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From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Revegetating the historic Buller River overflow channel to lessen the risk of floodwaters spilling into the Orowaiti River and hitting the eastern side of Westport township is being proposed.
It is one part of the proposed $26 million Westport flood … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Revegetating the historic Buller River overflow channel to lessen the risk of floodwaters spilling into the Orowaiti River and hitting the eastern side of Westport township is being proposed.
It is one part of the proposed $26 million Westport flood protection scheme.
In the 19th century the Buller River was straightened using a bypass, taking out a meandering section, creating Organs Island upstream of Westport.
The original meandering section remains, but the Westport Joint Rating District Committee last week heard the new scheme proposes to take back the leased Organs Island area and to revegetate it.
Using it as a riparian buffer would reduce the "split" in flow from the river's main channel during floods, consulting river engineer Gary Williams said.
The idea was to redirect more flow away from the Orowaiti and lessen the ongoing need for rock maintenance at Organs Island.
Williams said the area required "constant management" with a lot of rock put there over the years to keep the Buller River in the 19th century diversion.
Adding more vegetation would "split the flow" more down the main channel "without having a strong fixed rock wall over that long length".
"The idea is in the end that nature will do most of the regeneration," he said.
Hydrological consultant Matthew Gardner said vegetation could act as "a significant buffer" against flow.
"What we found with the model, the Buller River is at capacity and for every increase in flow more comes down the Orowaiti. This vegetation actually reduces that."
It was in fact going back to the method put forward in the 19th century to manage the area, Gardner said.
The other aspects in the scheme are the proposed realignment of Abattoir Creek, east of Westport, which would reduce flood flows from the east towards the town.
Ruled out is dredging the lower Buller River, making a direct cut to the sea from the Orowaiti Estuary, excavating a causeway to protect the Snodgrass Road residential area, adding culverts in the Westport to Ngakawau railway at Stephens Rd, and constructing culverts on the embankment near State highway 67 near the Orowaiti Bridge.
Ever wondered where the sweetest places to live in Aotearoa are?
Stuff’s Homed team has done some serious data crunching to crown the seven best spots for 2022.
Congratulations to Berhampore, Wellington which took out the overall sweetest spot! You can check out the full list of winning … View moreEver wondered where the sweetest places to live in Aotearoa are?
Stuff’s Homed team has done some serious data crunching to crown the seven best spots for 2022.
Congratulations to Berhampore, Wellington which took out the overall sweetest spot! You can check out the full list of winning suburbs in the Sweet Spots section on Stuff.
There’s also an interactive tool that you can tinker with to find your perfect place, based on the criteria that matter to you. Who knows, you might be inspired to make a change.
Unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go … View moreUnleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View moreRetirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.
It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
Popular cookie brand Mrs Higgins has recalled a specific batch of their product due to the possible presence of white plastic.
The cookies affected are the Mrs Higgins Shortbread Cookies in the 350g bag with a Best Before date of 4/10/22.
These cookies are found at all Countdown stores across… View morePopular cookie brand Mrs Higgins has recalled a specific batch of their product due to the possible presence of white plastic.
The cookies affected are the Mrs Higgins Shortbread Cookies in the 350g bag with a Best Before date of 4/10/22.
These cookies are found at all Countdown stores across New Zealand and customers can return these affected goods for a full refund.
This recall does not affect any other of the Mrs Higgins products.
Decorate small sunny nooks or bare walls with cute decorative hanging plant plaques and soothing Resene colours.
Find out how to create your own.
Every dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
… View moreEvery dollar counts towards that first home or retirement. Are you confident your KiwiSaver is performing or maybe like a lot of us you tend not to think about it!
Get a FREE KiwiSaver health check and go in the draw to win up to $10,000* from our partners National Capital. It’s easy as!
Hate feeling obligated? You're not! The health check will let you know if there is a better KiwiSaver provider for you - it's up to you if you do anything about it. Why wait till you're 65, make sure your KiwiSaver is working for you now!
For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo. An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world.
Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked. We… View moreFor delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo. An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world.
Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked. We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
A wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go… View moreA wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go further. It made us so happy to see neighbours supporting neighbours.
Read 10 of the tips that we saw you sharing!
You’ll never forget those important shopping items or appointments with these write-on boards made using Resene FX Write-on Wall Paint.
Find out how to create your own.
Fa’afetai mo le agalelei fa’atua’oi literally translates to "thank you for your neighbourly kindness". We think that's a pretty special way to show your appreciation for a neighbour. Happy Samoan Language Week!
We're getting some amazing entries from gardeners obsessed with their indoor plants, and we're enjoying their stories too. There's still time to send us your entry for our Houseplant Hero 2022 competition. You could win some great prizes, and (of course) more houseplants!
Metservice have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the areas of Nelson, Buller, Westland, Canterbury High Country and Fiordland for today, Wednesday 1 June.
Due to an airmass with rapidly moving thunderstorms, the watch is in place until 3pm These thunderstorms are expected to bring damaging… View moreMetservice have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the areas of Nelson, Buller, Westland, Canterbury High Country and Fiordland for today, Wednesday 1 June.
Due to an airmass with rapidly moving thunderstorms, the watch is in place until 3pm These thunderstorms are expected to bring damaging wind gusts of more than 110 km/h and localised tornadoes.
Strong wind gusts of this magnitude could cause some structural damage to trees and power lines. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas.
Motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution during this time.
Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is … View moreGet 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is something to suit all tastes!
Excludes wall decals, WallPrint and clearance items. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
View the full collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest wallpaper release and trends online.
Retirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site … View moreRetirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site so you can plan for the future. The Ryman Guide will help you choose the lifestyle you want to live at a Ryman village, so you can embrace every opportunity.
Click here to get your free copy.
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