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Film studio gets approval he Environmental Protection Authority has approved the building of a film studio near Wānaka. And it means Central Park, Paris and Venice are coming to Upper Clutha. The 104-page decision was announced yesterday by expert consenting panel chair Heather Ash and members Jan Caunter, Karen Coutts and Rob van Voorthuysen. There is a 15day appeal period.
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Silverlight Studios Limited proposes to establish a film studio, with associated production offices, supporting facilities and tourism activities on a site at 707 Wānaka–Luggate Highway (SH6), about 7km east of Wānaka. “The application by Silverlight Studios Limited is unique. It is made in the context of a shift in worldwide entertainment to streaming and increased demand for content, leading to a worldwide shortage of studio space,” the
panel noted. “It will also be New Zealand’s first purposebuilt large-scale film studio complex aiming to provide world class sound stages and production facilities in close proximity to some of New Zealand’s outstanding natural landscapes and locations.” Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult welcomed the announcement. “Film is one of the three pillars of strategy to
changing our economy so that it is less reliant on tourism,” he told the Sun. “This is a positive, it will come with highly paid jobs and there will be an economic upside – I’m looking forward to seeing the project develop.” The development will be located around an 11-hectare artificial lake with a sound stage lot of up to 10 sound stages and associated workshop and storage buildings at the eastern edge of the lake. Continued on page 9
Dancing to the capital Two Wānaka dance students will train at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington next year. Isabel Martin (12) received confirmation that she had retained her place as a national scholar for another year and Hunter Cranfield (14) has won a place as a junior associate, contemporary major. Both are students at Pointe Central and Dance Out Loud Wānaka. Students’ progress through a tiered structure is assessed each year and those on the national scholars programme visit the school at least once a term “These programmes provide the best foundation on the path to becoming a professional dancer and for students aspiring to train full-time at the New Zealand School of Dance,” Briony Martin of Pointe Central said. Both students attend Mount Aspiring College, Hunter is in Year 9 and Isabel Year 7. “Izzy has been dancing since she was three and Hunter had been doing a hip-hop class in Christchurch for a year before he moved to Wānaka with his family when he was eight,” Briony said. The school of dance programme focuses on the principles of movement, incorporating the definitions of technique as required in ballet, while embracing musicality and artistry. Classes are small and the ballet training is supported by allied subjects such as body conditioning. The level of technique and the frequency of classes increase annually to the age of 16 in preparation for the school’s full-time course.
Hunter Cranfield and Isabel Martin will train with the New Zealand School of Dance.
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GREBE DIARY 7 December 5, 2021
A Great Crested Grebe, Minecraft style.
Most of our Diaries have good news, and some have fantastic news. This one has a bit of both, but mostly fantastic stuff! A few months back, Dan Williams, the Project Manager for Blakely’s of the Boardwalk build asked if I would like a few extra grebe platforms. He suggested I drop one off so that they could have a look at it. Just last week Dan called me asking where they could put them. I suggested at the Otago Regional Council compound in Riverbank Road where Waiwānaka is based, and which is to be our future workshop. There were 10 of them. Ten brand new platforms, all finished and stuffed with pool noodles and ready to go. A measure of my enthusiasm and gratitude is to note that over these last few months I actually built nine. That meant that I needed to spend almost every fine day, from early September to the end of November in the front of my garage building platforms.’ So, to Dan and his team – including Michael Monson and Mackenzie Eagle - and Blakely’s, a very sincere thank you. It is such a wonderful gift, and it really has been a pleasure working with you and your team over the boardwalk build. On the grebe front, six nests hatched chicks this last week. Nests 6, 5 and 15 are due early in the week, nest 1 was due on Wednesday, nest 3 on Sunday and nest 4 next Thursday. It was Sir Peter Blake who observed that “If young people experience the environment, they will learn to love it… and if they love it, they will want to take care of it”. It is in the light of this quote that I really appreciate John Darby’s willingness to also get younger children on board to help looking after our grebes, which he has done for many years now. Recently, we had the help of three youngsters from our community. There are others we have yet to catch up with. First, there was Hinato Watanabe who helped with maintaining and refurbishing platforms in preparation for the current breeding season. Even when Hinato was not helping us, he was still thinking about Grebes and created, for example, the image of a Grebe in Minecraft, which heads this diary. I have to admit that as much as anything that working with children works both ways. More recently Tomas Robertson found my email address and volunteered to come out with me and help with the grebes. At the end of our session, he had asked so many questions I was left pondering whether a book might be in the offing? Finally, Jesse Waghorn, one of my year 6 students at Wānaka Primary School who John also knows well, started helping us during the current breeding season. She is out and about on the kayak and helping us checking nests and counting eggs and chicks. At school she used her independent learning time to write a few sentences about her motivation: Here are her words: “I like helping with the grebes because there are not many Great Crested Grebes left in New Zealand. When I am grown up, I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals and grebes are one of my favourites. I like how intelligent they are, and they have a funny hair style which always makes them stand out from all the other birds on the lake. I admire that John spends most of his time out with the grebes and studies what they do. He is of great help to the grebes, and I hope to help him and Markus more and more in the future”. We are looking forward to their help in the future and hope that their love for grebes and the environment will encourage others to do the same. – By Markus Hermanns
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Action initiative draws 60 Over 60 businesses across Queenstown and Wānaka registered for Climate Action Initiative The programme, which is held over a three-month period, has attracted a positive response from businesses across Wānaka and Queenstown. The Wao Climate Action Initiative is designed to enable local businesses and schools with the knowledge and tools to calculate their greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and take action to reduce them. The programme is funded by QLDC, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism and is free to join. Wao says due to the level of response a number of businesses have been put on a waiting list. “It is exciting to see the types of businesses we have had sign up, including some very prominent businesses in our region,” Carly
Green, Programme Director for the Wao Climate Action Initiative said. “The commitment these businesses are making to identify and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions is incredible and exactly what we need to start achieving our national reduction targets.” The programme is funded by QLDC, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism and is free to join.
