Council joins 3 Waters Campaign

11 November 2021

As the Government continues to push forward with reforming the management of 3 waters, Westland District Council intends to work with other Councils around the country to campaign against the mandate.

“We have shared our feedback with the Government and their response makes the process seem like a waste of time,” advises Westland Mayor, Bruce Smith. “As far as we can tell, the decision was made well before they asked us to talk to our communities. They didn’t get the response they expected so went ahead anyway. We are going to have to advocate strongly for our communities and working together as a group will be more effective than each individual working Council alone.

My team of Councillors agree that we need to join with other Councils as partners in the campaign against the 3 Waters mandate. On Thursday 11 November 2021, we resolved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and provide a small financial contribution of $10,000 towards the programme of works. I will represent Council and our community on behalf of the campaign with the aim to convince the Government to reconsider its direction and take another look at the options given by Councils during the feedback process.

We have always been clear that we agree with the aim of the 3 waters reform to improve health and environmental standards for the community, but we believe that there are better ways to do this. In our letter to the Minister, like many other Councils, we asked for a pause in the reform, and it is very disappointing that the reform carried on regardless of community opinion and the feedback received.

Collaborating with other Councils will give smaller Councils like ours a louder voice to show the Government that they need to listen to our communities and review their approach.”

Emergency text message service

15 November 2021

If you aren’t already signed up to Council’s emergency text message service, now is the time to do it.

It’s quick and easy to do on our website and all you need is a New Zealand cell phone number. The service allows Council to contact anyone who has signed up to the service and to notify subscribers of urgent messages, for example boil water notices. Council does not use it for any form of advertising or business-as-usual messages and it doesn’t replace any national emergency notifications.

We would encourage anyone who uses the system to check with their family, neighbours and friends and help them to sign up if they are not already. If someone receives a text alert and knows that others aren’t signed up we would also encourage them to pass the message along.

If you no longer want to receive the alerts reply STOP to any message and the system will automatically remove their number from the contact list. You can also opt-out using the form on the website. If you move from one part of Westland to another and want to update your geographic area you can use the form on the website to do this and Council will update their details.

From the Rates Office

Rates Rebates

15 November 2021

Are you eligible for a rates rebate of up to $665 for the 2021/2022 rating year? Applications must be received by 30 June 2022.

Background & criteria

• Maximum rebate is $665.
• Income abatement threshold is $26,150 (Note: Your income can be greater than $26,150 and you may still be eligible for a pro-rata rebate – please contact the Rates Department).
• Additional income allowance for dependants is $500 per dependant.
• You must be the ratepayer on our records AND reside at the address for which you wish to apply for a rebate as at 1 July 2020.
• Rebates are intended for residential properties only. Properties used principally for commercial, industrial or farming purposes or in the name of a business are not eligible.
• Retirement village residents with licence to occupy agreements can now apply for a rates rebate from the rating year beginning 1 July 2020. (Retirement village residents with a licence to occupy do not own the property they live in but they do have a contractual right to occupy it).
• If you are granted a rates rebate, Council will credit the rebate to your rates account.
• In order to process a rates rebate application, you will need to advise your TOTAL income BEFORE TAX for the year of 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. Total income declared must include the income of spouse/partner if they are residing at the address on 1 July 2021.

Income includes (but is not limited to):

• New Zealand Superannuation
• Work and Income Benefit
• Wages or Salary
• plus others

Find out more and download an application form here.

We want your e-waste

15 November 2021

Westland District Council has partnered up with EnviroWaste & TechCollect NZ to bring you a free e-waste recycling service in Westland. The term ‘e-waste’ covers a wide range of products that are powered by electricity via cords or batteries. When these products reach the end of their life or are no longer wanted, they are classified as e-waste. Recycling our ewaste allows the materials to be broken down and made into new products, reducing the need for more valuable and finite resources to be extracted from the earth.

This service is available to households and small businesses who want to responsibly dispose of their e-waste.

From 2 November 2021, you can drop off your e-waste at the Hokitika Transfer Station at 84 Hau Hau Road during operating hours. Staff will inspect all e-waste received to ensure it is clean, dry and an accepted item.

What is accepted?

• Computers, laptops/notebooks, tablets/palmtops, and associated cables.
• Computer monitors and projectors, including CRT/LCD/flat-panel monitors and parts(e.g. internal hard drives and CD drives).
• Printers, scanners, and multi-functional devices (MFDs) including: toners and ink cartridges contained within a printer where they cannot reasonably be removed.
• Computer peripherals and accessories (e.g. mice, keyboards, web cameras, USB’s and modems).
• Cameras & video cameras.

