1584 days ago

Council rejects new protection options for West Coast town devastated by winter floods

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

An expert report has criticised a multimillion-dollar West Coast Regional Council plan for Westport flood protection as being no better than doing nothing.

The regional council’s proposals, which are out for public consultation as part of its long-term plan, include a $3.4 million option that would include the building of a flood wall along the Buller River at Westport and partial stop banks around the town.

The options were in the planning stages when the town was inundated with floods on July 17 and 18 that forced more than 2000 of its 4500-odd residents to evacuate and left more than 460 homes damaged.

In its submission the Buller District Council says it has “major concerns” about the proposal because it does not take into climate change into account or the river flows in a one-in-100 year event. Read more here.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 9.9% Yes! New Year, New Me
    9.9% Complete
  • 19.3% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.3% Complete
  • 70.7% Nah - not for me
    70.7% Complete
895 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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16 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

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