the end of the day, all of the issues raised by Tonkin and Taylor would be raised as you go through the design phase.
"That was always going to be the case," Dooley said.
The Kawatiri Business Case authors -- experts paid for by the Government -- were also not consulted in the peer review process instigated by DIA, Dooley said.
"As a result they put together a report that has delayed the process."
"Their report was in September 2022. The DIA never released [their] report until June 2023. "In June 2023, that's when they advised the regional council you can't draw down any of the money because of the discrepancies raised."
As a result the council in July engaged NZ Rivers Managers Group members Graeme Campbell and Peter Blackwood to reconcile the matters raised by Tonkin and Taylor.
It confirmed council "is on the right track".
The Department of Internal Affairs was asked why it commissioned the peer review, who was consulted, and to explain the timing, given the business case was submitted in June 2022.
It did not directly answer the question around timing or if Cabinet was consulted first, but said the business case was "reviewed by officials, including a technical review by Tonkin and Taylor".
The decision was based on Treasury's Better Business Cases requirements and Cabinet principles for the Government's role in improving resilience to flood risk, a department spokesperson said.
"The Tonkin and Taylor technical review did not delay Cabinet decisions on the business case."
The subsequent technical advisory report commissioned by the regional council in July built on what Tonkin and Taylor found, which had built on the Kawatiri Business Case, the spokesperson said.
"A robust review process was important for this project as it builds confidence in the reliability of the design of flood walls for the community.
"Resolving technical issues is one of the requirements of meeting the [Government] expectations before further funding for the structural elements of the package can be drawn down."
--------------------------
The Campbell and Blackwood review for the West Coast Regional Council looked at the Kawatiri Business Case flood protection concept design, following the Government-commissioned Tonkin and Taylor peer review. This is what it found:
* The concept design "was sound" for the development of the Kawatiri Business Case but it needed further refinement before achieving the final design.
* All 18 'technical matters' raised by Tonkin and Taylor were either resolvable through "additional information" or could be addressed in subsequent project phases -- mostly at preliminary design.
* None of the technical matters raised should result in the withholding of funds and/or slow progression to the next phases.
* A Government decision not to protect Carters Beach due to perceived "significant effects" on flood levels at the Buller Bridge in Westport was found to be incorrect. Protection of Carters Beach will now be revisited.
* Some refinement of other elements of the flood risk management strategies in the business case was required to ensure consistency with the Protect, Avoid, Retreat, Accommodate approach used, and to ensure the strategies cover all elements of the flood management approach for Westport.
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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A fresh call by the Ombudsman for council workshops to be open to the public by default has received a cautionary response on the West Coast.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier made the demand following his investigation into the way some councils have … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A fresh call by the Ombudsman for council workshops to be open to the public by default has received a cautionary response on the West Coast.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier made the demand following his investigation into the way some councils have excluded the public from meetings.
None of the West Coast's four local authorities were formally scrutinized by the review.
The investigation followed complaints about councils "undermining local democracy" by holding secret meetings.
Boshier dismissed some of the reasons councils gave for closed-door meetings -- including being able to ask "silly questions".
West Coast Regional Council risk and assurance chairperson Frank Dooley said there was "no such thing as a silly question" and it should not be "an excuse" for closing the door to public scrutiny.
Everyone had "a right to understand" council business, but workshops were useful to inform elected members for later formal decision making, he said.
"It's getting your ducks in a row," Dooley said.
However, the council had conducted seven closed door workshops on the council's next 10-year long-term plan alone this year. Some of those workshops lasted several hours.
"I don't think there is anything to be gained by having those workshops in the public forum because we've got to debate where we go [later] from a strategic point of view," Dooley said.
Although, he said there was "greater scope for communication" around the purpose of the workshops.
The Westland District Council's use of workshops has been contentious at times, since the local body elections in October 2022.
Westland mayor Helen Lash said she had been upfront about the need for them, while acknowledging council discourse should primarily be in public.
A closed meeting invariably fuelled poor perception, but it was not necessarily a case of "hiding anything," Lash said.
"I have not doubt there have been workshops around the country held to hide information. It's something I despise from my previous tenure at council."
But the new Westland council had required a high level of briefings after the local election.
Closed workshops had been mainly on the commitments made by the council's predecessor, and to guide new councillors in their governance role, she said.
"Primarily, workshops were to develop the skills of the new council."
Lash said they had been deliberately called "workshops" instead of "training days" because they provided context for future decisions on urgent issues, including a "state of play" on the district's assets.
