Wanaka Sun 16 - 22 Jan 2014

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Another e-coli contamination Last week’s e-coli outbreak in Lake Hawea was the third in as many months. PAGE 2

Local jobs under threat An electrical business with three Wanaka staff is worried about its employees’ job security, following an announcement by Aurora Energy just before Christmas that it will be giving all its irrigation work to Delta. PAGE 3

THUR 16.01.14 - WED 22.01.14

WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

inside:

Ambassadors of Wanaka PAGE 3

Safety first Life changing gift

Harbourmaster Marty Black has asked boaties to be aware there are more swimmers than usual in the lake in the run-up to this Saturday’s Challenge Wanaka event and to keep a sharp lookout at all times, particularly in choppy conditions which can make it difficult to spot a lone swimmer. “This is a big event that brings a lot of people to Wanaka, and water safety is a major consideration,” he said. He also advised swimmers training in the lake to swim on the south side of Roy’s Bay, to be visible, and to swim in a group or use a safety kayak. Local kayaker Matt Dyer (pictured) shadowed James Blunt while he swam the course on Tuesday.

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PHOTO: RUTH BOLGER

Busy year for construction Harry’s got talent PAGE 7

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Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun This year is shaping up to be a busy one for Wanaka’s construction industry – the number of building consents issued continues to climb, a large house building company’s work has increased by 40 per cent, and a major developer says he is busier than ever. During the latter half of last year, the Queenstown Lakes District Council granted 252 consents for residential and commercial buildings in the Wanaka ward, valued at $56.5 million. That was 38 consents and $16.1 million more than for the same

period in 2012. The council’s building services manager, Pete Laurenson, said the

would also increase during the next six months. “Residential has been strong the last

Residential has been strong the last couple of years – which has been against the trend of the rest of the country. I don’t see that dropping away, but I do see more commercial picking up. number of residential building consents issued in the Wanaka ward had been climbing steadily since late last decade, and he anticipated commercial activity

couple of years – which has been against the trend of the rest of the country. I don’t see that dropping away, but I do see more commercial picking up.”

The number of building consents issued was a clear indicator of impending activity, Pete said, because building permits were a final part of the construction planning process and work needed to begin within a year of consent being granted. Stonewood Homes Central Otago director, Mark Harry, said since the start of this financial year on April 1, the company had signed 34 contracts for new houses and he expected the number to climb to at least 40 before the end of the year on March 31. Story continues page 2...


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