Westport 2100 applicants sought
Westport 2100 applicants sought
How do we manage the natural hazards facing the Westport community? What do we need to do as we look towards the future? These are the questions that a new community group set up by the West Coast Regional Council and Buller District Council will be considering.
The purpose of the working group is to engage with the Westport community and work together, with the Councils, to identify a pathway forward for the town for the benefit of future generations. This project has a long term focus and will result in recommendations to both the Buller District Council and West Coast Regional Council for future work programmes for civil defence, hydrology and operations.
West Coast Regional Council Deputy Chair Neal Clementson said that this Group will have some big decisions to work through for the future.
“We know that it has taken time to get to this stage following on from the potential flood protection consultation we did in 2016-17,” said Mr Clementson. “However there have been other events, such as Cyclone Fehi, that have cast a new light on the risks facing Westport and it’s important that we take these into consideration as we plan for the future.”
Applications are currently being sought for the Working Group.
Buller District Councillor, Sharon Roche, one of two District Councillors appointed to the group, strongly encouraged people to apply to be part of the community group.
“This is an opportunity to be a key part of the process for Westport and we need applicants from all sectors of our community,” said Ms Roche. “I also want to assure people that if you are not on the working group there will still be opportunities to be part of the process as we work through this project.”
If you live in the wider Westport area, or can demonstrate a close connection to this area, and want to contribute to this process, then the Councils want to hear from you. The Group will include up to six members from the community with a range of backgrounds to ensure a cross section of values, understanding and perspectives of the community.
The Group will meet monthly, with additional workshops and meetings as required. Meetings will be held in Westport with meeting times to be set by the Group.
Application forms can be picked up from the Buller District Council or downloaded from the West Coast Regional Council website – www.wcrc.govt.nz/westport2100. Applications can also be made online via the Regional Council website. Applications must be received by the West Coast Regional Council by 5.00pm Friday 14 December 2018.
The public can contact Nichola Costley on 0508 800 118 or email nc@wcrc.govt.nz for more information on the Working Group.
The Regional Council will also be hosting a webpage to provide information and regular updates on the progress of the Working Group to keep community members informed. This information can be found at www.wcrc.govt.nz/westport2100.
