26 April - 2 May 2018 | Edition 867

Dished up

INSIDE THIS WEEK FARMING: PAGE 10 VIEWS: PAGE11 sport: Page 16

Cooking comp at Kahu Youth.

paGE 6

Trail ride draws crowd Hundreds of bikers took part in the fourth annual Wanaka Trail Ride.

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Lest We Forget WHITE & Aimee Owens R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

T

he local community came together as one on Anzac Day (Wednesday, April 25) to remember servicemen and women from Australia and New Zealand, many of whom went to war and never came home.

A morning of prayer, song and impeccably-observed silences included dawn services at Hawea and the Wanaka lakefront, before another service was held inside the Lake Wanaka Centre (LWC).

After a brief introduction, the LWC service began at 9:30am with the national anthems of both New Zealand and Australia, before Reverend Ian Hyslop read the Anzac dedication and an assembled audience of more than 300 joined in for a response prayer.

There were also readings from St John Youth and students from Mount Aspiring College, before the Act of Remembrance preceded another prayer and a silence.

The day marked 100 years since the end of the First World War and Commander Lyal Cocks RNZN, who led the service, said the number of people in attendance throughout the day showed the strength of spirit in the local area.

“I understand there was a big turnout at Hawea and over 500 at the dawn service in Wanaka.

“The turnout and involvement of the community and community groups shows what a strong community we have and it all comes into focus on Anzac Day, where they all display that community spirit,” he said.

After the service, a parade led the way down Ardmore Street and

across the Brownston Street car park to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Wanaka Cenotaph, which included a silence, a performance of The Last Post and a roll call of those who fell in the two World Wars.

Calum MacLeod laid one of the wreaths and said it was an honour he hoped to continue for many years.

“It’s always an emotional time. My job is to turn up and not burst into tears. If you listen to the roll call, 10 percent of New Zealanders were in the Great War. I think that’s the highest of the Commonwealth nations and it shows the Kiwi spirit. I’m immensely proud,” he said.

Observer Ainslee Keenan said she always attended the service in memory of her father, Harold Facer.

“It’s remembering my Dad. He served in the islands in World War II and we always come and remember him. We visited Gallipoli a few years 1 ago, it was very moving trying to imagine,” she said.

Deidre was in Wanaka on holiday from Wellington and came to pay her respects to her grandfather, who served on the western front in World War I. Despite being injured twice, he still returned home.

“Wherever you go in New Zealand, you share a connection on Anzac Day. “The turnout today just shows the strength of the community in Wanaka.

Families bring along their children and although the service is similar to the way other towns respect those lost, it’s 3 significant for small towns because those that are lost are felt more,” she said.

PHOTO: Aimee Owens On the day, plans were also 1. Wanaka stands still as Lyal Cocks conducts the wreath announced to update the Wanaka laying service at the Wanaka Cenotaph.

Cenotaph after recent research 2. Local Loris King lays a poppy at the Wanaka Cenotaph. uncovered additional names of those 3. The parade to the wreath laying service begins outside the who gave their lives.

Lake Wanaka Centre.

PHOTO: Aimee Owens

2 PHOTO: Nikki Heath

Boundary lines are indicative only

Wanaka 10 Little Oak Common

Wanaka 17 Forest Heights

Wanaka 10 Matai Road

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Brownston St hotel proposed PHOTO: supplied

Feedback on Eely Point TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Public feedback on the draft Eely Point Development Plan has been released by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Feedback closed on January 19, with 182 submissions received. The feedback came from residents, holiday home owners and visitors with a wide age range - from 10 years old to retired people.

Many people commented on the proposal to site the Marine Rescue Centre at Eely Point, with 60 submitters in favour and 13 against. Those for the inclusion of the centre felt that the proximity to the water was an important factor in ensuring an effective rescue service.

One submitter said, “A site on the east side of Roys Bay minimises deployment time and hence radically increases the survivability of a person in trouble on the lake – during the summer it can take between 30 to 90 minutes to deploy, the proposed site will enable a deployment time of between 20 to 25 minutes to be achieved. For those who are not wearing a wetsuit in our lakes the survival time is short, i.e. about one to three hours.”

Those against the inclusion cited the conflict between the passive recreation offered by the area and the inclusion of further buildings and a rescue service operating from them.

“It is not a suitable place for a large emergency response vehicle and I am saddened that the council would even allow it to be considered. Quite apart from the compromised amenity values and inappropriateness of such a building in the heart of a reserve, the practicality of ensuring access and manoeuvring in such a tight area seem to be an insane proposition,” said one submission.

There were 43 submitters in favour of closing the road around the point and making the area

pedestrian or cyclist only. Active Transport Wanaka has submitted extensive feedback on the opportunities for cycling and pedestrian access at Eely Point and has requested the opportunity to discuss its recommendations.

