Reefton Campground accommodation project


Buller District Council invited public feedback on a proposed development at the Reefton Campground. The campground is part of the Reefton Recreation Reserve, located between Bridge Street and Ross Street in Reefton.

Background

In June 2023 Council endorsed a funding application for $300,000 from the Department of Internal Affairs Better Off Funding, to support the Reefton Campground Accommodation project.

This initiative aims to alleviate the shortage of worker and visitor accommodation in Reefton, by providing seed funding, to establish up to 10 new transportable cabins at the Reefton Campground. The cabins will initially serve as temporary worker accommodation and later be repurposed for visitor accommodation.

The proposal

The project's proposal involves the construction of four double units, two single units (which are accessible units), and 10 car parks on part of the Reefton Reserve. The cabins may be prefabricated off-site and later transported to the site, where they will be connected to essential services such as power, drainage, and plumbing.

The benefits of this development are:

  • Provide long-term or temporary accommodation for workers and/or Reefton visitors.
  • Set the site aside as a camping ground and a relocatable home park.
  • It will not create a financial burden on Council or ratepayers.

The Reefton Campground is located on a recreation reserve under the Reserves Act 1977, and Council is the administering authority under the Act. Therefore, any decision regarding the reserve's development must be approved by Council, and the public needs to be consulted.

The outcome

A consultation was undertaken in July 2024 and eight submissions were received. Five of the submitters supported the proposal, and three opposed it. The individual submissions are available on this page and a summary can be found in the Council Report.

Council approved the proposal at its meeting in August and consented to progress the development.


Buller District Council invited public feedback on a proposed development at the Reefton Campground. The campground is part of the Reefton Recreation Reserve, located between Bridge Street and Ross Street in Reefton.

Background

In June 2023 Council endorsed a funding application for $300,000 from the Department of Internal Affairs Better Off Funding, to support the Reefton Campground Accommodation project.

This initiative aims to alleviate the shortage of worker and visitor accommodation in Reefton, by providing seed funding, to establish up to 10 new transportable cabins at the Reefton Campground. The cabins will initially serve as temporary worker accommodation and later be repurposed for visitor accommodation.

The proposal

The project's proposal involves the construction of four double units, two single units (which are accessible units), and 10 car parks on part of the Reefton Reserve. The cabins may be prefabricated off-site and later transported to the site, where they will be connected to essential services such as power, drainage, and plumbing.

The benefits of this development are:

  • Provide long-term or temporary accommodation for workers and/or Reefton visitors.
  • Set the site aside as a camping ground and a relocatable home park.
  • It will not create a financial burden on Council or ratepayers.

The Reefton Campground is located on a recreation reserve under the Reserves Act 1977, and Council is the administering authority under the Act. Therefore, any decision regarding the reserve's development must be approved by Council, and the public needs to be consulted.

The outcome

A consultation was undertaken in July 2024 and eight submissions were received. Five of the submitters supported the proposal, and three opposed it. The individual submissions are available on this page and a summary can be found in the Council Report.

Council approved the proposal at its meeting in August and consented to progress the development.

  • Minister opens new Reefton Campground accommodation units

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    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones visited Reefton today and officially opened the long-awaited accommodation units at the Reefton Campground.

    The units have been developed by Buller District Council (BDC), in partnership with Development West Coast (DWC) and Endura (formerly known as Federation Mining).

    Endura will initially lease the units to provide short-term accommodation for the company’s workers, supporting Reefton’s expanding workforce. The units will eventually transition to become visitor accommodation, enhancing Reefton’s tourism capacity in the future.

    BDC’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “More than 50 local workers and businesses have worked together on this project, from factory

    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones visited Reefton today and officially opened the long-awaited accommodation units at the Reefton Campground.

    The units have been developed by Buller District Council (BDC), in partnership with Development West Coast (DWC) and Endura (formerly known as Federation Mining).

    Endura will initially lease the units to provide short-term accommodation for the company’s workers, supporting Reefton’s expanding workforce. The units will eventually transition to become visitor accommodation, enhancing Reefton’s tourism capacity in the future.

