Stories by Brendon McMahon
News
Taylorville Resource Park: WorkSafe yet to decide on enforcement after workers hospitalised
The troubled Taylorville Resource Park site remains under the shadow of an investigation, although WorkSafe has returned the site to the operator - under notice.
West Coast councils defend use of closed-door workshops
A fresh call by the Ombudsman for council workshops to be open to the public by default has received a cautious response on the West Coast.
Half of district's ratepayers received wrong bill from council
The West Coast Regional Council says an external review into the first instalment of rates bills has found that about half of them were incorrectly charged.
Council has fixed artificial lake that floods Chinese gardens - or has it?
An artificial lake that has flooded Ross Chinese Memorial Gardens has been fixed, according to one council - but another disagrees.
Trees will be 'bowled over' to avoid new regulations - mayor
A "heinous" imposition of new rules has prompted fear they will push West Coast landowners to cut down trees to avoid the implications.
West Coast council to chase overdue rates as it tackled debt problem
West Coast Regional Council staff have been directed to take action on a debt problem, including outstanding rates.
Argument breaks out at meeting of troubled West Coast council
Tensions boiled over between West Coast regional councillors today, when censured former chairperson Allan Birchfield tried to stay for a committee meeting.
'Not good enough': Council scrambles to find out how it sent incorrect rates bill
The West Coast Regional Council is scrambling to understand how it sent out wrongly calculated rates bills.
Council apologises over 'embarrassing' rates mistake
The West Coast Regional Council has been left with egg on its face in a "potential error" over the way its rates bills have been calculated.
Glacier retreat at Franz Josef changing shape of Waiho river - glaciologist
The rapid retreat of Franz Josef Glacier and the subsequent "huge" volume of riverbed material crawling down the Waiho Valley is a growing problem for the area.
Residents frustrated over Greymouth landfill’s foul odour and ‘wall of gravel’
Residents are demanding "accountability" over the Taylorville Resource Park landfill near Greymouth and its foul smell and "wall of gravel".
Issues over possible extension for smelly West Coast private landfill
Whether or not a private landfill should get more time to fix ongoing smell problems has been complicated by a WorkSafe shutdown and investigation, and advice is being sought, a West Coast council…
Resident shocked at council's 100 percent rates hike
Some households face an increase of 100 percent thanks to additional council levies.
'Some pretty crazy things are going on' as glaciers vanish
In the past 30 years, 200 glaciers in the Southern Alps have disappeared due to the "shocking" rise in ocean temperatures, a scientist says.
Smaller councils face 'considerable difficulty' to meet audit deadline
Smaller councils are facing bigger audit costs and more difficulties after the government introduced new requirements, a West Coast council boss says.
Forest & Bird calls for better river management on West Coast
Councils need to rethink the way they manage waterways to reduce the risk of devastating floods, Forest & Bird is warning.
Pike River developments being 'scaled' due to cost increases
A plan for creating memorial features at or near the Pike River site is being "scaled" due to cost increases, reports to a community board show.
Hokitika Gorge swingbridge's future up in the air
Future options for the Hokitika Gorge swingbridge remain open with the Department of Conservation (DOC).
West Coast quarries essential - but at what cost
The future of the West Coast Regional Council's quarries remain under review.
'Hit me' taunt made by former council chairperson
Former West Coast Regional Council chairperson Allan Birchfield taunted fellow councillor Frank Dooley saying, "hit me Frank" during an altercation in May.
'Grave concern': The highway at risk of slipping into the sea
The mayor says it's a lifeline for her region - but where State Highway 6 clings to a cliff, a slip falls away to the sea about 300 metres below.
West Coast regional councillor unrepentant after code of conduct breaches
Allan Birchfield is unrepentant, saying he did nothing wrong and will not be changing his behaviour.
All Franz Josef flood protection work 'on hold'
All work on the first stage of the Waiho River protection scheme at Franz Josef is now on hold pending a technical review.
Hari Hari river threat ‘a pretty bad sort of situation’
A flood risk fix for the Wanganui River at Hari Hari will be further addressed in a riverbank meeting this Friday.