Manawatū construction industry prepares for coronavirus lockdown
Most Manawatū construction and development projects will likely halt for at least four-weeks. Manawatū's construction industry is keeping calm, despite being thrown into an enforced period of inactivity by the looming lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The industry was expecting this move eventually, but tradespeople and companies are facing confusion about which of their contracts will count as essential. "The only essential work we'd do is if a building caught fire and was spreading asbestos around the neighbourhood. TKR Electrical owner Amelia Rae said a few electrical jobs would likely count as essential work, but she was double-checking.
Source:Stuff
March 23, 2020 07:41 UTC
Badge for 50 years of service
Elaine Vallender has earned a 50 years service badge. And it’s now earned her a GirlGuiding 50 Years Service Badge. She then became Rangers leader at Ashburton Rangers, with girls aged 12 to 17 years old. And it’s a good time, the Ashburton Ranger’s have new leaders being nurtured to pave the way for the future. She will also finish in her paid role at St John, but continue volunteering with St John, as a health shuttle team leader and promoting the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:41 UTC
Tiger Moths gather at Ashburton Airport
Pilot Jan Chisum and her 1929 Gypsy Moth in Ashburton. Eight Tiger Moths, a Gypsy Moth, three Chipmunks and one Auster were among some of the classic aircraft to touch down at the Ashburton Airport last weekend. The Gypsy was predecessor to the Tiger Moth aircraft. Jan was in the Gypsy’s pilot seat, while husband Jerry was flying one of the Tiger Moths, owned by friend, Des Strong, of Palmerston. The Tiger Moth Club members get together twice a year, including for their annual general meeting.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:41 UTC
NRL shuts down amid Covid crisis
Photo: Getty ImagesThe NRL has suspended its season indefinitely and told players to stop training as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, they have told players to remain in self-isolation and will begin consider multiple options on getting back on the field. “We are going to look at every available option to us in the next week or so as to how we can recommence the season,” V’landys said. “I don’t think we have ever come across a financial crisis like this. “This is a financial crisis.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:30 UTC
Surprise service badge brings Jude to tears
New Zealand Federation of WI’s national executive committee member Kathryn Hopkinson (left), badge recipient Jude Vaughan and Mid Canterbury president Mavis Wilkins. Photo SuppliedWomen’s Institute stalwart Jude Vaughan was the unsuspecting recipient of a WI Good Service Badge recently. Mrs Vaughan was surprised when the award was presented at the Mid Canterbury Federation of WI’s annual general meeting after a secret nomination by her peers at Lowcliffe WI. And for the past seven years has been on the Mid Canterbury Federation holding positions of president, minute secretary and federation secretary. Her badge was presented by friend and fellow national executive committee member Kathryn Hopkinson, of North Canterbury WI; it brought a few tears.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:30 UTC
More focus on biodiversity
Ashburton Biodiversity Advisory Group chair Caption Lynette Lovett. There will be a bigger focus on indigenous biodiversity in the Ashburton District, from both local and central government. The Ashburton Biodiversity Advisory Group also wants council to consider a business case for a biodiversity officer. A biodiversity officer with specialised knowledge to look after indigenous plants was going to become imperative, the advisory group said. Council chief executive Hamish Riach said council would be legally obliged under the new policy to devote resources to biodiversity
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:18 UTC
Coronavirus: A-League future to be decided on Tuesday
Phoenix players celebrate with goal-scorer David Ball during their most recent win over Melbourne Victory. Monday night's clash between Newcastle and Melbourne City could potentially be the last A-League game for the foreseeable future, with the FFA to announce its decision regarding the competition's immediate playing future on TuesdayChief executive James Johnson will front the media to "make a significant announcement regarding the conduct of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season". On Monday evening, the NRL joined the AFL in suspending its men's league, leaving the A-League as the only elite national competition still in play amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Phoenix, who have six games left to play, have been quarantined in Sydney since last Wednesday. The players will have to self-isolate for another 14 days when they return.
Source:Stuff
March 23, 2020 07:18 UTC
Rubbish collection continues during lockdown
Rubbish collections and other essential services will continue in Palmerston North during the four-week lockdown. Kerbside rubbish and recycling services in Palmerston North will continue to operate while New Zealand is in lockdown. Those services include water operations and maintenance, urgent road repairs, kerbside rubbish and recycling collections, the cemetery and the council call centre. READ MORE:* Palmerston North City Council cans public meetings on Annual Plan* Palmerston North's library deemed earthquake-proneShotter said council staff would continue to work during the lockdown. Council staff would continue to be paid.
