Council works with the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority to support community resilience

Buller District Council is working with the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) through its Community Renewable Energy Fund (CREF) to deliver a programme of community resilience work, supporting targeted local communities with their emergency planning and energy resilience needs.

The eligible facilities include community buildings, such as marae, places of worship, schools and community halls, which are used by the community during emergency events.

Throughout 2025, the EECA will be connecting with regional partners in Northland, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman and the West Coast as part of its Community Resilience Programme to set up an estimated further 150 community buildings with photovoltaic (solar power) systems and battery banks.

Group Manager Community Services Krissy Trigg says: “Buller District Council has been allocated funding of up to $264,000 plus GST (if any) from the EECA’s Community Renewable Energy Fund, which will be paid out once milestones are met.

“Council needs to commit $66,000 of co-funding and is currently seeking external funding opportunities to cover this proportion of the cost.”

A working group, which includes local Civil Defence representatives, has used the EECA’s assessment matrix to identify Priority 1 and Priority 2 sites across the district.

Given current funding constraints, the focus is on centralised sites (Priority 1) that provide the most value during emergency responses. Council is hopeful that there will be funding available in subsequent years to allow assessment of the Priority 2 sites at a later date.

The identified Priority 1 sites (in no particular order) are: 1. NBS Theatre, Westport 2. Reefton Community Centre 3. Maruia Community Hall 4. Ngakawau Community Centre 5. Carters Beach Community Hall 6. Charleston Community Hall.

Ms Trigg continues: “The next steps include engaging with each hall committee to introduce the programme, confirming each group’s interest in participation, and then beginning site assessments. Council looks forward to working alongside community groups as the project moves forward.

“This programme will provide far-reaching benefits for communities throughout the district, and is of particular importance for our smaller, rural facilities which play a vital role during Civil Defence emergencies.”
Regular updates will be provided to keep the Buller community informed as the programme progresses.

-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.