Lois Williams

Whangarei

Northland Regional Journalist at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

Northland Regional Journalist Radio New Zealand News

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Articles

'It stinks' - Weary Grey District locals gear up for another round in dump fight

4 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

The Grey District Council will need to spend at least $60,000 to make its case against the latest resource consent application by the Taylorville Resource Park. Mayor Tania Gibson says the council will not give up the fight against what it sees as a future threat to its $20-million water supply from the private landfill.
Trump tariffs critique sparks councillor to jump to US President's defence

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

If Donald Trump ever found himself on the West Coast, he could count on at least one fan to roll out the regional council welcome mat. Goldmining councillor Allan Birchfield sprang to the defence of the US President at this month's corporate services meeting, after the council's treasury advisor critiqued Trump's tariff policies and their chaotic impact on financial markets.
Stuff

1 month ago | stuff.co.nz | Lois Williams
Stuff

2 months ago | stuff.co.nz | Lois Williams
Controversial West Coast dump unveils expansion plans

Mar 27, 2025 | 1news.co.nz | Lois Williams

A privately-owned Greymouth landfill that has been prosecuted for breaching its resource consents and health and safety rules wants to expand its operation. Taylorville Resource Park Ltd is inviting public comment on its plans, on its website and in newspaper advertisements. The company is applying to the West Coast Regional Council for a Class 2 landfill consent that would allow it to dump more contaminated material at its site overlooking the Grey River.
Controversial West Coast dump unveils expansion plans

Mar 26, 2025 | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

A privately-owned Greymouth landfill that has been prosecuted for breaching its resource consents and health and safety rules wants to expand its operation. Taylorville Resource Park Ltd is inviting public comment on its plans, on its website and in newspaper advertisements. The company is applying to the West Coast Regional Council for a Class 2 landfill consent that would allow it to dump more contaminated material at its site overlooking the Grey River.
Stuff

Mar 25, 2025 | stuff.co.nz | Lois Williams
West Coast mayor fires back at ACT criticism of councils

Mar 19, 2025 | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

Grey District mayor Tania Gibson says the ACT Party's latest criticism of local government is a cheap shot at councils trying to make ends meet against near-impossible odds. ACT announced this week that it is seeking like-minded candidates to stand for council under the party banner year, saying local government needs a clean-out. "ACT has been focused on tackling the cost of living, wasteful spending and co-governance in central government," ACT leader David Seymour said.
Botched rates and uncertain valuations flagged by council auditors

Mar 19, 2025 | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

Mistakes in setting rates and a best-guess system for valuing assets have earned the West Coast Regional Council a do-better warning from its auditor. The council's Risk and Assurance committee held a marathon three-hour meeting on Tuesday with newly-appointed independent chair Graeme McGlinn at the helm. The experienced accountant who performs the same service for several other councils, spent Monday with council staff to discuss West Coast Regional Council's [WCRC] systems and finances.
Cheaper radar units a game changer for Coast flood monitoring

Mar 11, 2025 | rnz.co.nz | Lois Williams

New radar technology is making it easier - and cheaper - for hydrologists and Civil Defence to keep an eye on rivers around the West Coast and predict floods. The West Coast Regional Council now has a network of about 50 telemetry sites tracking rainfall and river levels. Hydrology manager Samwell Warren says about 12 sites have been added in the past year.