More than 500 submissions for combined Coast plan
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.
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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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