At the same time, workshops helped avoid "quick, rash decisions" by council only based on a summary report or sketchy information provided just days before, she said.
"If you don't understand the detail behind it, to me it's irresponsible in making decisions."
Dooley said it was sometimes necessary to brief councillors informally, such as with the 2022-23 annual report.
"I think it's really important for councillors to go through the annual report and understand and ask questions on it before putting it into the public [domain].
"Some of the other workshops we've had have been really technical."
These included expert briefings on the Westport flood resilience scheme and the 10-year Waiho River Management Strategy.
The later briefing was prior to the public presentation to the Franz Josef community a fortnight ago.
This ensured "everyone understood" what was coming in order to respond to constituents, he said.
National MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been … View moreNational MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been buying?
Type NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
About half of West Coast Regional Council rates bills were incorrectly charged.
The council on Wednesday announced PricewaterhouseCooper has completed an external review into the first installment rates mess.
The review found … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
About half of West Coast Regional Council rates bills were incorrectly charged.
The council on Wednesday announced PricewaterhouseCooper has completed an external review into the first installment rates mess.
The review found "outdated" capital valuation figures were behind significant inaccuracies in about 50% - about 11,000 - of the bills sent by council early this month to its 22,000 property rating base.
Chief executive Darryl Lew again apologised on behalf of council for the mess.
It follows ratepayers being shocked at opening their bills early this month to find increases of anywhere up to 100%.
The council passed a general rates rise of 16.4% in June.
Lew said he would initiate a further audit to determine what went wrong and to ensure it did not happen again.
Almost all of the main towns on the West Coast were affected, apart from Reefton.
The capital values used to calculate the factors in the rates strike for each special rating district had been based on "outdated capital value figures", Lew said.
The largest variations were found in Greymouth, Punakaiki, Westport, Karamea, Hokitika, Red Jacks (Grey Valley) and Wanganui (Hari Hari) special rating districts.
"The review also found rates variations in the Grey Rating District have resulted from the Grey Floodwall Rating District Boundary extension and the capital value of property within this area."
PricewaterhouseCooper identified the "underlying variations" that affected a number of rates notices, Lew said.
"I am now initiating an audit to determine what went wrong in council's procedures to ensure future controls are put in place that will prevent this happening again."
On October 20, the council announced a further extension of the 2023-24 first rates installment due date, to Thursday November 30.
The council had also now reviewed the levies for the affected areas with the correct capital valuations and would be raising "credit notes" for each of the properties concerned.
Lew apologised for the inconvenience of the resulting "rates corrections".
He urged those unsure if their property had been rated correctly to contact the council office.
Those who had already paid their rates for the year in full could ask council for a refund.
Lew said the council would ensure staff efficiently created rates credit notes.
"Ratepayers in the affected areas will receive a letter in due course stating what they have been charged for the first rates demand, a breakdown of their current rating assessment and advice on the correct amount to pay."
The second rates demand would only charge the difference between the first and second rates installment and would therefore be a lower amount to pay.
Lew said repayment plan options were also available for those affected by variations, due to the wrong capital value being used in the first place.
Ryman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by … View moreRyman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by agedadvisor.co.nz are based on almost 11,300 reviews and ratings for more than 890 facilities. Over 1600 of those in-depth reviews went towards this year’s awards.
Ryman took home the top prize in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. As a finalist this year Aged Advisor voters recognise Ryman’s continued growth and efforts within the aged care sector.
Click to read more.
Dear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. … View moreDear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by October 29, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the December issue of NZ Gardener.
We’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, … View moreWe’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, successfully locating him in the gap between the ceiling and roof of their neighbour’s house.
Pam said “They rescued him and brought him home to me... complete with some scratches! I hate to think what would have happened had he not been found”.
Pam nominated the Hursts to let them know she is thankful for them: “It’s so good to know I have such caring neighbours who have my back. Thank you neighbours!”
Nominate someone in your hood, and your special neighbour could feature on Stuff and Neighbourly as an inspiration to us all (plus there are prizes to be won!).
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Hello Neighbours, are you ready for a relaxing Labor Day long weekend?
If you're looking for some leisurely activities, we've got just the thing – a selection of fantastic shows to enjoy from the comfort of your home!
PLUS, we've got the scoop on broadband providers … View moreHello Neighbours, are you ready for a relaxing Labor Day long weekend?
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Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for … View moreLower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
A common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your … View moreA common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your neighbour's property. Do you...
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