Other submitters wished to see the existing trees remain. There was concern from many people that the trees provided essential shelter from the wind and removing them would change the nature of the area. There was some support (11) for succession planting with natives and deciduous trees (7).

Twelve people commented that they would like to see weed species removed.

The natural beauty of Eely Point was a big topic, with 41 submitters stating this was the reason they enjoyed the reserve. It reminded them of ‘old Wanaka’ and was a welcome respite from the development and business they saw elsewhere in the district. They enjoyed the passive recreation the area offered and ‘wild’ nature of the reserve.

“Eely Point is a serene, sheltered green space in the middle of increasing development. Please keep it this way with lots of trees, grass and an absolute minimum of structures,” said one.

“Eely point is so beautiful because of its natural ‘untouched’ beauty. Please don’t clutter it with a whole lot of unnecessary stuff that can be found in other places around town. I would hate to see the area filled with car parking and concrete structures,” wrote another.

A QLDC spokesperson said, “The overall impression was that people love Eely Point as it is, unspoilt and natural and any further development will have to be carefully done to retain this feeling.”

There will be a workshop to discuss feedback with the Wanaka Community Board, QLDC’s Stephen Quinn and report author Garth Falconer. Thereafter, an updated development plan will be produced reflecting public feedback.

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has formally received a resource application for a hotel development at 67 Brownston Street.

B Property Group proposes to construct a three storey, 35-bed visitor accommodation complex with a street front cafe and two communal kitchens. The modular construction will be built in China and be assembled on site in Wanaka.

A publicly accessible rooftop bar is also included in the construction.

The proposal does not include provision for carparking, with the Wanaka Urban Design Panel Report discussing this issue at their meeting on February 9.

“The lack of on-site parking was again briefly discussed with regard to arrivals. The applicant’s

Consent sought for new subdivision TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Deb Clark Photography NZ/@debc_nz

Photographer Deb Clark took this photo of the Aurora Australis above Wanaka on Friday, April 20, at around 10.30pm.

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representatives confirmed that the reception area had been designed as a large enough space for small groups to arrive and be checked in at the same time.

“The lodge is relatively small scale so numbers will be manageable.

Bulky luggage, such as ski bags, can be taken directly to the storage area.

“The applicant’s representative confirmed that sufficient space will also be available in the storage area in the final design,” the report said.

The panel suggested talking to QLDC about a transport strategy including a ten minute limit for vehicles unloading and dropping off directly outside the hotel on Brownston Street. Alternative dropoff was suggested by the panel in nearby Pembroke Park car park adjacent to the bus park.

Pictured: The site of the proposed 35-bed hotel.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has received a resource consent application from Alpine Estate Ltd for a 94 lot subdivision on Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka.

The site is beside the Heritage Village development, situated to its west. The site links to this area via Mountain View Drive, and provides direct connection to Oakridge Resort on the opposite side of Cardrona Valley Road.

To the immediate east of the site is the planned Bright Skies Limited special housing area (SHA), which will provide 250 dwellings and to the south, approximately 19 hectares of land rezoned under Plan Change 46 into Low Density Residential and Industrial B activities. The site is separated by a

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narrow strip of consented residential development, with the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village beyond it.

The proposed development will be implemented in four stages. Stage One will be the formation of Road 1.

Stage two entails the development of Lots 1-31 and Lots 51-54 and formation of Road 3.

Stage three entails the development of Lots 32-50 and Lots 55-64 and formation of Roads 2 and 4, then Stage four entails the development of Lots 65-96 and formation of Road 5.

Two open spaces are proposed.

One is a central neighbourhood park of 3000sqm, while the other is a smaller roadside linear park of 1430sqm, with block sizes ranging from 450sqm to 2040sqm.

Submissions are now open until May 11 and can be made on the QLDC website.

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Police station redevelopment

PHOTO: Graeme Perkins

PHOTO: Nikki Heath

TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The demolition of the old police station on Helwick Street is now underway, with a resource consent application for two new commercial building lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

The resource consent application proposes two separate buildings on the site containing a mixture of uses.

The proposed northern building will consist of a single level retail space, with access to a roof terrace above for fair weather hospitality usage.

The proposed southern building will consist of a two storey commercial building. The ground floor would be a mixture of retail and hospitality usage.

The first floor would be set aside for commercial office space.

Both buildings share an internal laneway space between building footprints. A shared courtyard space at the rear of the site in the north-north east corner would be used dependant on the final tenant mix.

The resource consent is currently being considered by QLDC. Pictured: Demolition underway at the old police station site on Helwick Street.

Positive feedback for hut booking trial

Frustration as speed limit remains WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz People in Luggate have voiced their frustration after the town was again overlooked for a speed limit reduction.

Residents have repeatedly asked for Luggate’s two 70kph zones on State Highway 6, which runs directly through the town centre, to be downgraded to 50kph, but attempts have so far been unsuccessful.

