News

This page displays media releases published during the previous 12-months. If you need older media releases, please contact Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz.

 

09 Jul 2026
By-election dates confirmed for Westport Ward

A by-election will be held for Buller District Council’s Westport Ward to fill the seat left by the recent resignation of former councillor Colin Reidy.  
09 Jul 2026
Start date signalled for Avery’s stopbank in Westport

Work on building the Avery’s stopbank in Westport is likely to start in January 2027.
08 Jul 2026
Alma Road housing development reaches milestone

Buller District Council (BDC) has awarded WestReef Services Ltd contracts to set up sewer, stormwater, streetlights, footpaths and drinking water services for the proposed new Alma Road housing developments.

Community feedback phase concludes for West Coast Local Government Reform project

The community engagement phase of the West Coast Local Government Reform Head Start Project has now concluded. The final community drop-in session was held in Franz Josef on Friday and online feedback closed on Monday 6 July.

The Coast needs your voice, have your say!

With community feedback drawing to a close on Monday, more than 100 pieces of feedback have now been received from across the West Coast.

Annual Plan 2026/27 adopted

Buller District Council yesterday adopted a 5.8% overall increase in total rates, deferred senior housing rent rises and proceeding with Westport’s stormwater integration project next year as they finalised the Annual Plan 2026/27. 

Westport Ward councillor resigns

Councillor Colin Reidy has resigned as an elected member of the Westport Ward, effective immediately.

Waste disposal charges to increase

Charges to dispose of waste in Buller are to increase tomorrow after a 41% increase in transportation costs and 17% in onwards refuse disposal.

Mokihinui Campground’s new wastewater system project completed

Buller District Council (BDC) has completed installation and commissioning of a new, fit-for-purpose wastewater system at the Mokihinui Campground, with the replacement system capable of supporting a peak load of 400 users per day.

Council newsletters

Connect is published monthly and delivered via email straight to your inbox. Free print copies are available at Council’s libraries and service centres in Westport and Reefton and selected regional outlets.

Connect is a great way to stay up to date with what Council is doing in our community.

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Coast Waters board members announced

The three directors for the new joint West Coast council-controlled organisation for Local Water Done Well - Coast Waters Ltd have been selected from 50 applicants.

O’Conor home protection being built to higher standard

Flood protection works adjacent to the O’Conor Home are being built to a higher design standard than the rest of the Westport Flood Protection Scheme in recognition of the risk posed to residents if evacuation was necessary.

Rock protection works for Little Wanganui oxidation ponds underway soon

Rock protection will soon be installed to stabilise and reinforce the riverbank adjacent to the Little Wanganui wastewater oxidation ponds, following inspections conducted earlier this year.

Regional harbourmaster appointed to enhance maritime safety across the West Coast

Buller District Council (BDC) is seconding its harbourmaster to the role of regional harbourmaster in July following the Ministry of Transport’s allocation of a $1m Regional Maritime Safety Grant to West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) last year.

73% of feedback supports a unitary council for the Coast

West Coast communities are continuing to engage strongly in the Head Start local government reform process, with over 69 people already taking the opportunity to share their views.

Reefton drinking water supply investigation confirms no systemic failure

Buller District Council has completed its investigation into a non-compliant drinking water sample detected in the Reefton supply on 5 March 2026, confirming there is no evidence of a wider issue with the town’s water system.