Buller District, Westport

Time to tidy that garage

Time to tidy that garage

Use Neighbourly Market to make a few bucks while you're at it

627 days ago

Double Towel Rail 600 mm

Cheryl from Wakefield

Sorrento double towel rail 600mm, brand new in box never been used, was brought for my home but did not fit.
Original price of product stated in photo.
Pick up main road Hope or will deliver at a convenient time but locally only, also happy to post or courier at your own cost
This is also listed on… View more
Sorrento double towel rail 600mm, brand new in box never been used, was brought for my home but did not fit.
Original price of product stated in photo.
Pick up main road Hope or will deliver at a convenient time but locally only, also happy to post or courier at your own cost
This is also listed on fb.

Price: $80

627 days ago

Bid to move river away from town

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.

The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the … View more
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.

The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the river from below the State Highway 6 bridge to the glacial moraine, where the Waiho and Tatare riverbeds converge.

“The proposed diversion is to allow gravel extraction, and stopbank construction ... in dry riverbed and to prevent any potential scour of temporary works during the construction phase,” consultant Davis Ogilvie says on behalf of the council.

The applications relate to two separate flood protection works under the stage one north bank scheme: the Franz Josef stopbank and the Tatare River stopbank.

The application notes that the Waiho riverbed has been aggrading at 18cm a year in recent decades.

Flood protection improvement was deemed a priority following the 2016 flood causing after it caused $30m of damage. In March 2019 the state highway bridge was swept away following 400mm of rain was also a factor.

“A $24m package was approved by the Government in July 2020, as part of the Covid-19 economic stimulus package. The work included $18m for rock embankments on the north and south banks, and $3.8m to raise the level of the highway bridge.”

The regional council let a contract to Greymouth contractor MBD for the north bank work nearly a year ago.

The proposed river diversion is from the bridge down past the township and beyond the Westland District Council's wastewater treatment plant.

Temporary diversion of water for up to two years within the bed of the Waiho River is also sought.

The main project is currently stalled after the regional council failed to get affected party approval from the Scenic Circle Hotel Group.

In the latest application the three affected parties identified are the Department of Conservation (DOC), Fish and Game, and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.

DOC had already responded it had no concerns apart from the unprotected bank on the south side of the river below Canavans Knob.

DOC said the unprotected bank below Canavans had been “a real safety issue” for property and life in a number of recent floods.

“If the river is trained away from the north — then the probability of it being more likely to impact this bank is increased.”

The department said it would like to see armouring put in place and the Canavans stopbank upgraded significantly to mitigate the risk prior to the river diversion/training.

“This isn't so much a conservation concern as a community and Civil Defence issue,” DOC said.

Davis Ogilvie notes consent for the north bank scheme was independently lodged on March 3 last year and was currently on hold.

Likewise, an application for gravel extraction associated with the stopbanks construction had been independently lodged last month but was also on hold.

Consent to disturb the bed and banks of the Waiho River to the Tatare stopbank was granted in October 2022 along with a discharge consent for incidental sediment into the Waiho River from the Tatare stopbank construction.

Land use consent had already been sought to raise all existing flood protection banks on the north side by 2m, along with consent to extract gravel from the dry riverbed for raising the existing stopbanks and extending them.

627 days ago

More than 500 submissions for combined Coast plan

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

A total of 534 public submissions were received for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP), a combined district plan for the West Coast.

TTPP project manager Jo Armstrong updated the committee last week, noting that about 20 late submissions … View more
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

A total of 534 public submissions were received for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP), a combined district plan for the West Coast.

TTPP project manager Jo Armstrong updated the committee last week, noting that about 20 late submissions which had been accepted by the chairperson.

So far 427 submissions had been summarised, with hearings to be held later in the year.

With over 100 submissions yet to
be summarised some delay was expected in completing the
submissions summary for the committee due to the availability of
the principal planner, who was
affected by the Hawke's Bay cyclone damage.

