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From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
As pressure mounts on the Government's purse strings in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, the West Coast Regional Council is pushing the case for a further $23 million of flood protection.
However, the council's Infrastructure Governance … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
As pressure mounts on the Government's purse strings in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, the West Coast Regional Council is pushing the case for a further $23 million of flood protection.
However, the council's Infrastructure Governance Committee heard on Tuesday the North Island experience now strengthened the case for co-funding to protect communities from climate-driven events.
Chief executive Heather Mabin noted in a report, a national initiative had already been tabled with the Government for immediate and ongoing investment in flood protection in the regions.
In response to Cyclone Gabrielle, Te Uru Kahika which represents regional and unitary councils, sent a memorandum to Kanoa, the infrastructure division of MBIE setting out the case for co-investment.
It endorsed the regional councils' request for funding for the 2024 year, including on the West Coast.
This was for:
* $4m Cobden seawall, in 2024;
* $2m Hokitika River stopbanks, in 2024;
* $7m Wanganui River scheme, in 2024-25;
* $10m stage two of the Waiho (Waiau) River scheme, in 2024.
Infrastructure Governance Committee chairperson Frank Dooley said the council had been undertaking an "enormous" amount of activity already around infrastructure, including for a Westport scheme.
It had been struggling with capacity, as had been seen with the delay to fix the breach in the Wanganui River northern stopbank. As a result, farmland had flooded last week and there were "lessons to be learned".
"On the face of it we didn't act with the urgency that was required."
At the same time, the council was ready a month ahead of time with its own $10.2m flood protection scheme for Westport, outside what the Government may decide around co-funding the larger $56m proposal.
"That creates some momentum," he said.
Dooley paid tribute to chief executive Heather Mabin for her work on that, "on behalf of the people of Buller".
He also noted from the Te Uru Kahika reports, "that there is a requirement for co-funded adaptation to climate change".
Mabin said the reports showed the impetus for co-investment "has not gone away as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle".
It was also vital to demonstrate to the community the council was still working to reinforce the co-funding argument.
Dooley referred to the Canterbury earthquakes and the implementation of red zones, with future implications for the Coast.
"From the point of view of our communities, some are going to be faced with red zoning."
However, budget day in May would the important indicator for the West Coast.
"Once it's delivered and there is a platform for co-funding we can move a hell of a lot quicker," Dooley said.
Councillor Peter Haddock said the regional council was "ahead of the game" and well prepared in light of the natural events it had dealt with, and a lot of ground work done now for new protection investment.
"It's lucky this council has invested in that professional knowledge."
Dooley said if the council were to get co-funding for the four projects outlined in the report, "then we're going to be pretty busy" in the next few years.
Haddock also noted a call in recent times to "re-wild" rivers and to retreat communities, but he said that was not possible in some communities.
Westport was a good example and if retreat were the option then it would have to be an "intergenerational" shift given the capital values involved.
The Greymouth protection scheme 30 years ago was a good example of enabling community confidence, with new development now happening on the back of planned improvements to the existing floodwall scheme.
Dooley said a recent Sunday television programme on Westport adaptation had portrayed an "outdated and sad" view which was not realistic.
"It's a nonsense."
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The Hokitika River stopbank behind Westland Milk Products has been repaired due to the flooding risk after work for a new Westland District Council stormwater outfall.
The work off Town Belt East was completed last week after the West Coast … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The Hokitika River stopbank behind Westland Milk Products has been repaired due to the flooding risk after work for a new Westland District Council stormwater outfall.
The work off Town Belt East was completed last week after the West Coast Regional Council asked for urgent remediation.
Regional council acting chairperson Peter Haddock said earlier this month the top of the bank was a worry due to work on the new stormwater outfall, and the river had already come within 400mm of topping the bank at that point in a flood, Haddock said.
The district council had since topped up the stopbank, he said.
"The council have requested the Westland District Council, who put the stormwater pipe through, to raise the level up to the existing level and that has been done."
