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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams,
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has lifted the abatement notice it served on the owners of a private dump near Greymouth, saying it now meets national standards for a landfill.
But Grey mayor Tania Gibson says the Taylorville Resource … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams,
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has lifted the abatement notice it served on the owners of a private dump near Greymouth, saying it now meets national standards for a landfill.
But Grey mayor Tania Gibson says the Taylorville Resource Park – sited directly above the intake for Greymouth’s water supply - is still a disaster waiting to happen and should be closed.
“If there’s a major slip or an earthquake - it doesn’t bear thinking about what would happen. The enormity of this keeps being played down,” she said.
EPA investigators issued an abatement notice on the dump’s owners after they found it was leaching contaminated water from an unlined sediment pond.
The authority was asked by the West Coast Regional Council to step in as an independent investigator after the Grey District Council challenged the WCRC’s handling of resource consents for hazardous waste at the site.
The EPA’s investigations manager, Jackie Adams, said the extensive work needed to bring the landfill up to national standards has now been done.
“[Taylorville Resource Park] had to empty the existing pond and build a new, lined storage facility.
“This has now been completed and recent water samples taken from the area show that contaminated water is no longer being discharged from the site.”
The EPA’s investigation was now concluded and its intervention was at an end, Adams said.
“Ongoing regulation and monitoring of the site remain the responsibility of the regional council."
But Gibson said her council was a long way from being convinced the Taylorville site is safe.
Although the Grey District council had issued the original subdivision consents for the landfill, it had not been informed when the Regional Council had consented it for hazardous waste, the mayor said.
“We were not considered an affected party – unbelievable. We’ve got tonnes of toxic material - building materials, coal tar, paint, sitting directly above our public water intake that supplies 10,500 people, schools, hospitals."
The Grey District Council would continue paying for additional independent tests of its water which came from a bore at the Taylorville site above the Grey River, Gibson said.
So far tests had not found unsafe levels of any potentially harmful substances in the town’s water.
“But we will keep paying for tests – if anything happens we want to be able to say as a council that we did everything we could to prevent it.”
Taylorville Resource Park has been approached for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) is going back to the drawing board to come up with a new Coastal Plan, controlling what can and can’t be done or built on the foreshore.
Regional Coastal Plans are a requirement under the RMA for all regional… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) is going back to the drawing board to come up with a new Coastal Plan, controlling what can and can’t be done or built on the foreshore.
Regional Coastal Plans are a requirement under the RMA for all regional authorities, to manage the coastal marine area - stretching for mean highwater springs to 12 nautical miles offshore.
They regulate the activities the council will allow in that area; they must give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy statement, and they must be reviewed every 10 years.
But the WCRC’s last attempt to update its Coastal Plan was never completed, mainly because of staff shortages, and parts of it are now well out of date.
Chief executive Darryl Lew asked councillors this month for approval to withdraw the old plan and start again.
“A lot of the resources of this council have been going into the Tai o Poutini (district) Plan, which we run but don’t govern and we’ve not been able to pursue our own regional plans, which are actually our work,” he said.
In the past few weeks, Regional Council staff had begun focusing on that work including the Coastal and Air Quality plans.
A staff report outlining the issues and options in a new coastal plan said the main activities needing regulation in the CMA were temporary whitebait stands, hard protection structures (seawalls), gravel and sand removal, and small-scale beach mining.
The council grants an average six or seven resource consents for activities a year and has dealt with 29 incidents involving those consents in the past four years.
Most commonly, they involved the removal of beach material within Coastal Hazards Areas, and flood protection structures.
The main concerns for iwi, consulted under the council’s Mana Whakahono agreement, were offshore seabed mining and the discharge of untreated sewage into the ocean, staff reported.
That was culturally offensive to Poutini Ngai Tahu, but the coast’s three main centres all pumped treated wastewater out to sea, and there were limited options for land-based disposal, the report noted.
The regulatory options were to require the urban sewage to be treated to a high standard, consult with iwi over resource consents, and proactively monitor those consents.
Buller councillor Frank Dooley had concerns about possible restrictions on seawalls, discouraged as ’hard protection structures’ which could cause erosion, in the national policy directive.
“We have to recognise that at times they are the only option,” he said.
Councillor Brett Cummings agreed.
“Down at Haast at the moment they’re putting in rock (defences) to protect the power poles – we don’t want to get in the way of that.”
Dooley also challenged a staff suggestion that seawalls could be treated as restricted discretionary activities in the new plan.
But the word “restricted” referred to council’s powers to regulate and was in fact favourable to the applicant, the chief executive explained.
“With these plans, you are the governors, and you have a chance to say what you want in them. I would urge you to get involved in the workshops and you will end up with the plans you want,” Lew said.
Councillors voted unanimously to withdraw the old unfinished Coastal Plan and start work on the new one.