"I think there is a likelihood in light of having lost (time with) our
principal planner due to Cyclone Gabrielle that we will not have a summary by March 30."

Former West Coast Regional Council planning and science manager Rachel Vaughan had been engaged in the meantime.

Armstrong said the submissions yet to be summarised covered a broad spectrum of the plan, and some represented large organisations or groups.

Natural hazard rules and maps attracted nearly 100 submissions while there had been 185 rezoning requests — mainly related to the intersection of rural zones and other areas.

This was "not unexpected at all" given the amount of land rezoned under the proposed plan.

Armstrong suggested prehearing meetings with those submitters
would be a way of managing that workload.

She said there was also a lot of support for the plan.

Sites and areas of significance to Maori drew more than 55 submissions, and historic heritage 25.

628 days ago

Got a business that makes your day?

Prospa

It's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the … View more
It's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero Awards including a incredible package worth $10,000. Just share a few words about why they make your community a better place to live.

Your favourite local will thank you!
Nominate now

Image
636 days ago

What skills are at risk of being lost in our communities?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other … View more
With universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other vital skills do you think are at risk of being lost?

Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column in the local paper - write NFP if you want your comments excluded.

Image
630 days ago

Check you have your census pack

Stats NZ

If you need more forms or accessibility formats,visit www. census.govt.nz, or call 0800 236 787 for help. Find out more

Image
631 days ago

Hokitika stopbank ‘top of the priority list’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Addressing the critical flood risk to Hokitika township by raising the Hokitika River stopbank is at the "top of the priority list" for the West Coast Regional Council.

It hopes to tender the project in about six weeks and hopes to … View more
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Addressing the critical flood risk to Hokitika township by raising the Hokitika River stopbank is at the "top of the priority list" for the West Coast Regional Council.

It hopes to tender the project in about six weeks and hopes to present the scope of the latest project to a meeting of the Hokitika joint floodwall district within a month, regional council acting chairperson Peter Haddock said on Thursday.

Meanwhile they were liaising with Westland District Council (WDC) over its stormwater pipe through the existing bank off Townbelt East.

"Council have been working closely with the WDC because the WDC put some pipes under the existing stopbank there and the wall is slightly lower now than what it was originally," Haddock said.

The top of the bank at the WDC outfall point was now a worry as the main channel of the river was increasingly turning towards the channel behind Westland Milk Products and would be compromised.

The river had already been within 400ml of topping the bank at that point in a previous flood, Haddock said.

"We're trying to work in with WDC to make sure they do the reinstatement work there. We have put the pressure on them to get something resolved," he said.

WDC chief executive Simon Bastion said on Thursday that the stormwater project was not finished yet.

"The outfall position will not change. We are awaiting the final design of the protection works from WCRC," he said.

Haddock said work on finalising the broader river protection work along the bank from Hokitika Bridge to WMP "is progressing well".

The council was hoping to go to tender within two months although it would need to be presented in a meeting of the joint rating district first.

It was very cognizant of what was at stake for the community and the West Coast dairy industry - as had been highlighted recently by veteran dairy farmer and former Grey District councillor Alan Berry when he fronted council and warned of the consequences of an ‘old man’ flood.

"Council are all over the project. It has been given real high priority because of that risk. That is at the top of the council's priority list,” Haddock said.

“That's a very high risk: everyone is concerned about that."

Haddock said they hoped to have firm figures before the next full council meeting in a fortnight and to go to a meeting of the joint Hokitika rating district this month.

"We're hoping to be out for tender in the next six weeks."

The money previously allocated to council under the Government's shovel ready scheme for extension of the Hokitika seawall had now been reallocated by the infrastrucutre division of MBIE, Kanoa, after it agreed the river protection was more urgent.

*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Image
632 days ago

New West Coast plan cost ‘north of $5m’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The cost of implementing the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan is set to cost "north of $5 million" before it is finalised.

And a further envoy to the Government is on the cards over West Coast ratepayers having to pay for their new … View more
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The cost of implementing the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan is set to cost "north of $5 million" before it is finalised.

