Stories by Brendon McMahon
News
Cyclone Dovi: Heaphy should be fully reopen by October, DOC says
The Department of Conservation has significant work under way on the West Coast to mop up damage to tracks as a result of Cyclone Dovi in February 2022.
West Coast health pilot identifies changes needed to improve health and well-being
'Timely access' to GP and primary care on the West Coast are among the priorities identified by a health locality pilot for the region in the wake of the abolishment of its DHB 12 months ago.
$500,000 spending on consultants needed for West Coast's TTPP
Spending on consultants for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan is forecast to be over half a million dollars in the next financial year.
West Coast plan commissioner steps aside, citing conflict of interest
A commissioner appointed for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan has resigned before the hearing panel has formally convened.
Wanganui River bank protection 'urgent'
Work to bolster stopbanks on the south bank of the Wanganui River at Hari Hari "needs doing urgently".
New West Coast plan further delayed
Individual and big submitters like district councils are being given until 30 June to make further submissions to the Te Tai o Poutini Plan.
'It's been bloody tough' - Westland mayor hopes settlement will allow Franz Josef to move on
A $30 million claim against the West Coast Regional Council by the insurers for the Scenic Hotel Group following a flash flood that ruined its former Franz Josef hotel, has been settled out of court.
Board meeting at Pike mine called off but visit to go ahead
The West Coast Conservation Board will visit the Pike River Mine site privately later this month.
Council chair's hospital stay nothing to with alleged altercation, he says
West Coast Regional Council chairman Peter Haddock says his recent hospital stay was nothing to do with an alleged altercation involving the council's former chairman.
Wild kiwifruit spreading on West Coast
Wild kiwifruit are beginning to emerge across the West Coast, with an infestation on the Karamea River and evidence it is now present throughout South Westland.
Westport $56 million flood proposal whittled by half in government announcement
Today's announcement was timed with the Budget and ahead of announcements the government plans to make around resilience for communities mopping up after Cyclone Gabrielle.
West Coast Regional Council keeps site of gold mine complaint secret
A report to the Resource Management Committee this week noted seven 'non-compliances' relating to various land-use activities; four of them related to gold mining.
Fiery talk at West Coast council not a Wellington issue, Internal Affairs says
Wellington officials say they see no reason to step in over tensions at West Coast Regional Council.
West Coast council drops Local Government NZ membership
The West Coast Regional Council has kicked to touch paid up membership of Local Government NZ.
Altercation alleged at West Coast Regional Council
Things are heating up at the West Coast Regional Council with allegations of an altercation involving former chairman Allan Birchfield and councillor Frank Dooley during a meeting.
Fears new coastal hazard modelling will stymie Greymouth redevelopment
Greymouth Joint Floodwall Committee members are worried dire coastal hazard mapping done for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan could hinder land and building development in the area.
Council bid to divert Wanganui River
Floods have seen the river's stopbank washed away and water take a direct path through two local farms.
Material from diseased site dumped at private landfill
Material from a diseased Nelson site was briefly dumped at the Taylorville Resource Park landfill, it has been confirmed.
Rodent's burrow collapse deemed responsible for holey walkway
A mouse has been at play at the West Coast's premier visitor site, the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
New modelling of West Coast coastal inundation has immediate implications
The latest information had not arrived before the proposed plan was publicly notified.
West Coast Regional Council investigates 'sickening' smell
A "sickening" smell from the controversial new private landfill at Coal Creek is being investigated by West Coast Regional Council after numerous complaints in the past week.
Stop banks 'strangle' West Coast river over 60 years
Stopbanks have "strangled" South Westland's Wanganui River so much over decades the riverbed is now filling with gravel at twice the natural rate, an engineer says.
'A massive win': Court overturns decision to allow new coalmine
The Environment Court has overturned a decision to allow the development of a new coalmine at Te Kuha, behind Westport.
Cyclone Gabrielle's impact on West Coast roads
The West Coast can expect a greater focus on "resilience" in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Sacked West Coast Regional Council chairman returns with 'watch out' warning
Allan Birchfield left abruptly after losing the vote for the chair at an extraordinary council meeting on 28 March - his first day back after four months' leave of absence.