Regional Council Appointee Says He May Seek Election

Thursday, 6 March 2025, 9:22 pm
Article: Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

Buller’s new representative on the West Coast Regional Council says he will consider standing for election later this year if he feels he has made a useful contribution.

Veteran surveyor Chris Coll was the council’s choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Westport’s Frank Dooley in December, and was sworn-in this week.

Chris Coll told Local Democracy Reporting today he hoped to prove useful to the council, and keep the momentum going on Buller’s flood protection projects.

“We’re at a critical time now in Westport and I want to help keep things on track.

“ I’ll see if I’m making a difference, and if I am, I might throw my hat in the ring (as a council candidate) in September.”

Mr Coll said he was following in the footsteps of his daughter Laura Coll McLaughlin, also a surveyor, who had served as a regional councillor in the previous term.

“I’m in her shadow – big shoes to fill,” he said.

At Coll's swearing in, Cr Allan Birchfield objected to the appointment as undemocratic and recorded his vote against the appointment.

--LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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