Master Planning


Engagement on the Westport Draft Master Plan has now closed and next steps are being considered by Buller District Council. 

Master Planning is a strategic planning exercise that looks to provide options and opportunities for the short, medium and long term future of the greater Westport area.  

Led by Buller District Council, with funding from Resilient Westport, the Master Planning process seeks to provide a holistic road map for the community, and public and private sectors. 

It aims to guide the development of areas of land for future use, creating greater choice for the community around lower-risk areas. 

Feedback has been gathered on the Draft Master Plan that's been developed to guide Westport's future growth.

The document ‘Cutting Our Own Track – the Westport Concept Framework’ contains a summary of the Draft Master Plan. It was developed by 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 prosperous future.  

It explains how we arrived at the Draft Master Plan, why we believe it is needed, what cutting our own path could look like and how this could be realised.  

During the engagement period, we asked:

  •  Do you see the need for this Master Plan?  
  • Do you agree with our approach to planning for Westport’s future growth and development?
  • What have we missed, and what additional thoughts or ideas do you have? 

The feedback period was between Monday 10 February and Monday 10 March 2025 via the online submission form or paper forms.

126 survey forms were completed (online and written). 77% of respondents indicated they either agree or strongly agree (15.9 % agree, 61.1% strongly agree) with the approach. Participants were given the opportunity to offer additional thoughts or ideas and 62 per cent of respondents did so.

You can read more in our latest media release. The agenda for the meeting can also available be found in the Important Links section.

 This process was an engagement, as opposed to a formal consultation. The goal being to inform the Buller community of the key elements of the Draft Plan, gauge support for the Plan to empower our conversations with decision-makers, and gather the thoughts and opinions from the wider community on what matters most about Westport’s future. 

As such, the Master Plan is and will always be a ‘living document’. It encompasses the best snapshot of Westport’s current situation and possibilities at this moment in time, but will evolve as circumstances change and opportunities present themselves.  

Thanks for your interest in our project. 


Engagement on the Westport Draft Master Plan has now closed and next steps are being considered by Buller District Council. 

Master Planning is a strategic planning exercise that looks to provide options and opportunities for the short, medium and long term future of the greater Westport area.  

Led by Buller District Council, with funding from Resilient Westport, the Master Planning process seeks to provide a holistic road map for the community, and public and private sectors. 

It aims to guide the development of areas of land for future use, creating greater choice for the community around lower-risk areas. 

Feedback has been gathered on the Draft Master Plan that's been developed to guide Westport's future growth.

The document ‘Cutting Our Own Track – the Westport Concept Framework’ contains a summary of the Draft Master Plan. It was developed by 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 prosperous future.  

It explains how we arrived at the Draft Master Plan, why we believe it is needed, what cutting our own path could look like and how this could be realised.  

During the engagement period, we asked:

  •  Do you see the need for this Master Plan?  
  • Do you agree with our approach to planning for Westport’s future growth and development?
  • What have we missed, and what additional thoughts or ideas do you have? 

The feedback period was between Monday 10 February and Monday 10 March 2025 via the online submission form or paper forms.

126 survey forms were completed (online and written). 77% of respondents indicated they either agree or strongly agree (15.9 % agree, 61.1% strongly agree) with the approach. Participants were given the opportunity to offer additional thoughts or ideas and 62 per cent of respondents did so.

You can read more in our latest media release. The agenda for the meeting can also available be found in the Important Links section.

 This process was an engagement, as opposed to a formal consultation. The goal being to inform the Buller community of the key elements of the Draft Plan, gauge support for the Plan to empower our conversations with decision-makers, and gather the thoughts and opinions from the wider community on what matters most about Westport’s future. 

As such, the Master Plan is and will always be a ‘living document’. It encompasses the best snapshot of Westport’s current situation and possibilities at this moment in time, but will evolve as circumstances change and opportunities present themselves.  

Thanks for your interest in our project. 

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Draft Master Plan for Westport

    126 responses

    Resilient Westport engaged with the community on the Draft Master Plan from 10 February to 10 March 2025.

    A master plan is a guideline for the future physical development of a community.

    Our Draft Master Plan looks at smart ways Westport can grow, flourish and develop into the future, bearing in mind some of the complex issues the town faces. At the heart of the Plan is the Westport community. This needs to be a Plan for Westport by Westport – so now is your chance to be heard.