What is not accepted for recycling?

• TVs
• Whitegoods
• Consumer electronics
• Loose batteries
• Toner and ink cartridges

Mobile phones, phone charges and cables continue to be accepted for recycling through the Noel Leeming partnership programme with RE: mobile; a cellular phone recycling scheme.

Revell Street Concept Plans

15 November 2021

Concept Plans are now finalised for the Revell Street one way trial. These will be on display boards on Revell Street in the near future.

There are several workstreams being undertaken along Revell Street, which are running concurrently:

• Road safety improvements by way of kerb extension outside of Take Note which has incorporated stamped concrete paving. Road improvements will include the installation of x2 raised crossing points which will double as speed pacifiers. These improvements have been approved by Council and planned for the Hokitika Town Centre plan but were bought forward to coincide with other works at Revell Street.
• Lighting, including the installation of poles and the addition of ambient lighting is part of a project to improve decorative lighting at several locations throughout Hokitika Town Centre. Like the road safety improvements, this work has been bought forward to coincide with other works at Revell Street.
• The other component is the one-way trial itself, which includes the introduction of 6 removable decks, planters and street furniture with temporary changes to the parking layout.

Recently the unused Spark phone box has been removed and the kerb outside Take Note has been extended and repaved with the new coloured stamped concrete as approved by Council. This will be the chosen paving for Hokitika Town Centre as footpath replacements are undertaken. The use of concrete requires less ground preparation, allows for shaping and can quickly and easily be patched where necessary. It is a cost-efficient and durable medium in the West Coast elements.

Photo Credit: Westland District Council

Enviroschools heads to Arahura Marae

15 November 2021

In August, West Coast Enviroschools gathered at the magnificent Arahura marae for an overnight stay to learn more about the cultural and natural history of the area, to build skills and knowledge for restoring native habitats, and to learn about the restoration of the Arahura River. Reporter Rose O’Connor (and teacher at Sacred Heart School) wrote an article about their visit for the West Coast Messenger paper.

Photo Credit: Enviroschools

New banner display system installed

15 November 2021

At the beginning of November Electronet installed ‘Flag Trax’ banner system for Council on 55 streetlights along Fitzherbert Street and the town centre. Flag Trax will make it much quicker and simpler for organisations to erect their banners around town, as well as reducing the cost to put the banners up. Installation of banners will no longer require cherry pickers and traffic management procedures, making it more efficient to put up banners and more timely to remove them following the conclusion of an event.

Photo credit: Westland District Council

Work continues on Hokitika Swimming Pool

15 November 2021

Delays to the Swimming Pool work programme have occurred due to the Covid lockdown and level 3 protocols. Delays of pre-ordered supply items and materials due to Auckland lockdown have also set the programme back. This has caused a six-week overall delay to the original programme.

Despite the delays, contractors have been working hard to complete this stage of the project and to date have:

• Installed new structural beams to the portal roof.
• Installed additional steel bracing system to the roof.
• West wall gable end structural framing has been completed and the recladded the wall.
• In early November, scaffolding was erected at the East gable end wall ready for the new structural bracing and re-cladding.
• The upgrade of the L4 fire protection system has been completed to the main hall and controllers for the system will be installed tested and commissioned last week of November.
• Electrical upgrade of the building is underway with the new distribution board arriving at the end of November.
• Upgrade of the emergency lighting is completed.
• Heating to the main pool area is underway with completion expected in the middle of November.
• The new accessible showers and toilets are being constructed and will be completed by the end of November.

Council intends to hand back the premises to Destination Westland in December to prepare for reopening.

Photo Credit: Westland District Council

Consultation opportunity – Tyres and large batteries

15 November 2021

The Ministry for the Environment is consulting on product stewardship for tyres and large batteries.

Every year around 6.5 million tyres are imported into New Zealand. When they reach their end of use, about two-thirds go to landfill or are illegally dumped. This creates the risk of fire and toxic emissions.

In 2020, an estimated 1,000 electric vehicle batteries reached their end of use. By 2030 that number could reach 84,000 each year. Mis-managed large batteries also pose risk of fire. If they end up in the landfill or the environment, toxins such as heavy metals are released

You can provide feedback on their proposals until 16 December 2021.

Photo credit: David Edelstein on Unsplash