Westport’s recently opened village for flood displaced families. Photo: supplied by Lee Scanlon
Westport has escaped the weather disasters that have hit the North Island but the town knows too well how those affected are feeling and also how long recovery can take.
Locals are increasingly worried that their plea for government help for a comprehensive flood protection scheme will be overtaken by help needed up north.
For the first time since the July 2021 floods, no Westport flood victims are living in motels.
A new 20-home village for flood-displaced families is less than half full. Lee also talks to Kathryn about Transpower pausing a 427 percent increase to Buller Electricity.
And the Government’s plans to make good its 2017 promise to stop all new mining on conservation land which has upset local leaders and the mining industry.
Mining contributed over $183 million to the West Coast’s GDP in the year to March 2022.
Lee Scanlon is the Westport News' Chief Reporter
