Council makes decision regarding Westport water conservation reserve assessment

Following on from councillors’ December 10 workshop regarding future provisions for Westport’s local purpose water conservation reserve, councillors resolved to decline Stevenson Mining Ltd.’s request to revoke part of the water conservation reserve at this time during yesterday’s full council meeting.

Chief Executive Officer Simon Pickford says: “The water conservation reserve, located in the hills above Westport, provides Westport and Carters Beach with drinking water. Today’s decision means council will not relinquish rights to the conservation reserve at this time, but the decision was made on the basis that partial revocation may be available at a later date.”

Stevenson Mining Ltd (Stevenson), the project co-ordinator and proposed mine operator of the Te Kuha Mine, wrote to council in May 2025 asking whether all the Westport water conservation reserve is required for that purpose.

In June 2025, council resolved that staff evaluate Stevenson’s request in more detail and report back to council.

An independent assessment, paid for by Stevenson, was commissioned to enable a prompt response, with council staff liaising with Ngāti Waewae and Stevenson as part of this process.

The assessment identified that the current water extraction point on the South Branch of Giles Creek is insufficient to meet Westport’s immediate water supply needs.

It was also deemed that without additional mitigation measures being implemented, the catchments north of the Jones/Ballarat Creek catchment boundary with Coal Creek do not have the capacity to meet Westport’s future demand for water, when used in any of their current or historic contexts.

This makes it necessary for the additional water conservation reserve to be retained for risk mitigation and management.

“Now that this decision has been made, council will inform Stevenson and continue looking at additional water supply sites for future use” concludes Mr Pickford.

The December 10 workshop was held to strengthened councillors’ understanding of the situation prior to yesterday’s decision-making process.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.