The top of the wall on the old Kaniere Tram route had been "actually lower than it was originally" after the local stormwater work.
"It was a low spot."
The regional council was also concerned the rockwork installed around the new outfall pipes needed to be of a better standard, he said.
Westland was now looking into that and should be undertaking an improvement soon.
Meanwhile, the regional council meeting today was expected to discuss the wider plan to raise and strengthen the stopbank from the Hokitika Bridge up to the dairy factory.
Volumes and material available were currently being quantified ahead of a tender process.
"It's been given urgency," Haddock said.
In a letter to the Greymouth Star, veteran West Coast farmer Paul Berry has again called for action to ensure the riverbank upstream of the dairy factory is strengthened.
Berry said the issue was noted five months ago.
While the existing 400m of stopbank at the factory was rocked, a further 450m immediately upstream was "totally unprotected" with no rock armouring.
This was made worse by the bank being on an outside curve and was "very concerning".
Berry said he was alarmed to see the debate between the two councils about armouring the new stormwater culvert area.
"It seemed to me another Waiho event not if but when."
But of greater concern was that, as of last week, it could be two-and-a-half months before the existing 400m of stopbank and rock upgrade of dairy factory stopbank was put to tender by the regional council.
"In my opinion the upstream 450m needs immediate attention and protection not months away -- tomorrow would not be too soon," Berry said.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Westport is an example of a 'bottom of the cliff' approach to disaster response and recovery, according to a new report.
Te Uru Kahika, representing the country's regional and unitary council sector, is advocating the Government … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Westport is an example of a 'bottom of the cliff' approach to disaster response and recovery, according to a new report.
Te Uru Kahika, representing the country's regional and unitary council sector, is advocating the Government co-invest in a whole range of projects to reduce flood risk to communities.
As Westport waits with bated breath for an answer on the $56 million proposed flood scheme, Te Uru Kahika says it is not clear how the Government intends to address the case.
"Te Uru Kahika members remain totally supportive of the West Coast councils' request for Government co-investment of $45m," the report says.
The business case was lodged last June following a request in February 2022 from then Local Government Minister Nania Mahuta for a co-investment proposal.
Te Uru Kahika describes the Westport case as "a fair cost share".
It asked that it considered together with a broader scheme, which would require the Government to put up $257m to accelerate 92 proposed flood schemes across the country.
"There is an overwhelming national interest in Government assisting to resolve Aotearoa's flood protection challenge."
It suggests the Government partner with the sector by:
-Firstly, committing $257m in the 2023 budget alongside regional council co-investment to collaborate on delivery of a three-year programme of 92 "carefully selected" flood protection projects worth a total of $428m;
-Committing to a long term "collaborative, multi-tool, and well funded" co-investment approach to build resilience against flood risks.
The report said Westport was "a regretful example" of a bottom of the cliff response and recovery, as opposed to the other scheme proposals captured under the $257m co-investment request.
It says floods are New Zealand's No 1 natural hazard and are escalating, consistent with international trends.
The regional and unitary council sector already invested about $200m a year to sustain and improve flood infrastructure. But that investment, with other flood mitigation measures undertaken by councils, could not on their own provide the security and risk mitigation/community resilience now expected of flood schemes.
Increased co-investment alongside broader measures would be required to meet the challenge.
"A step change is required. Measured urgency is needed to adapt existing flood protection measures to be fit to meet present and future risk management expectations. It is clearly in the
national interest that these adaptations occur."
Increased Government and council co-investment was required, and accelerating climate-induced high magnitude floods meant that "now is the time for action".
Te Uru Kahika said it had been attempting to push the case for Government co-investment in flood protection schemes since at least
2018.
"Our efforts have been well received but we are yet to secure the longer-term decisions, co-investment funding and partnership certainty."
We can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.
We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, … View moreWe can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.
We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, how much does your power bill usually come to?
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council is taking formal steps to remove Allan Birchfield as chairperson.
In a public notice to be published on Wednesday, the chief executive has called an extraordinary meeting for March 28 "to make decisions on the… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council is taking formal steps to remove Allan Birchfield as chairperson.