Dissatisfaction has increased further after a reduction was recently implemented on a portion of Wanaka’s Aubrey Road, but not in Luggate.

Community Association chair Graeme Perkins fears it will now take a serious injury or worse to prompt a change.

“We residents having been petitioning both NZTA and QLDC for years now. We need the 70kph zones to be lowered to 50kph due to the increased numbers of new families, especially children, living beside and walking along the road.

“Our town is expanding and traffic needs to be slowed to 50 at a much sooner stage. Surely it’s not rocket science nor costly. Must we wait for casualties to get action?” he said.

NZ Transport Agency senior safety engineer Roy Johnston confirmed last week that a review was underway to examine where improved speed management could significantly reduce death and serious injury on state highways, but said that Luggate was not yet being included.

“We are currently scoping a national speed management programme that focuses on the state highway corridors where speed management will provide the greatest effect.

“At this stage, Luggate is not part of that highest benefit group. However, we are intending to have further discussions with the Queenstown Lakes District Council about speed management which may provide an opportunity for Luggate to be considered further,” he said.

Graeme has also raised concerns about the lack of roadside footpaths on the south side of the town, saying that children were forced to walk very close to the traffic when coming home from school.

QLDC spokesperson Jimmy Sygrove said that the installation of footpaths would be NZTA’s responsibility, but confirmed that the matter would be discussed at next week’s Queenstown Governance meeting.

Emergency plan on-track WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Department of Conservation

WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz A booking system for two Department of Conservation (DOC) huts has received positive feedback from visitors.

Individual bunks were available to book at Brewster and Siberia huts from December 1 to April 8 on a trial basis via the DOC website.

DOC decided to run the trial after the huts were frequently over-capacity last year, resulting in many people being left without a bed for the night.

Senior ranger Annette Grieve said that the new system seemed to have

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been popular with trampers, but that a decision for future years had not yet been reached.

“An analysis and recommendation for ongoing seasons is yet to be undertaken to confirm the ongoing viability of a booking system at these huts. However, from preliminary feedback the booking system has been well received by visitors,” she said.

Annette also confirmed that earthquake strengthening work was still planned for Aspiring Hut, but dates for its closure had not yet been finalised.

Pictured: The 20-bunk Siberia Hut, located on the Gillespie Pass circuit.

Wanaka’s Community Response Plan (CRP) for civil defence emergencies is on-track and should be completed before 2019, Emergency Management Otago (EMO) has confirmed.

The town experienced minor tremors from a 4.0 magnitude earthquake, centred 30km to the northwest, on Tuesday last week (April 17), prompting questions on Wanaka’s preparedness should a major natural disaster strike.

CRPs are already in-place for smaller towns such as Makarora, Lake Hawea and Hawea Flat as part of a three-year EMO move to fully prepare communities, but Wanaka and Queenstown’s are not yet complete.

EMO’s emergency management officer Trevor Andrews said that the current situation was nothing to be concerned about.

“Just because there isn’t a plan doesn’t mean to say planning hasn’t gone on. The approach is that the small communities are slightly more vulnerable.

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

They don’t have the infrastructure.

“There’s always been an Otago-wide and district plan. What we are doing now is producing a more local plan based on the specific characteristics in those communities. The benefit of that is that there’s more engagement and consultation with those communities.

“Everything’s going according to plan. We will have the Wanaka plan in place by the end of the year,” he said.

Trevor also reminded everyone of the importance of putting their own plan in place for emergencies.

“It’s about the local community and organisations within the local area having a better understanding of what the risks are beneath their feet. If there’s one thing that you remember, it’s ‘what is the plan if you can’t get home?’ Where are we going to meet?

“My advice to people is to identify the nearest civil defence centre or welfare centre to them.”

He also advised people to consult EMO’s website for more information, which can be found at otagocdem.govt.nz.

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Calling all carpenters

PHOTO: Supplied

BUTLER D DANIELLE newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz PHOTO: Supplied

Plumbers scoop award WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz A local company has picked up a New Zealand Plumbing Award for its work on the Camp Glenorchy Project.

Optum Plumbing & Energy Solutions, based in Wanaka and Queenstown, won the ‘Project of the Year’ award at the annual ceremony held in Hamilton last month.

The company was responsible for setting up the plumbing, solar and ground source heating at the

Glenorchy campground, which is the country’s first to generate as much energy as it uses.

Managing director Kevin Henderson said he was delighted to win.

“I think we were blown away. It was great to put the submission in, but when you are recognised by your peers, that makes it pretty special.

They [the team] have done an amazing job,” he said.

Pictured: Optum’s heating technician Lukas Kirchner (left) with Kevin Henderson.

Budget for hall

Wanaka and Cromwell’s carpentry apprentices are being called forward to show off their skills in this year’s Registered Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year competition.

