Media Release: O’Conor home protection being built to higher standard

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Media Release

Resilient Westport

26 June 2026

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.

West Coast Regional Council Chief Engineer Peter Blackwood says this is why the rockworks may appear to be different to completed works at the nearby Kawatiri Scour.

“The higher degree of flood protection aims to protect the existing retirement home, and its planned expansion, to reduce the probability of having to evacuate vulnerable patients by having a higher design standard than the rest of the scheme.

“We weren’t comfortable with using the 1:1.5 slope at this location, as was the case with the Kawatiri Scour works. Protecting the O’Conor Home is our paramount concern.”

Two sources have been used in the rock riprap lining, and both meet all rock quality specifications, he says.

“The rock was sized using the California Division of Highways methodology, a method that has been used to develop robust rock linings in NZ gravel bed rivers.

“Other key determinants are the river velocity, which averages 5.2 m/s at this location in a 1 in 100-year flood with 6.9 m/s at the outside of a bend.”

Peter Blackwood says this very high velocity reflects the tremendous power of the Buller River when in flood.

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For further information please contact:

Resilient Westport Communications team

‍ ‍media@resilientwestport.co.nz

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