Dear Buller District Council,

Earlier this year I questioned the apparent dumping of contaminated spoil in the river.

I had requested the copies of the correspondence.
Chris Barnes has since left WCRC.

Former Harbour Master David Barnes has written about his concerns with dumping in that location.

From: Kevin Smith

March 06, 2025
Dear West Coast Regional Council,

1. . . Could you please provide the correspondence between WCRC and other parties, including BDC, following the Pollution report filed in mid-Jan ?

The event was originally reported to the Compliance Team by Kevin Smith, it concerned the dredge Kawatiri and the activity in the Buller River.

Background. ......
The dredge was operating in the Westport lagoon and Buller River on 9th and 10th Jan 2025.
The webcam footage appeared to show the dredge trickle discharging in the Buller River. It did not cross the bar and dump at the normal site. This activity was early morning and covered three or four trips.

Over the weekend, 11th Jan, a resident reported seeing an oil stain line running along a stretch of the North Beach.
I spoke to him and also a former Harbour Master, before ringing and filing the event report, possibly about 15th.

I have not received a reply or heard of any follow-up.

Yours faithfully,

Kevin Smith

Could you please review and provide details of the consent issued ?

Yours faithfully,

Kevin Smith