Organisers are keen to top the 13 entries received from the Southern region last year, of which only one was from Wanaka.

“Taking part in the competition is a fantastic way for apprentices to establish their careers in the industry. Competition participants go on to become our future leaders and we want to encourage all ambitious apprentices to take part,” said Registered Master Builders chief executive David Kelly.

The 14th year of the competition comes as New Zealand’s building boom continues, with the carpentry workforce expected to grow by more than

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17,000 workers (21 percent) by 2020.

“Developing and training our workforce is a crucial part of ensuring we meet our industry’s growing needs. The Apprentice of the Year competition helps young apprentices as they begin their careers and also recognises the employers who invest in young talent,” David said.

Carpentry apprentices can apply to take part at apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz until June 4.

All entrants will be in the running to win a share of more than $100,000 in prizes, as well as the Apprentice of the Year title.

Last year’s winner Vincent Hubbard said, “The competition gave me the opportunity to really challenge myself and made me a better apprentice by putting me to the test and motivating me to work and study harder.”

Pictured: Last year’s finalists battling it out for the title.

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TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The future of Luggate Hall has been budgeted for in years one and two of the draft Ten Year Plan.

Work has begun on the development of the business case to determine which options are best suited, including strengthening the hall or constructing a new one on the existing site. The budget set aside is $959,000.

Queenstown Lakes District Council property director Richard Pope said, “Early engagement with the community was undertaken through the initial meetings with the

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community on the draft Ten Year Plan in late 2017, and more directly on the business case development with the Luggate Community Association.

“There will also be wider community engagement this month (April) with a district-wide survey on community facilities which will also provide input into what a facility in Luggate might consist of, and we would encourage interest groups and the community to provide feedback through that survey.

The plan is to gather the community feedback to ensure the final option aligns with requirements and expectations before final decisions are made,” he said.

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Local writers’ threestop tour WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Claire French (left) and Evelyn Vallillee prepare to judge the finished dishes.

PHOTO: Rob White

Angelique Price and Amelie Woonton, team Double A Batteries, add the finishing touches.prepare to judge the finished dishes.

PHOTO: Rob White

PHOTO: Rob White

Bayne Deaton and Maya Erichsen, Team Dance, during the cooking stage.

Head-to-head in the Kahu kitchen WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Three teams of local youngsters went head-tohead in a cooking competition at Kahu Youth on Tuesday (April 24).

The youth group was hosting its first Kahu Kitchen Rules, a contest which pitted teams of two against each other in a friendly competition for prizes.

Local professional chef Evelyn Vallillee was onhand to offer cooking tips and guidance as the teams were tasked with preparing a Thai red chicken curry and spring rolls for the judging panel.

Kahu Youth worker Claire French said Evelyn had come forward to volunteer her time for what had been an enjoyable event.

“Evelyn just wanted to come in and do something for the youth, so we had a chat about how we could do it. I mentioned that the youth like a bit of competition and Evelyn came up with the name Kahu Kitchen Rules.

“It’s a good experience and they are cooking fresh, organic food. She has been teaching them skills like knife skills and we like to encourage healthy living here at Kahu Youth and get them off their screens,” she said.

Evelyn, who has previously worked at Wanaka’s Soul Food, Fedeli and Federal Diner, said she wanted to give the budding young chefs a chance to

display their creativity.

“I wrote the recipes and gave the open plan to change and add ingredients if they wanted. It’s so cool. They all work so differently with their ingredients,” she said.

After the cooking was complete, the teams presented their efforts to the judging panel of Claire and Evelyn, who were impressed with the results.

After a brief discussion of the presentation and food quality on offer, the judges decided to award first prize for the spring rolls to team Double A Batteries, made up of Amelie Woonton and Angelique Price.

“I think it’s the right proportions with all the fillings and also the sauce, which I don’t remember what I put in there. It was just a mix of everything,” Amelie said of their success.

Bayne Deaton and Maya Erichsen’s Team Dance took first prize for their main course, with Maya revealing a trade secret.

“Lots of salt and lots of pepper,” she said.

Rush B teammates Hunter Wilson and Timo Heath were awarded the ‘most creative plating’ prize for their spring roll, which was served with the noodles on top rather than inside.

Rumours that this was a creative oversight rather than a bold new take on fine dining were unconfirmed at the time of going to print.

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Three local writers are heading off on whistle-stop tour of the South Island next month to perform their own poetry.

Wanaka-based Laura Williamson and Liz Breslin (pictured) will join Christchurch resident Annabel Wilson for the three-date trip in early May, with events confirmed in Wanaka, Dunedin and Lyttleton.

The group have been friends for over a decade after meeting at Poetic Justice Wanaka, a night run by Laura and Liz, and they have supported each other ever since.

Laura said she was looking forward to it.

