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480 days ago

Westland creek pollution proves tricky for council

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

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 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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1 day ago

Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?

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1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64.1% Yes
    64.1% Complete
  • 33.5% No
    33.5% Complete
  • 2.4% Other - I'll share below
    2.4% Complete
1568 votes
10 hours ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

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