In a public notice to be published on Wednesday, the chief executive has called an extraordinary meeting for March 28 "to make decisions on the removal" of Birchfield from the chair.
Unlike the mayoralties, the regional council chair's role is internally elected from within the seven-member council.
It's understood a letter requesting the meeting was signed by all six other councillors and was lodged with the chief executive in the first week of March.
Birchfield was caught out by the news.
"I wasn't made aware. Someone probably should have told me that that's what they were going to do... we'll see how it unfolds," he said on Tuesday.
However, he noted there would have to be four signatures for the process to remove him as chairman.
"They will have to go through the formal process."
Birchfield indicated he at this stage had no intention of resigning: "If they want me to go they will have to follow the proper process".
He preferred not to comment on whether he was disappointed.
"I'd be interested to know who the signatures are," he said.
Acting chairperson Peter Haddock declined to comment on whether intended to stand for the role full-time.
However, as the meeting opened he did lodge an apology for Birchfield's ongoing absence.
Mabin said she received a formal request to start the process on March 2.
"I got a formal request so I'm now going through the process... I now have to action it within 14 days. There is a formal motion."
If that was ratified on March 28 then council would make a formal decision on the election of a new chairman, including a protocol for that, before an internal election, Mabin said.
This comes after Birchfield went on leave in December for three months, which both he and Haddock maintained was due to his health.
However, his leave of absence immediately followed a tumultuous period at the council with the relationship between council's business unit VCS and Birchfield's Minerals Ltd again under scrutiny in relation to the sale and consenting of the mothballed Grey Valley gold dredge.
At the same time -- on the day the new council was sworn in after the October local body elections and Birchfield was re-elected as chairman -- Mabin indicated her intention to resign.
His two main opponents from the previous triennium, previous Westland councillors Stuart Challenger and Debra Magner, both lost their seats at the election and the new council -- on paper -- appeared to consolidate Birchfield's strength after a previous effort to roll him was thwarted last year.
Know the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?
Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
There's been hundreds of … View moreKnow the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?
Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
There's been hundreds of incredible entries already but don't forget to nominate your local this week. The recognition will make their day (and they're in with a chance to win a $10,000 package!).
Share a few words about your favourite local now.
Your home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for … View moreYour home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
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Internet is something we need these days for work, study, keeping in touch with loved ones or just to watch a movie! It's another bill to manage right?!
With the cost of living rising, we want to know how much your broadband bill is setting you back each month?
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ … View moreEvery month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ Gardener.
We're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as … View moreWe're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as International Women's Day (this Wednesday) by sharing some of the lesser-known, inspiring women who've played a part in New Zealand's history.
Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column of the local paper - write NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "moderate flood" in the Wanganui River was today running through farms near Harihari, just two days after the West Coast Regional Council received a strong warning from locals at a stormy on-site meeting.
The river pushed through a … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "moderate flood" in the Wanganui River was today running through farms near Harihari, just two days after the West Coast Regional Council received a strong warning from locals at a stormy on-site meeting.
The river pushed through a hole in the stopbank on the north side, on the edge of the leasehold farm of Bernard Walkington at Evans Creek.
Walkington estimated about 100ha of his farm was affected this morning.
The river was also flowing through the farm of his downstream neighbour, dairy farmer and West Coast Regional councillor Andy Campbell, whose land adjoins Lake Ianthe.
Walkington said it was only a moderate event after heavy rain yesterday, but the effect on his farm was "really bad".
The regional council does not measure the Wanganui River but the headwaters of the Whataroa River, about 35km south, received 79mm in the 24 hours until 10.30am today.
Walkington said he feared the worst once the floodwaters had receded, expecting to see a trail of silt, gravel and crushed fences.
It came about because the regional council had "failed them" on fixing the stopbank damaged by flooding at Waitangi Weekend.
By this morning the hole in the stopbank looked to have widened from about 90m to between 200 and 300m, he said.
