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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Buckets in Ashburton’s new library aren’t for playing with, or an art installation.
They are to deal with a leak in Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council's new library and civic centre that opened in January.
Chief executive… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Buckets in Ashburton’s new library aren’t for playing with, or an art installation.
They are to deal with a leak in Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council's new library and civic centre that opened in January.
Chief executive Hamish Riach confirmed that there had been some minor leaking from the glass atrium above the Pioneer Hall.
“The location appears to be at the edge of the flashing and it may be connected to recent work to replace a nearby double-glazed window.
“It will be fixed as soon as possible.”
The minor leak caused no damage, he said.
When the old library flooded again in November, library staff thought the move to Te Whare Whakatere marked the end of their water-woes.
Library manager Jill Watson has been at the library since 1975 and said at the time it was the worst flooding in the building she had seen, and hopefully the last.
The old building had become prone to leaking following earthquake damage.
After seven months in the new facility, heavy rain this week resulted in two buckets taking up temporary residence in the children’s library.
The historic Pioneer Hall, built in 1916, was absorbed into the new complex and converted into a children’s library.
The old red brick building retained its walls and wonky chimney but had the roof removed, opening it up to the glass atrium.
Contractors replaced a faulty double-glazed glass roof panel in June.
The internal glass on the panel cracked in February and the safety glass has held it in place until a replacement was shipped from China.
Police are aware of reports emerging overnight where people have received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police officer.
The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial … View morePolice are aware of reports emerging overnight where people have received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police officer.
The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial information from you.
People have been directed to go to the bank and withdraw money for evidence of the scam.
This is a scam – no legitimate Police officer will ever ask you to hand over money for any reason.
Overnight we have had five instances of this being reported, people need to be vigilant.
Enquiries into reports of scams of a similar nature received last week remain ongoing.
We appreciate these scammers are convincing, but New Zealand Police will never contact you and ask you to withdraw money. New Zealand Police will also never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, PIN or passwords.
Older members of our community are being targeted and Police urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives to make them aware this activity is a scam.
There are instances where legitimate Police officers will contact you as part of their duties.
Remember:
• Police will never ask for details about your bank cards, PIN or passwords over the phone.
• Trust your instincts.
• If something doesn't feel right, or is too good to be true, it probably is.
• If you are uncertain, ask for the officer’s details.
• Hang up, contact 105 and request the officer to contact you.
• Police aren’t in the business of offering prize money.
If you are in the unfortunate position of being a victim of a scam, please report the matter to Police.
Take the chance to upskill yourself on scam awareness, check for further information on the Netsafe website: netsafe.org.nz...
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton councillors will hold a workshop to decide where they stand on the situation at Lake Camp.
There are fears the lake could become little more than a puddle as the water level has dropped dramatically over the last few years.
And there is… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton councillors will hold a workshop to decide where they stand on the situation at Lake Camp.
There are fears the lake could become little more than a puddle as the water level has dropped dramatically over the last few years.
And there is divided opinion over whether the council should intervene to top up the lake's levels.
Councillor Richard Wilson raised the issue with his fellow councillors at the activity briefing meeting on Wednesday, the first time the council has met since June 26.
With the issue “bubbling along quite strongly” in the community, the council needed to decide its stance, Wilson said.
The Lake Clearwater Residents Association presented the Ashburton Water Zone committee, which Wilson sits on, with a proposal that an organisation seek the resource consent to reinstate the Balmacaan Stream to top up the levels of Lake Camp.
Other agencies aren’t inclined to do anything about it so the district council is “being tossed around” as the ones to take up the resource consent, Wilson said.
Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said it the council’s stance was up to councillors.
The cost of seeking the resource consent could be at least $25,000, she said.
“I don’t know what the chances of success would be, I suspect not high.”
The statutory agencies involved in the Ōtuwharekai working group were not in support of the diversion, she said.
“If you decided as a council you wanted to support it, then you could instruct staff to go ahead and hire consultants to prepare a resource consent application.”
Chief executive Hamish Riach said creating a detailed report on the issue to help make that decision could take months to collate all the complex scientific information, “and I have no doubt it will confirm the need for a resource consent”.
Mayor Neil Brown said the first step is to get an overview of the situation to look into “do we need or want to go further”.
“A workshop might be the best way to advance it.”
