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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Westport residents are likely to be waiting until 2024 to get a clearer picture of how they will be flood-protected.
But a "massive gap" exists between public expectation and what will be built, Westport-based West Coast Regional … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Westport residents are likely to be waiting until 2024 to get a clearer picture of how they will be flood-protected.
But a "massive gap" exists between public expectation and what will be built, Westport-based West Coast Regional councillor Frank Dooley says.
He is really concerned about the gap in public expectation and what will come under the $22.9 million 'support package'.
"I don't think the community has any clarity at this point in time," he said on Tuesday.
Dooley said a level of expectation since the regional council consulted for a flood scheme back in late 2021 was a reality, but now six weeks after the Government announced the funding, residents' futures were still unclear and bound up in a process.
A bemused Dooley said he, as chair of the committee governing council's infrastructure work, had yet to be shown the Westport steering group terms of reference.
In the meantime, further technical review requirements of the business case work created a drag on the project, two years on from the initial event that sparked it.
"My issue is the time lines or the drag in the timing of having a report prepared by someone," he said.
In the midst of that the regional council really needed to keep momentum going for Westport.
"It just means that the regional council has to take some risks and go ahead without the permission of the steering committee."
Dooley said the differences between the scheme first consulted on in 2021, and that presented for the business case last year was negligible - excluding Snodgrass and parts of Carters Beach.
At the same time someone had to "pick up the gap" in basic information for those affected.
He noted that aside from the public consultation in late 2021 and a couple of meetings for some residents in the past year, there was a dearth of information.
"There's a massive gap. We've waited 10 months ... there's been no consultation with the community as a whole since then," Dooley said.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine, who sits on the steering committee, said the release of a six point graphic this week with no fixed time line was "trying to illustrate we're in the process".
He imagined both councils would consult on the scheme, under their 2024 long term plans.
He expected the future direction of Westport away from flood prone areas would be part of Buller's 2024 LTP process.
At the same time he acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty in Westport, as evidenced in the North Island where people awaited clarity on properties following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Cleine said tangible uncertainty remained in Westport two years on from the July 2021 event.
"We're hearing from those people, there is no doubt [but] there is a complex process that has to be worked through.
"No-one is pretending that everyone is protected. All those issues are just not defined enough at the moment to have those conversations."
However the regional council gaining endorsement for its 'quick win' projects to address crucial low lying flood prone points was critical.
"They should crack on."
Cleine said the steering group terms of reference were "quite clear".
This was that various aspects of the scheme would go to each respective council for approval before going to the steering group.
"It's not supposed to be the other way round."
At the same time the steering group was conscious it needed to "act with haste while we can".
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Approved 'quick win' projects for Westport
The Westport Steering Group has endorsed four workstreams deemed as "quick wins".
The West Coast Regional Council-led and paid for work is to provide significant benefits by reducing floodwater inundation around the edges of Westport.
The quick win projects are at the Floating Lagoon, Avery's, the Abattoir drain railway bridge and at nearby McKenna Road.
The Floating Lagoon project comprises initial geotechnical and survey work while the
other three projects will go to construction.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine described the 'quick wins' as a great first step.
"These are some straightforward engineering solutions to reduce the risks in specific areas around Westport before work on the bigger flood protection project is finished."
Regardless of what is built in the broader scheme, the quick wins will complement the final flood banks.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these … View moreThe Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these donations?
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A crucial hearing affecting the protection of Franz Josef township will finally get under way this Friday more than a year after work began on the $24 million Waiho Scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council let a contract in May 2022 to Greymouth … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A crucial hearing affecting the protection of Franz Josef township will finally get under way this Friday more than a year after work began on the $24 million Waiho Scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council let a contract in May 2022 to Greymouth contractor MBD for flood bank improvements and extensions on the Waiho true right bank, for the $12.5m first stage, but council soon ran into trouble.
Late last year as council tried to quickly resolve the necessary resource consents on a non-notified basis, the Scenic Hotel Group declined to give affected party approval.