And a further envoy to the Government is on the cards over West Coast ratepayers having to pay for their new 'one district plan' for Buller, Grey and Westland.

The plan is a 'test case' of the Government's Resource Management Act reforms, which propose 17 new regional plans instead of having dozens of district plans.

The cost was again raised at the TTPP committee meeting in Westport on Tuesday.

West Coast Regional Council chief executive Heather Mabin said Environment Minister David Parker had refused to help with implementation costs when last approached in October.

The plan came out of a 2019 Order in Council after the Local Government Commission declined a petition to amalgamate councils on the West Coast and instead ruled that their district plans should be combined. The order also put it on the regional council to rate for the costs of developing the plan.

Apart from an initial $250,000 contribution from the Government, the council has either rated or had to borrow for the costs to date. By the end of January, borrowing so far amounted to nearly $1m.

TTPP chairperson Rex Williams said there was quite a bit of work to come, including public hearings of submissions.

Appeals to the Environment Court are also likely.

Committee alternate member councillor Frank Dooley said it would be a question of whether the regional council borrowed or increased rates to cover the cost of developing the plan.

"We haven't had that discussion yet," he said.

Iwi representative Paul Madgwick said as the process forged ahead the costs were exploding.

"Three and a half years down the track it now becomes fully apparent this is going to cost us north of $5m.

"I find it appalling we got the princely sum of $250,000 from the Government and the rest has to be shouldered by the ratepayers."

Regional council deputy chairperson Peter Haddock said it was "quite a burden" on the region's tiny rating base.

"This was foisted on us by the Government ... We should be trying to get some money back," Haddock said.

Westland mayor Helen Lash concurred: "We can't shunt this back on to ratepayers".

Dooley agreed the impact was escalating. "I think it is only appropriate that we get together and make a submission."

Williams noted two submissions about the cost had already been put to the Government.

Mabin said Parker's response to the latest request for help was "thank you very much, but no".

Dooley said another approach to the Government was needed.

Madgwick noted it was all very well for the minister to dismiss the region in a letter, "but it wouldn't be so easy for him to dismiss a West Coast delegation".

"We're a guinea pig here for RMA reform. Get on a plane and hop up to Wellington and bang on his door, or Chippie's (Chris Hipkin's) door."

The meeting generally agreed raising a delegation should be decided by the West Coast Mayors and Chairs Forum, once the TTPP budget had been clarified in the next eight weeks.

The hearings, which will get under way later this year, are expected to bring substantial costs into next year.

"Judging by other councils' experiences, TTPP can expect to pay up to $1m on commissioner fees, planning consultants and expert witnesses over a 12-month period," a staff report said.

This did not include dealing with contentious issues at the hearing stage, requiring further costly planner and expert research.

* Disclosure: Te Runanga o Makaawhio chairman Paul Madgwick is also the editor of the Greymouth Star. He took no part in the commissioning, writing or editing of this LDR story.

*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air.

A
639 days ago

Problems with Amarex

Anne from Wakefield

Has anyone else tried to talk to someone in Amarex (a courier company) about a problem and hit a brick wall? Seems like they are so automated that they think they can't make a mistake (in fact one of the people in their call centre claimed this!) so if there is problem it must be the customer … View moreHas anyone else tried to talk to someone in Amarex (a courier company) about a problem and hit a brick wall? Seems like they are so automated that they think they can't make a mistake (in fact one of the people in their call centre claimed this!) so if there is problem it must be the customer that is at fault. It was impossible to talk to anyone that might be able to help me - and I did ask. I certainly can't recommend this company.

634 days ago

Check you have your census pack

Stats NZ

If you need more forms or accessibility formats, visit www.census.govt.nz, or call 0800 236 787 for help. Find out more

Image
637 days ago

List an item for free and be in to win!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's some real goodies on Neighbourly Market in our FREE section, and we want to see even more!

