Media Release: Drill rig to be spotted around Westport

Drill rig to be spotted around Westport

A 10-tonne drilling rig is likely to be spotted around Westport in the coming days as it is used for geotechnical investigations for flood protection works.

The drill rig is beginning work from today on farmland near Westport. It will continue over the next week on farmland, private property and Buller District Council (BDC) land.

The purpose of the drilling is to collect samples of rock and soil for analysis. This helps to assess the ground stability ahead of the construction of stopbanks and other flood mitigation measures such as planter boxes or floodwalls around Westport.

Geotechnical investigations are required as part of the design process for all the works being carried out by the West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) as part of the Resilient Westport programme of work. They are also required – along with environmental impacts assessments and other due diligence – ahead of the lodging of Resource Consent applications.

West Coast Regional Council Chief Engineer Peter Blackwood says the drill rig will be moved around the various areas where sections of the flood protection measures are planned.

“We are starting in the Upper Orowaiti area on farmland - which is around where the McKenna’s stopbank has already been constructed. Then the rig will move to the North End section which is around the Floating Lagoon area. There will be multiple bore holes dug and test pit sites. The drilling rig will also be used for bore holes and other site investigations in the Eastons Road area (Lower Orowaiti section). Further drilling is planned for the Upper and Lower Buller sections (see map supplied).

“We are doing a lot of planning and design work on the entire work programme, that will largely surround the Westport town. Where we have worked on separate areas before, the scheme is at the point where we are focusing our planning on all fronts. It simply makes good economic sense to use the drilling rig for multiple investigations. In terms of access, the team has been working on permissions, where required, to go onto private property and has informed Buller District Council where its land is involved. We will also communicate directly with nearby residents to make sure they are aware of the activity in their area and the purpose of the drilling,” says Mr Blackwood.