Source:Stuff
March 23, 2020 07:07 UTC
Snow settles in Maniototo
Snow has been falling in Ranfurly and Saint Bathans this afternoon as a bitterly cold southwesterly moves up the South. An Otago Daily Times reader shared video of snow settling in Ranfurly this evening and another shared a photo of snow on the ground in Saint Bathans. A road snowfall warning is in place for the Crown Range Rd where a few snow showers were expected about the summit this afternoon and evening. Photo: Karen SmytheFrom 5pm to 9pm today, 1-2cm could fall, but little if any snow was expected to settle on the road. Some sleety showers were possible overnight and tomorrow morning.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 07:07 UTC
Upgrades at salmon site
Upgrades to the Rakaia Salmon site began this week, with the old toilets to be removed and the caravan effluent dump station closed until a new location can be secured. "These new public toilets will make a big difference to the salmon site. As part of the upgrades, the caravan effluent dump station is being relocated to another site, yet to be determined. In the meantime, the Rakaia dump station will be closed from Monday, but caravans and campervans will still be able to access the Ashburton and Methven dump stations. More information about the location of the Rakaia caravan effluent dump station will be provided when a new site is secured.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:56 UTC
Rowers in the medals
On the podium, and all smiles are Ashburton College rowers bronze medal winners Matthew Pearce, Jed Amos (cox) Mitchell Taylor, Henry Wallis and Riley Harris with assistant coach Fran Connelly-Whyte. Ashburton College rowers have won silver and bronze at the South Island Secondary Schools Rowing Championships. Wall was also fourth in the U18 single sculls final raced on Sunday. Also in the medals was the boys U18 novice coxed quad sculls boat of Matthew Pearce, Mitchell Taylor, Henry Wallis, Riley Harris and cox Jed Amos. The Ashburton College boys U18 novice coxed four made Sunday’s A final, finishing fifth in a time of 7m:30.14.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:45 UTC
Girls win on domain wicket
Mid Canterbury's Sarah Wilson shows her form during the Mid Canterbury versus South Canterbury cricket match at Ashburton Domain on Sunday. The Mid Canterbury girls cricket team convincingly won their match against South Canterbury at the Flying Fox pitch at the Ashburton Domain on Sunday. It is the second time the young side has effortlessly beaten their South Canterbury opposition. They played in Timaru on February 23 and kept South Canterbury limited to just 55 runs. Mid Canterbury won the game without the loss of a wicket.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:45 UTC
Airport has new fuel supplier
More aircraft could be filling up at the Ashburton Airport when the Ashburton District Council grants resource consent for RD Petroleum to install a refuelling depot there. BP currently have underground tanks which supply one type of fuel, but the tanks have reached the end of their uesful life and the company wants to remove them, relinquish their lease and discontinue supplying fuel. RD Petroleum have agreed to supply and install a 20,000-litre AV gas tank (current fuel) and a 20,000-litre Jet A1 tank. Council commercial manager Colin Windleborn, in a report to the Ashburton Airport Authority subcommittee, said the installation of both fuels would mean an increase in refuelling activity at the airport. Mr Windleborn said a new playground could be installed as the airport was further developed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:33 UTC
Methven reservoir funds
Ashburton council has allocated additional funds of $221,700 for the upgrade of the Methven reservoir. The reservoir provides an essential buffer for Methven’s treated water, and without it, the scheme would not be able to supply water at times of peak demand. The 810m3 concrete reservoir is the only water storage for the Methven supply and has been assessed as a seismic risk. Work will then be carried out on condition assessments and repairs to the existing main concrete water reservoir. The total of $990,000 was $220,000 more than the original budget, hence the request for additional funds, said Mr McCann.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:11 UTC
Locals win environment awards
Mt Somers farmers Mike and Nicky Salvesen, of Wakare, and Richard and Chrissie Wright, of Tamara Farm have won awards at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Mike and Nicky Salvensen won the Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award and the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award. The Ballance Farm Environment Awards champion sustainable farming and growing through their awards programme which sees one Regional Supreme Winner selected from each of the 11 regions involved. Numerous improvements have been made to the property in terms of both production and protecting the environment including a significant tree-planting programme. All activities were guided by an acute awareness of how it could affect the local and wider environment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2020 06:11 UTC