Clutha Country News Feed

TUAPEKA MOUTH FERRY BACK IN OPERATION

1364382000

Clutha District Council Media Release
Thursday 28 March 2013

Tuapeka Mouth Ferry back in operation

Clutha District Council is pleased to advise that the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry will be back in operation from this afternoon, Thursday 28 March 2013.

Operation of the ferry was initially suspended on January 10 due to flooding and high flows on the Clutha River. It was subsequently suspended further as a result of damage to the ramp anchor point on the Tuapeka Mouth side.

Repairs and other planned maintenance to the ferry were then prioritised under Council’s Bridge Repairs Contract awarded to SouthRoads in February.

The work has now been completed and the ferry will resume crossing the Clutha River between 8am and 10am, and 4pm and 6pm daily (including the Easter holidays) effective from this afternoon.

Permissible loads are dependent on river conditions and are at the discretion of the operator on site.

ENDS

BALCLUTHA MAINSTREET UPGRADE UPDATE

1360494000

Clutha District Council Media Release
Friday 8 February 2013

Balclutha main street upgrade update

Clutha District Council has accepted tenders from three different design consultants to provide proposals for the Balclutha main street upgrade.

Manager District Assets Jules Witt said the successful tenderers were MWH/LA4 Partnership, Baxter/SouthRoads Traffic Design Group Partnership, and Boffa Miskell.

Mr Witt said the successful tenderers would now put together concept designs and estimates for the upgrade.

A working party made up of members of the Balclutha Traffic Management Study Reference Group, plus several main street retailers, would then help to select concept designs before putting them out to the wider public for consultation.

“Council has chosen three design consultants so that a range of options can be presented for consultation with the public,” Mr Witt said. “At this stage, we expect the concept designs will be released for public consultation around the middle of the year.”

Through last year’s Long Term Plan process, Council set a total budget of $2.6 million for the project including $400,000 for the undergrounding of power lines in the main CBD area and $550,000 worth of footpath upgrades.

Mr Witt said that exactly what the rest of the upgrade would include would depend on the proposals received. But it could potentially include redesign of road layouts, new street furniture and plantings to enhance the area.

ENDS

For further information/comment, please contact:
Jules Witt
Manager District Assets
Phone: 03 419 0200

MOBILE APP PUTS RUBBISH/ RECYCLING AT FINGERTIPS

1355828400

Clutha District Council Media Release
Tuesday 18 December 2012

Mobile app puts rubbish/recycling information at fingertips

Clutha District Council has just launched a new mobile app which puts all the information residents and visitors need to know about rubbish and recycling in the Clutha District at their fingertips.

Waste Minimisation Officer Brendon Harper said the ‘my-waste’ app is a first for New Zealand and had been rolled out using funding received from the Ministry for the Environment for waste minimisation.

Mr Harper said the app allows mobile device users to download the full range of rubbish and recycling information including wheelie bin collection schedules, landfill and transfer station fees and operating hours, and a search function which lets users quickly find out what to do with a regular or an out-of-the-ordinary item. Users can also set optional reminders for their wheelie bin day.

“Residents can also look up handy waste minimisation tips to help them reduce the amount of waste they create. This feature is particularly helpful for anyone finding that their rubbish wheelie bin is fuller than before with the move to a fortnightly collection.”

The Clutha ‘my-waste’ app also includes a ‘report-a-problem’ function which allows residents to report problems such as a missed wheelie bin collection, damaged bins, illegal rubbish dumping and even overflowing public rubbish bins.

The ‘my-waste’ app is free to download by going to www.cluthadc.govt.nz, or by searching for ‘my-waste’ in either the Apple AppStore or Google Play. A version for Blackberry is also expected to be available in the new year.

Mr Harper said it was important to note that the ‘my-waste’ app was a supplementary way for Council to communicate information about rubbish and recycling to the community. Council would continue to distribute printed materials and have information on its website for people who prefer more traditional promotional and educational materials.

ENDS

For further information/comment, please contact:
Brendon Harper
Waste Minimisation Officer
Phone: 03 419 0200

RESTRICTED FIRE SEASON COMING INTO FORCE

1355223600

Restricted fire season coming into force

The onset of warmer weather will see a restricted fire season come into force for the entire Clutha District on Monday 17 December, Principal Rural Fire Officer Neville Hills said today.

The start of the restricted fire season means that permits are required for all fires in the open air, except for the following:

• The burning of agricultural crop residues, stubble or straw, provided a fully ploughed firebreak of at least 5m has been created first.
• Barbecues lit in properly constructed containers which are fuelled with gas, solid or liquid fuel.
• Cooking fires at camping sites lit within a concrete or stone surround and with no less than 3m of ground surrounding the container cleared of all combustible materials.

However, Mr Hills said none of the fires listed above are permitted to be lit in high or gusty wind conditions. In all cases, the person lighting the fire must remain in attendance until the fire is out or cannot spread.

“Anyone else intending to light a fire in the open, in either rural or urban areas, needs to get in touch with Council and give at least five working days’ notice to obtain a fire permit,” he said. “This will give a rural fire officer time to inspect the site, check the conditions and give advice to the applicant.”

Mr Hills said the issuing of permits would take place during office hours next week up until 3pm on Friday 21 December, then recommence after the Christmas/New Year break from Tuesday 15 January.

