“Big thinking from a small town” was recognised with a top award at last night’s SuperLocal: Local Government NZ conference in Christchurch.

Buller District Council’s Master Planning work with the Resilient Westport team took out the SuperIdea - Tū Auaha Award.

The award recognised the concept framework 'Cutting Our Own Track', developed with urban design experts Isthmus to explain how it might be possible for Westport – facing its own unique opportunities and challenges – to move toward a stronger, safer, more resilient and prosperous future.

The LGNZ award acknowledgement described the work as courageous.

“After devastating floods, Westport didn’t just recover, it reimagined. ‘Cutting Our Own Track’ is a courageous, locally led plan to adapt to climate change, reduce future risk, and stay connected to place. Big thinking from a small town showing the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand what’s possible.”

Buller District Council Chief Executive Simon Pickford says the recognition reflects a huge amount of work on the part of the project team and wider team.

“This work was characterised by an extraordinary amount of engagement with the local community. The team really focused on tapping into the thoughts, experiences and aspirations of people in this community about their vision for Westport’s future – their sense of place and what mattered. The stakeholder workshops, Let’s Talk Buller engagement process and extensive community outreach were just some of the ways this was realised.

“This award isn’t just about being recognised nationally for this piece of work, it is a reminder of how much is at stake with Westport’s journey into the future and how important it is to never stop thinking and planning for what’s to come. We’re truly thrilled with this award but will never take our eyes off the real prize, which is a safer, stronger, more prosperous Westport,” says Mr Pickford.

Master Planning Project Lead Paul Zaanen says: “It has been a humbling experience to work with members of the local community on this planning. Without the input of the community members who participated in the design process, this outcome for the future would not have been realised.”

The Westport Master Plan is in its very early stages – a significant programme of works will be undertaken over a long period – from early land access negotiations, right through to urban design. Each and every step and stage will be anchored in community engagement, which is critical to the success and intergenerational nature of the plan’s intentions.

Council is committed to working collaboratively with the community and various other stakeholders as the plan progresses over time.

Stages One and Two of the Master Planning process were government-funded through Resilient Westport and the Better Off Fund. Stage Three, implementation, is being led by BDC.

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