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The Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these … View moreThe Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these donations?
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A crucial hearing affecting the protection of Franz Josef township will finally get under way this Friday more than a year after work began on the $24 million Waiho Scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council let a contract in May 2022 to Greymouth … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A crucial hearing affecting the protection of Franz Josef township will finally get under way this Friday more than a year after work began on the $24 million Waiho Scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council let a contract in May 2022 to Greymouth contractor MBD for flood bank improvements and extensions on the Waiho true right bank, for the $12.5m first stage, but council soon ran into trouble.
Late last year as council tried to quickly resolve the necessary resource consents on a non-notified basis, the Scenic Hotel Group declined to give affected party approval.
Now a public hearing will convene in Greymouth this Friday, July 28, to hear from both sides. The hearing commissioner will first visit Franz Josef on Thursday.
According to papers filed for the hearing, Scenic Circle told the regional council back in January it was not confident construction on the new flood resilience scheme demonstrated enough safeguards to allow them to rebuild the hotel with confidence.
Scenic pointed out that the stopbank below the township and behind the hotel had failed on March 23 2016 “following unauthorised and unconsented work” in the riverbed, including “the diversion of the river towards the hotel.”
It did not state who had done that work but Scenic noted its insurers considered both the regional council and the Westland District Council and their respective contractors responsible for the subsequent flood damage.
"SHGL does not want to see a repeat of this in the riverbed and on the stop banks resulting in flooding or damage to its property in the future."
Scenic claimed it wished to rebuild a new hotel on the old site "but cannot do so" without being able to finance and insure the site due to the risk.
It also contended that what happened in 2016 was down to the regional council's "failure to maintain" the old stopbanks "and to prevent contractors and locals from excavating and gravel" from the old stop bank area.
The council had failed to "properly police and monitor" work in the river bed prior to the 2016 event, and where gravel was taken, to ensure it did not endanger their property or that of third parties.
The council had also failed in its role to ensure resource consents were held by those doing the work.
It was important that the "the failures and processes of the past" were not repeated by the new scheme, Scenic said.
Since January the $30m claim by Scenic's insurers has been settled confidentially for an undisclosed sum by both councils.
In the meantime, work on the northern flood bank improvement and extension by the West Coast Regional Council has slowed to a snail’s pace.
Crucial to the planned work is the raising the existing stopbank, and an extension by nearly 1km extension from the Franz Josef Heliport to below the derelict hotel site.
In the meantime council has had to go back to central government to reassure it that it is managing the situation, in order to keep its funding.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
Meeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
… View moreMeeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
Don’t wait for December, it’s time to start thinking about how you can help today!
For just $40 a box, you can give the gift of hope and 100% of your donation will go to families who are doing it tough this year. Your generosity makes a difference.
Have you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it … View moreHave you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!
If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it really won’t help you feel confident in comparing different plans. We don’t want to see our Neighbours get tripped up and stuck with a big bill this chilly season!
So to help you, we’ve put together a list of all the power terminology that you need to know!
By Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Frustrations with the cost of freshwater farm plans, rolling out from next month, have been aired at the West Coast Regional Council.
Council staff reporting to the Resource Management Committee meeting, on July 13, noted the pending freshwater … View moreBy Brendon McMahon, Local democracy reporter
Frustrations with the cost of freshwater farm plans, rolling out from next month, have been aired at the West Coast Regional Council.
Council staff reporting to the Resource Management Committee meeting, on July 13, noted the pending freshwater farm plans from August.
As part of that an independent farm plan coordinator position for the region, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, had started.
According to a council science and planning staff report the plans will need to include:
* farm maps identifying features such as waterways, discharge of contaminant areas, and other risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems;
* A risk assessment across farming and growing activities such as irrigation, application of nutrients and effluent, winter grazing, stockholding (standoff) areas, stock exclusion, offal pits and farm rubbish pits;
* A schedule of actions to manage identified features and to address identified risks.
The plans will also need to be certified by a freshwater farm plan certifier appointed by the regional council, audited by a freshwater farm plan auditor, and enforced by the council.
Science and planning manager Fiona Thomson said the co-ordinator position was to provide support, education and advice to farmers on developing their farm plans -- with council staff to contribute to that.
Councillor Frank Dooley asked who was actually employing the co-ordinator and how accessible would they actually be to farmers.
Thomson said the position was "fully funded" by MPI and employed by them as an independent person, co-ordinating for the farmers.
Meantime a focus group had been pulled together including key stakeholders in the region such as Westland Milk Products.
The new co-ordinator, Lyn Carmichael, would be able to "direct people to the resource" in order for them to formulate their owner freshwater farm plan.
"At the moment we don't have anyone certified to do the farm plans or to be auditors."
Dooley noted a point made already by fellow councilor Andy Campbell, a South Westland dairy farmer, about escalating costs on the farming economy.
"We can't just keep loading up farmers with cost," Dooley said.
"Farmers are so darn important to the Coast. It's no use pointing out where you can get a consultant from Timbuktu ... these funds should filter down to the farmer.
"It's always the way, up all the consultants...we've got a world full of consultants. This country must be over run by consultants," Dooley said.
