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From reporter Liz McDonald:
Pumps are being brought in and sandbags distributed as the Buller region on the West Coast braces for heavy rain and fast rising rivers which could bring severe flooding for the third time in just over a year.
MetService has issued weather warnings for early … View moreFrom reporter Liz McDonald:
Pumps are being brought in and sandbags distributed as the Buller region on the West Coast braces for heavy rain and fast rising rivers which could bring severe flooding for the third time in just over a year.
MetService has issued weather warnings for early Tuesday morning until Thursday evening.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine said on Monday an emergency operations centre and staffing rosters were being set up.
Sandbags and sand to fill them were available at several locations on Monday for residents to collect.
He advised residents to keep a close eye on updates, including on social media.
“We’re asking people to stay tuned in.”
Civil Defence has warned Buller residents to have emergency supplies ready, be prepared for power outages, and keep up to date with the latest weather warnings. It also advised stock be moved to higher ground, pets be brought indoors, leaves be cleared from drains and spouting, and people check on neighbours.
“This could be a serious event and it is important that people know what may happen as the event unfolds,” Civil Defence regional director Claire Brown said in a statement.
MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for Buller, western Tasman, Westland, the Marlborough Sounds, and the Bryant and Richmond ranges, as well as some North Island areas. Modelling indicates 700mm to 800mm of rain could accumulate during that period in the Tasman ranges, which contain part of the catchment of the upper Buller River.
Cleine said the West Coast Regional Council’s rivers team is doing analysis on what areas will be most at risk of flooding.
The catchments of the Buller, Mokohinui and Karamea Rivers are expected to be heavily affected, and the coast would also see significant rainfall, he said.
“The numbers are currently a cause of concern to us. There’s potential for a significant event of a scale not dissimilar to July [2021] and February.”
Flooding in July last year was the region’s worst for decades, leading to evacuations over almost half of Westport and a three-week-long state of emergency.
More floods in February this year again caused widespread damage and left the town cut off.
Cleine said six water pumps have been ordered from Greymouth and Canterbury and will be placed around Westport. Placement depended on what worked last year, and whether there was somewhere for water to go, he said.
It was too early to know whether any areas would need to be evacuated, he said.
MetService has forecast rain to peak at 10mm to 15mm an hour about the Buller ranges from Tuesday morning to Thursday evening, with 300mm to 500mm expected to accumulate about the ranges south of Little Wanganui, and 150mm to 250mm elsewhere in the region.
“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous,” the weather service has warned.
In next door Tasman district, rainfall could peak at 10mm to 15mm on Tuesday, then 15mm to 25mm on Wednesday and Thursday.
Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency has warned drivers to be alert and prepare for road closures.
Civil Defence said sand is available at the following Westport locations:
Pulse Energy Recreation Centre car park – by the courts
Kawatiri Coastal Trail – Buller Bridge car park
Craddock Park – car park
Coates St – Rayner Park
Mokihinui/Seddonville – Mokihinui campground
Ngakawau/Granity – Ngakawau information centre car park
Reefton – Westreef Yard
Carters Beach – McIntyre Rd pull in
Westport Airport
Following the previous series of floods, a $26 million West Coast Regional Council flood wall and stopbank scheme to protect Westport is now awaiting Government sign-off as part of a business case for $45m of flood protection work.
The regional council recently approved a contract to repair historic stopbanks upstream of the town damaged in the July floods.
Dear neighbours,
To celebrate National Gardening Week (October 17-25), Yates have partnered with NZ Gardener to give away some fantastic prizes to some of the most inspirational compost builders in the country. Show us your compost setup, whether it’s tiny or huge, and the best looking compost … View moreDear neighbours,
To celebrate National Gardening Week (October 17-25), Yates have partnered with NZ Gardener to give away some fantastic prizes to some of the most inspirational compost builders in the country. Show us your compost setup, whether it’s tiny or huge, and the best looking compost wins 1 of 9 Compost Kits (RRP $319 each).
So email through your best tip for successful compost and one photo of your composting setup to loveyourgarden@yates.co.nz by August 26, 2022 to be in to win.
With the 75+ population projected to double in 20 years’ time, it’s more important than ever to choose a retirement village that is equipped to support you when you’re fully independent as well as if you need care.
That’s why Ryman villages plan ahead by offering independent living in … View moreWith the 75+ population projected to double in 20 years’ time, it’s more important than ever to choose a retirement village that is equipped to support you when you’re fully independent as well as if you need care.
That’s why Ryman villages plan ahead by offering independent living in apartments and townhouses, assisted living in serviced apartments, resthome care and, in most villages, hospital and specialist dementia care.
We offer a higher ratio of care in our villages so that if your needs change, you have priority access to our care centres.
A popular restaurant in the West Coast town of Westport, Johnny’s, has suffered “extensive damage” after a fire ripped through the building on Wednesday.
Smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building on Palmerston St as five fire crews fought to bring the blaze under control.
