Media Release: Ceremony to mark the breaking of ground for Westport stopbank

A ceremony was held today to officially mark the start of work on the McKenna stopbank, which is part of Resilient Westport’s programme of work to help protect Westport from flooding.

The McKenna stopbank is a 780-metre section of flood defence. It forms part of the project’s Upper Orowaiti area of flood protection. The stopbank, on private farmland, will be about 2.2 metres high and around 18 metres wide at the base, depending on the ground contours.

Work got underway recently, but the official ground breaking ceremony was deferred following the passing of West Coast Regional Councillor Frank Dooley.

West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) Chair Peter Haddock was joined by Councillor Mark McIntyre to turn over the first ceremonial sod.

“It was bittersweet being here without Frank who passed so suddenly recently. He was a great advocate for Buller and the wider West Coast community. He would have enjoyed seeing this tangible piece of progress, which will have real benefits for the Westport community as part of the overall flood protection scheme,” says Mr Haddock.

The work will be carried out in 150-metre-long sections. First the whole 780 metre footprint of the stopbank is dug out – clearing and storing the topsoil, which goes back on at the end of the work and is replanted with grass seed. Then gravel is laid down and compacted, layer by layer, in each section. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of locally-sourced gravel will be used during the process.

The McKenna stopbank is scheduled to be complete in March-April, depending on weather conditions.

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Note, we’ve prepared a Fact Sheet to give you more information about the McKenna project.

Images L-R

WCRC Chair Peter Haddock, Jo Dooley and Councillor Mark McIntyre (in the cap) turn over the first sods for the breaking of ground ceremony.

Mrs Dooley attended the ceremony on behalf of her husband Councillor Frank Dooley who recently passed away. Jo brought along an old spade of Frank's for the occasion. Cr Dooley was a great advocate for Buller and the West Coast.

The waiata group shown performed on behalf of local iwi, Ngāti Waewae. A blessing was led by John Manawatu. Shown in the third image. L-R Councillor Mark McIntyre, Chair Peter Haddock, John Manawatu and the waiata group.

Work underway on the 780-metre-long McKenna stopbank which is due for completion in March/April 2025.