Lois Williams

Long waits for resource consents are still frustrating goldminers on the West Coast, the regional council has heard.

The sewerage plant that serves the tourist town of Franz Josef could be wiped out sooner than expected by the wild Waiho (Waiau) River, the West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) has been told.

West Coast Civil Defence leaders have agreed to investigate the use of sirens to warn coastal communities if a tsunami is on its way.

The before and after shots tell the story: West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) staff have had some wins in the ongoing war on the pestilential water weed, parrots feather.

An iwi representative on two West Coast councils has rejected the idea that mayors would represent Māori interests on the government's proposed new boards, which replace regional councils.

Lois Williams Local Democracy Reporting Haast residents campaigning to get chlorine out of their water are asking Taumata Arowai to waive the hefty fee it would charge to consider the option.

Westland mayor Helen Lash is promising West Coast Regional Council staff that their jobs will be secure during the coming upheavals of local government reform.

In a few weeks' time, West Coasters will be able to find out if their home - or one they're planning to buy - may be at risk of damage or even demolition in a landslide.

A vocal advocate of property rights, West Coast regional councillor Allan Birchfield, is applauding the government's environmental law reforms -

A vocal advocate of property rights is applauding the Government's environmental law reforms, but warns that some councils cannot afford to compensate landowners with significant natural areas (SNAs) on their properties.