Media Release: Westport businesses pledge support for flood protection work

The generosity of a group of Buller businesses, inspired by late West Coast Regional Councillor Frank Dooley, was acknowledged in Westport today.

The businesses have jointly pledged over $2m towards flood mitigation works for Snodgrass Road in Westport and the nearby Carters Beach community.

The Government funding package for Resilient Westport did not include funding for structural flood protection in these areas. West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) is planning to extend structural flood protection to these areas which will need to be funded from local share.

Buller Electricity Ltd, Bathurst Resources, Mitre 10 Westport, Hilton Haulage and the O'Conor Home have all pledged funds.

Chair Peter Haddock says the pledges reflected Frank Dooley’s great advocacy for Westport and his work in helping protect the town from future flooding.

“In his role as Chair and then Chief Executive of Buller Electricity, Frank started the ball rolling on a plan to rally local businesses to donate funds to the project to help areas that hadn’t received government funding.

“Following Frank’s untimely death in December, Cr Mark McIntyre picked up the initiative and continued to work tirelessly to bring it to fruition.”

“Today’s a special day, Frank would have loved to have been part of it,” says Chair Haddock.

Associate Minister for Regional Development Mark Patterson was in Westport today for the announcement of the pledges.

Cr Mark McIntyre said today’s event at the Resilient Westport offices was significant in bringing together businesses which have pledged assistance and representatives of the areas for which the funding is intended.

Chair Haddock said the monies would be ring-fenced for structural flood protection works at Snodgrass Road and Carters Beach

“We are carrying out investigation and design work with the aim of protecting as many properties as we can.  There will be further engagement with the community about this.”

“The money could also be used to lessen the local share across the whole scheme if other funding is found for Snodgrass and Carters.”

Members of the project team and elected members from WCRC and Buller District Council also attended.