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170 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
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% Yes
    64% Complete
  • 33.5% No
    33.5% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1632 votes
20 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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23 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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