Business South October 2020

62 | ESL is proud to be involved with WestReef Services Ltd Member ElectricalContractorsAssociationofNZ MASTER ELECTRICIANS (03) 788 9900 www.electroservices.co.nz • Specialists in Industrial Automation & Controls • Industrial • Commercial • Domestic • On-Farm • Refrigeration • Heatpumps • Generators • General Electrical Work CONTRACTING WestReef Services TT Kim Newth O perating since 1996, WestReef Servic - es Ltd is the Buller District’s largest civil construction and maintenance company. In today’s uncertain times, the company is hard at work on projects making a tangible difference to the communities that it serves. A core client for WestReef is the Buller Dis- trict Council (BDC). WestReef is fully owned by Buller Holdings Ltd, a BDC controlled trad- ing organisation. In addition to council work, WestReef has diversified and expanded its client base over recent years to offer a wide range of maintenance contracts and other civil project services. Today, WestReef is a large local employ- er with a team of around 95 staff, working across roading and civil works, parks and reserves, sewage and water services and environmental projects with a string focus on health and safety. The company operates two roading divisions: one to support mainte- nance of local roads in the district and anoth- er to support the state highway network with other local partners. WestReef owns and operates its own mod- ern fleet of plant and equipment, with assets maintained to the highest standard by their in-house mechanical workshop staff. Dylan Taylor, WestReef General Manager, says having to shut down during the level four lockdown earlier this year was difficult but the company is now back on track with some exciting projects underway. In April, WestReef won the tender for a design and build contract to replace a 600m section of main trunk pipeline for Westport’s water supply. The section being replaced - the Terrace Section – is the first part of a 5km treated water trunk main, long overdue for capital investment. “This is such an important project because this is the first time in more than one hundred years that this piece of infrastructure has been fully renewed,” Dylan says. “We’ve got photos on the wall of when the old pipeline was first constructed. WestReef is midway through construction of the first stage of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail. which connects Westport to Carters Beach, with the trail ultimately connecting Westport and Charleston. 294 Palmerston St Westport • 0272209443 sales@westporthire.co.nz Suppling the Westcoast with quality Access, Construction, Earthmoving and General Hire equipment. Delivering key projects for Buller “Now we have the opportunity to renew it and build something that we hope will last for the next one hundred years.” The trunk main conveys gravity-flow water from an elevated treatment plant down into Westport, where it connects with the town reticulation. Put simply, if it fails then the town doesn’t have water. “It’s all about adding resiliency. It would be fair to say this project is a real landmark for us and the Council.” WestReef is also midway through construction of the first stage of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail. This first section is from Westport to Carters Beach, with the trail ultimately connecting Westport and Charleston. “This is such an important project because this is the first time in more than one hundred years that this piece of infrastructure has been fully renewed.” Development of the spectacular new walking and cycling trail is being fully funded as part of the Provincial Growth Fund’s West Coast commitment. “By the end of this year, for the first time, local people will be able to bike or walk safely from Westport to Carters Beach and experience the history and landscape in ways they never have been able to before now,” Dylan says. WestReef also maintains other iconic local tracks, such as the Old Ghost Road, a new 85 kilometre walking and cycling trail that winds through remote valleys, across mountain tops and down river gorges.