Latest news with #BullerDistrictCouncil
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Buller's Master Planning Wins SuperIdea Award
'Big thinking from a small town' was recognised with a top award at last night's SuperLocal: Local Government NZ conference in Christchurch. Buller District Council's Master Planning work with the Resilient Westport team took out the SuperIdea - Tū Auaha Award. The award recognised the concept framework 'Cutting Our Own Track', developed with urban design experts Isthmus to explain how it might be possible for Westport – facing its own unique opportunities and challenges – to move toward a stronger, safer, more resilient and prosperous future. The LGNZ award acknowledgement described the work as courageous. 'After devastating floods, Westport didn't just recover, it reimagined. 'Cutting Our Own Track' is a courageous, locally led plan to adapt to climate change, reduce future risk, and stay connected to place. Big thinking from a small town showing the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand what's possible.' Buller District Council Chief Executive Simon Pickford says the recognition reflects a huge amount of work on the part of the project team and wider team. 'This work was characterised by an extraordinary amount of engagement with the local community. The team really focused on tapping into the thoughts, experiences and aspirations of people in this community about their vision for Westport's future – their sense of place and what mattered. The stakeholder workshops, Let's Talk Buller engagement process and extensive community outreach were just some of the ways this was realised. 'This award isn't just about being recognised nationally for this piece of work, it is a reminder of how much is at stake with Westport's journey into the future and how important it is to never stop thinking and planning for what's to come. We're truly thrilled with this award but will never take our eyes off the real prize, which is a safer, stronger, more prosperous Westport,' says Mr Pickford. Master Planning Project Lead Paul Zaanen says: 'It has been a humbling experience to work with members of the local community on this planning. Without the input of the community members who participated in the design process, this outcome for the future would not have been realised.' The Westport Master Plan is in its very early stages – a significant programme of works will be undertaken over a long period – from early land access negotiations, right through to urban design. Each and every step and stage will be anchored in community engagement, which is critical to the success and intergenerational nature of the plan's intentions. Council is committed to working collaboratively with the community and various other stakeholders as the plan progresses over time. Stages One and Two of the Master Planning process were government-funded through Resilient Westport and the Better Off Fund. Stage Three, implementation, is being led by BDC.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Resource Consent Application Lodged For Avery's Stopbank
Press Release – Resilient Westport The work is being carried out by West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) as part of the Resilient Westport package of works. Construction on Averys stopbank is expected to take about four months. Resource consent for the Avery's stopbank has been lodged after a complex planning process. The work is being carried out by West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) as part of the Resilient Westport package of works. It is part of the wider flood mitigation works underway to help protect Westport from severe flooding events. Avery's forms part of the Lower Orowaiti area of flood protection. The 540-metre-long stopbank, largely on Buller District Council road reserve, will be between 1.1 and 1.5 metres high and 15 to 20 metres in width, depending on location. A new main culvert will be installed as part of the work as well as some smaller ones. The stopbank height will be up to 1.7 metres as it travels over the main culvert. West Coast Regional Council Chief Engineer Peter Blackwood says consenting can take about four to six weeks, and for the sake of efficiency, contractors have been invited to tender for the work. 'In preparation for construction, we have been engaging with nearby residents to provide information and gather property data. This section of stopbank will be the first built close to residential properties in Westport. We've been visiting homes in the area to explain the project and collect floor level data to further inform our flood modelling,' says Mr Blackwood. West Coast Regional Council Construction Engineer Jordan Mandery says Rosco Contracting Ltd has been awarded the tender to construct the stopbank and install the culverts, being supplied by Humes. 'Our thanks to all the other contractors and suppliers that submitted tenders. We appreciate time and effort goes into that process. 'In terms of next steps, we anticipate that construction will begin in August or September, subject to consent. While this is slightly later than originally planned, the investigation phase was more involved than expected, particularly around culvert design and alignment,' says Mr Mandery. Some tree removals along Orowaiti Road will be required to accommodate the new stopbank alignment. 'The trees that require removing are mostly pōhutukawa and unfortunately, they need to make way for the new stopbank. Whilst this is a necessary part of providing flood protection for Westport, we appreciate this process can be upsetting for some residents. 'The tree removal work is scheduled for late July or August and will be carried out as sensitively as possible. Removed trees will be chipped and transported off-site for composting via the Buller District Council's green waste programme at the Westport Transfer Station, ensuring sustainable disposal and avoiding landfill,' says Mr Mandery. Additionally, a Queen Elizabeth II commemorative magnolia tree currently located on the embankment will be carefully relocated to Victoria Square. When construction gets underway, it is expected to involve temporary road closures on Orowaiti Road to allow for safe installation of the culvert and construction of the stopbank. Traffic management plans will be in place and communicated in advance to minimise disruption. Construction on Avery's stopbank is expected to take about four months.