If you've got some things getting dusty in the garage that could use a new home, list them on Neighbourly as free in the next 48 hours and you'll go in to win one of 5 x $50 … View more
There's some real goodies on Neighbourly Market in our FREE section, and we want to see even more!

If you've got some things getting dusty in the garage that could use a new home, list them on Neighbourly as free in the next 48 hours and you'll go in to win one of 5 x $50 Prezzy® cards!
List an item now

Image
636 days ago

Want to recognise your favourite local business?

Prospa

New Zealand's small businesses have had another tough few weeks. We're calling on you, wherever you are across the country, to recognise a local business making a difference in your community.

We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery … View more
New Zealand's small businesses have had another tough few weeks. We're calling on you, wherever you are across the country, to recognise a local business making a difference in your community.

We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. These are the business owners who remind us we're home.

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Nominate now

Image
636 days ago

Consent application for Hokitika beach access rejected

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Application for consent to build new beach access to the Hokitika beachfront has been rejected by the West Coast Regional Council at this stage.

And the dispute over a $90,000 claim the Westland District Council believes it has with the regional … View more
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Application for consent to build new beach access to the Hokitika beachfront has been rejected by the West Coast Regional Council at this stage.

And the dispute over a $90,000 claim the Westland District Council believes it has with the regional council to contribute to the access project has not been settled.

The proposal to improve access over the rock seawall off the end of Weld Lane was put forward in the Westland District Council's 2020-21 annual plan.

But it has been bogged down after the regional council baulked at a $90,000 invoice it received from the Westland council for its 'share'.

Westland's chief executive Simon Bastion told his council in December the bill was still under discussion.

Westland's district assets group manager Scott Baxendale said this week there was still no start date for the work, after the council had earlier indicated it would be under way by now.

However, they would soon be engaging with the regional council as consent holders for the wall.

"We are still working through the consenting requirements regarding the beach access," Baxendale said.

The district council was commissioning a project manager to move the project on, including gaining the appropriate consents.

Meanwhile, the disputed invoice was "not resolved", he said.

Regional council acting consents and compliance manager Rachel Clark said the Westland council had lodged a consent application late last year relating to ramp access at the beach.

But it had been rejected by the regional council's consultant due to a lack of supporting information with the application.

Clark said they had not received anything further yet from Westland.

Chief executive Heather Mabin said Westland had still been "unable to produce evidence" that the regional council had agreed to partially fund the district council's beach access project.

A forensic search by the regional council of files for any evidence of an agreement about the $90,000 had turned up nought last year.

"[Westland chief executive] Simon Bastion has been unable to produce any evidence or any agreement," she said.

"I have let Simon know we will not be paying an invoice for $90,000."

Mabin said it would simply be "not prudent" to cough up, noting that the Westland bill equated to a $4.50 cost per rating unit, "to build a beach access we haven't officially agreed to".

*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air.

649 days ago

Swapping an off-grid dream house in Swanson for a Cromwell hut

Colleen Hawkes Reporter from Homed

Meet a family with four boys (almost) that's up for adventure - and they don't mind roughing it in the process.

637 days ago

Change of address

Elizabeth from Buller District

HI there... I have been out of sorts for a while and we have now moved back up North to Taupo area once again! Big change and I miss the coast and coasters! However glad to be back home and think of the coast with fond memories. Loved the people and everyone everywhere. I miss 'my' cafe … View moreHI there... I have been out of sorts for a while and we have now moved back up North to Taupo area once again! Big change and I miss the coast and coasters! However glad to be back home and think of the coast with fond memories. Loved the people and everyone everywhere. I miss 'my' cafe and loved the weather. We left just 2 weeks before the awful flooding you had, twice from a lame brain! or was it more? Late June I think it was 2022. Everyone needs a little TLC these days. BIIIIIIIG changes all round with everything! With that I shall be thinking of you all at this rather disastrous time... a whole new world and heartaches by the hundreds. My thoughts go out to you all.
Elizabeth

Top