… View moreA popular restaurant in the West Coast town of Westport, Johnny’s, has suffered “extensive damage” after a fire ripped through the building on Wednesday.
Smoke could be seen billowing from the two-storey building on Palmerston St as five fire crews fought to bring the blaze under control.
Johnny’s owner John Lennon said he was relieved no-one was hurt.
“[We’re] still waiting for the fire to be [brought] under control, and then we can get an idea of what happened.”
Lennon and his wife, Janis, lease the downstairs part of the building where they set up Johnny’s about five-and-a-half years ago.
“Our kitchen is completely water and smoke damaged and the upstairs looks to be extensively damaged,” Lennon said.
Emergency services were called to the fire about 10.10am on Wednesday.
Palmerston St BP owner Raymond Gibson said he could see smoke coming from the building.
“I really feel for [the owners], they work really hard seven days a week,” he said.
Knitting needles are clicking across our villages and the wider community for the Yuri Bear project🐻❤️.
We’re aiming to knit 20,000 teddy bears for children displaced as a result of turmoil in their country.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far, but 20,000 bears is no … View moreKnitting needles are clicking across our villages and the wider community for the Yuri Bear project🐻❤️.
We’re aiming to knit 20,000 teddy bears for children displaced as a result of turmoil in their country.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far, but 20,000 bears is no small ask!
If you can knit, know someone who can or would like to find out how you can help, please click on the link below.
Dear neighbours,
How many of you remember gardening in school? Hopefully, more students and teachers will be inspired by the great work being done at this amazing school.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for asparagus recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before August 21, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for asparagus recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before August 21, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
Making it onto the first rung of the property ladder can be an incredibly rewarding journey – and Stuff is here to help you through.
Stuff Homed has launched the First Time Buyers’ Club, an email series to help you navigate the equal-parts exciting and terrifying process of buying your first… View moreMaking it onto the first rung of the property ladder can be an incredibly rewarding journey – and Stuff is here to help you through.
Stuff Homed has launched the First Time Buyers’ Club, an email series to help you navigate the equal-parts exciting and terrifying process of buying your first ever home. When you join our six-week LearnStuff course, you’ll get an email every week giving you all the basics on what you need to know, who you need on your side, and what you need to do at each stage of the journey.
We can’t make the houses any cheaper, but we can guide you through the process, share some tips from the experts, and help you avoid some of the trips and traps.
Sign up (it's free) and get started on your house-buying journey.
The countdown is on! Make sure you’re enrolled and your details are up to date by 12 August to make voting in the local elections easy.
Visit vote.nz or call 0800 36 76 56 to find out more.
Could your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up… View moreCould your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up for grabs.
Receive one of three $5,000 grants to spend on equipment, transport, costumes or anything you need to support your community’s love of dance.
It’s time to start thinking about what you can do to help out those who need it most this Christmas. 1 in 5 Kiwi children are currently living in households that don’t have enough food. Christmas Box is a food box that caters to a family of 4-6, helping supplement breakfast, lunch and dinner … View moreIt’s time to start thinking about what you can do to help out those who need it most this Christmas. 1 in 5 Kiwi children are currently living in households that don’t have enough food. Christmas Box is a food box that caters to a family of 4-6, helping supplement breakfast, lunch and dinner meals over a week.
For just $40 you’re not only providing food essentials and treats but you’re also giving hope to families in need.
To sponsor a box, go to christmasbox.co.nz.
Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52.
Subscribe at mags4gifts.co.nz/antipodes Terms and Conditions apply.
Construction is about to start on an all-weather, all-tide, pedestrian and cycle trail between the Buller Bridge and the Toki Poutangata Bridge.
The project is being funded with part of the $300,000 the Buller District Council received from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and … View moreConstruction is about to start on an all-weather, all-tide, pedestrian and cycle trail between the Buller Bridge and the Toki Poutangata Bridge.
The project is being funded with part of the $300,000 the Buller District Council received from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Tourism Infrastructure Funding.
The new south trail will create a high-quality alternative to the existing Millenium Track from the Kawatiri Coastal Trail car park into Westport’s town precinct via the new Toki Bridge.
It will provide a safe and easy route for pedestrians and cyclists along The Esplanade and the Buller River, to complete the link to Carters Beach, Tauranga Bay and beyond.
The Buller District Council said future integration with flood protection infrastructure, including stops banks and flood walls had been considered, as well as the potential implications of increased traffic movements along The Esplanade.
Also included in the $300,000 of funding is thenorth connector from the Toki Bridge pedestrian plaza up to the Floating Basin, Kawatiri River Trails and ultimately North Beach. The route will follow established footpaths and streets through town with new line marking and signage.
“Both trails are integral to Westport’s master plan and our district revitalisation strategy to position Buller as an attractive place to live, explore and invest," council infrastructure services group manager Mike Duff said.
Construction of the connector trails will start in early August and is expected to be completed in September. The work will be carried out on weekdays during normal working hours.
More information on The Riverbank project can be found at bullerdc.govt.nz...
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