News

Council staff have been able to further reduce the total rates percentage increase quoted at the 22 January Long-Term Plan (LTP) budget workshop from 9.8% to 7.39% for 2025-26, while retaining the existing levels of service delivery.

Council has evaluated feedback from the recent survey gathering community feedback on the replacement of 11 unsafe or noxious trees at Victoria Square in Westport. The survey was open between 14 February and 3 March 2025.

Buller District Council reviewed options for managing the district's drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater in the future at a public workshop this week. This was the third workshop held so far this year, unpacking the implications of central government’s Local Water Done Well Legislation.

Minister for Regional Development Hon. Shane Jones has today announced $3.216 million of funding for Westport Port from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, with co-funding of $1.656 million to be provided by Development West Coast.

Buller District Council (BDC) held its regular Long-Term Plan (LTP) workshop at the Clocktower Chambers yesterday, as it continues to work towards developing a no-frills budget for 2025-2034.

Locals have just over a week to have their say on the Draft Master Plan for Westport. Engagement got underway earlier this month and closes at 5pm on Monday 10 March.

Buller District Council’s Communications and Engagement team unpacked its internal strategy document for councillors at a public workshop yesterday.

Buller District Council remains committed to ensuring its Stafford Street homes, gifted by Kāinga Ora following the 2021 floods, are tenanted as soon as possible.

The future direction of council-funded community grants was on the table at this week’s council meeting, with councillors reviewing and considering grants funding.

Buller District Council’s Westport offices in Brougham Street will close temporarily between Monday 3 March and Friday 28 March 2025 to allow for installation of a heating, ventilation and cooling system (HVAC).

Preparation for the next stage of works to complete Westport’s water trunk main replacement is progressing well, with a thorough assessment of the proposed pipeline’s route nearing completion.

From this month people and businesses in Buller can drop off their used car, truck, motorcycle, and trailer tyres free of charge in Westport, Reefton and Karamea.

Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils want to hear from West Coasters about their current ways of dealing with food and green waste and their preferences for collecting it in urban centres.

Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils, Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment have joined forces to explore how food and green waste collection could look in urban centres on the coast from 2030 onwards. 

Councillors will consider feedback from the 141 submissions received during the recent consultation on the Draft West Coast Regional Speed Management Plan (the Plan) at next week’s meeting.