October 2017 • Issue 97

Westport 7-Day Makeover p2 Josh James at the Library p3 Animal Control p4

Keeping you up to date with news from Buller District Council

Connect

Water supplies in the district continue to be a priority area for Council as we work to improve resilience and water quality for our communities. We will be putting together quarterly newsletters to keep individual communities up to date with our progress and future planning on their supplies. Punakaiki and Waimangaroa have received their first newsletters, with other communities in the district to receive theirs in the next month.

PunakaikiStorage levels at the Punakaiki water storage facility have returned to normal following two separate incidents which caused high volume water losses. A significant network leak was discovered on the main trunk line near the Pororari River in August. This was caused by a broken fitting which was repaired and replaced. The trunk main was severed by a slip opposite the Truman Track in September, requiring the replacement of a section of pipe. Council contractors have completed upgrading the access track, and have been working on improvements to the treatment plant itself to increase efficiency. A public meeting was held in early September to discuss Punakaiki’s current water supply system and potential options eg. increasing water storage, membrane filtration. Council is developing an action plan in response to the priorities highlighted at the meeting. Once the action plan has been completed, Council will report back to the Punakaiki community to update them on proposed costings. The community will get the opportunity to discuss the action plan with Council staff and decide what options they would like to further investigate or put in place.Along with the action plan, Council has also been working on updating the Water Safety Plan for Punakaiki. Both plans are expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

Waimangaroa

Investigations into a new water source for the Waimangaroa community continues with a local company preparing to carry out water testing on the

test bore at O’Connors Road. This testing is to confirm that the proposed water usage does not adversely impact existing consents for water takes in the surrounding area. The testing is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Provided the testing is favourable, the next steps will include drilling the production bore, installation of the delivery main from the bore to the township followed by the design and installation of the water treatment plant.

WestportShort term contingency plans continue for the Westport and Carters Beach water supply with the bulk storage facility in the Bathurst coal storage shed now installed and connected. Locations for the five 10,000 litre distribution tanks have been finalised, with the tanks being installed at the NBS Theatre in Palmerston Street, Buller High School in Derby Street, St Canice’s School in Derby Street, Westport South School in Disraeli Street and at the Carters Beach domain near the hall. The 5000 litre tanks will be stored until required.Testing and maintenance on some existing town bores continues and should be complete by mid to late October.Information on a repair procedure for Tunnel No. 1 is being put together by local tunnelling experts and will be presented to Councillors in mid October.It is expected that Councillors will make a decision on the reinstatement of Tunnel No. 1 at October’s Council meeting.

The picture below shows the Westport Reservoir at 80% capacity on 26 September 2017.

Update on district water supplies

2 CONNECT

CREATIVE COMMUNITIES

SCHEME Funding for Local Arts

Applications for financial assistance under the Buller Creative Communities Scheme are now being invited.

Funding assistance is available for groups and individuals to assist with projects taking place in the Buller District that focus on participating in the arts. Applicants must be able to show that their projects will be of benefit to the Buller community.

Application forms and further information are available from the funding page of our website www.bullerdc.govt.nz or at either of the Council offices in Westport or Reefton.

Applications close at 4.30pm on Monday 6 November 2017.

Alcohol Licences Public Notices are now posted to our website for 15 days instead of twice in the local newspaper

Did you know that when a new alcohol licence is being applied for or an existing licence is being renewed that you have the ability to object for reasons such as you believe the applicant is not suitable, they have run the premises poorly or the location isn’t suitable. However there is a criteria that must be met if you do wish to make an objection so please check out the alcohol section of our website for further information.

A summary of all applications received (with a link to the full public notice) are now published on the Latest News section on the front page of the Buller District Council website for 15 days instead of just twice in the local newspaper and the

actual application may be viewed at the Council office

in Westport on request.

7-Day Makeover comes to Westport!

David Engwicht is considered one of the worlds leading experts on turning under-performing spaces into vibrant public places.

He created the 7 day Makeover in response to what he saw as a broken system which continually funds ‘master plans’ and reports that

more than often end up on the shelf as there are no resources to implement them.

