Stories by Brendon McMahon
News
West Coast quarries essential - but at what cost
The future of the West Coast Regional Council's quarries remain under review.
'Hit me' taunt made by former council chairperson
Former West Coast Regional Council chairperson Allan Birchfield taunted fellow councillor Frank Dooley saying, "hit me Frank" during an altercation in May.
'Grave concern': The highway at risk of slipping into the sea
The mayor says it's a lifeline for her region - but where State Highway 6 clings to a cliff, a slip falls away to the sea about 300 metres below.
West Coast regional councillor unrepentant after code of conduct breaches
Allan Birchfield is unrepentant, saying he did nothing wrong and will not be changing his behaviour.
All Franz Josef flood protection work 'on hold'
All work on the first stage of the Waiho River protection scheme at Franz Josef is now on hold pending a technical review.
Hari Hari river threat ‘a pretty bad sort of situation’
A flood risk fix for the Wanganui River at Hari Hari will be further addressed in a riverbank meeting this Friday.
Building consents still issued in town facing possible relocation
Franz Josef may not be able to remain in its present site beyond 20 years, so why are authorities still issuing building consents in the area?
Councillor conduct: Extraordinary closed door council meeting
An extraordinary meeting of the West Coast Regional Council next week to consider "councillor matters" will be held behind closed doors.
New stop bank may give Franz Josef 20 years
A hearing opened on Friday in Greymouth to try and advance the stalled river protection project.
Scenic Group outlines its Franz Josef concerns
A crucial hearing affecting the protection of Franz Josef township will finally get underway on Friday more than a year after work began on the $24 million Waiho Scheme.
Invasive aquatic weed found to have spread across West Coast
The invasive aquatic weed lagarosiphon first detected in the Kapitia Reservoir near Kumara (Kohimara) in 2019 has spread.
Two years on and Westport waits
Residents are very frustrated and stressed over the lack of information of how the government support package is going to be rolled out.
Shock 427 percent increase in lines charge sent to High Court
A shock 427 percent electricity charge increase imposed on Buller's community owned lines company is set for a judicial review in the High Court.
'It's bloody hard': Farmer aghast as some Coasters face rates increases over 23pc
West Coast ratepayers now face among the biggest rates increases in the country.
The region facing a 16% rates rise
West Coast ratepayers will be walloped with a 16.42 percent rates increase after reluctant agreement today by the regional council.
Salvage of Waiuta miners' cottage a ‘complex job’
Work by the Department of Conservation to save a miners cottage once home to noted West Coast photographer Jos Divis is "a complex job".
Tapu status of Lake Māhinapua asserted
A challenge by mana whenua to acknowledge the tapu of Lake Māhinapua near Hokitika has been raised with the Te Tai o Poutini Plan.
West Coast leaders mixed on council reform
West Coast council leaders say they agree change is needed for local government but will wait to see if they will be forced into amalgamation.
Hokitika agreement 'actively' benefits community
West Coast Regional Council has approved an agreement for a dairy company to pay nearly $1.5 million as part of the Hokitika River flood protection work.
Environmental complaints dismissed as 'whinging' by councillor
An increase in environmental complaints to the West Coast Regional Council has been dismissed as whinging and moaning by councillor Allan Birchfield, who was sacked as the chairperson in April.
DOC managing over 300 contaminated sites on West Coast
The Department of Conservation has 305 potential or fully identified contaminated sites across the West Coast.
Council has 'turned a corner' - new CEO
Darryl Lew, the West Coast Regional Council's fourth chief executive in three years, says he believes the council has "turned a corner".
Kea conflict in South Westland, investigation underway to mitigate problems
The number of human-kea conflicts have been high in the first part of this year in South Westland, according to the Department of Conservation.
Conservation Minister outlines expectations to West Coast board
The West Coast Conservation Board has been reminded to be "active and visible" in the next year to advance a community voice at the table.
DOC questioned over justification of track closures
How the Department of Conservation "rationalises" which tracks to reinstate after natural disasters has been questioned, although its West Coast boss admits it comes down to the money.