Public Statement - Punakaiki water supply

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Buller District Council is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with landowners to purchase land and easements for the intake of the reticulated water supply for Punakaiki. This agreement has been reached under the Public Works Act, following Environment Court assisted mediation, which both parties participated constructively in.

The Council acknowledges that its relationship with the landowners has not been constructive over many years. It confirms that part of the agreement with the landowners recognises that Council did not have a legal right to access and use the site for the provision of drinking water and this is a matter that should have been resolved much sooner. Resolving things earlier would have been in the best interests of all the parties.

Buller District Council recognises that it has not always been mindful of the impact that it and its contractors accessing the site has had on the landowners. Council accepts that it was premature to proceed with site works on some occasions in circumstances where it did not have a legal right to access and use the site. The Council further acknowledges that some interactions with the landowners could have been handled differently and those interactions were difficult and stressful for the landowners. Council has since identified areas for improvement regarding acquisition of land for public works in the future.

Council again apologises, and now does so publicly, for times when it or its contractors have removed vegetation or signs from the site or cut tracks without permission. As part of the agreed resolution, the Council shall support the landowners to re-establish native vegetation that was removed.

The landowners have agreed to the acquisition of the land and easements so Council can continue to provide drinking water to the town. Council is grateful for their agreeing to do so.

The decision to formalise Council's use and access to the site is of significant benefit to the community and the wider district. The Council thanks the landowners for working with it to secure this outcome and it will work hard to ensure the relationship going forward will be more constructive, supported now by the acquired legal interests.

Chief Executive Officer Simon Pickford

-ENDS-

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