“A lot of the time when you’re doing your own writing, you’re working in the margins, so it’s going to be great to head out and celebrate where we’re at like this with Annabel and Liz,” she said.

“We all like performing live. We, all three of us, have books out and it’s quite a good celebration,” said Liz (pictured).

The group members will perform their own work, and possibly each

PHOTO: Simon Darby

other’s, on the night and Liz said that although people are sometimes put off the idea of a poetry evening, those that do attend have been pleasantly surprised.

“They say, ‘I didn’t realise it’d be like this!’,” she said.

The tour begins at Good Rotations in Wanaka on May 4 (5.30pm), before heading to Dunedin’s Inch bar (4pm, May 5) and finishing at the Hellfire Club in Lyttleton (7pm, May 6). Entry is a suggested donation of $5.

Easter and Ed boost airport numbers BUTLER D DANIELLE newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz A busy Easter and Ed Sheeran concerts were key contributors to a busy March for Queenstown Airport.

Chinese New Year, the New Zealand Golf Open and Warbirds Over Wanaka were also responsible for a spike in passenger numbers, with Thursday March 29’s 7750 passengers recorded as the airport’s 17th busiest day on record.

March saw 12-month passenger numbers reach more than two million, 14 percent more than the previous 12 months, with growth in both domestic and international flights.

The airport is gearing up for a

PHOTO: Eva Rinaldi

busy winter season with a passenger capacity increase of nearly ten percent.

Communications advisor Naomi Lindsay said that on its busiest days, the airport was expecting passenger volumes in the range of 7900 and 8600 per day.

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New forestry rules

PHOTO: supplied

Report on high country access TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The New Zealand Walking Access Commission (WAC) has released a draft report on South Island High Country access.

It addresses the rapid increase of tourist numbers throughout the South Island and in particular in the central southern South Island from the Mackenzie Country down through Queenstown Lakes and across to the Waitaki and Central Otago.

The report highlights that increasing numbers of tourists are bringing unique pressures to the people who live, work and play in these areas, and to the central and local government agencies in the area.

The WAC is the Crown entity responsible for public access to the outdoors, and in particular for access across private land, and access that crosses multiple land tenures.

WAC commented that the increase in numbers is not a bad thing, ”but rather the unpredictability and lack of control over where people go that can cause problems.”

The report said, “Tourism NZ is putting in place new digital marketing strategies to target particular types of tourists with different messages, while the Department of Conservation (DOC) is using its communication channels to direct visitors around its network of conservation land to where it wants

people to go.”

The report highlights the lack of appropriate infrastructure to go along with tracks and trails, as well as a lack of toileting facilities and the impact that has on the environment.

Carparking and shelters were also found to be lacking and a note for concern.

It was noted that an increasing number of councils with small rate payer bases are getting increased visitor numbers but haven’t got the funds to spend on basic infrastructure.

“Funding models often need to show an existing need prior to building a new or expanded infrastructure. This leads to Councils forever playing catch-up to need,” the report said.

The report highlighted the need for a central database of areas for people to explore. It noted that while currently there are multiple information links for the one aera (ie Council, DOC, WAC) it was not centralised.

One landholder in the Mackenzie District commented, “There is a need for not only signage on where to go, but also on how to behave - multilingual too - if we are going to try to fix this problem.”

DOC highlighted there was a lack of coordination between the various bodies involved in creating new trails and a lack of interconnectivity between DOC trails, local council tracks and those created by other groups, such as NZ Cycleways.

PHOTO: nikki heath

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz New forestry rules are to be implemented on May 1 when the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) come into effect.

These are a single set of regulations under the Resource Management Act that apply to foresters throughout New Zealand.

The NES-PF applies to any forestry block larger than one hectare that was planted specifically for commercial activities and harvest..

The NES-PF sets out rules for eight plantation forestry activities: afforestation, pruning and thinning to waste, earthworks, river crossings, forest quarrying, harvesting, mechanical land

preparation and replanting.

Most forestry activities are permitted by the NES-PF so long as foresters meet specific conditions to prevent significant adverse environmental effects. If foresters can’t meet these conditions they need to apply for a resource consent.

Up until now the Water Plan managed forestry activities in Otago, but this will change on May 1, when the NES-PF takes effect.

The Otago Regional Council is working closely with the forestry industry to define what the new rules will look like in Otago, and further updates will be released about what they will mean for you if you have a forestry block on your farm.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has more information on its website.

Final days for CODC plan feedback REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Feedback on the Central Otago District Council’s draft 10-Year Plan closes on Monday April 30, with CODC encouraging residents and ratepayers to “take ten for ten”.

“That’s ten minutes to give us feedback on what we’ve planned for the next ten years for this district,” Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said.

“As we’re closing for feedback on a Monday if you’ve left it till now you can take that ten minutes – or more – this weekend to have your say. We recognise honouring our past this ANZAC week may also provide a chance to think of the future we are creating for our communities.”