Come along to the info night to find out more and see how you can be involved

Visit: http://www.creative-communities.com/7-day-makeover/ for more info or to register

3OCTOBER 2017

Coming up at theNBS TheatreSeptember/October

The Lego Ninjago Movie 2D and 3DCaptain Underpantts 2D and 2DThe Emoji Movie 2D and 3D American AssassinThe Mountain Between us

More being added every week

Shows at the theatre:October

22nd – North School Reunion Concert afternoon

November 17th Buller High School Awards evening28th – Operatunity 11am

December2nd and 3rd – Beryl Collins School of Dance Xmas Concert7th – Buller Community Singers concert 7pm

Pop into the NBS Theatre to get a movie schedule.Call us for details on ticket sales 03 789 4219

www.nbstheatre.co.nz

News from Buller District Libraries

Josh James at the Buller District Libraries.During August, both the Sue Thomson-Casey Memorial Library and the Inangahua County Library were fortunate to have a visit from Josh James and his family. Josh has recently written a book called Jack and Charlie: Boys of the bush. Josh and his family live in Ross and operate an eco rafting business and enjoy all that the South Westland bush has to offer including fishing, hunting, camping out and trapping. Josh encourages his children to participate in as many outdoor activities as possible and teaches them to do so safely.

Josh’s book, written with his children, won this year’s award for best non-fiction title in the NZ Children’s Book Awards. It is a book about the adventures they all have together and is truly a wonderful book for children.

Josh and family spent a full day at South School, ran a wonderful session with children here in the Westport Library, entertained a crowd of adults as part of Life Long Learning for Curious Minds and had an exciting time at the Reefton Area School.

Like our Facebook page to keep up with all the goings on just search for Buller District Lirbraries on Facebook

Attention commercial building ownersIf you own a commercial building you need to supply Council with a report from a structural engineer identifying whether all or parts of your building are earthquake prone.

If you have already supplied one to Council and it complies with the requirements under the new Earthquake Amendment Act then you do not need to do anything further at this point.

However, if you have not had a report done or have not supplied Council with an adequate report you need to do this by 31 January 2018. After this date Council will arrange for structural inspections to be carried out, the cost of which will be charged back to the owner.

Photos from Josh James’ visit to Reefton Area School

MeetingsYou are warmly invited to attend the Council meetings listed below.Please note some venues are yet to be confirmed or maybe subject to change.Please contact Council to confirm venues closer to the meeting date.

COUNCILMeetings are held at the Council Chambers, Palmerston Street, Westport

• 25 October 2017 starting at 5pm• 22 November 2017 starting at 5pm

If you have any queries about the above Council meetings, or would like to indicate your interest in speaking during the public forum, please contact Linda Pablecheque, linda@bdc.govt.nz or 03 788 9642.

INANGAHUA COMMUNITY BOARDMeetings are held at the Reefton i-Site Visitor Centre, Broadway, Reefton unless otherwise stated

• 5 December 2017 starting at 5pm

If you have any queries about the above meeting, or would like to indicate your interest in speaking at the public forum, please contact Mary Wilson, mary@bdc.govt.nz or 03 788 9618.

ANIMAL MANAGEMENTBody Cameras for Animal Management StaffBuller District Council Animal Management staff will now be wearing body videos cameras for all animal control situations.These cameras will help ensure staff safety by reducing aggressive responses from some members of the public. Based on evidence from other organisations who use body cameras it is apparent aggressive behaviour is reduced when people realise they are being recorded.The cameras will also provide useful evidence of any incidents.

Events and Activities for you and your DogSocialising Classes- Every Monday from 4pm, meeting at the Westport Domain, Entrance near the Buller River. Dog owners are advised to take responsibility for their own dog/s. Please have your dog/s on a lead when you arrive.Mutt Dog Show- In 2018 we will again host the Mutt Dog Show at the Buller A&P Show in Westport on the 13 January 2018 the Buller District Council Animal Management Team will also, for the first time, be running the Mutt Dog Show Event at the Inangahua A&P Show in Reefton on the 3 February 2018.

Microchipping for DogsCurrently in the Buller we know there are about 300 dogs not microchipped. If your dog is one of these please get in touch with the Animal Management Team and register your interest for a “chipping day”. When we have enough interest we will look at having a day where you can come and get your dog microchipped for just $25. It is a legal requirement to have your dog Microchipped. Give our Animal Management Team a call today: (03) 788 9111 or 0800 807 239. If you have had your dog Microchipped at the Vets you will need to get in touch with us and provide us with the microchip number. The Vets will not do this for you.

BeddingWe are in need of bedding suitable for the pound. If you have any old blankets or towels please drop them into Council or let us know for pick up. Please note we cannot take duvets, pillows etc.

Westport office 6-8 Brougham St, PO Box 21, Westport 7866 t. 03 788 9111 or 0800 807 239Reefton office 66 Broadway, PO Box 75, Reefton 7851 t. 03 732 8821 or 0800 808 82124 hr Noise Control Services – t. 03 788 9115 24 hr Animal Control Services – t. 03 788 9115A/hrs Assets & Infrastructure emergencies – Westport 03 788 9119 Reefton 03 732 8092

www.bullerdc.govt.nz

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