Getting into the Rhythm Organisers of what will be the South Island’s biggest New Year festival have added vaccine support technology to ensure festival goers can upload their pass to their Ticket Fairy account. The Ticket Fairy is a ticketing, marketing and rewards system being used for the Rhythm & Alps festival running from December 29 to 31. When the three-day music and camping festival opens punters will stream in via a new bridge over the Cardrona River. Organisers say the vaccine passport has been thoroughly worked on over the last few months with Rhythm & Alps and Ticket Fairy “providing the most robust platform to ensure the safety of patrons while upholding strong Covid-19 public health compliance”. "Each festival ticket holder will easily be able to upload their vaccine pass to their Ticket Fairy account. Once verified, this then marks their ticket as valid at the gate for entry,” Festival Director Alex Turnball said. To do this, all festival attendees must log in before arriving at Rhythm & Alps and connect their vaccine passports. The ticket scanning system will show their vaccine status alongside their usual ticket status, without needing to scan both the ticket and the passport separately. “We are confident this is a secure and simple way to apply vaccine passports to
The festival is shaping up to see off 2021 in spectacular style.
festivals and clear instructions will be sent to all customers within the next few days, with ongoing reminders throughout December.” The three-day festival will draw 10,000 partygoers and more than 6000 campers. Just over 40 per cent of the people who attend come from outside the region, helping bring a significant increase in regional spend to Wānaka and surrounding areas.
The event is already close to a sell-out – only two- and three-day camping, two-day general admission and single day ticket for the Thursday were left by the start of this week. The festival will feature bands on four stages including Kora, LAB, Shapeshifter and Salmonella Dub as well as Lee Matthews, Paige Julia, Tiki Taane, Scribe and P Money.
Regional council marked down The regional council has been given a fail mark for its infighting in a survey of 1700 people across Otago. The results of the community survey will be presented to councillors today (Thursday). Almost a third of respondents were not satisfied with the council. Those who rated the council eight or higher out of 10 when marking overall satisfaction made up 16 percent of respondents. Most – 45 per cent – rated the council five to seven out of 10 – but 30 per cent marked it one to four. The community survey of 1700 people is the first since 2016 to gather insights about community awareness, perceptions, and environmental values in Otago. Survey respondents were from all five Otago districts: Waitaki, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, Dunedin, and Clutha. Council chairman Andrew Noone said it was important for ORC to acknowledge the community concerns that emerged from the data. “The survey report includes some challenging results for ORC, but these are
also the most useful for highlighting where more work is needed to improve public perceptions and satisfaction. “ORC is experiencing significant growth both as an organisation and in our responsibilities – as reflected in our Long-term Plan – and it will take more time and raising of awareness for this to be recognised in the community.” On the issue of councillor infighting, noted in the survey as one of several reasons for some public dissatisfaction, he said different philosophies and personalities brought to the table, along with varying opinions on topics, were a good thing. “The outcomes of these discussions and debate generally add value to the outcome,” he said. “The survey will be invaluable for us as a benchmark in future, as we continue to ramp up our work programmes and be more visible working for the environment throughout Otago.” General Manager Regulatory and Communications Richard Saunders said the survey would provide an important
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benchmark for improvements in future. Unprompted, 75% of respondents identified Otago Regional Council as the organisation responsible for managing Otago’s natural resources, which was a positive result, Mr Saunders said. “We know from the conversations we have around every annual and long-term plan that one of the biggest challenges facing ORC is clear public awareness of who we are and what we do. It’s pleasing to see good awareness of ORC’s environmental role, and particularly our work in relation to water – although other parts of our core function were not as well understood.” He said respondents from the Clutha and Central Otago districts showed a higher level of familiarity with ORC’s range of activities, “which could suggest that our growing work programme in these parts of the region is being recognised by the community”. We hope to see more of that growth reflected in other districts as time goes on.” The survey results can be viewed in this week’s Council agenda at www.orc.govt.nz
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Cash boost for fitness project
Wānaka’s Fitness Collective is among 27 groups to receive support from a new Connecting Communities fund. Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group says its fund is injecting $25,000 across the Southern Lakes region for mental wellbeing activities or events over the summer months. The Connecting Communities fund is part of a $3 million Government fund and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan. The fund was launched a month ago to support community-led activities and events across Wānaka, Queenstown, Cromwell and Te Anau/ Fiordland that improve mental wellbeing by
bringing people together and promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Wha. The Fitness Collective Programme runs in conjunction with Wānaka Police (Blue Light) and Kahu Youth for young people in years 9 and 10. It is designed to empower youth to improve overall wellbeing through healthy choices and positive relationships. The programme involves a 7-week adventure programme, a nutrition class, motivational speakers and a final day – on Saturday - where the youth demonstrate skills learnt and build on the teamwork and resilience developed across the programme. Ignite Chamber of Commerce monthly social paddleboarding on the shores of Lake Wānaka
and Hawea Flat School’s PTA giant outdoor games community equipment also gets a boost. Other groups to received funding included the Queenstown Community Harvest Gardens gardening club, Mums4Mums Wakatipu, Cromwell Youth Trust events, LiveMeWell Te Anau breakfast and workshop for blokes, the Lightfoot Initiative Charitable Trust great scavenger hunt, Silent Disco walking/dancing tour, Fiordland Families Network, Whakatipu Strengthening Families, the Glenorchy Heritage and Museum Group for oldest resident stories, and Sunny Sky art in motion. Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group chair Adell Cox said the organisation
was “thrilled” with the number of responses and inspirational ideas from groups across the region seeking to improve mental wellbeing in their communities in different ways. Te Hau Toka has also formed a new partnership with the Wakatipu Community Foundation which will work on its behalf to manage and distribute the funding to recipients after each funding round. Eligible groups can apply for up to $1000 from the Connecting Communities fund. The next two funding rounds are February 28-March 11, and July 4-15. For more information go to www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka.
Groom with a view…
Wānaka’s Charlotte Kiri Photography has been named as an honouree of the Rangefinder Top 30 rising stars of wedding photography, an international competition, for 2021. Charlotte Kiri Photography is a husband-and-wife duo Charlotte Kiri and Bruno Cretney who specialise in weddings and elopements in Wānaka and Queenstown. They were the sole New Zealand wedding photography company to be picked this year. Contest organisers Rangefinder say the awards showcase a group of emerging photographers who have shown talent, artistic prowess, a unique voice and creative direction in wedding photography. This year’s winners are based in Vietnam, Ireland, Malaysia, Finland and New Zealand, as well as throughout the U.S. “This award is as big as they come in the wedding photography industry. We put our heart and soul into every wedding we photograph, so to win this award is really a highlight of our career,’ said Charlotte Kiri.