Having representatives from ECan, DOC, Te Runanga Arowhenua, Fish and Game, the hut holders and other parties to add the various perspectives would benefit the workshop. he said.
Given the public interest in Lake Camp, the workshop would be public, Riach said.
Councillor Rob Mackle said the issue needed to be addressed quickly and supported action to restore the diversion as right next door to Lake Camp, Lake Clearwater “hasn’t depleted to the same levels” in the same drought conditions.
“It’s basically ECan sitting on their hands again and letting this happen. We need to be in a position to give them a shunt.”
The council has been promoting the area and tourists have been flowing in there, he said.
“We are going to lose those people to another area very quickly and once they start using another lake, coming back here is going to be a big ask.”
We're back with a Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell who is a qualified veterinarian and SPCA’s General Manager Animal Services.
A little bit about Corey:
Corey has an interest in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and biosecurity. He shares his home … View moreWe're back with a Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell who is a qualified veterinarian and SPCA’s General Manager Animal Services.
A little bit about Corey:
Corey has an interest in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and biosecurity. He shares his home with ostriches, guinea pigs, bees, a rescue tortoiseshell named Lynk, a ragdoll named Oscar, two mini foxies called Chester and Maya and a black Labrador named Bonnie.
Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell is excited to answer your questions on all things animal welfare, whether it's how to best look after your new pet, how to combat separation anxiety or how to report neglect.
↓ Share your questions now ↓
Retirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting… View moreRetirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting gears to something more fulfilling or pursuing passions that you now have time for. This might mean volunteering, part-time work, or even starting your own business.
Here’s some helpful advice from Ryman residents in the workforce.
Heavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold … View moreHeavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold easterlies over the South Island, bringing heavy rain, and heavy snow above 400 metres. Southeasterly gales are also to be expected in the west, MetService warned.
What you need to know:
- Orange heavy snow warnings in place until 2pm on Wednesday for the North Canterbury high country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River.
- An orange strong wind warning is in place until 1pm in Westland and Grey Districts. Severe gale easterlies could gust 120 to 130 km/h in isolated exposed places.
- Heavy rain watch for Canterbury Plains from Christchurch northwards and eastern Marlborough until 3pm.
- A treacherous Canterbury State Highway where dozens of people have been injured in icy crashes was still closed on Wednesday due to the snow and ice, as was SH73, SH79 and SH80.
- State Highway 73 Springfield to Castle Hill (Porters Pass) was also closed due to snow and ice, as was State Highway 79 Fairlie, between State Highway 8 and Gudex Rd.
- State Highway 80 Pukaki to Mt Cook (Aoraki Mt Cook Highway) was also closed due to snow and ice.
MetService has urged people to prepare for snow, cold temperatures, and possible power outages.
"If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items."
Check NZTA road closures here before you travel, and weather warnings can be found here on the MetService website.
🚍 Why is boosting biodiversity spending in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula so important? And should pets be allowed to travel on buses?
Regional Councillor Joe Davies, who represents the North East Ōtautahi constituency, gives us his view.
Police can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately… View morePolice can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately be formally identified, and work is now underway to excavate and forensically examine them.
This news has been shared with Yanfei’s immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock.
The area had previously been searched, and new information led us back here to search specific locations of interest.
For operational reasons, we are unable to share the information that led us to search this location.
A scene examination is now underway and Police will be visible in the area for some time.
Police investigation staff are working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Yanfei’s death.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A summer recreational mecca for over half a century, now families fear Lake Camp will be too dry to use this summer.
The Canterbury lake's level has dropped considerably, sparking a community campaign to restore its historic water source to … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A summer recreational mecca for over half a century, now families fear Lake Camp will be too dry to use this summer.
The Canterbury lake's level has dropped considerably, sparking a community campaign to restore its historic water source to avoid it becoming a "manky puddle".
Rangitata MP James Meager has slammed council inaction, saying the situation feels like the Greenstreet Creek all over again, “where in a month's time someone will be apologising for their inaction”.
Native fish died when Greenstreet Creek in Canterbury dried up, despite farmers raising the alarm with the regional council.
“Letting Lake Camp dry up and turn into a muddy puddle is totally unacceptable," Meager said.
“I'll be writing to agencies telling them they need to sort this out, before locals take matters into their own hands. And if they did, I wouldn't blame them."
