Close run likely in Westland District by-election
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Voting for the Westland District Council Northern Ward by-election opens on Thursday (January 26) and it could be a close run.
The ward covers the entire rural area of Westland district south from the Taramakau River to Ross, including Otira, Kumara, Kumara Junction, Kaniere, Three Mile, Blue Spur, Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi and Rimu. It represents more than 50% of the rateable value for the entire district - which stretches south to Haast and Jacksons Bay.
The Northern Ward has burgeoned in the past decade, with a significant increase in rural subdivision and infill housing in the more historic rural settlements, driven by rising property values and the housing shortage in Hokitika.
Of note, in the northern part of the ward closest to Greymouth, the combined area of Kumara Junction, Kumara Tram and Kumara township now has a combined population of about 800 - with the junction now having a larger population than historic Kumara (about 360).
Likewise the traditional town boundary of Hokitika is stretching ever wider into the Northern Ward.
The surprise by-election was sparked by Lake Kaniere resident Ian Hustwick, who stepped down almost immediately after being elected in October.
Hustwick, previously a district councillor about a decade ago, said he could not in conscience be part of the new council which was delivered by the voters late last year.
That left the three-seat Northern Ward one short.
Candidate interest has been high, with seven nominations until former West Coast regional councillor Debra Magner withdrew from the race due to work commitments.
With six remaining, a split vote is on the cards - Charley Cowie, Jacquie Grant, Flow Ir Inn, Euan Mackenzie, Richard Osmaston and Patrick Phelps are all chipper about their chances.
Cowie, of Stafford, said he was running to give people "more choice," with fresh ideas, given that over 40 blank voting papers had been returned from the Northern Ward last time, indicating voters felt they had no real choice.
Flow Ir Inn said their focus was that the council was inefficient, with internal management issues and spending "that needs to be sorted" -- with the value of their information technology background to add to the table.
Grant, who missed election in the last elections, said she believed her chances were good and she would bring, logic, experience and "some common sense".
Mackenzie, now of Kaniere, said he could bring a needed fresh perspective to the council table as a relative newcomer to the district, after emigrating from Scotland 12 years ago.
The council needed a solid focus on its economic base to facilitate adequate housing in the area, for example, he said.
Perennial election candidate Richard Osmaston, who lives in the Tasman District, said he was standing to help lift the profile of his Money Free Party.
"We need a toehold," he said.
Phelps, of Hokitika and the Minerals West Coast manager, said he was standing to ensure the council operated in the best interests of the ratepayers and residents.
The council was there primarily to be "a rule book and a referee, to uphold people's property rights" and to ensure the right framework so people could go about their business, he said.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
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Controversial West Coast landfill granted extension to fix issues
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 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.
Pressure on council to protect Hokitika from flooding
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 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.
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