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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Westland mayor Helen Lash says her council is thrilled that funding has at last been released to protect valuable farms and homes on the south bank of the wild Waiho River at Franz Josef.
But she warns there won’t be a cent to spare for red tape or… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Westland mayor Helen Lash says her council is thrilled that funding has at last been released to protect valuable farms and homes on the south bank of the wild Waiho River at Franz Josef.
But she warns there won’t be a cent to spare for red tape or paperwork.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced a grant of $6 million this week for the West Coast Regional Council to strengthen and extend the Waiho stop banks, leaving local ratepayers to find the remaining $4m for the job.
Lash said the grant would be welcomed by landowners waiting to see if the Government would come to their aid, while large chunks of the land disappeared with every flood.
“But it’s $2m shy of what the council thought it would get so they’re going to have to make every cent work to get the right result, and not waste any on more reports and consultants’ fees.”
The last Labour government spent $12.5m shoring up stop banks on the north bank of the Waiho to protect the tourist township but withheld another $8m originally promised for the south bank with its farms and lifestyle blocks.
It wanted to see a long- term plan, including retreat, for the community labelled “Disaster Central” by geologists, before spending more money,
The stony bed of the short river has risen 8m since the 1950s and now sits well above the level of the town.
That process is speeding up as the glacier retreats, releasing rocks and gravel to the flats below.
And to cap it off, Franz Josef is perched right on the Alpine Fault, which is due for its 300-yearly major rupture.
When the Waiho River Management Strategy came out last October, saying the south bank would eventually have to be abandoned to the river, property values there plummeted, destroying equity overnight.
Lash said the landowners had been "horribly mucked around" by the decision makers, and the uncertainty.
“You can’t do that to people’s lives. Every flood they go into stress mode. When you have no skin in the game you don’t get the gravity of it.”
River management is the Regional Council’s job, the mayor says, but the Westland District Council wants to be heavily involved in the stop bank project this time, to make sure ratepayers got the fullest possible benefit from the $6m.
“We want to be sure the community gets the best protection and maximum gain out of it and I’m sure that’s what the government wants to see as well.”
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones - in Greymouth this week for a meeting with civic leaders - said Lash was right about that.
“I have insisted that MBIE maximise the amount of dough that’s spent on practical delivery. We don’t need reams of reports from consultants - we need picks and shovels swinging to and fro, and delivery.”
The Franz Josef project, and others in Nelson approved for funding this week under the Government’s 'Before the Deluge' banner, were all bulldozer-ready, the minister said.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the pipeline from (contracting) firms saying they can’t keep their workforce on unless the money keeps flowing.
“The added virtue of these West Coast projects is that the damn things are consented so the mahi can take place as soon as possible.”
Long term, the fate of Franz Josef, the Waiho Flats and those who live and farm there would require decisions well above his paygrade, Shane Jones said.
“You are wrestling with Mother Nature there, and all hell could break loose with that river."
But it’s not a fight that should be conceded – at least, not yet, he said.
“The name of our party is New Zealand First, not Climate First. For as long as I’m around, we are going to spend money and work with communities to adapt - so we can generate the necessary solutions over a longer period of time."
A cynic would say that was only putting off the inevitable, he said.
“But I feel grossly uncomfortable chasing anyone out of where they are. I’ve got a lot of sympathy for the people on farms, being told they should leave.
“Who’s going to pay them to leave? Not Mother Nature."
16 & 17 August, 10am - 2pm
Our villages are open and you’re invited to explore them. Discover our living and care options, tour our show homes, and see the amenities on offer.
Come along and experience why New Zealanders have voted us most trusted brand, for the tenth time.
We look … View more16 & 17 August, 10am - 2pm
Our villages are open and you’re invited to explore them. Discover our living and care options, tour our show homes, and see the amenities on offer.
Come along and experience why New Zealanders have voted us most trusted brand, for the tenth time.
We look forward to seeing you.
Click read more to find a list of all our villages and dates for our open days.
Come along and enjoy a night of dancing or learn to dance a waltz, fox trot, rumba, tango, jive and lots more with the Greymouth Old Time & Sequence Dance, Holy Trinity Hall, 7.30 pm to 10 pm, 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and… View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, go to BookMyVaccine.nz or talk to your healthcare provider.
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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast councils have done the right thing by pressing pause on environmental hearings for their new district plan, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
And a longer pause would be even better, he says.
