Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

Please provide any data the navy may have that shows shoaling of the sea floor on the West Coast in the vicinity of the Buller River mouth.
The third extension of the Buller River training walls was completed in 1968 to allow the cement and coal trade to ship economically viable tonnages.
The current shoaling at the river mouth and beyond is now much worse than was apparent before the 1968 extension.
The port at Westport no longer has a cement or coal trade but our council has indebted ratepayers approx $4 million because a private company has had them believe that they can export mineral sand from Westport for a ship to ship transfer off the coast and for shipment to Nelson!
One shipment to Nelson was made and the vessel (Manahau) never made its way back into harbour but beached at Carters Beach. It is currently under two marine enquiries.
If the RNZN has charts pre (say) 1975 and post (say) 2000 then the extent of the shoaling could be determined to educate Buller District Council that its port is no longer viable.
With thanks
Paul Reynolds
21 Snodgrass Road RD2
Westport
17 December 2024

Yours faithfully,

Paul Reynolds