News

Buller District Council and West Coast Emergency Management supports Buller Civil Defence Groups

The Buller District Council has allocated $275,000 of Better Off Founding to improve the capabilities of the Buller Emergency Operations Centre and associated community groups. 

Powerhouse Road railway crossing repairs enable safer journeys for residents

A collaborative approach by council and KiwiRail to residents’ concerns about the condition of the Powerhouse Road rail crossing has resulted in repairs and upgrades during a break of fine weather in August.  

Library fines for late book returns could be on their way out in Buller

Buller District councillors will consider a new fines free policy for all late returned library items at next week’s meeting.

A report to council outlines the benefits of implementing a fines free policy for Buller District Libraries and seeks Council approval to implement the policy. 

Replanting project sows the seed for future bird habitat in Westport

The rock wall project at the eastern Tiphead is now complete, following the replanting of the area between the Tiphead Road and the Kawatiri River Trail walking and cycling track.

Council’s Westport office closed next week

Council’s Westport office will be closed to staff and customers from 4.30pm Tuesday 22 August to 4.30pm on Friday 25 August 2023 inclusive.

Reefton Visitor and Service Centre looking shiny and new

Improvements to the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre are now complete, with the Reefton community invited to view the completed upgrade works and the new library space on Tuesday 15 August.

Keeping of Animals Bylaw submissions show support for the proposed provisions around keeping of cats in urban areas

Buller District Council received 32 submissions during the Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2022 second round of consultation between 3 July and 31 July 2023. 24 submissions were emailed or submitted online and eight were handed in as hard copies. 

Four weeks of consultation on changes to zone one waste services underway

Proposed changes to the household collection services for recycling and waste management zone one will be open for feedback from today - Monday, 7 August.

Council to consider significant changes to waste management in Buller

A collaborative approach to managing solid waste in the West Coast will be considered by council next week. 

Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy out for public consultation

How should gambling venues be managed in Buller in the future? This the question council wants feedback on as part of the proposed new Class 4 Gambling and Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) Venue Policy consultation over the coming weeks.

New harbour master appointed

Council appointed last week Domonic Venz as the new harbour master of the Westport Harbour. Mr Venz will start this week taking over the role from master of the dredge Kawatiri Steve Christieson.

Next steps outlined for progressing Westport flood protection

Work continues behind the scenes following Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, announcement in May of a $22.9m package to support initiatives to improve Westport’s flood resilience.

Westport Water Trunk Main project stage 1b coming to an end

The final stage of council’s Westport Water Trunk Main Replacement Project stage 1b will kick off from Monday 24 July 2023. This will include the replacement of the pipe connections at McKenna Road and the west side of Scotts Bridge.

The Westport Transfer Station receives new weighbridge

The weighbridge at the Westport Transfer Station and Recycling Centre has reached the end of its working life and will be replaced next week.

New Westport Harbour website gone live

Buller District Council’s new Westport Harbour website has gone live this week. The new port website replaces the old, outdated website and is now available to users.