The council is aiming to begin consultation with stakeholders next month, and have the plan notified and out for public submissions in early 2026.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Our residents and their families have spoken loud and clear: Ryman is their top choice in retirement living.
We’re proud to be recognised by Canstar Blue for having the Most Satisfied Customers, which complements our tenth win of Reader’s Digest’s Most Trusted Brand.
As we celebrate … View moreOur residents and their families have spoken loud and clear: Ryman is their top choice in retirement living.
We’re proud to be recognised by Canstar Blue for having the Most Satisfied Customers, which complements our tenth win of Reader’s Digest’s Most Trusted Brand.
As we celebrate 40 years since opening our first village, these recognitions reinforce Ryman’s commitment to exceptional care and excellence in retirement living.
Click find out more for more information.
By Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporter
West Coasters will be topping up government coffers by at least $10 million this year, when they pay their council rates.
The GST component of rate bills nationally soared to $1.1 billion in the last analysis of data from councils around the country … View moreBy Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporter
West Coasters will be topping up government coffers by at least $10 million this year, when they pay their council rates.
The GST component of rate bills nationally soared to $1.1 billion in the last analysis of data from councils around the country in 2022, by the economics consultancy firm Infometrics.
And principal economist Brad Olsen (pictured) says that figure will only increase this year as councils sign off on annual plans tackling pricey infrastructure deficits.
“We feel charging GST on rates is still appropriate because councils do supply goods and services. But we come back to the fact that a lot of councils are struggling to provide those services because their only significant source of income is rates.”
In 2022, the government clipped the rates ticket to the tune of nearly $9 million on the West Coast.
Grey District Council paid $3million in GST; Westland $2.3m; Buller $2.4m and the West Coast Regional Council, $1.2 million.
This year the Regional Council figure will be more than $1.8m – a sum that could have filled some gnarly financial potholes, chairperson Peter Haddock said.
“We had emergency flood protection work in Westport that we had to raid our catastrophe fund for and we’re still short of a million for that.
"We’ve got ratepayers struggling to come up with their share for stop banks in Franz Josef; if even part of the GST could come back to us it would help, but we could do a lot with $1.8 million.”
Westland mayor Helen Lash says her council will be handing the government $3.3 million this year, in GST.
Getting the money back would be a game changer for the district’s ratepayers, she says.
“We would use it for core services – the ones we can’t afford to fund now, like footpaths and roading, and we could put it towards capital upgrades of wastewater treatment.
"It would make a hell of a difference for Westland.”
Instead, councils are being invited to bid for a share of the government’s new $1.2 billion regional infrastructure fund, with just five regions or cities being selected in the first wave of long-term regional deals.
The amount, at least, is in line with the conclusions of the independent ‘Future for Local Government’ review panel, which last year recommended an annual transfer of funds from central to local government, equivalent to the GST paid by councils.
The former chairperson of Local Government NZ, Stuart Crosby, said the history of who pays for what when it comes to infrastructure is instructive - and often forgotten.
Now a Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, his memories of the changes go back to 1986, when he first stood for election.
“We’ve submitted remit after remit on the return of GST on rates over the years from Local Government conferences, that this tax-on-a tax is unfair."
Before the 1989 local government reforms, the Government made large capital grants to councils for water works, roading and other activities and Catchment Boards, responsible for flood protection, were subsidised by up to 70 percent.
“It was critical funding. But all that went after 1989, except for Transport and it’s taken more than 30 years to catch up.”
The quid pro quo for funding infrastructure was that government entities did not pay rates, Crosby said.
But as the subsidies disappeared the government retained its rate-free status.
“The tradeoff back in the day, was that Government departments didn’t pay rates or development fees on new schools and hospitals and very low service rates on existing buildings.
“That was in recognition of the infrastructure subsidies but that all stopped and now we have these problems we see with water and so on and they still don’t pay rates.”
Crosby said the rebate of GST would be a first step in resolving the yawning gap that has developed between what councils must fund, often by Government decree, and what their ratepayers can afford.
But the question of whether government departments should now be paying rates should also be revisited, he says.
On the West Coast, where the Conservation Department owns nearly 90 percent of the land and there are only 20,000 rateable properties, the ability to rate the Crown would transform council finances overnight, the regions’ councils say.
The counter-argument has been that the Coast’s vast areas of mountain and native forest receive no council services and cost councils nothing.
But that does not bear scrutiny, Crosby said.
“Water comes off that land into rivers the councils have to manage, so whether its DOC or developed land. Those lands have an impact and they should be rated to make a contribution to the protection that’s needed downstream for homes and businesses.”
The chances of persuading the Government to become a ratepayer is not overly high he concedes.
“But the stress councils are under has been building for decades and every government needs functional local government to carry out national strategies.
“If it’s fragile that becomes a problem – not just for councils but for the Government itself.”
The Government has previously signalled it would consider sharing a portion of GST collected on new residential builds with councils, but not the sharing GST on rates.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has been approached for comment.