Louis and Breigh Sutherland – who are involved in the film industry and spent time between Wellington and the USA – provided this photo opportunity for Charlotte Kiri Photography.
The Council Word
dgeable team about how you Come and talk to our knowle es. ty during these uncertain tim can strengthen your immuni
Heartsure Pulse Oximeter A320
Lifesmart Pulse Oximeter Blue Tooth Device
Vaccination certificates
School holiday programmes
Everyone aged 12 and older now needs to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 when visiting most QLDC facilities and venues. These include aquatic facilities, libraries and community venues. Public reception areas at Council offices at Gorge Road in Queenstown and Ardmore Street in Wānaka are currently open to everyone for general enquiries and payments.
Full details on QLDC Sport and Recreation’s school summer holiday programmes in Queenstown and Wānaka are now available. Head to qldc.govt.nz/recreation to view the daily schedules and book.
Summerdaze Games Our brand new local scavenger hunt challenge is underway! Plenty of time left to join December’s game and score some great prizes, with another round in January. Download the GooseChase app on your phone and search ‘Summerdaze Games’ for more info and to join the fun.
Lifejackets – the rules
• Measures your Oxygen Saturation (Sp02) & Pulse Rate • It is portable and ideal for monitoring respiratory conditions
• Measure Oxygen Saturation level in your blood and also your Pulse Rate • Results can be tracked on your smart phone and exported to your healthcare provider
If your vessel is under 6m long you must wear a lifejacket at all times when out on the water, regardless of the conditions. This includes kayakers, canoers and stand-up paddle boarders. Make sure your lifejacket fits properly, and remember that crotch straps are mandatory for all child-sized lifejackets.
Shelve your library fines Overdue fines on your library account? Visit your local library during December and we’ll clear them as a wee Christmas gift! If you’d like to give a little back, the libraries are also collecting non-perishable food items and gifts. All items received around Wānaka will be donated to Community Networks.
Can I recycle that? Do you have a recycling question? QLDC has launched a new hotline to provide answers like what can go in your yellow bin and where different recycling ends up. Phone 03 443 0024 and we’ll be happy to help.
Sign up and Let’s Talk Want to make sure your voice is heard on the important decisions that matter to you? Check out our dedicated web portal Let’s Talk. Register at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/register and start having your say.
Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM • SUN 10AM TO 6PM THE WĀNAKA SUN
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Doing it for their mates Wānaka has helped to ‘Fly the Flag’ for Mates in Construction to raise awareness around Suicide prevention. Staff at PlaceMakers have been working with ‘Mates in Construction’ for over a year. And they spent November fundraising for the cause – initially setting a $500 target, then getting closer to 10 times that sum. The Mates programme, run across the country, aims to build and strengthen communities in the workplace and across the industry – helping people to be supportive and providing an environment that encourages positive wellbeing. Mates engages with workers through on-site training and provides those identified as at risk with case management support that connects them to professional support. Its Field Officers are trained in suicide intervention skills and have experience with the Building and Construction Industry. Construction workers make up about 9.5% of all workers and a study found between 17.3% (2010/11) and 29.7% (2018/2019) of those who died by suicide in New Zealand were employed in the sector. Branch Operator Tim Davis said PlaceMakers’ close involvement in the industry had brought the company face to face with the issue of suicide and the effects it can have. He and his team members shed hair and sang
Karaoke to raise funds. PlaceMakers organised four fundraising targets that different team members each took part in over the four weeks of November. The first goal was to hit the $500 target which was celebrated in the way of Ash Erasmus getting his legs waxed. The second and third goals were equally as challenging, Ardouin Baker sang karaoke in a drive through when they reached $1000, and another colleague took a splat to the face at $1500. The final goal involved the highest bidders, Nigel Moore and Jimmy Cotter, who donated $300 to win the opportunity to shave Tim Davis’ long curly hair. “I do hope that our efforts will result in positive outcomes. It has definitely been great to do stuff that makes us laugh and forget about the seriousness of the world for a moment,” Tim said. Donors contributed in various ways - and the total is now close to $5000. The Mental Health foundation of New Zealand reported that in New Zealand and around the world, men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide and the building and construction sector remains to be a male dominated industry. • Need to talk? Call the Mates in Construction 24/7 Helpline 0800 111 315. – By Aimee Owens
Nigel Moore shows his skills with the clippers as Tim Davis joins the shaved brigade.
PHOTO: Ash Erasmus
Summer job opportunities Employers who need extra, or replacement, staff in Wānaka over the festive season are being helped by a collaboration of groups who will compile a ready for action workforce. Human Resource specialists Easi NZ and Central Youth Recruitment are teaming up with Ignite Wānaka and Todd Walker Law to promote the project. They will be talking to potential part time workers this weekend at the Edgewater Resort and running fast-track training courses at the same time.
The event is being tagged the first Wānaka summer season casual employment fair. For potential employees it is promoted as a chance to gain work without committing to a full-time job, and to “accept only the shifts you want and still enjoy your summer experience while helping to support local businesses through what should be the busiest time of year”. The fair will feature 20 businesses who will discuss what they need over summer. For more details go to easyas@easinz.co.nz.
