FREE Every Tuesday
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Fundraiser a long journey for walkers Page 4
MURITAI ST
FEATURE
Pages 20 - 21
Stoke/Nayland take on staunch rivals in two-day comp Page 27
Nelson’s power under threat as owners fight Andrew Board Nelson’s power supply is relying on 50 year-old equipment that one of its owners refuses to upgrade, casting major doubt on security of the city’s supply. Network Tasman, a consumer-owned electricity lines company and half owner of Nelson Electricity Limited [NEL], is refusing to spend money on NEL’s substation at St Vincent St, despite the other owner, Marlborough Lines, saying an upgrade is desperately needed. Its refusal to spend money on the upgrade
comes just months after it spent an esti- work Tasman into a multi-million dolmated hundreds of thousands of dollars lar upgrade and says it should go ahead brawling in court with straight away. “We are not prepared to NEL, over the ownership of power lines in Stoke. take risks for the supply NEL supplies power to We don’t really underof Nelson, so our view Nelson City and was is, regardless of a whole stand the reluctance owned by the Nelson lot of other things, aged to get on with things. equipment should be reCity Council until it was sold to Network Tasman placed and we should get – David Dew, Marlborough and Marlborough Lines on with it. The directors Lines chair. in 1996. from Network Tasman, Marlborough Lines has now called in an it’s fair to say, have a different view,” says independent expert to try and force Net- chairman of Marlborough Lines and NEL
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board member, David Dew. A power cut, caused by a failure to the city’s substation, could put Nelson into darkness for as long as a week he says. Nelson business leaders say a power cut of that size could cause millions of dollars in damage to Nelson businesses. “I have to say, given the experiences of places like Auckland and elsewhere, our view is that we don’t see any benefit in delaying upgrades,” says Mr Dew. Power to Nelson comes through Network Tasman, based in Hope, it is then sent to Continued on page 3.
Hunt for Nelson’s top team is on Could you be a part of Nelson’ s top team? That is what organisers are asking as they finalise team lists for the second Top Team competition at Saxton Field. Top Team runs on a simular format to the television show, Top Town, by giving teams a range of challenges and events. There are three heats, Motueka, Saxton Field and Murchison, with top qualifers battlling it out in the final at the Moutere Hills Centre in early December. Organiser Hayden Bryant says the event was hugely succesful last year and he is hoping for a simular turn out this year. “We had 14 teams last year and it looks as if we will get that again. Top Team is for anyone who likes a good time and a bit of a challenge, it isn’t for pro’s either, it’s for everyone really.” Nelson team the Vylel Ani Maulz say they are looking forward to the event. “We’re defintley excited, it will be awesome,” says team member Dan Hawke. The Saxton Field heat is being held on Sunday 31, October. Entry forms are avalible from The Vylel Ani Maulz gearing up for the Top Team event at Saxton Field next weekend. They are from left; Dan Hawke, Janelle www.tasman.govt.nz/topteam or by phone on Macgregor, Jenelle Strickland, Alice Whitehead, Kirsty Smith and Nigel Wyatt. Photo: Andrew Board. 546 7910 or email topteam@clear.net.nz.