"The engineer came down on February 6 and stated that job was top priority and needed to be fixed immediately. Four weeks later and it's still sitting there," Walkington said.
"Someone from council needs to be accountable for the loss of land and income. Someone obviously has said 'no, we're not fixing it'."
From what he could see today, quite a bit of the river's main channel was flowing across the lower part of his farm and into the Campbell property.
While facing a substantial loss to his milk cheque, the property owner and the Campbells would really be "hit in the pocket" to restore the pasture.
Walkington said there appeared to have been substantial loss to pasture, fence and stockwater lines on his farm, with shingle and other debris washed through.
It would have to be managed carefully with over 800 head of stock on the farm.
"No use crying over spilt milk now but it is a bit of a devastating event for us and our neighbours."
He had heard that council engineering staff were on their way to Hari Hari this morning.
While it had stopped raining it was "fingers crossed" the headwaters were not receiving more rain.
Campbell was meeting with council staff when approached for comment this morning.
Acting chairperson Peter Haddock said he was "really disappointed" at what had now happened.
He understood from Campbell the river had run through but his property but may not have scoured.
Haddock said the council had ordered emergency repairs on the south bank since Tuesday and had a contractor engaged to fix the north bank.
Wanganui River rating district member Mary Molloy said the overnight event was "entirely predictable".
A month of unprecedented low flows since the Waitangi Weekend flood meant it was only a matter of time, she said.
"It could've happened any time in that month period. It is very irresponsible of the regional council -- for whatever reason."
Molloy slated it back to the council, which had "stopped our rating scheme from working properly".
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From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the river from below the State Highway 6 bridge to the glacial moraine, where the Waiho and Tatare riverbeds converge.
“The proposed diversion is to allow gravel extraction, and stopbank construction ... in dry riverbed and to prevent any potential scour of temporary works during the construction phase,” consultant Davis Ogilvie says on behalf of the council.
The applications relate to two separate flood protection works under the stage one north bank scheme: the Franz Josef stopbank and the Tatare River stopbank.
The application notes that the Waiho riverbed has been aggrading at 18cm a year in recent decades.
Flood protection improvement was deemed a priority following the 2016 flood causing after it caused $30m of damage. In March 2019 the state highway bridge was swept away following 400mm of rain was also a factor.
“A $24m package was approved by the Government in July 2020, as part of the Covid-19 economic stimulus package. The work included $18m for rock embankments on the north and south banks, and $3.8m to raise the level of the highway bridge.”
The regional council let a contract to Greymouth contractor MBD for the north bank work nearly a year ago.
The proposed river diversion is from the bridge down past the township and beyond the Westland District Council's wastewater treatment plant.
Temporary diversion of water for up to two years within the bed of the Waiho River is also sought.
The main project is currently stalled after the regional council failed to get affected party approval from the Scenic Circle Hotel Group.
In the latest application the three affected parties identified are the Department of Conservation (DOC), Fish and Game, and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.
DOC had already responded it had no concerns apart from the unprotected bank on the south side of the river below Canavans Knob.
DOC said the unprotected bank below Canavans had been “a real safety issue” for property and life in a number of recent floods.
“If the river is trained away from the north — then the probability of it being more likely to impact this bank is increased.”
The department said it would like to see armouring put in place and the Canavans stopbank upgraded significantly to mitigate the risk prior to the river diversion/training.
“This isn't so much a conservation concern as a community and Civil Defence issue,” DOC said.
Davis Ogilvie notes consent for the north bank scheme was independently lodged on March 3 last year and was currently on hold.
Likewise, an application for gravel extraction associated with the stopbanks construction had been independently lodged last month but was also on hold.
Consent to disturb the bed and banks of the Waiho River to the Tatare stopbank was granted in October 2022 along with a discharge consent for incidental sediment into the Waiho River from the Tatare stopbank construction.
Land use consent had already been sought to raise all existing flood protection banks on the north side by 2m, along with consent to extract gravel from the dry riverbed for raising the existing stopbanks and extending them.
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