Support a local family this Christmas Complete missions, earn points and win prizes in a local scavenger hunt. HOW TO PLAY:
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Vaccines passes required … but be nice, says council boss People aged 12 and older visiting most Queenstown Lakes District Council staffed services, facilities and venues are being asked to show they are fully vaccination against Covid-19 and wear a mask on entry. And they are also being asked to “be nice” following confirmation some staff had been abused and threatened. The change was introduced as the district shifted to the orange light setting of the Government’s Covid-19 Protection Framework. “This is not a decision we have taken lightly but is an important part of our responsibility to
Jim hits the target Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult celebrated news the district has passed the 95% Covid vaccination mark. “We’ve knocked it out of the park. Well done to everybody who has decided they want to protect themselves and the rest of the community,” he said. The Mayor has regularly predicted the district would hit the mark before Christmas. The Southern District Health Board’s corresponding total figure for its region at the same time was 88.4%. “With the vast majority of our residents now fully vaccinated, most people will be able to continue to use Council facilities as usual and Council staff are looking at ways of providing alternative methods of accessing them where
protect our staff and communities as we move into a new phase of living with Covid-19,” Chief Executive Mike Theelen said. “We have a very high vaccination rate right across the district so most people will be able to continue to use our facilities as usual. For those who can’t or have chosen not to get vaccinated at this time, we are endeavouring to adapt or modify our services so they can continue to participate in some form. Obviously, this can’t include using our pools and gym, but it can mean people accessing a growing range of online and contactless services,” he said. possible, such as online library services.” He encouraged people who were not vaccinated to speak to a medical professional about their concerns. “Whatever your vaccination status, you are all part of our community,” said Mr Boult. “With the traffic light system now in place we Jim Boult can be confident that, as a community, we have put ourselves in the best possible position to welcome visitors from Auckland this summer safely and protect our family, friends and way of life.”
16 DECEMBER TO 28 JANUARY
SCHOOL HOLIDAY IDEAS AWESOME FUN FOR ACTIVE KIDS AGED 5-12 See customer services for a brochure and booking form, or visit: qldc.govt.nz/recreation
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Public reception areas at Council offices in at Ardmore Street in Wānaka and in Queenstown are open to everyone. “We know these locations are important for members of the public to ask questions, seek advice and carry out transactions such as rates payments, and we’re confident that through the continued use of plastic screens, face masks and physical distancing we can maintain the safety of customers and staff in these areas at present.” The council would continue to review this position to reduce risk to staff and while maintaining its ability to carry out key functions and public services. “It will take time to get used to the new system, so I encourage everyone to be patient and remain kind to one another, especially at this busy time of year.
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“It’s incredibly disappointing that many of our frontline staff are already being verbally abused and threatened and I would ask people to recognise and respect that Council staff are just trying to do their job. These are decisions of Council made Mike Theelen in alignment with Government direction and legislation. It’s never OK to abuse or make staff feel unsafe.” Mr Theelen said Council will continue to review its policy in line with guidance from Central Government with updates provided to the community at Council venues, its website and social media channels. The same rules regarding vaccination certificates also apply to Council staff and contractors working in these locations.
Looking at the latest strain Two New Zealand based scientists review the arrival of Omicron to the Covid-19 table.
The recently emerged Omicron variant of the Sars CoV-2 virus classified by the World Health Organisation as a variant of concern, has already been identified in a number of different countries including Australia. The emergence of new variants sadly highlights some of the major inequities affecting countries associated with Covid-19 vaccine accessibility and the vaccination roll-out globally. Data released on December 2 from a preprint study involving 2,796,982 individuals from South Africa who has previously tested positive for Covid-19, showed that of this number 35,670 persons had become reinfected with the SarsCoV-2 virus. When compared with the original strain affecting South Africa, the authors of this work found no increased risk of reinfection was associated with either the Beta or Delta variants of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, however the risk of reinfection with Omicron was more than two times higher. This strongly suggests the Omicron variant is able to evade immunity, generated by previous infection. What is yet to yet determined however, is whether Omicron can overcome vaccine induced immunity, and whether or not Omicron leads to more severe illness, hospitalisation and death when compared to other variants. It’s important to note also that information is still needed to understand how protective the current Covid-19 vaccines are against the Omicron variant. Although Omicron hasn’t reached Aotearoa
New Zealand yet, a maintained focus on vaccination, border controls and public health settings will be needed moving forward. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we’re continuing to experience the impact of the Delta variant on day 1 after movement into the new Covid-19 Protection Framework, or Traffic Light System. Lower Covid-19 case numbers are being reported in the Auckland region, with growing case numbers outside the Auckland region and across the country - and including in the South Island. Covid-19 vaccination levels within Aotearoa New Zealand continue to increase. It was also encouraging to note vaccination rates in Northland have increased to 88 per cent for first doses, a testament to all the hard work being undertaken with targeted and tailored equity approaches especially with Māori-led efforts to address Covid-19 vaccine accessibility issues that have persisted. We all still have work to do to keep others safe from Covid-19. Please get vaccinated and tested and reach out to help others do the same. – By Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu Immunologist, Associate Dean (Pacific), Head of University of Otago, Wellington Pacific Office, and Senior Lecturer, Pathology & Molecular Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington.
Calculating the risk Researchers in South Africa are doing an incredible job of trying to find out as much as they can about the new omicron variant as fast as possible and sharing it with the world. In this preprint, they've calculated the risk of reinfection of people who have previously had Covid-19 with this variant compared to the beta and delta variants that caused their second and third waves of disease. Their data suggests the risk of reinfection with omicron could be about three times higher than with beta and delta suggesting the constellation of mutations omicron possesses can help it evade our immune system. One confounding factor could be that the arrival of omicron may have coincided with people's immunity waning after their previous infection. However, there is anecdotal evidence
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from other confirmed cases around the world that the omicron variant may more easily infect fully vaccinated people suggesting this increased risk of reinfection is real. What we don't yet know is how well being vaccinated or having had Covid-19 is able to protect people from having severe disease after infection with the omicron variant. This is something it will take a few weeks to months to find out. – By Siouxsie Wiles Associate Professor, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland.
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Food to go: new stands open
Wānaka’s Food Security Network has launched two new produce stands to reduce food waste and ensure that everyone in the Upper Clutha has access to fresh fruit and vegetables. This initiative is designed to encourage people to share excess produce with the rest of the community. The Food Security Network was formed in July by Community Networks as part of their commitment to food security and food resilience. The group consists of Community Networks, Wastebusters, QLDC, Food for Love, Grow Wānaka, Kahu Youth, Hāwea Food Forest, Wānaka Vegetable Grower’s Club, and Dr Compost. The produce stands are at Community Networks and Wastebusters and were constructed by the Wānaka Community Workshop and Kahu Youth. Albert Town Community Association is also collaborating on the project with their own stand on Sherwin Avenue reserve. “Community and waste reduction is at the heart of what we do at Wastebusters, so we’re stoked to host one of the produce stands to help share surplus food within our community,” said Wastebusters communications coordinator Ruth Blunt. Community Networks Food Security Project Coordinator, Daisy Watford, said the group hopes the project will promote kai sharing. “We want to make sure that everyone in our community has access to healthy food on a regular basis. The stands are just one way to achieve this. If you find yourself with surplus produce in your garden this summer, just pop it into one of the stands instead.” “In order to make it work, we also need people to take the produce home. The stands are open to
One of the two new Food Security Networks stands.
everyone, so please don’t be shy.” she said. The group plans to launch two more stands at the Wānaka Recreation Centre and Luggate by the end of the year. Along with fresh fruit and vegetables, the stands will also accept a variety of other food products including jams, preserves, eggs, and baked goods.
