Westport Rating District - Westport Flood Protection Scheme reset

Long-Term Plan 2024-2023 Amendment Westport Rating District flood protection works

WCRC is consulting with the Westport Rating District community over proposed changes to the Westport Flood Protection Scheme.

An extensive review over recent months has resulted in the need to reset the scheme to deliver a more affordable solution, that still achieves a significant reduction in the flood hazard.

This means considering:

the impact on rates arising from the increased cost of the scheme
changes to the level of flood protection to be delivered for Westport, and
funding flood protection for Carters Beach.

The proposed changes represent a significant variation from what was included in WCRC's Long-Term Plan (2024-2034) and what was consulted on with the community in 2021.

The Special Consultative Procedure runs from Monday 21 September until close of business 21 October 2026.

The consultation is open to all, targeting those who live in and around the Westport Rating District. This includes Westport, Carters Beach and Snodgrass Road.

Two options are being proposed for consultation.

Option One - Core protection scheme

The main Westport Flood Protection Scheme built to:

1.5% AEP (Annual Exceedance Probability) protection level
based on the current climate
400mm of freeboard (additional height to allow for uncertainties)
The revised alignment of the Carters Beach stopbank (built to a 1.5% AEP, plus 300mm freeboard).
Total additional scheme borrowing required is $22.5m, in addition to $10.2m already committed. Total borrowing up to $32.7m.

Option Two - Optimised hybrid scheme

The Optimised Hybrid Scheme provides an extension of Option One for the main Westport Flood Protection scheme, and Carters Beach.

1.5% AEP (Annual Exceedance Probability) protection level based on the current climate
400mm of freeboard
The revised alignment of the Carters Beach stopbank (built to a 1.5% AEP, plus 300mm freeboard).
The difference involves constructing some short sections of stopbank in a way that they can be raised more cost-effectively in the future if required.
Total additional scheme borrowing required is $23.6m, in addition to $10.2m already committed. Total borrowing up to $33.8m.

Both options provide a level of protection equivalent to a 1 in 67-year flood and would protect Westport from a flood comparable to the July 2021 event.

More information on the proposed changes can be found at www.resilientwestport.co.nz/special-consultative-p...

Have your say

The submission form at the end of this page accompanies the Westport Flood Protection Scheme Consultation Document September 2026; the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 and Option One Amended 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan Financial Statements and key changes; and Option Two Amended 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan Financial Statements and key changes.

We recommend reading the consultation document before completing this form.

Submission details

Submissions can be made for one calendar month between Monday 21 September and Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 5pm. Submissions received outside these dates will not be accepted. Hearings for submissions will take place on 27 October 2026 in Westport. If you wish to speak to your submission (in person or online), please signal this when you complete the submission form (link at end of this page).

Submissions are one of the most powerful ways communities in New Zealand can shape local government decision-making. Your voice matters. Make it count.

Where to find out more

Attend one of our community drop-in sessions on Wednesdays between 11am and 1pm at 147 Palmerston Street, Westport.
Go to the Resilient Westport website (under Flood Protection/Special Consultative Procedure).

Privacy statement

Submissions are a public record and part of the public consultation process. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Submissions, including names, are published on our website and Council official documents. Please do not include any personal information in the main content of your submission that you would prefer to be kept private. While contact details (address, phone number and email address) are provided to elected members along with your feedback to be considered when making their decisions, contact details will not be made publicly available on the Council’s website or official documentation. Please refer to WCRC’s website or contact Council for a copy of our Privacy Statement.