Hearings were set to begin… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast councils have done the right thing by pressing pause on environmental hearings for their new district plan, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
And a longer pause would be even better, he says.
Hearings were set to begin later this month on the chapter of the proposed Te Tai o Poutini plan (TTPP) for the whole Coast, which deals with Significant Natural Areas.
But the TTPP committee of council and iwi representatives has told the hearings' commissioners they want to postpone the process until November.
By that time, they say, they should have a clearer idea of what changes the government is making to biodiversity rules.
Hoggard said it definitely makes sense to pause the process because change is under way.
“I would think by November the councils will have a much better idea as to the direction the government will be taking, so any work they do won’t be in vain."
By November the Freshwater and Other Matters Bill, which pauses the mapping of new Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) for three years, will have passed through Parliament and be enacted in law, Hoggard said.
And the councils will have been involved in consultation with the government about the nature of planned changes to the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity.
The policy statement directs councils to map and protect Significant Natural Areas and has been hugely controversial on the West Coast where there are still many stands of native forest on private land.
Hoggard said consultation is getting under way.
"I would hope, come decision-time, the councils will have a clear idea of the government’s intentions.
“Ideally it would be good if they could hold off till the middle of next year, once all the changes are complete."
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine says that prospect is alarming.
“It would have cascading effects and costs for the ratepayers. We’d be working under two plans for a prolonged period – the proposed one and the old operative one.
“So when anyone applies for resource consent you have two lots of evidence, more expense, and lots of uncertainty.”
Hoggard said he planned to work with the West Coast councils to reach a pragmatic solution that would not waste ratepayers’ money.
Asked if the government would phase out the SNA classification entirely, Mr Hoggard said they wanted to redefine the criteria.
“We’ll review the entire NPSIB, what is ‘significant’; how SNAs are determined and some rules on how councils go about that ... it won’t what it looks like now.
“Rather than imposing a whole bunch of rules on landowners that take away property rights, how about we come up some carrot approaches rather than the stick, and … reward them for looking after that biodiversity.”
When Grey District identified its SNAs 15 years ago, many areas that qualified were put under QE11 Trust covenants by the owners, the Minister said.
“That shows to me farmers are happy to look after indigenous biodiversity on their land, and on the West Coast there is so much in the DOC estate, are two or three hectares on someone’s private land that significant?"
Deferring work on the plan till mid-2025 would buy time for councils to write rules in line with the government’s new direction, Hoggard said.
“Coast councils should ensure they come up with a plan that reflects how things will be, and is practical and sensible for farmers, ratepayers and landowners," the minister said.
Buller’s mayor is worried that further delays could also cost Buller $13 million, which was approved by the last government for roading and water services in Westport’s new growth area, up on Alma Rd.
“That’s contingent on rezoning (in the new plan) and the Government wants action on that by the end of the year or we lose the funding. So pausing the plan is a $13m problem for Buller," Cleine said.
Simply leaving out the Environmental Values chapter of the plan and forging on with the rest was not a practical solution either.
“The environmental rules are threaded through the whole plan - they apply in so many other sections, it makes no sense just to leave out that chapter."
In any case, the proposed plan gave Westland and Buller three years to start work on SNAs, so adopting it in its present form was not at odds with the government’s intentions, Cleine said.
“We could simply go ahead, get the thing operative and when the law changes, go back and do a Plan Change to accommodate it – which is something you have to do anyway to keep a plan current."
Hoggard said he hoped to find a way through the West Coast plan complexities that will work for everyone.
“I’ll have to check – all this stuff seems simple until I talk to lawyers and then everything gets much more complicated. But we will work with the councils to make sure we get a good outcome.”
Hi neighbours! Here are some product recalls from the past 2 weeks. Click on the title of these to bring up specific details of the recall.
Food:
Harvest Snaps brand Baked Pea Crisps
Raymons Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls
Kings Finest Small Batch Liqueur brand Advocaat
… View moreHi neighbours! Here are some product recalls from the past 2 weeks. Click on the title of these to bring up specific details of the recall.
Food:
Harvest Snaps brand Baked Pea Crisps
Raymons Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls
Kings Finest Small Batch Liqueur brand Advocaat
King brand Traditional Soup Mix Gluten Free Vegetable
Pavillion brand Beef and Gravy Pies
Henderson Dairy brand Farm Fresh Raw Milk (unpasteurised)
Products:
Serene S2068 Bathroom Heater.