Albert Town Community Association is looking forward to placing their Community Produce Stall on the reserve in Sherwin Avenue this weekend. “The initiative came from a resident who put surplus produce on a table outside their home and it proved popular,” Heather Thorne of the Albert Town Community
Association said. “The association it was an excellent project which benefits all residents. We hope residents take advantage of the stall and bring their surplus produce from their garden to share with others. It’s a win win for everyone.” For more details go to the Community Networks/Link Upper Clutha Facebook page.
Scope gets some Pressies Spreading word, not weed
Scope Media team (L-R) Steven Blackburn, Celia Crosbie, Steph Johnstone, Amy Townsend, Rebecca Williamson.
Scope Media wins silver at NZ Pressies Awards Wānaka communications agency Scope Media has won silver at the 2021 national Pressies Awards for its work on a campaign to help diversify the Queenstown Lakes District economy. At the New Zealand Commercial Communications Council’s annual awards Scope Media won a Silver Award in the Best Use of Media Relations category. The agency was also a finalist in Best Strategic Thinking, Most Innovative Campaign and Best Strategic Thinking for the campaign, which promoted the new Home for Healthier Business brand, which arose out of Queenstown Lakes District Council Economic Development Unit’s (EDU) response to Covid-19. Scope Media partnered with Queenstown design and advertising agency Feast Creative to deliver the project for the EDU. Feast Creative also shares the accolades. Home for Healthier Business is a pilot that
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aims to attract a small number of entrepreneurs and team builders to make the move to the district, in a bid to help diversify the tourismdriven economy. Scope Media managing director Celia Crosbie says the award is testament to the hard work of the team of five Wānaka-based marketing communications consultants, as well as the Feast Creative team and QLDC’s dedicated Economic Development Unit team. “This has been a really worthwhile project and it was a privilege to be able to deliver a communications strategy and quality, authentic content that achieved great results for the EDU. “Media relations was a critical element of the campaign, to get the message out to a wider audience. Our team comprises former journalists so it’s an area of expertise we pride ourselves on.” Scope Media was the only South Island communications agency to be named as a finalist or win an award.
Boaties and visitors to Central Otago lakes are being reminded to check, clean and dry all the gear they use in lakes and rivers as the summer season begins. The water weed lagarosiphon is well established in Lakes Wānaka and Dunstan. It is building up in the Kawarau River and is more regularly being found and removed during monitoring of Lake Wakatipu. Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand is the lead agency responsible for controlling the invasive lakeweed across Central Otago waterways. Left uncontrolled lagarosiphon smothers native underwater plants. It can take over lakes and create dense forests of sludgy weed on the water’s surface, blocking boat motors and ruining swimming. Checking, cleaning and drying boat props and trailers, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards, and fishing gear before and after they enter the water limits the spread of lagarosiphon and other invasive weeds. Toitū Te Whenua Biosecurity and Biodiversity manager Tracey Burton says users should think about the risks to the environment when moving between lakes and rivers. “We’re so lucky to have beautiful lakes and rivers in our backyard where we can have fun and enjoy nature. These waterways are connected and our actions in one area can impact the whole lake and river system.” Boaties, fishers, tourism operators and recreational users of Lake Wānaka are also being asked to be extra careful this summer to avoid damaging biodegradable matting installed in parts of the lake. Hessian matting has been laid at a number of new sites around the edges of the lake. The
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A marker buoy in Lake Wānaka.
PHOTO: NIWA
matting supresses lagarosiphon while at the same time allowing native plants to grow through. Tracey Burton said hessian matting was an invaluable tool in the fight against lagarosiphon in Lake Wānaka, and it should be protected. Around 20 red and black marker buoys are in place in Lake Wānaka to mark areas where new and recently maintained hessian matting is in place. Hessian matting has been laid close to shore at Paddock Bay, Sandspit, Glendhu Bluff Bay (including Emerald Bay). Parkins Bay and Fern Burn (between Parkins Bay and Glendhu Bay).
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Sun Cromwell
Cromwell key to new marketing campaign
Christmas once again Howling winds and a generous helping of summer rain proved too much for Cromwell’s Christmas spirit last Sunday, resulting in organisers moving A Very Central Christmas – with Highlands out by a week. “We had the trees trimmed and the stage decked, but unfortunately the weather decided to be a Grinch,” says Marion Low, Marketing & Communications Manager for Cromwell Promotions. The event has now been rescheduled for Sunday, from 3pm to 6pm at Alpha Street Park. “All our performers and most of our food trucks have been reconfirmed,” says Tania Partridge, Facilitator for Connect Cromwell. “So far it looks like we’re in for lovely weather, so fingers crossed.” The event is free to attend, but gold coin donations to help cover the cost of rescheduling the event will be greatly appreciated. All people over the age of 12 years and 3 months who attend will be asked to show their vaccine passport at the gate.
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Jayne McMillan - CEO, Human Resource Manager, Accountant, Butcher, Packer, Customer Service Representative and more.
