Media Release | 10 June 2022
The Buller Recovery Steering Group held its regular meeting on Thursday 10 June.
Key points from the meeting:
1. The Westport Flood Recovery Steering Group accepted the Minutes from its meeting of 28th April 2022. These minutes are available online at: Westport Recovery Steering Group.
2. Westport Mayor Jamie Cleine briefed the Steering Group on progress of the Westport Rating District Joint Committee’s report for the mitigation of the effects of Westport flood risks.
The Steering Group was generally supportive of the Joint Committee report. Steering Group Chair, Richard Kempthorne, commented:
“I would like to commend Council officers and their advisors for the hard work and quality of the advice provided to date.
The Joint Committee’s report will likely form a key part of the multi-tool business case, subject to West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) approval on June 14.
Good progress is being made on the multi-tool business case and all parties involved in its development are working well together, including the Buller District Council, WCRC, Government Departments, Mana Whenua and members of the community involved in working groups.
It is important to note that the proposed ring-wall, alone, will not eliminate the risk of flooding entirely. The multi-tool business case will contain a package of options, including the preferred structural and nature-based solutions recommended in the Joint Committee report, that will improve long-term resilience against flooding for the people of Westport.
The two councils will have a presentation of the multi-option business case next week, ready for joint sign-off before presentation to government.
Once government has committed funding, there will be certainty about forward direction, as affordability for the people of Buller is a critical issue.
Ongoing communication and engagement with the community will be extremely important in the days and months ahead.”
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For more information contact:
Richard Kempthorne, Steering Group Chair:
Email: kempthorne.randj@outlook.com
Mobile: +64 27 223 4000