Preheat the oven to approximate

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

FREE FUEL Two new Marlborough bus services will begin running on Monday, F ebruary 17. The Blenheim to Renwick service and a new Blenheim commuter service will provide Marlburians with greater transport options and complement the existing Blen heim to Picton and Blenheim bus ser vices. The Blenheim to Renwick service will operate from Monday to Satur day, and will run four daily circuits o n weekdays - one early morning, one mid-morning, one mid-af ternoon and one early-evening. I t 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 Marl borough Airport and Woodbourne. F ares 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 wish ing to take the bus rather than drive t o work. The Blenheim to Renwick bus service will also provide people from Blenheim with the opportuni ty to pop out to Renwick for a few h ours 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 commu nity and our growing population,” C ynthia says. The new Blenheim commuter ser vice will operate Monday to Friday a nd will provide two simultaneous services to Southern Blenheim.

The morning services will depart at 7.30 am and 8.00 am. The evening 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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Rabbit population causing concern Public calls for the Marlborough District Council have prompted an investigation into rabbit control options along the Taylor River.

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 Marlbor ough District Council have p rompted an investigation into rabbit control options along the Taylor River.

The Council has fielded calls from residents con cerned about the number of r abbits they are seeing around Blenheim.

A Council spokesperson says the Biosecurity and Parks teams are currently looking at options to control the num bers and are in discussions w ith neighbouring property owners.

“We have already suc cessfully carried out some n ight shooting through a Police-approved and permitted o perator. “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 manage ment agency for the Regional P est Management Plan which has a programme for feral rab bit control, a recognised pest u nder 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.

Harleen Apperley is saying goodbye to staff and friends at Aberleigh Village after 11 years.

New plans for retiree

By Frances Chin

Harleen Apperley talks about her life between giggles. “I was a postie,” she says. “In wind, rain, or shine, I would deliver the Kaikoura post.”

“It’s all different now days,” she says. “You have machines to do it.”

Harleen ‘Harley’ Apperley has lived at Aberleigh Village for 11 years, and at 80 years of age, is still going strong.

Her nickname at Aberleigh is “Double-Trouble,” due to her infectious laugh and her tendency to fall out of bed.

Sadly, after calling Aber leigh Village home for so l ong, Harleen will be moving on to Redwood Rest Home and Village.

Harleen grew up in Kaikou ra, with her parents and her t wo brothers.

Her mother was a seamstress, and her father was a m echanic. As a young woman Harleen worked as a postie, before moving with her husband to Blenheim in 1969.

Harleen worked in a lingerie factory, until she fell pregnant with her first child.

Blenheim has changed greatly during Harleen’s time here. “There are a lot of new shops, it looks very different.” Harleen’s husband, John, was a staple at St Mary’s Catholic Church, working there for 38 years.

“John used to ring the church bell, until the doctor told him to give it up as it was affecting his spine.”

Harleen is an active member of the Marlborough Stroke

Club, and attends the friend ship group. S he loves to have a laugh with her friends there, and to celebrate members’ birthdays at the bamboo garden.

Harleen is sad to be moving on from Aberleigh Village, but is excited for a change of scene.

A lover of good food, she is looking forward to Red wood’s “amazing pork-belly, w ith chocolate cake for desert,” and the friends she will m ake there. Harleen wants to give a big thanks to the team at Aber leigh Village for looking after h er, and a special thank you to her doctors, Doctor Bird and Doctor Hassan, and to the staff at Aberleigh Village. “Thank you very much for putting up with me!”

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February 2 was no ordinary Sunday: it was World Wetlands Day, which saw Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon organise a 3.2km walk around the lagoon and an accompanying family event to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands. The theme of the day was wetland and biodiversity, drawing attention to the global decline in biodiversity and the crucial role of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots. Pictured are organisers Justine Johnson and Gordon Ramsay playing the 'Catch A Rat' game, which was one of the many activities set up for children to take part in. Photo by Aimee O’Hagan.

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