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A global campaign backed by leading meat businesses is being fronted by a Cromwell butcher ‘She Looks Like Me’ Aotearoa will showcase the breadth of roles and career options that exist in the meat supply chain and launches with the ‘day in the life’ video of Jayne McMillan who has combined her love of science and her connection to the rural sector. The campaign aims to change perceptions of careers in the meat industry, highlight female role models and encourage more women to join the sector. “When I started in the industry, 27 years ago, there were no women on the processing floor and they were largely confined to administration roles. Through hard work, passion and resilience I now own and operate a boutique butchery and delicatessen where I am CEO, Human Resource Manager, Accountant, Butcher, Packer, Customer Service Representative
and more,” Jayne McMillan said. I am proud to share my meat industry story through the ‘She Looks Like Me’ campaign and urge any women to consider this sector. There is a role for everyone, from technical, butchery or trimming through to marketing, procurement, and leadership - your opportunity for growth is endless. Take the leap. I am living, breathing proof of where that first step can take you.” The campaign follows a commitment to getting more women into the meat sector following the ‘Gender Representation in the Meat Sector 2020’ report which showed that women account for 36 per cent of the industry’s global workforce. Laura Ryan, global chair of Meat Business Women, which created She Looks Like Me, said to attract and retain more female talent, the meat industry needed more visible role models and showcase a wider variety of roles.
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Sun Views
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Film studio gets approval Continued from page 1 “The application responds to the difficulty and expense of shooting in Paris, New York and Venice by constructing back lots to replicate these international film locations,” the panel noted. “The lake is utilised to form the canals and bridges of Venice as well as a generic seaside Hamptons style village and a lake village. The lake will be constructed to enable a range of landscapes, headlands and bridges for filming locations. “Blocks of New York City will be recreated and will accommodate a film school, proposed to be linked to the New York Film School, to provide education and training in all aspects of film, including for local film crew. A portion of New
York’s Central Park is to be recreated to the south of the New York City film lot with trees, ponds, bridges and the iconic ice rink – partly on the basis that Central Park is the most utilised film location in the world and will therefore attract international film companies. “On the southwest corner of the lake a Medieval Village and Hall will be constructed, with the Hall on a terrace overlooking the lake and the Lake Village. These will form part of the tourism component of the Project. The near $300 million projects will create hundreds of jobs. Site preparation work is expected to start next October and the preparation of the artificial lake in April 2023.
Crimeline Chirnside K Kim Sergeant, NZPD Kia ora Wānaka. Welcome to the new world of Orange lights and vaccine passes. I’ll start on that topic and a pat on the back to the businesses that I visited over the weekend who were proactive and organised in managing the vaccine pass requirement. There was an incident on Friday where a customer was threatening after not being allowed access to a recreation venue. A reminder that anger towards businesses who are following the rules will not be tolerated by Police. Traditional Policing wise we had a mixed bag this week. During the week some high speeds were reported on the newly sealed section of Ballantyne Road. Police will be enforcing this new 60km/h speed limit, despite the protests and opinions of some of these drivers. A reminder that over 100km/h on that road will lead to an instant licence suspension. On Thursday a disorderly man ranted racist remarks and abused staff and patrons at the Wānaka Library. Again, another example of people directing their anger inappropriately towards people just doing their job. Police are working to identify this person. On Friday a scam was reported to Police which saw a loss of $6500 to the victim. It resulted from a business having their computer systems hacked and sending out fraudulent invoices. The only lesson is for businesses to ensure their systems are up to date and secure, to prevent their valuable customers being defrauded. A member of the public alerted us to a jetboat being driven dangerously in the swimming area near the Watersports Facility and the Wānaka Tree. Jet boats and that driver in particular, need
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to ensure they are driven in a safe manner and not greater than 5 knots within 200m of shore. On Saturday a man was arrested for multiple shoplifting incidents at Mitre 10 Mega and will soon be appearing in court. He will be joined in court by a freedom camper on Sunday who was charged in relation to diverting electricity from a council facility to his van after being asked to stop. Wānaka Police attended a number of family harm incidents over the weekend, some involving violence. It is not what we want to be attending so frequently, but rest assured we will be there day or night if you are in need of help in your own home. Looking ahead, things will be ramping up for the festive season. We are aware that many will be involved in work Christmas parties to celebrate the hard work of 2021. Please ensure that you have plans to get home safely and expect to see the “Booze Bus” out in the coming week. Stay safe.
Central Otago FUNERALS
Christmas is a time of joy and thanksgiving, but for many it is also a time of sadness and reflection, as we remember family and friends who are no longer with us... But someone’s missing. There is gloom That clouds the festive mood for all And on our laughter casts a pall. For each of us, in our own way, Remember that person this Christmas Day. And midst the tinsel shed a tear; We just wish that person was still here. May you appreciate your time with your family over the Christmas/New Year period. Heather and Graham Stephen, Lynette Hodge, and Elsa Sweetnam.