    BDC’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “More than 50 local workers and businesses have worked together on this project, from factory construction staff to onsite tradespeople - providing a significant lift for the Buller economy, alongside increased employment for the Reefton community.”

    The total budget for the project including contingencies was $1,731,102, with contributions of $350,000 from Endura, a loan of $700,000 from Development West Coast, $43,102 from BDC’s wastewater budget and $338,000 from council’s Amenities Reserve Fund.

    “We are pleased to see this collaboration come to fruition, boosting Reefton’s ability to host workers, visitors and events. It’s a great example of local businesses and local government getting behind the community for the benefit of all” concludes Mr Blom.

    Council thanks all project partners and contractors for working so hard over the last four months, constructing the cabins to deliver this important investment in the Reefton community.

  • Reefton Campground Accommodation Project cabins on track for August delivery

    Buller District Council is pleased to confirm that the Reefton Campground Accommodation Project continues to make good progress, with delivery of the new cabins to site scheduled for early August.

    These accommodation units, which are being constructed at South Peak Homes' Westport factory, are now at the internal fit-out stage. Internal painting, kitchen and appliance installation and general finishing is underway this month.

    Once delivered, the cabins will be fixed to foundation piles onsite, connected to services, and then prepared for final compliance checks and commissioning.

    Despite delays, all parties remain committed to

    Buller District Council is pleased to confirm that the Reefton Campground Accommodation Project continues to make good progress, with delivery of the new cabins to site scheduled for early August.

    These accommodation units, which are being constructed at South Peak Homes' Westport factory, are now at the internal fit-out stage. Internal painting, kitchen and appliance installation and general finishing is underway this month.

    Once delivered, the cabins will be fixed to foundation piles onsite, connected to services, and then prepared for final compliance checks and commissioning.

    Despite delays, all parties remain committed to the August delivery milestone, with final commissioning and handover to the campground set for early September 2025.

    Reefton-based builders and subcontractors have confirmed they will increase the resources they have available onsite to maintain the programme’s momentum and prepare for handover and occupation as soon as practicable.

    A formal handover with key project stakeholders will be scheduled for early September 2025.

    With over 50 local workers and numerous West Coast-based businesses involved in both the factory-based building and onsite installation stages, this project continues to support regional employment and provide modern, warm accommodation for Reefton’s workforce and visitors.

    Council thanks all project partners and contractors for their ongoing commitment to delivering this important investment in the Reefton community.

  • Reefton Campground Accommodation Project gains momentum

    Good progress is being made on the Reefton Campground Accommodation Project, with stage one works involving site preparation and laying out of building pads recently completed by WestReef Services.

    Stage two is now underway, with onsite infrastructure works ongoing over the next few weeks. South Peak Homes will begin building the new cabins in their Westport factory on 19 May, which will allow the new units to be completed and delivered without any weather-related delays.

    GP Contracting, West Coast Building & Development, Craig Neill Plumbing and ElectroNet Services are ready to commence onsite works to connect the new units to

    Good progress is being made on the Reefton Campground Accommodation Project, with stage one works involving site preparation and laying out of building pads recently completed by WestReef Services.

    Stage two is now underway, with onsite infrastructure works ongoing over the next few weeks. South Peak Homes will begin building the new cabins in their Westport factory on 19 May, which will allow the new units to be completed and delivered without any weather-related delays.

    GP Contracting, West Coast Building & Development, Craig Neill Plumbing and ElectroNet Services are ready to commence onsite works to connect the new units to services and ready them for occupation.

    Group Manager Corporate Services Paul Numan says: “More than 50 local workers and businesses are part of the project, from factory construction staff to onsite trades including roofing, plumbing, drainage, and landscaping services, providing a significant lift for the local economy and general employment.”

    This project is backed by central government’s Better Off Funding, Federation Mining, and loans from Development West Coast and Council’s Amenities Reserve Fund. The Amenities Reserve Fund loan will be paid back in full, with interest. There is no additional cost to ratepayers.

    Completion of this project will boost Reefton’s ability to host workers, visitors and events. Council acknowledges the support of the Reefton community while the development takes shape. Regular updates will continue to be provided.