This means that anyone wanting to hold a New Year’s Eve bonfire will need to apply for a permit before 21 December.

Mr Hills said that even with a permit, it is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure the fire does not spread. Prosecution and cost recovery is still possible if a fire gets out of control, even if the fire is of a type allowed to be lit.

Further advice and fire permit application forms are available from the Clutha District Council main office, and from the Lawrence, Milton and Tapanui Service Centres.

ENDS

STANDARD SUMMER WATER RESTRICTIONS UNDERWAY

1355137200

Clutha District Council Media Release
Monday 10 December 2012

Standard ‘Summer Mode’ water restrictions underway

The onset of summer sees the normal ‘Stage One – Summer Mode’ water restrictions come into effect for the entire Clutha District today, Monday 10 December 2012.

Manager District Assets Jules Witt said the ‘Stage One – Summer Mode’ restriction means watering is restricted to between the hours of 8pm to 8am only.

This means that watering systems and sprinklers may be used during these times, but should not be left unattended and the occupier must ensure that water is not being used wastefully.

Mr Witt said that while it may seem strange to have water restrictions given the recent wet weather, these minor restrictions are more about getting people into the habit of using water conservatively and hopefully avoiding more severe restrictions if dry conditions do prevail throughout summer.

“It is also important to note that while many of the district’s water schemes have plentiful sources, restrictions are required during times of high demand because the treatment plants and pipe capacity of schemes restrict the amount of water that can be delivered to consumers,” Mr Witt said.

Exemptions may be granted by Council on a case-by-case basis to commercial properties and for irrigation depending on the level of restrictions in place, the extent of the dry period, and the time of the year.

Other tips for conserving water include:

• Report water leaks in Council pipes and fittings to your nearest Council office, or call 0800 801 350 if outside of business hours.
• Fix drips and leaks in your own plumbing and outdoor troughs etc.
• Water the garden in the early morning or evening, and only as necessary.
• Don’t leave water running unnecessarily.
• Showers are more economical than baths.
• Use a bucket to wash the car.

ENDS

For further information/comment, please contact:
Jules Witt
Manager District Assets
Phone: 03 419 0200
________________________________________

COUNCIL RAMPS UP RECYCLING COLLECTION FOR SCHOOLS

1351076400

Clutha District Council Media Release
Wednesday 24 October 2012

Council ramps up recycling collection service for schools

Mayor Bryan Cadogan today delivered a recycling skip to South Otago High School as part of Clutha District Council’s rollout of additional recycling collections to schools throughout the district.

As part of its new Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, Council has offered additional recycling bins free of charge to all schools and non-profit early childhood education centres on or close to the wheelie bin collection route. Ten schools have so far taken up the offer.

Mayor Cadogan said that additional recycling for schools would help encourage recycling from an early age.

“Good habits are learned young and there are several reasons why recycling is a good habit to get into,” he said. “Diverting waste from landfill saves ratepayers money in waste levy costs, and will also help lower costs under the Emissions Trading Scheme when landfills become liable for emissions from next year.”

“As well as this, we have a responsibility as a community to look after our environment and achieve a more resource efficient, less wasteful society,” Mayor Cadogan said.

ENDS

OWAKA GOING FORWARD

1349694000

Owaka Going Forward Media Release
Tuesday 9 October 2012
Owaka Going Forward
Following community workshops and a public comment process, the Owaka community has finalised a Community Development Plan which will help the area flourish in time for the 2015 celebrations of the 150th anniversary of settlement at Owaka, and beyond.
A community committee, made up of representatives of the area’s key community groups and sectors, has been formed to lead the plan’s implementation. Called ‘Owaka Going Forward’, the group will facilitate communication within the community and between the community and external groups.
Owaka Going Forward Chair, Gary Dawkins, said that the plan is already showing signs of success, with an Owaka Business Owners Group being formed and the decision being made to use ‘Place of the Canoe’ (the translation of ‘Owaka’) as the town’s theme and identity.
Feedback from the community and Iwi is now being sought on how the canoe/waka theme can be implemented.
Mr Dawkins said that planning for an upgrade to the town’s landscape and celebrations for the 150th anniversary has also begun.
Other projects and actions included in the plan include new public toilets, securing better broadband coverage and establishing a public laundromat and shower.
Members of the Inaugural Owaka Going Forward are:
• Melanie Burgess
• Grant Bradfield, Agriculture Rep
• Aileen Clarke, Catlins Coast (joint)
• Gary Dawkins, Owaka Business Owners Group (Chair)
• Kim Dodds, Catlins Coast (joint)
• Trevor Hewson, Catlins Promotions
• Alex MacCreadie, Catlins Area School
• Bruce McGill, Owaka Lions Club
• Hilary McNab, Catlins Ward Councillor (Secretary)
• Mike McPhee, Catlins Historical Society
• Bruce Wilson, Catlins Community Company
Mr Dawkins said youth and senior representatives will also be appointed to the group, although these are yet to be confirmed.
The group will be meeting fortnightly for the beginning, with meetings moving to monthly once things get up and running.
Owaka Going Forward welcomes feedback and comment at any time. Members can be contacted individually or through the group Chair, Gary Dawkins, who can be contacted on 415 8583 and adeleandgary@riverridgeretreat.co.nz.
The finalised Community Development Plan is available at the Owaka Museum and online at www.cluthacountry.co.nz. by clicking here