In August, Brown said councils must focus on the must-haves, not the nice-to-haves, to reduce costs.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Maori Language Week) is upon us and we always love to get involved.
Add your vote to the poll and share a phrase in te Reo Māori below to be in to win a $25 Prezzy card.
Have you introduced yourself on the Know Thy Neighbour page?
Join our Know Thy Neighbour campaign by introducing yourself and sharing what makes you unique. Do you have a hobby you're passionate about? A favourite spot in your suburb? Or just looking to connect with friendly faces nearby? … View moreHave you introduced yourself on the Know Thy Neighbour page?
Join our Know Thy Neighbour campaign by introducing yourself and sharing what makes you unique. Do you have a hobby you're passionate about? A favourite spot in your suburb? Or just looking to connect with friendly faces nearby? 😊
Let’s build stronger connections in our community, one introduction at a time. 🏡
👉 Post about yourself today and meet neighbours with shared interests. Head here.
On Tuesday 12 November, the Prime Minister will deliver a public apology to survivors of abuse in care in Parliament.
You can register your interest to attend the event in Parliament, or if you want to watch it with friends, whānau or a support person you can attend an event at the Due Drops … View moreOn Tuesday 12 November, the Prime Minister will deliver a public apology to survivors of abuse in care in Parliament.
You can register your interest to attend the event in Parliament, or if you want to watch it with friends, whānau or a support person you can attend an event at the Due Drops Event Centre in Auckland, Shed 6 in Wellington or the Christchurch Town Hall.
Contact the Crown Response Unit today:
Phone: 0800 717 017 (8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday)
Email: contact@abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz
Registration closes 4.30pm Monday 30 September.
Accommodation, travel and food costs will be covered. Travel assistance will be provided in forms of air travel, petrol vouchers, gift cards, and train, and bus tickets.
This year Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week, is being held from September 16 to 23. It’s an important week encouraging all of Aotearoa to use te reo Māori in everyday life. Similarly, Mahuru Māori promotes speaking and celebrating te reo throughout the month of September.
Over … View moreThis year Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week, is being held from September 16 to 23. It’s an important week encouraging all of Aotearoa to use te reo Māori in everyday life. Similarly, Mahuru Māori promotes speaking and celebrating te reo throughout the month of September.
Over the last couple of years, Gerda, a resident at Diana Isaac Village in Christchurch, has grown her Māori vocabulary by attending the virtual monthly te reo Māori classes offered to Ryman residents. This group learning environment is run by Anita Gill from Te Puna Reo Māori, a Māori online learning provider.
Click read more for the full story.
Luckily self-checkout is pretty common in supermarkets these days and we generally use it to quickly buy a few things without the long lines. But perhaps it's appropriate to head there with your full trolley to skip the lines?
What are your thoughts? Is that rude?
Share in the comments … View moreLuckily self-checkout is pretty common in supermarkets these days and we generally use it to quickly buy a few things without the long lines. But perhaps it's appropriate to head there with your full trolley to skip the lines?
What are your thoughts? Is that rude?
Share in the comments below if this has ever happened to you.
Police are aware of a recent overseas rise in scams which involve an unexpected package being sent to addresses with a gift and a QR code inside. Police believe this scamming method could find its way to New Zealand and we are urging people to be vigilant.
The gift will have the recipients … View morePolice are aware of a recent overseas rise in scams which involve an unexpected package being sent to addresses with a gift and a QR code inside. Police believe this scamming method could find its way to New Zealand and we are urging people to be vigilant.
The gift will have the recipients address, but not include the sender's information or be from a known retailer. When the recipient opens the package to see what it is and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift.
The QR code allows the offenders to then access any and all data on your phone or device you used to scan the code, including financial information such as your bank account login details, and personal data.
Police are urging anyone who receives one of these gifts not to scan the QR code, the gift can either be kept or discarded, but do not scan the QR code.
Please report information to Police online at www.police.govt.nz... or call Police on 105.
Longer days and warmer weather are fast approaching!
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Kia ora neighbours,
In our September mag, Amy Roberts from Villaleigh Plants has a list of her favourite blooms for long display. "If you want a long season, look beyond the flowers," is her advice. Here are her picks: Geranium phaeum 'Mourning Widow', Salvia leucantha, … View moreKia ora neighbours,
In our September mag, Amy Roberts from Villaleigh Plants has a list of her favourite blooms for long display. "If you want a long season, look beyond the flowers," is her advice. Here are her picks: Geranium phaeum 'Mourning Widow', Salvia leucantha, Hylotelephium 'Autumn Joy' (pictured), Eryngium pandanifolium and Alchemilla mollis.
Have you got them in your garden? In fact, we'd love to see what you've got in bloom now. Post a photo and share the joy!
Make stunning sets of trinket trays with a nod to the traditional craft of basket-making simply using clay and Resene shades of green.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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