Now a public hearing will convene in Greymouth this Friday, July 28, to hear from both sides. The hearing commissioner will first visit Franz Josef on Thursday.
According to papers filed for the hearing, Scenic Circle told the regional council back in January it was not confident construction on the new flood resilience scheme demonstrated enough safeguards to allow them to rebuild the hotel with confidence.
Scenic pointed out that the stopbank below the township and behind the hotel had failed on March 23 2016 “following unauthorised and unconsented work” in the riverbed, including “the diversion of the river towards the hotel.”
It did not state who had done that work but Scenic noted its insurers considered both the regional council and the Westland District Council and their respective contractors responsible for the subsequent flood damage.
"SHGL does not want to see a repeat of this in the riverbed and on the stop banks resulting in flooding or damage to its property in the future."
Scenic claimed it wished to rebuild a new hotel on the old site "but cannot do so" without being able to finance and insure the site due to the risk.
It also contended that what happened in 2016 was down to the regional council's "failure to maintain" the old stopbanks "and to prevent contractors and locals from excavating and gravel" from the old stop bank area.
The council had failed to "properly police and monitor" work in the river bed prior to the 2016 event, and where gravel was taken, to ensure it did not endanger their property or that of third parties.
The council had also failed in its role to ensure resource consents were held by those doing the work.
It was important that the "the failures and processes of the past" were not repeated by the new scheme, Scenic said.
Since January the $30m claim by Scenic's insurers has been settled confidentially for an undisclosed sum by both councils.
In the meantime, work on the northern flood bank improvement and extension by the West Coast Regional Council has slowed to a snail’s pace.
Crucial to the planned work is the raising the existing stopbank, and an extension by nearly 1km extension from the Franz Josef Heliport to below the derelict hotel site.
In the meantime council has had to go back to central government to reassure it that it is managing the situation, in order to keep its funding.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
Meeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
… View moreMeeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
Don’t wait for December, it’s time to start thinking about how you can help today!
For just $40 a box, you can give the gift of hope and 100% of your donation will go to families who are doing it tough this year. Your generosity makes a difference.
Have you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it … View moreHave you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it really won’t help you feel confident in comparing different plans. We don’t want to see our Neighbours get tripped up and stuck with a big bill this chilly season!
So to help you, we’ve put together a list of all the power terminology that you need to know!
By Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Frustrations with the cost of freshwater farm plans, rolling out from next month, have been aired at the West Coast Regional Council.
Council staff reporting to the Resource Management Committee meeting, on July 13, noted the pending freshwater … View moreBy Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Frustrations with the cost of freshwater farm plans, rolling out from next month, have been aired at the West Coast Regional Council.
Council staff reporting to the Resource Management Committee meeting, on July 13, noted the pending freshwater farm plans from August.
As part of that an independent farm plan coordinator position for the region, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, had started.
According to a council science and planning staff report the plans will need to include:
* farm maps identifying features such as waterways, discharge of contaminant areas, and other risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems;
* A risk assessment across farming and growing activities such as irrigation, application of nutrients and effluent, winter grazing, stockholding (standoff) areas, stock exclusion, offal pits and farm rubbish pits;
* A schedule of actions to manage identified features and to address identified risks.
The plans will also need to be certified by a freshwater farm plan certifier appointed by the regional council, audited by a freshwater farm plan auditor, and enforced by the council.
Science and planning manager Fiona Thomson said the co-ordinator position was to provide support, education and advice to farmers on developing their farm plans -- with council staff to contribute to that.
Councillor Frank Dooley asked who was actually employing the co-ordinator and how accessible would they actually be to farmers.
Thomson said the position was "fully funded" by MPI and employed by them as an independent person, co-ordinating for the farmers.
Meantime a focus group had been pulled together including key stakeholders in the region such as Westland Milk Products.
The new co-ordinator, Lyn Carmichael, would be able to "direct people to the resource" in order for them to formulate their owner freshwater farm plan.