centralotagofunerals@hotmail.co.nz 5 McNulty Road, Cromwell 9310
0800 263 863 or 03 448 8642
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Penny Fisher RN MBA
027 343 4776
Penny’s Home Care Professional Trustworthy Friendly Reliable Household help, Meal preparation, Outings companionship, Shopping carer support. ww w. pennyshomec are. c o. nz
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz. Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page. Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM
Christmas is coming So December has arrived. It only feels like a few months ago that I was still on maternity leave. And here we are nearly a whole year later. This time last year, we thought we’d be spending Christmas 2021 with our family in the UK. Of course that didn’t happen. Instead, we will be celebrating Christmas Kiwi style - hopefully with some sunshine too. We started our week with a trip to Santa's grotto followed by a visit to the Hāwea Winter Wonderland which was heaps of fun. Last year, Christmas didn't really mean much for Tobias. It was divided up between naps, nappy changes, and milk feeds. This year, it’s all about twinkling lights and baubles that he can spin "round and round." Rather than rocking him to sleep every few hours, this year’s Christmas should be far more relaxing. To help me on my quest for a stress-free Christmas, this week we bought a felt tree. That’s right, we have a Christmas tree made
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of felt that is marketed at parents who want to avoid toddler meltdowns. So, instead of having to tell Tobias to stop pulling the tree down every two minutes, we can just sit back and let him play. We've also made a controversial decision not to do presents. Seeing as Tobias is happy to play with a cardboard box (quite literally) I’m going to avoid the stress of shopping for gifts. In my defense, he will have plenty of presents from the rest of the family. While we won’t be having a wintry Christmas in the UK, I am still looking forward to it. Now that we are finally getting the hang of the whole parenting thing, we can chill out and have some fun with Tobias. Even though there’s a lot going on in the world right now and even though it’s going to be another year before we can have mince pies with the family, we are going to make the most of Christmas with a one year old. Whatever it entails. – By Daisy Watford
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TRADES AND SERVICES STORAGE
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WASHSTATION
• DOGWASH • AUTO & JETWASHES • VACUUMS • LAUNDROMAT Cnr Deering & McCormick Streets, Three Parks
Secure storage Units and parking available. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
PUBLIC NOTICE
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i TEMPORARY ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS - QUEENSTOWN AND WĀNAKA In accordance with clause 1.11 of the Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Bylaw 2018, and section 147B of the Local Government Act 2002, a 48 hour temporary alcohol restriction will be in place in the Queenstown and Wānaka Town Centres. The temporary restrictions will be in place from 8.00am Saturday 25 December to 6.00am Monday 27 December 2021. The ordinary alcohol restrictions still apply from 8.00pm on Friday 24 December until 8.00am on 25 December, and from 6.00am Monday 27 December 2021 until 6.00am Thursday 6 January 2022. The temporary alcohol restriction will include the following areas for Queenstown: a) the whole of the Lake Wakatipu foreshore area from the One Mile roundabout to Park Street including the Queenstown Gardens; b) the area from the foreshore to an outer boundary formed by and including Lake Esplanade, Lake Street, Man Street, Memorial Street, Stanley Street, Coronation Drive, Park Street to the Lake Wakatipu foreshore area directly adjacent to Queenstown Gardens, Boundary Street;
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c) Queenstown Recreation Reserve adjacent to the Memorial Centre. The temporary alcohol restriction will include the following areas for Wānaka: a) the whole of the Lake Wānaka foreshore area from Sunrise Bay/Edgewater to Penrith Park b) the area from the foreshore to an outer boundary formed by and including Meadowstone Drive, Stone Street, Golf Course Road, Macpherson Street, State Highway 84 and Ardmore Street. Further information regarding the temporary alcohol restrictions can be found on the QLDC website at www.qldc. govt.nz/services/alcohol-licensing/alcohol-restrictions-in-public-places.
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
SITUATION VACANT
ARE YOU OUR NEW EDITOR? A unique position in one of New Zealand’s most desirable communities has become available at The Wānaka Sun. We are looking for a full-time editor who can build on recent changes in our weekly publication and drive up readership on our on-line platform. The successful applicant will be a respected multi-skilled journalist with a reputation for outstanding communication, organisation and leadership – and someone comfortable with a camera and digital media. He or she will constantly update our website and produce a weekly print product filled with breaking news, well subbed supplied content, regular columns and great photography. Our new editor will, ideally, arrive with a sound knowledge of Wānaka. Journalism will be our new editor’s life, not 9-to-5. The successful applicant will see this role as a long-term appointment. Organising content and building contacts will be two of the major strengths of our new editor who will work in the community. Our new editor will be a self-starter, highly motivated and flexible. Mentoring will be available if our new editor requires it.
If you are looking for a challenging role in a positive, friendly environment, plus the benefits of working in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, apply today to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz with your CV and cover letter. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
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If not, email your address to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz
SERVICE
THANKS
Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sundays. Ph 443 8000. The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.
Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.
WANTED The Salvation Army Family Store requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068
NOTICE Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043 The Salvation Army Family Store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.
DEATH NOTICE
DOLLIMORE, Marie Anne
Passed peacefully in the company of her loving husband Robert and daughter Suzy at Aspiring Enliven Care Centre, Wanaka on Monday 29 November 2021. Much loved wife and lifelong friend of Robert. Loved mother and motherin-law of Suzy and Mark. Treasured granny of Bradley and Luke. Rob and Suzy would like to thank the wonderful team at Aspiring Enliven for their amazing care. Marie and Rob spent many years in Taranaki, Marie herself a registered nurse, followed by 20 years at Lake Tarawera. They recently relocated to be with family in Wanaka. A private family service has been held to celebrate Marie's life.
YOUR SUN TEAM AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1056
Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea. Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly. Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 News Editor: Roy Pilott • 027 4500 115 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz News tips: editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka
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Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.
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Sun Sport / News
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‘Big Day Out’ A big success
Contractors replaced 29 power poles.
The victorious 'Youth' and coach, Andy Simmers say farewell to Harris Orbell.
Farewell for skipper Harris
