www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
THE VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY 24/7
JOLIE’S DOUBLE SOUTHEE MASTECTOMY ‘WILL P16 PLAY’ P7
Guardian
Ashburton FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879
Looking for a builder with a little more experience? 4 Housing 4 Commercial 4 Farm
Contact Des anytime for an obligation free quote.
www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Phone 03 308 9936 or 0274 323 258
Home delivered from
Big rise in irrigated Mid Canty farm land By Michelle Nelson Mid Canterbury’s claim as the irrigation stronghold of the country has been bolstered by new statistics released by the 2012 Agricultural Production Census. At about 250,000 hectares, Mid Canterbury is the largest area of flat farming land in New Zealand, and about 75 per cent of this area is irrigated by way of irrigation schemes or ground water bores. The total irrigated land in New Zealand increased by 102,000 hectares between June 2007 and 2012 and 60,000 hectares of this was in Canterbury. Other regions to gain traction in irrigated area were Southland and Manawatu-Wanganui. This increase in irrigated land has driven growth in agricultural production. The national dairy herd also increased, from 5.3 million in 2007 to 6.4 million in 2012. Canterbury has had an increase of 445,000 dairy cattle, and in Mid Canterbury the numbers have risen by 72 per cent in the five year period. The average head of cows per hectare on Mid Canterbury farms is now 3.54, well above the national average of 2.83. Exports of milk powder, butter, and cheese increased by 27 per cent in the last five years. Other regions that had significant shifts in dairy numbers were Southland, with an increase of 238,000, and Otago, with an increase of 118,000. “The additional dairy cows will
produce around four times the total amount of milk that New Zealanders consume each year,” Agriculture statistics manager Hamish Hill said. Infometrics data released last month put Mid Canterbury’s GDP growth for the year to March 31, 2012 at 12.2 per cent. While this slowed to a more manageable 3.3 per cent for the final quarter of last year, it was still significantly above the rest Canterbury and the New Zealand average, Grow Mid Canterbury chief executive Rob Brawley said. While dairying continued to be the big economic driver in the district, with dairy farm numbers increasing 62 per cent over the past five years, irrigation was the key that allowed growth to occur, Mr Brawley said. Irrigation also opened the doors for agricultural diversity, with the small seeds, vegetable and arable sectors growing significantly, however it is not just farmers making money, the spin off benefits almost everybody in the district. “What’s important here is the flow through to the local economy, the money that goes into business and into pay packets throughout the district,” Mr Brawley said. And the trend looks set to continue with two Mid Canterbury schemes – the Mayfield Hind Irrigation Scheme and the Ashburton Lyndhurst Scheme, receiving $80 million of a promised $400 million Community Irrigation Fund, for development of large scale irrigation schemes earlier this year.
Council first port of call for vicious dogs By Sue Newman
Photo Kirsty Clay 140513-KC-062
Ashburton College senior drama students portraying the face of fear in the life of fellow student Max Sexton during rehearsals for the school’s Stage Challenge performance, Things That Go Bump In Life.
Stage Challenge entry full of emotion By Sue Newman When Stage Challenge hits the ASB Arena on Tuesday, among the dozens of performances will be a high-powered, emotionally charged mini-drama starring a group of senior Ashburton College students. The students have created an eight-minute dramatic work, Things That Go Bump In Life, that portrays the human struggle against fear, from childhood to old age. In dance and drama against a carefully chosen musical background, the students will portray the impact of fear on one man’s life. In childhood that fear is of ghosts and creatures that hide
Photo Kirsty Clay 050811-kg-072
Stage 1 – now selling
49 sections priced from $167,500 to $220,000. These sections are in demand with over half already sold
Provisonal member of RVA.
in his bedroom, in his teenage years there is the fear of rejection. As an adult the man fears not being able to provide for his family and in old age there is the looming fear of disability and death. Head of drama Claire Bubb has worked with the 75 students as they’ve developed their theme, choreographed movements and overseen the production of sets and costumes, but the ideas, the hard work and the choreography and direction are 100 per cent student effort, she said. “They’ve looked at the idea of how fear changes as you get older but at the end, because we didn’t want to make this completely negative a bright light is shone on his fears to show they
are not so frightening in the light of day.” For the students, the challenge was to create a strong story that could be told without dialogue, and one that could be told within the eight minute time limit, Mrs Bubb said. Stage Challenge is a nationwide, high energy dance, drama and music extravaganza that aims to motivate and inspire students. The Christchurch event on Tuesday will involve more than 1000 performers. Students are involved in every aspect of the show and while the official performances take place in the evening, these are preceded by a day of rehearsals, challenges, dance and entertainment. The college has won many
events at the challenge since the event was first held in 1993. An entry must be an original piece of work involving dance, design and drama which reflects the personalities, concerns, hopes, dreams and interests of those who create it. Each performance runs between five and eight minutes, set to music and each team can have up to 140 members. A panel of industry specialists judge the performances with awards in a range of categories, including performance, production, costumes, make-up and set design. Nationally the challenge is held over 13 venues with 200 schools and more than 16,000 participating.
