Back
187 days ago

‘Who is in and who is out?’: Tensions over Westport flood scheme

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Nearly three years after a devastating flood displaced hundreds of residents in Westport, they have been told a solution is near.

But at the Westport Rating District Joint Committee annual meeting, held in public for the first time on Wednesday, residents called for more transparency and raised fears the town remains as vulnerable to the next big flood.

The committee is charged with making recommendations to the West Coast Regional Council on the build and future maintenance of the ring bank flood protection scheme for the West Coast town.

Phil Rutherford, a former Buller District councillor, said greater clarity was also needed in the map of the proposed scheme for residents needing to know "who is in and who is out", he said.

Later in the meeting chief engineer for the scheme, Peter Blackwood, said mitigation options for two areas currently excluded under the scheme - Snodgrass Rd and Carters Beach - have yet to come.

Lifelong Westport resident Kevin Smith recalled the 1970 Westport flood, but "the talk" of the last 54 years had not translated to action by the authorities until the July 2021 event.

And the 2021 and 2022 floods "were no bigger" than previous 'record' floods, stretching back more than 70 years, Smith said.

"What was different was the amount of damage," he said.

Westport's inland flood defences on the Buller and Orowaiti rivers at Organs Island had served their purpose in 1950.

But since then, Westport had expanded in a way that heightened risk to people, he said.

"The 1950 flood, everything worked very well. It was a bigger flood than what we have just endured. Why aren't we learning?

"I think we should have a report on what caused the damage. The damage was man-made. What we have done is built in silly places."

Smith said the community needed to work through the flooding damage and the causes.

For now, Westport remained as vulnerable as it was in the July 2021 floods, he said.

"There is a flood coming: will we get the walls built in time? That's up to you people."

Councillor Brett Cummings said repair work had already been done on the historic flood defences, just east of Westport, to help with the next flood.

And councillor Frank Dooley defended council's expert approach to solve the problem, which it was required to do by statute, "not based on community opinion but on expert opinion".

Snodgrass Rd resident Paul Reynold, a trenchant critic at the way Westport's inland flood defences and the Orowaiti overflow had been left to deteriorate, suggested councils approach was "anything but expert".

The regional and the Buller District councils "had a hand in causing the flood".

"We've had three years of charade around avoiding the cause," Reynolds said.

"There has been no effort to define the cause of the 2021 flood - no problem can be solved without first identifying what caused the problem."

Reynolds said the underlying issues were identified and presented to both councils in 2015.

"Council already had a document by 2021 warning of the risk.
"It was ignored for six years … in the filing draw of council."

He suggested the current scheme, including flood defence walls, was not the best option.

"The walls will eventually burst in the event of a major flood - with the loss of life."

Regional council chief executive Darryl Lew said the Government's $22.9m contribution, announced a year ago, had now come through after a technical review found its scheme "was sound".

The money - in reality $15.6m for physical flood protection works - was now being drawn down and should be built by 2027.

He said the benefit classes for properties falling within the scheme will soon be be formally identified as the design is finalised.

More messages from your neighbours
9 minutes ago

Toxic algae

The Team from Environment Canterbury

We've had early reports of toxic algae in some of our awa/rivers. Unfortunately, dogs like to seek out the algae and eat it, causing serious harm.

We monitor water quality at recreation sites over summer for toxic algae, however, site assessments are based on the risk to human health. It is not always possible to observe small amounts of toxic algae that could still be dangerous for dogs.

If you’re ever in doubt about the water quality, then keep your dog on a leash and away from the water’s edge.

It's vital to know what to look for to keep your dogs safe 👉 www.ecan.govt.nz...

8 days ago

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

Image
When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 4.7% Second half of November
    4.7% Complete
  • 43.9% 1st December
    43.9% Complete
  • 17.7% A week before Christmas
    17.7% Complete
  • 32.6% Whenever you wish
    32.6% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2730 votes
4 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

Image
Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.6% Yes
    82.6% Complete
  • 14.7% No
    14.7% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
1668 votes