Resilient Westport Package

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was established by the West Coast Regional Council (December 2021) to identify preferred flood risk mitigation structural and nature-based protection options. Seven options were considered by the TAG, factoring extensive climate change scenarios.

The favoured Westport flood mitigation scheme is as follows:

• Rock lining repair works for bank protection near O’Conor Home (two sections) and Organs Island. (This work is being progressed regardless of whether co-investment can be obtained).
• A combination of concrete wall, single board walls and double earth filled walls, with the use of each being selected to best suit site specific circumstances.
• Embankments and walls with alignment, heights, and other design parameters to reflect the results of modelling and hydrological effectiveness research carried out by Land River Sea Consulting Ltd, and design considerations put forward by G & E Williams Consulting Ltd.
• Extension of the flood risk mitigation at Carters Beach to the east to include houses along Schadick Avenue and to provide additional flood risk resilience to additional houses and the critical lifeline utility services provided by the airport.
• Revegetation of a relic Buller River meander near Organs Island.
• Re-grade the bed of Abattoir Creek to enable more flow to be diverted away from this ‘at risk’ area of urban development.

• Requests a fast-track mechanism for Te Tai o Poutini Plan ((TTPP) the combined district plan for the West Coast) appeals – a special order (or other mechanism) to be enacted that allows appeals on the Westport hazard provision of the TTPP to be limited to points of law only.
• Seeks to amend the Building Code for finished floor levels, or to otherwise give flexibility to apply an appropriate standard for the area concerned.

• Recommends the Government resources a development plan for the Alma Road area to ensure positive community outcomes.
• Proposes that a feasibility study be undertaken in FY 22/23 by Buller District Council, supported by Kāinga Ora and Kānoa, with a view to securing further land parcels in order to sustain a growth zone for Westport that is in a low-risk area.
• Recommends establishing an initial fund of $10m to allow for some local relief for areas that will not be protected by the flood protection embankment such as Snodgrass Rd Area owners.

• Proposes that the Government fund the secondment of a Resilience Officer, reporting to the Chief Executive of Buller District Council.
• Recommends investing in wave height gauging stations so that modellers can use more reliable wave height and sea level rise information. Currently there is no accurate sea level gauge on the West Coast, nor accurate wave height buoy.
• Proposes that separate provision be made for stormwater infrastructure to remove accumulated local stormwater. These would provide for the removal of the additional groundwater that may accumulate in the lower parts of Westport because of sea level rise.
• Identifies a pathway forward in regard to insurance. The proposals outlined in the Kawatiri Business Case are seen as an opportunity to build confidence that Westport manages risks well, related investment and planning is credible, the community is resilient, and the community is adapting appropriately to the potential effects of climate change.

On 12 May 2023, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced central government's funding support for Westport flood protection of $22.9 million.

The funding ($22.9m) aims to deliver an integrated package focused on longer term flood resilience covering: 

• Structural protection for Westport (the ring-bank) 
• Organs Island reafforestation 
• Restore emergency fund 
• Manage contingency 
• CDEM capability
• Sea level monitor/tide gauge 
• Development plan for future land use, open spaces and infrastructure in low-risk areas 
• Manage Adaptation Relief Fund for initiatives such as raised floor heights and moveable flood barriers. 

This funding has both an immediate and a longer-term focus. It will help with design and delivery of flood protection, such as stopbanks, and support people to protect their homes with property and community level resilience measures.

You can read the Media Release here. 

This funding was recently reconfirmed by the new coalition government. Read the Media Release here.

Master Planning is a comprehensive planning process that looks at options and opportunities for the short-, medium- and long-term future of the greater Westport area.

The Master Planning process seeks to provide a holistic road map for the community, public and private sectors. It ultimately guides the development of areas of land for future use, creating greater choice for the community around lower-risk areas.

Master Planning is part of the Resilient Westport package of works and being led by the Buller District Council. Stage One was initiated in late 2023 when the Isthmus Group was appointed to undertake the scope of works. The background and early vision is largely complete (as at April 2024).

Significant community engagement will occur throughout 2024 and 2025. This got underway with a series of stakeholder workshops held in April 2024 to test the early assumptions of the future vision work, prior to initiating the next stage of planning work. Stakeholders and the wider community will continue to be asked to engage in the content with a goal of producing a ‘way forward’ for Westport by Westport.