Thomson said the council also had some funding for the process to assist farmers as they formulated individual plans "they can write themselves".
However it was the end result that would require the tick-off.
Thomson said the idea was to build plan templates to "upskill to make it obvious what they should do".
Another aspect was accounting for the cultural perspective on water for Mana Whenua.
Campbell said the point was to ensure the whole process was not made "too complicated or hard".
Thomson admitted there was "a lot involved".
"Quite a lot has to happen behind the scenes before it regurgitates out and say, 'this is our farm plan'," she said.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The government's Road to Zero project seeks to set speed limits at 30kph in suburban streets across New Zealand. Do you think this is a good idea?
Reconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown … View moreReconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown creativity and hospitality.
Soak in our thermal springs, be inspired by our artists and artisans, breathe in the scent of our great outdoors or savour our homegrown flavours. However you do it, come and winter our way.
Hello neighbours! Want to help put a big smile on little faces? Buy any red testpot (60 mL) from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2023 and Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids.
The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated!
Countdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date … View moreCountdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date of 23/11/2024, 24/11/2024 and 25/11/2024
- If you have purchased this product, do not consume. You can return the product to this store for a full refund.
You can see past product recalls here.
There's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every … View moreThere's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Murky discoloured water in Waimea Creek has become a sticking point for the West Coast Regional Council.
The catchment is one of the most intensive gold mining areas in the region at present with up to a dozen operations into the creek's upper… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Murky discoloured water in Waimea Creek has become a sticking point for the West Coast Regional Council.
The catchment is one of the most intensive gold mining areas in the region at present with up to a dozen operations into the creek's upper reaches at Stafford and above Goldsborough.
Acting consents and compliance manager Rachel Clark told the Resource Management Committee last week that tracing the source of dirty mine water in the Waimea was proving tricky.
However a gold miner on the catchment who contacted the Greymouth Star immediately after the meeting on Tuesday noted the discolouration giving the creek a blue-grey appearance had appeared again that day.
The man, who declined to be named, said it was a bad look and he could not understand why it was so difficult for council to trace the culprit when the source seemed obvious to him.
"I know where it is coming from. It's very blue - it's obviously coming off the reef."
Blue-grey papa is usually associated with the gold bearing reefs within alluvial layers of gravel in the area.
The anonymous miner said the creek was in the same state in the previous 10 days when it had "ponded up" at the mouth, although it had now apparently blown out making the discolouration more obvious.
"It's not too difficult to trace where it's coming from - it's whether they want to put the effort in to trace it."
The miner said the council in past years would have acted decisively and shut down a culprit found to be the source immediately.
"They would never have got away with it," he said.
Clark said on Wednesday they had been notified of the latest incident and staff were looking into it.
"Someone is down there now," she said.
Similar incidents were investigated "almost immediately" as they were reported.
She earlier noted the compliance team had another busy month with the Waimea catchment "one of the biggest things" in council's sights.
As late as last Monday (July 10), the council had received reports again of a discoloured Waimea Creek.
"Again we're struggling with the lull between what has been seen and it being reported," she said.
At the same time council individual miners had been self reporting dirty water discharges.
Clark said they were potentially looking at doing some further investigation around the Waimea mouth.
"That's an issue and we're looking into it."
Councillor Peter Haddock noted the intensity of mining activity inland on what he described as "a slow moving creek" made the issue complex.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
You could win this fully furnished home in South Island’s stunning Wānaka! Buy your tickets today for a chance to make the snow-topped mountains and crisp, clear lake your very own backyard with a home in the heart of Wanaka!
Worth over $1.5 million this Jennian Homes build features four … View moreYou could win this fully furnished home in South Island’s stunning Wānaka! Buy your tickets today for a chance to make the snow-topped mountains and crisp, clear lake your very own backyard with a home in the heart of Wanaka!
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Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
This winter, we are backing the Football Ferns with our loyal TV Guide readers who will have a chance to win 1 of 5 Premium 65” Panasonic 4K LED TVs worth $3599 each
Pick up a copy of The TV Guide each week starting from the July 15 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to … View moreThis winter, we are backing the Football Ferns with our loyal TV Guide readers who will have a chance to win 1 of 5 Premium 65” Panasonic 4K LED TVs worth $3599 each
Pick up a copy of The TV Guide each week starting from the July 15 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! We’ve put a codeword in each of the following three issues, so find them all for more chances to win. You’ll have until August 20 to enter online or mail in your codeword.
T&Cs apply.
Jimmy’s mother had three children. The first was called April, the second was called May. What was the name of the third?
*Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Like this post!*
We'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
The rising of Matariki (a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades) marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. Happy Māori New Year from the team at NZ Compare!
It is a wonderful time to reflect, to connect with whānau (family), with our taiao (environment), and to celebrate what has … View moreThe rising of Matariki (a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades) marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. Happy Māori New Year from the team at NZ Compare!
It is a wonderful time to reflect, to connect with whānau (family), with our taiao (environment), and to celebrate what has passed and what is to come. We hope you have a warm and safe Matariki.
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