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The Sun
Wednesday February 5, 2020
Hospital soon to ditch the coal for a more ‘greener’ option By Celeste Alexander
For the last eight years Wairau Hospital has burned an average of 1000 tonnes of coal in its three boilers, however this is set to change thanks to the announcement of funding to future proof the region’s hospital by replacing them with a more ‘greener’ option. The Government is investing around $5million in Wairau
Hospital, although details on how and when capital will be made available are yet to be confirmed. The announcement was welcomed by Nelson Marlborough District Health Board chief executive, Peter Bramley, who says there is “some urgency” to the need to replace Wairau Hospital’s coal-fed boilers. “While we don’t know
exactly what fuel source or system will be best for Wairau Hospital, we can assure the community that it will not be coal-based. “We look forward to a greener future for our hospital,” he says. Of Nelson and Wairau Hospitals, only Wairau’s boilers exclusively use coal. Nelson Hospital uses a combination of landfill gas and coal.
Wairau Hospital's coal fueled boilers will be replaced with a greener option thanks to the announcement of $5mil funding from the Government.
Green light for new commuter bus services Two new Marlborough bus services will begin running on Monday, February 17. The Blenheim to Renwick service and a new Blenheim commuter service will provide Marlburians with greater transport options and complement the existing Blenheim to Picton and Blenheim bus services. The Blenheim to Renwick service will operate from Monday to Saturday, and will run four daily circuits on weekdays - one early morning, one mid-morning, one mid-afternoon and one early-evening. It will also run two circuits on a Saturday - one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon.
The service will begin and end at the Seymour Street Countdown and will include multiple stops in both directions including Springlands Countdown, Pak’nSave, the Marlborough Airport and Woodbourne. Fares for this service will be $3 for adults and $1.50 for school-aged children. Children under five-years travel for free. SuperGold card holders can travel for free during off-peak hours in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Wairau-Awatere Ward Councillor Cynthia Brooks says it’s great news, especially for Renwick residents and for Blenheim commuters wishing to take the bus rather than drive to work. The Blenheim to Renwick
bus service will also provide people from Blenheim with the opportunity to pop out to Renwick for a few hours for coffee or lunch, or hire a bike to cycle around the many cellar doors in the area,” she said. “Council took on-board lots of feedback from the public, who suggested routes and travel times. I think we have found a good solution that meets the needs of our community and our growing population,” Cynthia says. The new Blenheim commuter service will operate Monday to Friday and will provide two simultaneous services to Southern Blenheim. The morning services will depart at 7.30 am and 8.00 am. The evening
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services depart at 5.15 pm and 5.45 pm. These services will depart from and return to the Countdown Seymour Street bus stop and each circuit will take around 23 minutes to complete. The West route will travel along Maxwell Road, Taylor Pass Road, Forest Park Drive, Hillcrest Avenue, Wither Road and Howick Road. The East route will travel along Stephenson Street, Houldsworth Street, Muller Road, Redwood Street, Wither Road and Weld Street. The fares for this service are $2 for adults and $1 for school-aged children. Children under five years will travel for free.
Both services will be operated by Ritchies Transport Holdings Ltd through a variation to the Blenheim Bus Service contract. Cynthia says people need to support the new services. “The new bus services are an 18-month trial. Through the public survey we ran last year, I know many residents are passionate about improving public transport in Marlborough. If the new services are supported by the public, they are much more likely to continue for the long term.” The timetables and locations of bus stops for the new services will be posted on the Council website by Wednesday, February 12.
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Public calls for the Marlborough District Council have prompted an investigation into rabbit control options along the Taylor River.
Rabbit population causing concern Rabbits have been the hot topic of discussions among Blenheim residents in recent times, but it hasn’t been about their cute-factor or potential to taste delicious in a pie. It’s been about the high number seen in areas along the Taylor River Reserve. Public calls to the Marlborough District Council have prompted an investigation into rabbit control options along the Taylor River. The Council has fielded calls from residents con-
cerned about the number of rabbits they are seeing around Blenheim. A Council spokesperson says the Biosecurity and Parks teams are currently looking at options to control the numbers and are in discussions with neighbouring property owners. “We have already successfully carried out some night shooting through a Police-approved and permitted operator. “Public areas like this can
be challenging. Control work takes careful planning to ensure that there is no risk to the public.” The Council is the management agency for the Regional Pest Management Plan which has a programme for feral rabbit control, a recognised pest under the Biosecurity Act. Under the Plan, property owners are responsible for pest control on their own land. This allows the Council to control pests on the land it owns or manages.