Stage Two of the process will occur over 2024 and 2025.

You can read the latest Media Release here.

The Steering Group is a partnership agreed by Ministers to progress the implementation of the funding agreed in the budget. In June 2023, the Steering Group convened for the first time to plan how this will work.

The Steering Group is independently chaired and comprises key leaders from Buller District Council, the West Coast Regional Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, The Department of Internal Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency.

The Steering Group will meet regularly to maintain oversight and synchronisation of the various packages of work that will be delivered by the respective Councils. The Steering Group aims to: 

• Reduce the extent, frequency and consequences of flooding from severe weather events on the Westport community, recognising and providing for the likely impacts of climate change. 
• Minimise increasing or transferring flood risk to other areas or properties within the catchment or wider region. 
• Ensure the community voice is heard throughout the programme, and at key junctures where significant decisions are to be taken. 
• Improve the ability of the Westport community to prepare for, continue functioning during and after, and recover quickly from flooding events, recognising that ‘absolute protection’ is not possible and that there will be some level of residual risk of flooding. 
• Reduce undue long-term financial burden on the community of flood mitigation and protection. 
• A framework is in place that is a model for other resilience projects. 
• Te Ao Māori is embedded in project thinking and design. 
• Project management practices and culture are considered best in class. 

While exact details are still being planned, the funded packages of work that the Steering Group will oversee and co-ordinate over the next two years include:

• $15.6m for a ringbank to reduce the risk of flooding, this is in addition to the Westport Rating District’s contribution. Further work needs to be undertaken to determine the detailed location and design of the ringbank. ($0.3 m for design concept review).
• $1.5 m for the reafforestation of the Organs Island area (with any unallocated funds going to contingency).
• $1.0 m in contingency (although further cost increases must be met by councils).
• $1.0 m to replenish the Regional Council’s contingency fund (which has been exhausted).
• $0.5 m for a development plan for the Alma Road area and to support the development of low-risk areas.
• $0.25 m for a Feasibility Study into strategic land purchase in the Alma Road area or other low risk sites.
• $2.0 m for an Adaptation Relief Fund to assist owners in high-risk areas for initiatives such as raising buildings, or to procure moveable flood barriers for example.
• $0.5 m to improve local Civil Defence capability.
• $0.25 m for a sea level monitor/tide gauge to improve the early warning system.

The various packages of work will be delivered by the respective Councils through the PARA framework.

The Steering Group is made up of: 

• Mike Mendonça, Chair  
• Peter Haddock, Chair, West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) 
• Mayor Jamie Cleine, Buller District Council (BDC)
• Brett Cummings, Deputy Chair, WCRC  
• Deputy Mayor Andrew Basher, BDC  
• Darryl Lew, CEO, WCRC  
• Simon Pickford, CEO, BDC  
• Paul Barker, DIA
  
• Kathrine Biggs, National Emergency Mangement Agency (NEMA)

You can find minutes and the Terms of Reference on the West Coast Regional Council's website. 

Buller District Council (BDC) and West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) play a key role in and have specific responsibilities towards enabling the business case, although there are also areas specific to each council.

Under the protect function, WCRC’s overall aim is to have structural mitigation works to prevent most direct threats from the Buller River and some from the Orowaiti River completed by June 2025. Most of the remaining works will be completed by June 2026, aiming for 90% completion by that date.

Key areas of BDC responsibility fall within the Avoid, Retreat and Accommodate functions. The Crown also works collaboratively on all projects via the Joint Steering Group for Resilient Westport.

• 20 June 2022 - Significant milestone reached as proposed future flood resilience options for Westport are finalised
• 12 May 2023 - Westport receives funding protect against floods 
• 28 June 2023 - Westport Flood Resilience Programme kicks off
• 24 July 2023 - Next steps outlined for progressing Westport flood protection
• 9 September 2023 - Westport 'quick wins' projects underway
• 28 September 2023 - Funding agreement for Flood Resilience Steering Group confirmed
• 2 February 2024 - Resilient Westport programme updates – January 2024
• 8 March 2024 - Wave buoy off the coast of Westport to form a vital part of maritime and flood management networks
• 5 April 2024 - Master Planning a once in a generation opportunity to shape Westport’s future development

• Resilient Westport programme updates - January 2024 
• April programme update in the Connect newsletter