Flood work approved

GREYMOUTH: The West Coast Regional Council is forging ahead with the four flood protection projects it successfully pitched to the Government as shovelready projects.

The council had until Friday to agree to to $24 million for projects in Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika and Franz Josef.

At a special meeting last week, it reviewed feedback from the affected communities after a speedy round of public consultation over ratepayers' share of the cost.

No consultation took place in Greymouth, because the council said ratepayers had approved plans to upgrade the town floodwall some years ago.

Operations manager Randall Beal told the council that more than 60% of Westport and Hokitika people who responded were in favour of the projects.

In Franz Josef, the site of the biggest project, only 45% approved.

Some wanted the NZ Transport Agency to have no part in the project because they believed the agency's previous work for the highway and Waiho River bridge had made things worse.

The project includes the raising of the Franz Josef bridge and its approaches on State highway 6, raising floodwalls by 2m, and building new walls. — Local Democracy