Cricketers again faced the prospect of damp weather spoiling their weekends but happily, for several Luggate Albion Junior and one Senior team, enough dry spells meant they 'got amongst it’ last weekend. Friday afternoon saw the 'Youth' team playing at Millbrook against Queenstown Colts, with our lads cracking 159/2 from their 20 overs, William Anderson (25) and Jackson Clark (38) opening in style. A solid bowling effort followed, restricting the hosts to 105/6. Harris Orbell captained the team well in his last game before heading to OBHS in 2022. Seniors: v Molyneaux. Taking on the impressive MCC, our Seniors bowled well, taking regular wickets and gifting a miserly 6 extras, Will Scurr taking an impressive 2/26 off 4 overs as the hosts registered 158/8. Sensing rain, the LACC run chase started with a bang - 24 runs off the first 2 overs before a couple of wickets and heavier downpours ended the game by the eighth over, Tim Cotter heaved a six to finish with 35 runs and the game - drawn. Division 1: Volts v Molyneaux Firebirds. In a pulsating match down in Luggate, the visitors chose to bat first and while batsmen 1-3 scored well, the Volts attack, led by Teddy Hailey (3/21) shared the wickets and gave up very few extras as they bowled out their opposition in 18 overs (of the 25 allotted) for 130. A brilliant stumping by keeper Luke Harold was a highlight. In reply, our boys carefully managed their run chase (featuring William, 29 and Rossco, 24) and with Teddy and Ryan Tombling expertly negotiating the final 3 overs, the 132/9 winning total indicates the tense finish. Division 2: Flames v Molyneaux Stags. in a rainshortened match in Cromwell, the Flames put on a masterclass of accurate bowling, superb catching and tireless support as they skittled their opposition for 73. Toby Hartnell's figures of 5
wickets for 3 runs and Tommy Cotter's heroics in the wet outfield were symbolic of the teamwide effort which carried through to an innings of 123/5 with good runs being made by all. This was an especially pleasing performance given just three days earlier they battled their 'sibling team' Thunder in their postponed Round 4 clash. Thunder v Flames. Following a school day, in 27 degree heat, for the boys and girls to put on the type of performance they did was remarkable. Sent in first, Thunder batsmen, Lauchie Roy (25) and Luke Evans (23) did well as scoring slowed and wickets tumbled until 127/14 was reached. The Flames, while stuttering mid-way, chased down the target primarily through Rui Fukaya's blistering 35 runs and the loss of fewer wickets (that add runs to the opposition), 167/6. Division 3: Heat v Cromwell Cobras. In another tight tussle, Cromwell posted 144/7 with wickets shared across the bowling unit and Lucca Billing outstanding with his support and encouragement. In response, the Heat unfortunately came up short by just eight runs in a valiant effort led by the experienced pairing of Charlie Whipp (13) and Shaya Byrne (13). Stars v Maniototo Ponies. In the all-girl clash in Alexandra, the Stars performed well to make 106 with the bat, Sarah Dougherty cracking a great 21 runs and Sophie Jarvis picking up the 'Play of Day' having showed huge improvement throughout the season. The Ponies chased down the total for a close win. Division 4: Albion Scorchers v Cromwell Strikers. This was another close battle, with the Scorchers getting home 84-83. Other teams were either unreported, rained off or, bizarrely, unplayable due to an overgrown outfield, so we look forward to a full programme of matches to finish this leg of the season next week. – Compiled by Duncan Spear
Course record matched Will McLauchlan took out the 2021 Wānaka Junior Open on Sunday with a flawless, record equalling score of 65. After a steady start of eight straight pars, Dunedin based McLauchlan caught fire around the turn reeling off four straight birdies from the 9th hole to put himself firmly in control of the tournament. After adding another birdie at the par five 16th hole, McLauchlan, without a bogey on the card, stepped off the 18th green with no idea that he had just equalled Wānaka local Ryan Shuttleworth's white tee course record. Ricky Kang (Wakatipu Juniors) secured
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second place with an impressive 69, a score that would have won the tournament most years. Kang took an early lead with two birdies in the first five holes, but a double bogey at the short sixth set him back and despite having no further dropped shots, he couldn't bridge the gap between himself and McLauchlan. The bad weather held off, and organisers were happy to see nearly 40 young golfers compete across the various divisions. The annual tournament is now also part of a new tri-series that started at Cromwell Golf Club and will finish at Arrowtown Golf Club this Sunday. – By Benn Ashford
The Hawera Community centre was kept busy.
Power was cut to Albert Town, Camp Hill, Hāwea Flat, Lake Hāwea and Makarora for up to 10 hours last week as significant work was completed on a section of the electricity network. Aurora Energy’s ‘Big Day Out’ required a power cut for around 1,500 customers. The Lake Hāwea Community Centre kitchen was a hive of activity, with volunteers preparing lunch packs for the contractors that were dropped around the local area. Contractors replaced 29 power poles, 21 cross arms, carried out maintenance on Camp Hill, Wānaka zone substations and equipment for Hāwea and installed switch gear for Longview Subdivision Aurora Energy Chief Executive Richard Fletcher said a major programme of renewal work strengthened the network. “We realise that being without electricity for a whole day is a major inconvenience but by coordinating a number of teams to do work across a number of locations at the same time, it significantly reduces the overall number of planned outages for customers”. Aurora Energy worked with contractors to carry out some work prior to the power being switched off, which meant the power wasn’t off for longer than it needed to be. This included predigging pole holes where possible, planning live line work in some areas to reduce the number of customers impacted, and arranging to back feed
supplies from other areas where this was feasible. As a result, the Hāwea Flat School and Albert Town commercial area did not go without power. To minimise the impact on customers and acknowledge that more customers than usual had their power turned off, Aurora Energy generated the Lake Hāwea Community Centre for the duration of the power outage, and offered services including toilets, coffee/tea, access to the hot water, including fridges for storage and medicine, WIFI, and charging options for phones/devices. A café in Makarora was also generated, with similar services on offer. Aurora Energy had a team set up outside the community centre in Hāwea for the day, alongside the Civil Defence Emergency Management team, which took the opportunity to talk about hazards, planning for emergencies and what to do at home to prepare. “A number of locals dropped in to say hi, and many arrived at the Community Centre library space with their laptops so they could work remotely for the day,” Dr Fletcher said. Multiple contractors, including Delta Dunedin and Delta Central Otago, were engaged for this coordinated project. Delta and Connetics were the main contractors for this project, with subcontractors ElectroNet, NES and CPI. Delta Chief Executive Mike Costelloe said the coordinated effort enabled an efficient and solution-focused approach.
Waterwork upgrade completed A $19m recreation ground wastewater pump station and rising main upgrade has been successfully completed in Queenstown. The new infrastructure significantly improves the long-term resilience of Queenstown’s Wastewater network by providing 550 cubic metres of emergency storage, additional pumping capacity and 2km of new wastewater pipe, all of which reduces demand on the Marine Parade Pump Station located close to Lake Whakatipu. The new pump station conveys wastewater from north of the town centre from areas such as Arthurs Point and parts of Queenstown Hill and will also pump flows from Sunshine Bay and Fernhill in the future. The upgrade is a significant district-wide investment in three waters infrastructure. “This is an incredibly important part of futureproofing our local wastewater network and ensuring it meets the needs of the growing Whakatipu community,” Queenstown Lakes District Council General Manager Property and
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Infrastructure Peter Hansby said. “The increased capacity and emergency storage will take the pressure of the existing facility at Marine Parade and reduce the likelihood of unintentional spills into the lake, particularly in a significant rain event,” he said. The project saw its fair share of disruption along the way. “The construction team faced Covid-19 lockdowns and an unexpected change in approach following the discovery of 6000-yearold prehistoric timber under the ground, putting a stop to our plan to complete trenchless construction,” Mr Hansby said. QLDC Councillor and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Quentin Smith said, “I know it’s hard for most of us to get excited about a wastewater upgrade because you can’t physically see the improvements - but it’s important for us to share and celebrate these milestones as we significantly improve the resilience of the network and put environmental protection front and centre.”
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