Westport flood money trickles in
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Westport flood resilience money is trickling in to the West Coast Regional Council almost three years after the town was ravaged by flooding.
But replenishment by $1 million of a 'catastrophe' fund spent by council on emergency flood works in the aftermath of the July 2021 flood has yet to be finalised.
The council hopes to soon use some of the $16.6m allocated under the co-funded $22.9million package announced in the May 2023 Budget as it works to progress some of the 'quick win' aspects of the broader stopbank scheme for the town.
Hundreds of homes were evacuated when heavy rain caused extensive flooding in Westport in July 2021. Some 400 houses were initially red-stickered with 23% of the town's housing stock needing repair. The town was then hit again by flooding in 2022.
In the May deal, the Government agreed to top up council's catastrophe funds, which were used to make urgent fixes to Westport's historic flood defences, inland from the town, in 2022.
The emergency protection repairs were needed as the town was still as vulnerable to the events which led to the July 2021 event.
An investments and borrowing report to council's Risk and Assurance Committee this week noted council was still awaiting a Department of Internal Affairs evaluation and "subsequent payment".
Councillor Peter Haddock said he was concerned council "still haven't got that money".
Chief executive Darryl Lew said he was meeting DIA officials in Westport this week "in an effort to release that catastrophe money".
He said he did not foresee any barriers to the money coming back.
Committee chairperson Frank Dooley said he looked forward to an update and receipt of the funds.
Councillor Brett Cummings said he raised the repayment with DIA officials at the Westport Resilience Governance meeting, last week.
"They said they had the invoice and they were looking into it."
Dooley said he accepted Lew's optimism, "there are no barriers".
Acting corporate services manager Aaron Prendergast said the context needed to be clarified.
The council had only rendered the necessary invoices to DIA last month for the emergency spend and payment was barely due, he said.
"At the moment I would have no reason to expect money in our account yet."
Cummings asked why the invoices had not been rendered earlier.
Dooley noted it would reflect council having been "completely under resourced" until recently.
Lew said his upcoming discussion with the DIA was principally about the drawdown of the main funds to start the main stopbank work.
The 2023 general election and the transition to a new administration have previously cited as a as a reason for the delayed $1m repayment.
The report details the special investment fund has built up again from $484,759 at the end of the June 2023 quarter to $495,817 at December 31.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
-
53.2% Yes
-
46.8% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
🚧 Big upgrades are on the way for Haast!
Motorists travelling on SH6 near Haast should be ready for some delays, with $5 million worth of work kicking off on important improvements to the highway.
The Gates of Haast Gorge bridge, which connects the 140km journey between Haast and Wānaka, is a crucial link — especially for locals and visitors heading to the West Coast glaciers.
A bit of patience now for safer, stronger roads ahead! 💛
Loading…