“It’s so important to engage and so easy to engage.

You can go as deep as you want. You can look at the issue that spins your wheels or you can look at the whole thing, but please look at it and tell us what you think.”

Elected members and Council staff had held drop-in sessions around the district over recent weeks and these had generated a great deal of interest, Tim said.

The draft 10-Year Plan opened for feedback on March 28 and had attracted 165 submissions so far.

A copy of the 10-Year Plan Consultation Document and supporting information is available at www. codc.govt.nz/10for10 where submissions can also be made online.

CODC will consider feedback from May 28 to June 7.

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Education views wanted S

STAFF REPORTER

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The ‘Education Conversation’ initiative has received more than 5000 responses from New Zealand teachers, young people, parents, school board members and grandparents.

Education minister Chris Hipkins, said “This fantastic response, in such a short time, means this is already the most popular education consultation in decades. But we want even more people to join the Education Conversation - Kõrero Mãtauranga, to help us build the world’s best education system for all New Zealanders. Public education belongs to us all. Its future is too important to be left to politicians alone.

“So it’s really important everyone gets online, fills out the five minute survey, and has their say.

In particular, we want to hear from those whose needs are not well served by the current education system, such as Mãori and Pasifika, and those in need of additional learning support.”

The online survey asks four questions about the future of our education system: What does a successful student of the future look like to you? What will they need to

know and be able to do? What things need to be in place to make sure every learner is successful? If you were the boss of education in New Zealand, what would you do first?

The views will be discussed at the Education Summit in May and will then inform the strategies and reviews that are part of the education work programme announced in February.

“Young people and parents have been really keen to join the conversation, and to share their ideas.

“Recently, for example, I met with some intermediate students and board members. They were quite clear about the skills our learners need to succeed.

“The students talked about wanting to learn more about technology, having more oneon-one time with their teachers, spending more time in their community, and the value of experiences outside of the classroom. Board members talked about the importance of children having resilience and building emotional and social skills.

“I encourage more New Zealanders to go online and have their say so we can design the best education system in the world.”

W W W. T H E WA N A K AS U N . CO. N Z

thewanakasun.co.nz

Packards on display WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Twelve Packard classic cars have gone on display at Wanaka’s Warbirds and Wheels museum.

Over 100 classic car enthusiasts drove 50 vintage vehicles, including 37 Packards, from Blenheim to Wanaka for the recent Warbirds Over Wanaka (WOW) international airshow and some have remained on display.

Leading Kiwi Packard enthusiast Tony Devereux said the museum’s exhibition was very much worth visiting.

“These twelve charming Packards are certainly the most significant display in the Southern Hemisphere, with cars from 1918 through to 1948.

“All of the cars are in excellent condition and in full working order. We are very lucky to have these remarkable international cars on our shores for a couple of months,” he said.

One of the cars available to view is ‘Amelia’, a 1935 Packard Super 8 Coupe that was built for world famous American pioneer and aviator Amelia Earhart. Following her disappearance in 1937, Amelia’s husband kept it for two years in the hope she would return, before selling it on. It eventually made its way to Australian couple Ross and Robyn Marshall, who transported it to Sydney for a full reconstruction.

Another exhibit is Auckland couple Nicky and Craig Marshall’s 1928 Packard 443 Custom Eight, which they bought in the US to drive across the country before transporting it to New Zealand

PHOTO: Supplied

with the aim of joining the convoy to WOW. A video of their trip, and how it went, can be viewed in the museum.

Pictured: Amelia, the car designed for Amelia Earhart.

Grants from gaming machines REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Community groups throughout the country have received $2,574,485 from The Southern Trust to support their programmes in the first quarter of 2018, more than $50,000 of which went to groups in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts.

The Southern Trust is one of the country’s leading gaming trusts. Established in January 1998, it is licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs under the Gambling Act 2003 to return gaming machine proceeds to the community. It aims to support community groups working in health, sports, arts, community and education and its allocations by sector between January 1 and March 31 were community $1,199,020, sport $779,100, education $295,970, arts $141,780, and health $158,615.

Locally, Sport Otago received $11,000 for salaries

towards a capability advisor in the region and Otago Rugby Football Union received $34,000 towards costs for a QLDC and Central Otago junior rugby coordinator.

The Southern Trust CEO and trustee Karen Shea said, “We are pleased that our partnerships with venues across New Zealand provide funds to assist community organisations the length and breadth of the country.”

Community organisations throughout New Zealand can apply for funding from the trust which continually reviews applications with most processed within 20 working days. Requests larger than $30,000 are reviewed at the monthly Board of Trustees meetings.

Karen said community organisations considering applying for funding should firstly call The Southern Trust funding team on 0800 42 42 74.

“Our team can easily advise on application criteria, which can save organisations a lot of time.”

