Council Community Info

Hi and welcome to the latest edition of Council Community Info. Please see below for the latest of what is happening within Council.

Buller District Council is on a mission to 'Discover' our core values!

Core values are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action.

Core values support the vision, shape the culture and reflect what we value. They are the essence of our identity- the principles, beliefs or philosophy.

The Buller Values Project aims to discover the values that are shared by the community, elected members and council staff, so everyone in the District is on the same page about how they expect council services to be delivered in the future.

Participating is Easy!
Simply click here to complete a short survey

Advertisement Changes for Liquor Licencing

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and its new regulations came into force at the end of December 2013. Currently businesses applying for a new or renewal alcohol licence advertise in the local newspaper. Since the introduction of the new Act, many New Zealand Councils have changed to electronic notices via the internet and dispensed with the need for newspaper advertising.

Buller District Council, in conjunction with Grey District Council and the Westland District Council, have also chosen to adopt the electronic notice practice. This means that from 1 January 2017, public notices will no longer be required to be advertised in the local newspapers but instead they will be published on the relevant Council’s website for 15 working days.

When a completed new or renewal licence application is submitted to Council, the public notice will automatically be uploaded to the Council website. The cost of this is included in the licence fee – there is no extra charge.

Note: Public notices must continue to be published in local newspapers until 31 December 2016.

Please visit our website, www.bullerdc.nz/liquorlicensing or phone Council on 03 788 9111 if you have any queries. If you’d like to be notified when new or renewal applications are made, please provide your email address to Council.

Fireworks are fun for us but they can be incredibly scary and stressful for animals. Here are some tips to make sure your furry friends are safe

• If possible, stay home - they'll be less stressed with company.

• Walk dogs before the fireworks start - this will help tire them out and hopefully put them to sleep.

• ALWAYS keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being let off.

• Close all windows and doors, and block off cat flaps to stop pets escaping and to keep noise to a minimum.

• Draw the curtains, and if the animals are used to the sounds of TV or radio, switch them on.

• If dogs starts to look stressed remain calm yourself remembering that as "pack leader" your dog looks for guidance from you.

• Hutches and enclosures should be brought into a quiet room indoors, or into a garage or shed.

Code Compliance Certificate Notification

Under the Building Act 2004 a Building Consent Authority (Council) must decide whether to grant a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) within two years after the date the consent was granted or any further period that may be agreed between the owner and the Authority.

In the past Council has been sending out letters to building consent applicants reminding them that the two years is coming due. However as at 1 January 2017 this will cease and when the two year period is up the CCC will be refused and the applicant advised accordingly.

Please note that this just means that as at that date Council is unable to issue CCC because they have not received notification that the work has been completed. Inspections may still be carried out and a CCC may still be issued at a future date, at the discretion of Council.

If you have a building consent for work which has been completed but no CCC has yet been issued please make sure you contact Council to arrange for a final inspection to be carried out. If you need more time to complete the work you may request an extension of time either by phone or using the application form available from either our website www.bullerdc.govt.nz/ or from the Council office in Westport or Reefton. A fee of $25.00 is payable for this.

Dog Socializing Classes

Dog socializing classes will start on
Wednesday 16^th November at the Westport Domain from 4.30pm.
Meeting at the main gates near the river.
All welcome.

Following on from the earthquake this morning and the subsequent aftershocks we are experiencing please remember to keep up to date with any local information tune into Coast FM on 96.5

Until all power is restored please treat all lines as live. All efforts are being made to restore power.
AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

Listen to your local radio stations as emergency management officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate advice for your community and situation.
Expect to feel aftershocks.
Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. Help others if you can.
Be aware that electricity supply could be cut, and fire alarms and sprinkler systems can go off in buildings during an earthquake even if there is no fire. Check for, and extinguish, small fires.
If you are in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place. Use the stairs, not the elevators.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas.
Only use the phone for short essential calls to keep the lines clear for emergency calls.
If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window, get everyone out quickly and turn off the gas if you can. If you see sparks, broken wires or evidence of electrical system damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if it is safe to do so.
Keep your animals under your direct control as they can become disorientated. Take measures to protect your animals from hazards, and to protect other people from your animals.
If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.

Information for being prepared for an earthquake is avaible at http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

Information is available on:

Buller Civil Defence Facebook page
Civil Defence Website

2017 Buller Beautification Awards

Now that we’ve sent winter packing it’s time to get your summer planting underway and consider entering the annual Buller Beautification awards.

The awards are open to urban and rural properties, non-residential gardens, public spaces, and pensioner housing gardens.

Judging is done from the street only, as the awards are all about what the residents or visitors can see as they pass by. People can nominate their own garden, or the gardens of others. Entry forms will be available from December and you will be notified where you can pick up and drop off the forms. The Westport and surrounding areas will be judged towards the end of January 2017, with the Reefton/Inangahua judging taking place the week after.

These dates will be confirmed closer to the time. So if you have established a new garden within the last two years, made over an existing garden or generally have a well-kept garden and you think it worthy of an award, we would love to have you enter. Keep your eye out for further information in December’s edition of Connect and on Council’s website.