Media Announcement:
A temporary accommodation village is to be built in Westport, as the Government continues to support the town’s ongoing recovery from the devastating floods in July. The full announcement from Minister Poto Williams is available for download here.
An update from MBIE/TAS
We’re thrilled to bring you the news that the government have announced today $17.08m in funding for the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) to build a village in Alma Road to house those of you still in need of temporary accommodation while you await repairs/replacement to your flood-damaged homes. The village is expected to be ready to move into in the third quarter of 2022.
TAS has explored various options for the establishment of a Temporary Accommodation Village and have finalised Alma Road as the best site. The extensive feasibility work and investigation into the most suitable location has involved consultation with local Iwi and Buller District Council.
Buller District Council is providing the land for the site. TAS will fund the building of the houses and take care of all the infrastructure and landscaping, so when the house is complete it will be completely wired and plumbed and ready for residents to settle into. This is also important so that the village can continue to have a life beyond the recovery phase of the Westport flood response.
So, what will these houses look like? They will be a mixture of two and three-bedroom homes, pre-built and transported onto site. TAS will be able to provide a clearer idea of what the village will look like in the New Year as well as timings for the build. At the moment TAS are working through the resource consent process with council.
In the meantime, TAS wants to assure impacted residents that accommodation will be provided until the village is ready. They will move people in as houses are finished, based on need. The village is another step in getting our community back into permanent homes.
Our wonderful navigators at the community hub are available to answer any questions you may have.
What is the Temporary Accommodation Village?
The government has announced $17.08m in funding for the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) to build a village in Alma Road to be used for temporary accommodation while homeowners wait repairs/replacement to flood-damaged homes. The village is expected to be ready to move into in the third quarter of 2022.
Why Alma Rd?
TAS explored various options for the establishment of a Temporary Accommodation Village and have finalised Alma Road as the best site. The extensive feasibility work and investigation into the most suitable location has involved consultation with local Iwi and Buller District Council. Buller District Council is providing the land for the site. TAS will fund the construction of the houses and take care of all the infrastructure and landscaping. This parcel of Council owned land is available and is an appropriate size for the village
What will these houses look like?
They will be a mixture of two and three-bedroom homes, pre-built and transported onto site. We will be able to give you a clearer idea of what the village will look like in the New Year as well as timings for the build. At the moment TAS are working through the resource consent process with council.
Will I still get TAS help?
TAS want to assure homeowners currently in temporary accommodation that they will continue to provide accommodation until the village is ready.
Will TAS be available for support over the holiday season?
TAS support will be available over the summer period, for urgent queries.
- Normal hours, 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
- TAS will be closed on public holidays.
In case your normal Matching and Placement Coordinator is on leave, please email the general inbox westcoast.tempaccom@mbie.govt.nz during this time, and one of the team rostered on that day will be in touch.