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THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

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Soil degradation highlighted Review: John Chen TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand has released a report on the state of the soil, indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems.

‘Our land 2018’ is the latest release in the environmental reporting series and has found we are damaging and losing our soils, native plants and animals.

Government statistician Liz MacPherson said the environmental reporting series was vital in providing a clearer picture of the state of our environment.

“These reports help us more fully understand our environment, track the positive and negative impacts of human activities over time, and identify some of the key challenges,” Liz said.

“Important parts of the land story are missing.

There are significant gaps in our knowledge and the available data, especially integrated data at a national scale.”

Liz said nearly 83 percent of our native birds, bats, reptiles and frogs are classified as threatened or at risk of extinction (between 2010 and 2016), while 20 species of birds improved their conservation status (between 2012 and 2016).

There has been a loss of native vegetation across the country, coastal and lowland habitats continued to reduce, with a ten percent population increase

and a 42 percent increase in the area of land used for dairy over the last two decades.

Ministry for the Environment deputy secretary Penny Nelson said “The report makes it clear that we need to pay attention to what’s going on in our soil, which underpins our economy. It shows us where we need to focus.”

Fish & Game described the report as “sobering”, showing wetlands, forests and waterways are coming under increasing pressure from unsustainable development and it has called for urgent government action.

Fish & Game chief executive Martin Taylor said the report was a wake-up call.

“We are losing nearly 200 million tonnes of soil every year and polluting what remains with too much phosphorus. The trouble is that soil is washing into our rivers, lakes, streams and harbours, where the sediment is smothering life and encouraging the growth of toxic algae.

“We need to urgently tackle these problems, including major changes to the way we manage and use our land to protect both our environment and economy. Regional councils are there to enforce existing laws and they have to lift their game. We have to do better, for the sake of our environmental and economic well-being.

“After a decade of neglect, we need proper protection of our resources, forest and rivers.”

Hearts for servicemen and women Owens A Aimee journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association has launched a project this year to recognise those who served in World War One. This year marks a 100 years since WW1 ended after four grueling years, which had seen 100,000 New Zealanders serve overseas, a fifth of them never to return.

RSA Upper Clutha, along with help from project manager, Sue Bartlett, revisit the past with The Sweetheart Pincushion project.

During The Great War, servicemen recovering from war related conditions took to sewing and designing love hearts for their families and sweethearts at home as a way of distracting themselves from homesickness.

Sue is organising the pincushion project which enables any member of the community to buy a sewing pack for $25 and design a pincushion that will represent a person who served in WW1 from the Upper Clutha region.

Sue discovered the sweetheart pincushions online, and liked the role that they played in

The baby swings have been removed from Domini Park playground, off Trevathan Lane, after Queenstown Lakes District Council contractors discovered one of the swing posts was rotten.

A council spokesperson said that they will be replaced as soon as possible.

THE WANAKA SUN

the lives of the injured servicemen and women during WW1.

Sue also has a passion for stitching, a skill which she believes is disappearing.

Workshops have been organised to support the pincushion designers with their hearts and remember those who served with a sentimental keepsake.

Members of the community with connections to those who served in WW1 are being encouraged to make a heart for their relation.

Sue said there had been a “positive responses from across the community but there are still plenty of hearts to be made.”

The pincushions will then be exhibited during November 2-18, which will coincide with the Centenary of WW1 Armistice being commemorated on November 11.

The pincushions will be auctioned off after the exhibition and the proceeds will be donated to the RSA benefit fund.

Sue will be hosting the pincushion workshops at a studio on Ballantyne Road, which will take place every Thursday and Friday afternoon and Saturday mornings.

For more information phone Sue on 0211351517.

in concert

Is it possible to see and hear something both sparkling and scintillating at the same time? I think it is when listening to the music of John Chen, who played to a large audience at the Lake Wanaka Centre last week.

John’s total mastery of the piano was a delight as he opened the concert with a Suite by Handel, followed by a Chopin Sonata with amazing interchanges between driving chords and soaring lyrics.

After intermission, he played a Sonata by Dukas which, again, demonstrated his virtuosity and the wonderful piano that we treasure.

And the whole programme was without sheet music!

My only reservation, and it’s personal, is my sadness that the demonstration of virtuosity seems to underlie the dearth of melodic music at concerts. There is an old story told of the celebrated

PHOTO: Supplied

violinist, Jascha Heifetz, who, when asked why he played the avant-garde composers, replied [my paraphrase] “I play them as a penance to remind me how much I love playing Beethoven.”

This old grump prefers some melodic music at concerts.

– By Dennis Pezaro

Artists with vision wanted REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Creative Cows is seeking artists for the Cow Lane Street Art Project.

The non-profit group, run by Sarah Hoogvliet and Raylene McQueen, wants to create a vibrant street art space at Cow Lane in Queenstown.