"At the moment we don't have anyone certified to do the farm plans or to be auditors."
Dooley noted a point made already by fellow councilor Andy Campbell, a South Westland dairy farmer, about escalating costs on the farming economy.
"We can't just keep loading up farmers with cost," Dooley said.
"Farmers are so darn important to the Coast. It's no use pointing out where you can get a consultant from Timbuktu ... these funds should filter down to the farmer.
"It's always the way, up all the consultants...we've got a world full of consultants. This country must be over run by consultants," Dooley said.
Thomson said the council also had some funding for the process to assist farmers as they formulated individual plans "they can write themselves".
However it was the end result that would require the tick-off.
Thomson said the idea was to build plan templates to "upskill to make it obvious what they should do".
Another aspect was accounting for the cultural perspective on water for Mana Whenua.
Campbell said the point was to ensure the whole process was not made "too complicated or hard".
Thomson admitted there was "a lot involved".
"Quite a lot has to happen behind the scenes before it regurgitates out and say, 'this is our farm plan'," she said.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The government's Road to Zero project seeks to set speed limits at 30kph in suburban streets across New Zealand. Do you think this is a good idea?
Reconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown … View moreReconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown creativity and hospitality.
Soak in our thermal springs, be inspired by our artists and artisans, breathe in the scent of our great outdoors or savour our homegrown flavours. However you do it, come and winter our way.
Hello neighbours! Want to help put a big smile on little faces? Buy any red testpot (60 mL) from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2023 and Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids.
The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated!
Countdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date … View moreCountdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date of 23/11/2024, 24/11/2024 and 25/11/2024
- If you have purchased this product, do not consume. You can return the product to this store for a full refund.
You can see past product recalls here.
There's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every … View moreThere's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Murky discoloured water in Waimea Creek has become a sticking point for the West Coast Regional Council.
The catchment is one of the most intensive gold mining areas in the region at present with up to a dozen operations into the creek's upper… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Murky discoloured water in Waimea Creek has become a sticking point for the West Coast Regional Council.
The catchment is one of the most intensive gold mining areas in the region at present with up to a dozen operations into the creek's upper reaches at Stafford and above Goldsborough.
Acting consents and compliance manager Rachel Clark told the Resource Management Committee last week that tracing the source of dirty mine water in the Waimea was proving tricky.
However a gold miner on the catchment who contacted the Greymouth Star immediately after the meeting on Tuesday noted the discolouration giving the creek a blue-grey appearance had appeared again that day.
The man, who declined to be named, said it was a bad look and he could not understand why it was so difficult for council to trace the culprit when the source seemed obvious to him.
"I know where it is coming from. It's very blue - it's obviously coming off the reef."
Blue-grey papa is usually associated with the gold bearing reefs within alluvial layers of gravel in the area.
The anonymous miner said the creek was in the same state in the previous 10 days when it had "ponded up" at the mouth, although it had now apparently blown out making the discolouration more obvious.
"It's not too difficult to trace where it's coming from - it's whether they want to put the effort in to trace it."
The miner said the council in past years would have acted decisively and shut down a culprit found to be the source immediately.
"They would never have got away with it," he said.
Clark said on Wednesday they had been notified of the latest incident and staff were looking into it.
"Someone is down there now," she said.
Similar incidents were investigated "almost immediately" as they were reported.
She earlier noted the compliance team had another busy month with the Waimea catchment "one of the biggest things" in council's sights.
As late as last Monday (July 10), the council had received reports again of a discoloured Waimea Creek.
"Again we're struggling with the lull between what has been seen and it being reported," she said.
At the same time council individual miners had been self reporting dirty water discharges.
Clark said they were potentially looking at doing some further investigation around the Waimea mouth.
"That's an issue and we're looking into it."
Councillor Peter Haddock noted the intensity of mining activity inland on what he described as "a slow moving creek" made the issue complex.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
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