News

Council decisions impact Annual Plan 2026/27 rates

The Buller District Council made decisions last week impacting the forecast 9.05% rates rise outlined for 2026/27 in the 2025-2034 Long-Term Plan.

Westport’s clocktower to light up purple in recognition of Epilepsy Day

The Clocktower Chambers in Palmerston Street will be bathed in purple light on Thursday, 26 March in support of Epilepsy NZ’s Purple Day.

Name agreed for Coast water entity

The three West Coast district councils have agreed a name for the West Coast Water Services CCO – Coast Waters Ltd.  

Senior housing rents to increase

Buller District Council is increasing rents for most of its senior housing units from the start of July this year, following a Council resolution to that effect in July last year. 

Buller councillors vote to continue with water CCO

Buller District Councillors yesterday agreed that Buller would remain the administrative council for the shared Coast water council-controlled organisation (CCO), but would ask other Councils to share the debt financing. 

Originair announces discontinuation of Westport to Wellington flights

Originair has today announced that it will cease operating flights to and from Westport Airport from 1 May 2026, unless financial support from the Government is confirmed by late March. 

Resource Consent application lodged for Westport’s Floating Lagoon stopbank

A Resource Consent Application was lodged on Friday (13 March 2026) with West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) and Buller District Council (BDC) for the Floating Lagoon stopbank in Westport.

Council discusses the revised draft budget for Annual Plan 2026/27

Buller District Council (BDC) discussed a revised draft budget for the Annual Plan 2026/27 at its public workshop this week

Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library to trial operating hours changes

The popularity of different evening opening hours last year has prompted the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library to trial slightly adjusted weekday and Saturday opening times. 

BDC Councillors air affordability concerns with government

Buller District councillors yesterday told Department of Internal Affairs representatives they have real concerns about the ability of Buller people to afford increased water charges along with other current Council commitments. 

Council appoints new Risk and Audit Committee Independent Chair

Council has resolved to appoint Rachael Dean as the independent chairperson of its Risk and Audit Committee.   

Refuse bags to stay for another year

People living in in Zone one including Westport, Reefton, and surrounding areas, will continue to dispose of their rubbish using pre-paid rubbish bags until mid-2027. 

EPIC Laneway project not proceeding

The proposed EPIC Laneway project will no longer proceed and $50,000 allocated from the Buller District Council Community-Led Revitalisation Fund will be returned in full. 

Precautionary boil water notice still in place for Reefton

Following the detection of E. coli in the Reefton water supply yesterday and the subsequent boil-water notice issued for the township, the council has carried out further investigations.

Reduced screenings at NBS Theatre due to projector fault

Westport’s NBS Theatre is currently operating at reduced capacity, with the 20-seat Fred Gregory Screen Room out of action due to a projector equipment failure last Thursday.