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Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Hydrology data collected by the West Coast Regional Council underscores just how wet the month was.
However while the Hokitika and Haast rivers exceeded their 1-year annual return periods during heavy rain on May 9, high flows in the Grey and Buller … View moreBrendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Hydrology data collected by the West Coast Regional Council underscores just how wet the month was.
However while the Hokitika and Haast rivers exceeded their 1-year annual return periods during heavy rain on May 9, high flows in the Grey and Buller rivers further north remained below their one-year annual return, a resource science report to the Resource Management Committee on Tuesday says.
"May has been a wet month of unsettled weather for the West Coast with the Hokitika and Waiho rivers triggering four flood warning alarm responses," the staff report says.
"On average, most flows recorded were above or near median annual flows".
On May 3 the Hokitika passed the first alarm threshold of 3750mm and peaked at 3793mm; six days later on May 9 it peaked at 4411mm.
The threshold of 8000mm at the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef was passed and peaked at 8474mm on May 3; it peaked slightly lower at 8144mm on May 9.
In April the Hokitika River at the gorge measuring point, surpassed its flood alarm threshold on the 11th, with a peak of 3762mm.
By Brendon McMahon, local democracy reporter
Westport air quality is being surveyed again this winter.
It follows a winter survey by the West Coast Regional Council in 2022 that found air quality in parts of the town might exceed monitoring standards.
An environmental science report to … View moreBy Brendon McMahon, local democracy reporter
Westport air quality is being surveyed again this winter.
It follows a winter survey by the West Coast Regional Council in 2022 that found air quality in parts of the town might exceed monitoring standards.
An environmental science report to council's Resource Management Committee on Tuesday [June 13] says the range and number of monitoring sites has been expanded to 18 locations for the new winter survey.
"The instruments will be monitoring fine particles of particulate matter in the air (PM 2.5), which can be harmful to human health," the report says.
PM 2.5 is often associated with solid fuel burning.
"On the West Coast we generally see higher levels of particulate matter in the air over winter months due to solid fuel burning for domestic home heating."
Coal fires have traditionally been the main source of domestic heating in Westport and other West Coast towns such as Reefton and Greymouth.
However the latest monitoring project was not targeting individual emission sources but designed to show the levels and variation of PM across the town during the winter months, the report says.
This would help council identify "if there are any air quality issues" in Westport that would require further investigation.
The same survey in 2022 indicated that air quality in parts of the town may exceed monitoring standards, but it was decided to run a repeat in 2023 due to the variability of environmental and anthropogenic factors such as wind speed, air temperature and burning habits.
"Having two winters' worth of data will be more robust and provide a better, more informed understanding of Westport's air quality."
The last PM monitoring in Westport was nearly 20 years ago.
Last winter, the appearance of monitoring stations around Westport prompted some concerns about the council's motive.
Former councillor Laura Coll-McLaughlin, of Westport, noted at the council table in July that social media comment about the air quality project reflected some "mixed community sentiment".
There was also suspicion of "some ulterior motives" but it was positive the council was gaining baseline data, she said.
Environmental science staff pointed out that council was statutorily required to monitor air quality and would need to do a bigger body of work in future around that while allowing for a transition in the type of heating local people could use to keep their homes warm and dry.
The other West Coast town subject to ongoing air quality monitoring by council for years is Reefton.
It sits in an inland basin with typically still weather during winter, resulting in 'smog'.
Hey Neighbours, don't let rising living costs and surging insurance premiums in 2023 leave you uninsured! Renewing your policies without first checking if the price has increased, could lead to bigger bills. Let's avoid that!
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Explore alternative insurance providers now. Money Compare consolidates all major insurers and their key features in one place, making searching for new providers easy. They offer fantastic deals like one month of FREE car insurance, PLUS a helpful team to assist you in reviewing your health and life insurance coverage, to ensure you're on the best policy. Take charge of your insurance today by reviewing your policies!
Lottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
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Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
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Sam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident … View moreSam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident and self-assured, and his teachers noticed a positive change in his sociability and willingness to ask questions in class.
He developed a "give-it-a-go" attitude. Inspired by his newfound passion for the outdoors, Sam plans to join the New Zealand Defence Force after finishing school.
Support young people like Sam by donating today.
Have a bit of fun playing around with verdigris paint effects with Resene paints and add classical highlights to your summer garden.
Follow our easy advice to get started getting creative at your place.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
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Even well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid… View moreEven well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid living in cold, damp conditions. Do you think curtains should be mandatory for New Zealand homes?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
The skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots… View moreThe skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots in your neighbourhood that bring a smile to your face and add a little colour to your day.
There are 10 prizes of $250 Resene ColorShop vouchers and $250 Prezzy® cards up for grabs so you can create your own Bright Spot!
Enter your local bright spots pics today and be in to *WIN*.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
*some conditions apply
Celebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to … View moreCelebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to stuff.co.nz/loveyourlocal to vote for your favourites and show them you appreciate what they do!
Extend the boundaries of the garden season by making your own cloche protected in Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Anti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, … View moreAnti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, having heat pumps set to lower than 21°C, cold laundry washes and having showers of less than five minutes.
Vote in our poll and share what you think of these energy-saving tips below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Repair work on the river rock wall protecting the historic Reefton landfill began this week.
The Buller District Council said the northern bank of the closed Reefton Landfill was scoured away by the Inangahua River during February 2022's severe weather event, causing waste to be swept away.… View moreRepair work on the river rock wall protecting the historic Reefton landfill began this week.
The Buller District Council said the northern bank of the closed Reefton Landfill was scoured away by the Inangahua River during February 2022's severe weather event, causing waste to be swept away.
Major clean-up and river training works have been ongoing since to prepare for work to shore up the wall to withstand a 1 in a 50-year flood.
Council infrastructure delivery manager Eric de Boer said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would contribute nearly $1 million towards the project.
"This NEMA funding will help Buller repair its essential infrastructure following the floods. However, the funding does not extend to strengthening the full length of the wall as some sections were not directly affected by the floods."
The council had resolved to contribute $250,000 to strengthen these remaining sections, meaning the whole project was expected to cost about $1.3m, he said.
The work was being carried out by Reefton-based Rosco Contractors Ltd. It began on Monday and was scheduled to be complete by mid-August.
WSP Consulting Engineers (WSP) designed the remedial work on the landfill and prepared the resource consent application.
The repair would involve 12,000 tonnes of rock being placed into the protection works. The rock would be sourced locally, the council said.
“This is great progress for the community and for the environment as it will see the risk of future damage to the old landfill significantly reduced. A lot of planning and careful consideration has gone into this project, and it is great to see it get underway,” de Boer said.
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