Uncetain future for road access to Franz Josef glacier
From local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
The uncertain future of access to Franz Josef Glacier is up for discussion at today's meeting of the West Coast Regional Land Transport Committee.
The access road and track to the glacier were badly damaged in the storm of March 2019 that cost $4 million in emergency repairs. The work included the construction of a causeway next to the Waiho (Waiau) River as a temporary fix.
But the Department of Conservation (DOC), which owns the road, says there is a high risk of future storm damage and no clear plan for a more permanent or resilient option for the road.
DOC wants funding from the National Land Transport Fund to develop a business case for a long-term solution but needs to have the project listed in the regional transport plan in order to qualify.
DOC is asking the committee for a variation in the plan to include the study, dubbed the 'Franz Josef Access Resilience Single-Stage Business Case'.
The funding requested from the national fund is $200,000 a year to maintain the causeway, and $50,000 a year over two years to prepare the business case.
Work on the study, by DOC and the NZ Transport Agency has already begun and the committee is expected to approve the variation.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.5% 1st December
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17.7% A week before Christmas
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33% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.9% Yes
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14.3% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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