Rylee and Cru Pyjama set
Avanti Bikes
Kale Airmove Fan
Ensure you check your household items to ensure you aren't consuming or using anything harmful.
Purchase an occupation right to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman Village before 30 September 2024 and you won’t pay your fixed base weekly fee until 2026*.
That’s great financial certainty — you won't pay rates, water rates, building insurance, … View morePurchase an occupation right to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman Village before 30 September 2024 and you won’t pay your fixed base weekly fee until 2026*.
That’s great financial certainty — you won't pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more.
Click to read more about this limited time offer.
*Participating villages only, Ts & Cs and exclusions apply
Give an old cot a new lease of life in fresh Resene paint colours with this easy makeover project.
Look at these lovely faces around New Zealand who have introduced themselves on our Know Thy Neighbour page. We all love learning about the people around us and we want you to join in too!
So share a photo and a little bit about yourself so your neighbours can (virtually) meet you!
Is your garden producing more fruit and veg than you know what to do with? Or are you simply wanting to add more to your cooking? NZ Gardener has teamed up with Upstart Press this August with a great subscription offer to help you out!
Subscribe to NZ Gardener for 1 or 2 years and you’ll … View moreIs your garden producing more fruit and veg than you know what to do with? Or are you simply wanting to add more to your cooking? NZ Gardener has teamed up with Upstart Press this August with a great subscription offer to help you out!
Subscribe to NZ Gardener for 1 or 2 years and you’ll receive the Abundance plant-based recipe book by Anna Valentine. Abundance offers over 100 recipes that are filling, healthy and packed with flavour, plus enjoy your monthly dose of NZ Gardener magazine - the perfect combo. T&Cs apply.
The team at NZ Gardener
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) made severance payments totalling $165,416, its annual report reveals.
The draft report states the payment was made to one employee, but chair Peter Haddock said on Tuesday that was an error and there were … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) made severance payments totalling $165,416, its annual report reveals.
The draft report states the payment was made to one employee, but chair Peter Haddock said on Tuesday that was an error and there were two staff paid out in that period.
One was former chief executive, Heather Mabin (pictured), who negotiated a settlement with the council.
She left the council in June 2023, after completing her contract.
In the previous year, the WCRC paid out $258,645 in a severance settlement, which LDR understands was made to one female employee.
The council’s draft annual report will be out on time this year – unlike its 2022 effort, an achievement chief executive Darryl Lew said was down to the fact that the council now had a full muster of well-qualified finance staff.
However, the council’s annual rate strike has been delayed.
The rates were to be struck at its monthly meeting yesterday, but chairperson Peter Haddock said he had taken the item off the agenda because he was not sure the figures were water-tight.
The council has 23 special rating districts, based on river catchments from Haast to Westport, and each district must decide on a works programme and what landowners are willing to pay for in a given year.
“Last year we had a rate strike and it was incorrect, and we had to retract and it was chaos for three months. Grey District have just done a rate strike and it was incorrect and they’ve had to change it.
“I want to be crystal clear that ours is correct,” Haddock said.
He and council staff had been working away on the rating district figures right up until the night before the meeting, he said.
“I said, 'I still don’t think we’ve got it right' – I’m going to delay it for a couple of weeks because we don’t actually have to set rates until September.
The council has adopted a new 10-year-plan that sets out rate increases of 27% this year, 12 percent next year, and increases of about 7% in subsequent years.
Haddock said on Tuesday the increases were significant but the council had been keeping the rates unrealistically low in previous years and was now in catch-up mode.
August 7 is Aged Care Employee Day. Today, we take the opportunity to honour our compassionate and dedicated carers. Introducing Helen Danielsen, who has worked in the Special Care Unit at Ernest Rutherford Village for 15 years.
When Senior Caregiver Helen Danielsen first joined the Ernest … View moreAugust 7 is Aged Care Employee Day. Today, we take the opportunity to honour our compassionate and dedicated carers. Introducing Helen Danielsen, who has worked in the Special Care Unit at Ernest Rutherford Village for 15 years.
When Senior Caregiver Helen Danielsen first joined the Ernest Rutherford Special Care team, it was working the night shift as it was the perfect job to manage while she raised her children as a single mum.
Click read more for the full story.
It may be fine now but in a few years trees can block out light or views for neighbours.
Do you think neighbours should ask before they go ahead and plant these?
A splash of Resene red transforms a rumpty old ladder into a handy stool or nifty shelves.
Find out how to repurpose your old ladder.
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