But Environment Canterbury (ECan) says low water levels aren't having environmental impacts at Lake Camp, and at this stage, there is no need for action.
The Sim family from Methven have waterskied at Lake Camp since the early 1990s, but may not get the chance this summer.
Steph and Mitch Sim’s children are third-generation recreational users of the lake, and they would like to keep the tradition alive.
“It’s a pretty amazing spot up there and the reason we go ... is for the lake,” Steph said.
But the state of Lake Camp was “pretty dire” when the family were there in March.
“It’s the lowest I’ve seen it and Mitch has never seen it that low before and he’s been going since he was a kid.”
Low rainfall in the high country and the lack of flow from the Balmacaan Stream has caused the lake to drain away.
It's frustrating when there is a logical solution that has worked for half a century, she said.
The solution she refers to is a request from the Lake Clearwater Hutholders Association to restore the Balmacaan Stream diversion, which would fill the lake back up.
A diversion from the Balmacaan Stream had previously fed into Lake Camp helping maintain its levels for over 50 years.
The resource consent for the stream diversion ended in 2020 and the diversion itself was scoured out by flowing in 2021.
ECan and DOC have indicated the receding lake level hasn’t impacted the water quality and restoring the diversion would require a resource consent.
Clearwater Aquatic Club president Tony Moore said he is irritated by that stance.
“ECan mechanically opens Lake Ellesmere every year to manage the lake levels, and they are only doing that for the lake's benefit.
“They are assisting nature elsewhere so what’s the difference at Lake Camp?”
ECan has been accused of just letting nature take its course.
However, surface water science manager Elaine Moriarty said that's not the regional council's position.
“We are not currently seeing evidence of environmental harm due to low water levels in this particular lake and that this type of intervention would require a resource consent.”
ECan will intervene where there’s risk to the safety of communities, from flooding for example, or if there is immediate environmental harm.
“Lake Camp’s water levels, although low around the shore, are not impacting the lake’s water quality.
“It has a deep middle section (18m deep) which helps support aquatic life during dry times.
“We do recognise that there may be recreational impacts for people using the lake for water skiing and boating this summer, if lake levels remain low, and that this is disappointing for the community.”
The aquatic club, with a membership of around 60, cancelled annual water ski championships last summer because of the water depth, and it looked unlikely they would hold it this summer, Moore said.
“There is nothing stopping anyone going out there, but [with lower water levels], when you get a few boats and jet skis on there it becomes a real water safety issue.”
The Ashburton District Council has invested in facilities at the Ashburton Lakes and is actively promoting it as a tourism destination, Moore said.
“When people drive in to see Lake Camp it’s the ugly duckling in the middle, the puddle that’s got no water in it."
The diversion must be restored to allow the lake to fulfil its recreation reserve status, Moore said.
Acting district council chief executive Jane Donaldson said they aware of the situation but the council “has not been formally approached yet”.
A Vintage Fair is coming to town 👋
Tomorrow, step into a world of nostalgia and charm at this enchanting Vintage Fair, where treasures from yesteryears come alive.
Stall holders fees to be donated to Kaiapoi Food Bank for the Vintage Fair on 28 July 2024. The charity stall for this fair … View moreA Vintage Fair is coming to town 👋
Tomorrow, step into a world of nostalgia and charm at this enchanting Vintage Fair, where treasures from yesteryears come alive.
Stall holders fees to be donated to Kaiapoi Food Bank for the Vintage Fair on 28 July 2024. The charity stall for this fair is Miscarriage Matters, please give them your support.
With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.
Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the … View moreNeighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
Upgrade a plain cabinet with a dash of yesteryear charm with Resene White Pointer.
Find out how with these easy step by step instructions.
Do you feel less steady on your feet than you used to be, or perhaps have already experienced a fall or seizure? If so, a medical alarm can help you regain your independence and confidence.
If you have a medical emergency or fall, just press the button on your personal medical alarm and speak to… View moreDo you feel less steady on your feet than you used to be, or perhaps have already experienced a fall or seizure? If so, a medical alarm can help you regain your independence and confidence.
If you have a medical emergency or fall, just press the button on your personal medical alarm and speak to an operator through the built-in speaker. If you can’t speak, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately.
There are a number of different medical alarm options available in New Zealand, so you will be able to find one that suits your needs.
Click read more for the full article.
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