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114 days ago

West Coast council takes aim at NZTA over flood fix

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

A West Coast river engineer claims the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) "kicked up a bit of a ruckus" when the council requested a joint visit to critical flood protection work on State Highway 6.

The NZTA has been managing key South Westland river crossings, at the Wanganui and Whataroa bridges, for the past 18 months.

The willingness of NZTA to work with the West Coast Regional Council on the route security of the state highway has been described as "very precious".

The regional council's Infrastructure Governance Committee has been keeping an eye on how NZTA is managing the flood risk.

This week, council's chief river engineer Peter Blackwood said he had asked the agency for a joint visit to the sites to give their perspective and insight, "but NZTA kicked up a bit of a ruckus on that".

"NZTA are very precious about their works … they don't like it when we talk to them about it," Blackwood said.

He said they were concerned the clock was ticking towards August - the start of the Spring flood season - when it might be "too late".

NZTA has been approached for comment.

Earlier in the year, the council said it would write to the agency outlining its concerns.

This included the need to ensure the bridges were not left compromised by a delay to flood protection work, and to ensure it fitted with council's own approach to managing the flood risk at both rivers.

In particular, the council was concerned about how work by the agency might undermine or compromise flood protection work downstream, given it manages assets on behalf of the Whataroa and Wanganui special rating districts.


River diversion spurs had been installed by NZTA at the southern Whataroa Bridge approach, with a retrospective consent application to come, an action point before the July 9 meeting said.

Design work for similar work at the Wanganui south bank was under way and council expected a consent application in due course.

Council chief executive Darryl Lew said he was concerned "no-one would get the opportunity to submit" if NZTA undertook an emergency consent application process, taking a non-notification approach.

This would leave out locals living in the area adjoining both bridges.
"What we are hearing here is that the rating scheme members would want to have a view on that," Lew said.

Infrastructure chairperson Frank Dooley said it was not too late for their input on the Wanganui consent.

But councillor Brett Cummings said he could not fathom NZTA justifying using emergency consent provisions under the Resource Management Act, due to the time since the bridge issues arose.

"I find it a bit hard to believe the NZTA are using emergency ones on the Whataroa Bridge when everyone has known about it for so long."

Cummings said council had to put its special rating district concerns to the forefront given the potential serious impact of their work causing the river to 'kick' to the other side and causing havoc downstream.

"If they (NZTA) are going to do work that sends the river to the other side, who is going to pay?

"We should have full control what goes in the river I feel."

Councillor Peter Haddock said the council had "worked hard on NZTA" for route security in recent times, particularly to get work done at the Wanganui and it had been raised again in a South Island regional transport meeting last week.

More messages from your neighbours
2 days 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
  • 33.7% No
    33.7% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
1929 votes
1 day 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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