If there are vicious dogs around the district the Ashburton District Council wants to know. A cyclist contacted the Guardian last week after being attacked by two dogs on Eton Street between Albert Street and Wakanui Road. But council environmental services manager Jane Donaldson said the first point of call for the victim should have been the council. “We take dog attacks very seriously and have the expertise and legal mandate to deal with vicious dogs effectively,” she said. Ms Donaldson said the council’s dog control officers were on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phoning the council on 307-7700. The cyclist said he was riding down the street when the two dogs attacked him. If he had been a child or an elderly person on foot there could have been a serious mauling, she said. Because the council took a tough line on vicious dogs, Ms Donaldson said it was important anyone who had dog related issues contacted the council so its dog control officers could investigate the situation. “It’s disappointing to see that there has been an alleged attack that was not reported to us. The contractor will come out and while he mightn’t see the dogs he’ll pick up some leads and will be able to follow up over the coming days.” Once the council was contacted there would be a quick response and the problem would be logged for follow-up, Ms Donaldson said. The council had a process it went through when a dog attack was reported and that involved tracking down the dogs and their owners. Prosecution of the dog owner could follow but the council’s main focus was on removing the menace, she said. “If no one tells us, we can’t do anything and in this case what worried me was that any warning didn’t go out until several days later.”
PGG Wrightson, Russell Moon and Fail moving By Sue Newman
Centre pivot irrigation is driving economic growth.
90c Casual $1.20
A large slice of Tancred Street’s commercial heart will go under the auctioneer’s hammer next month as PGG Wrightson sells off its inner town assets. The farm merchandise company is relocating most of its operation to a new base on West Street and the Tancred Street building that has been its home for decades is looking for a new owner. Sales agent Colin Gilbert said the history of the building is not well known, but that the company had originally been housed in the two storey building that is now its
neighbour, on the corner of West and Tancred Streets. What is locally known as the Pynes building has been expanded over the years, taking in a building to the north that once housed Osborne’s garage. At one time the complex had its own grocery store and china shop, but changing farmer needs means the site is now too small, Mr Gilbert said. “It’s difficult for truck and trailer units and for parking. Our new site will provide a far better facility for our clients.” PGG Wrightson is relocating onto the site that was home to RX Plastics and this complex has been extended to accommodate
the needs of its new owners. At the new site, PGG Wrightson will have double the floor space for administration and its merchandise area will be increased three or four-fold, Mr Gilbert said. Some staff from the company’s Tinwald grain store will also move to the new site. He anticipates the company will relocate by the end of June. The Tancred Street building, which covers more than 2000 square metres, has been home to what is now known as PGG Wrightson for more than 50 years and is zoned for retail and commercial use. Like all buildings its age it will
need some earthquake strengthening work to be carried out by its new owners. “This has had no bearing on our decision to sell, we’ve had this process under way for 18 months to two years because we need more space.” The Pynes building will be auctioned at the Hotel Ashburton on June 12. The relocation of PGG Wrightson from Tancred Street will be followed, also next month, by a move to Burnett Street by the legal firm of Russell Moon and Fail. This company has operated from a building opposite PGG Wrightson since the 1920s.
Build your dream home in the semi-rural area of Racecourse Road, Ashburton.
Large majority of stage 1 sold out. For those interested in purchasing – lodge your interest quickly. Stage 2 sections are now available, titles due in June and July. Lochlea Estate is a new subdivision, situated just a few minutes’ drive from the Ashburton town centre. These sections offer a unique ambience of tranquillity and privacy with amazing views of the Southern Alps.
Construction of the Lochlea Lifestyle Resort has commenced which is adjacent to the Lochlea Estate. The Lifestyle Resort will provide a range of indoor and outdoor activities and both Duplex and Stand-alone Villas and Aged Care Units. A fully equipped hospital is also planned. This will be Ashburton’s first complete lifestyle resort – covering each stage of the rest of your life.
Phone 03 307 9080 Free phone 0800-2727-837 - After hours: 03-302-6887 - Email: tony@lochlearesort.co.nz
Tony Sands, Resort Manager
Colin Gilbert
Today’s weather
HIGH LOW
15
3