The group has recently been granted resource consent to beautify the lane and has secured funding from Creative Queenstown to go towards

the first piece of art.

The pair said they see Cow Lane “as a blank canvas with huge potential and hope to see it clean, bright and beautiful whilst maintaining the history and usability of the lane as a service way for the Queenstown CBD.” They are looking for expressions of interest from local artists “with a vision that would brighten up the lane.”

For more information or to apply, contact sarah.dagg@colliers.com or raylene.mcqueen@colliers.com.

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

PAGE 9

Sun News

Rural Health Alliance in ‘hibernation’

A monthly column by Kim Reilly, Federated Farmers South Island regional policy manager, on issues affecting the Upper Clutha’s rural community…

Ensuring farming is on top of our soil Reilly K Kim Regional Policy Manager, South Island Issues relating to New Zealand’s growing urban sprawl have been highlighted in the report ‘Our Land 2018’, released by Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ this week.

Unfortunately, the title of the report is a bit misleading given most of the data referred to is only up to 2012. But what we know now is that over the period 2002 to 2012, there was a 10 percent increase in the size of urban areas. It would be a fairly safe bet to say that in the six years since 2012, that sprawl has extended even further.

These issues are typified in high growth districts like Wanaka or Queenstown, where council staff reviewing consent applications for new subdivisions must at times feel like they’re running on a treadmill.

Similarly, if you’re ever flying into Dunedin Airport, take a look out the window at the changing landscape of the Taieri plains, where you really see that urban and lifestyle block sprawl in action. Large parts of the fertile Taieri plains are now covered in a patchwork of smaller blocks and houses, for the most part on irreplaceable, highly productive land.

The demand of accommodating population growth is an immediate issue for councils, whereas loss of high quality soils is a gradual, often imperceptible process.

As a result, food is often grown even further from the markets, and on less productive soils. This can lead to increased freight costs for produce, and affect the price consumers pay when they buy their veggies.

Even the Minister for the Environment, David Parker, is troubled by the issue. He recently said “even in a country as lucky as New Zealand we only have limited quantities of these high-class soils” for food production. Minister Parker is now considering the need for a National Policy Statement for the protection of high class soils.

Federated Farmers recognises that the loss of soils doesn’t just relate to urban sprawl. The report also highlights issues for the primary industries to respond to, in particular those relating to erosion, soil compaction, loss of wetlands and other issues relating to biodiversity loss.

A key issue for farmers to keep on top of, is keeping the soil on top of their land. Soil is vital to farming so reducing erosion, managing soil loss and avoiding soil compaction is a no-brainer.

Farmers need to, and will, continue putting their time, resources and dollars into ensuring the efficiency of their operations, while lowering their environmental footprint.

This good work is well underway, but must continue. There is an incredible amount of capable farmers, industry reps, consultants and farming leaders pouring their time and energies into catchment groups, and we’re now really starting to see the positive results of this on the ground.

Until now, the results of this good work have been anecdotally accepted within the farming community, but we are finally seeing these same improvements starting to play out in the latest statistics released by National River Water Quality Trends by Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA), also released last week.

This report showed that many more sites are improving than deteriorating for all the river water quality parameters monitored over a 10-year period. There are still many areas of improvement needed, but the report tips its cap to the success of the work the farming community is investing in.

Farmers will carry on working on practical solutions to the environmental issues highlighted.

What we hope is that the government will invest the time and money into improving both the data we rely upon, and the ongoing commitment to funding the science required.

MT BROWN HALF BRED RAMS-WANAKA RAMS BRED IN DRY LAND COUNTRY

SURVIVABILITY GOOD WOOL WEIGHT

Stacey Anderson 027 228 8119 PAGE 10

FERTILITY

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REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) has gone “into hibernation” after it failed to secure government funding of $600,000 to continue its work.

At an emergency meeting earlier this month, the RHAANZ council resolved to reduce its operations to a minor secretariat role from April 20.

Chairperson Martin London said in a letter to members that, for the time being, RHAANZ would “continue to maintain a presence, albeit much reduced, in the rural sector and seek ways of reconstituting with a more sustainable financial model.”

He said that council members were “absolutely gutted” and all of them felt the alliance’s “precarious financial situation was symbolic of the general underfunding of rural health services in New Zealand.”

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said the RHAANZ was “a district health board for rural Kiwis”, advocating for the 600,000 New Zealanders living in rural areas.

The Alliance identified and helped address gaps in health services in hinterland areas. It has worked, along with other agencies, to upskill rural health and social service professionals in suicide prevention strategies, and has run campaigns aimed at boosting the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families put under stress by drought, debt and other circumstances.

Its main objective was to bring a united voice – from across multiple rural sector organisations – to develop solutions and influence policy affecting the health and wellbeing of rural communities.

Farmers against new taxes REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz A Federated Farmers survey has revealed that any move to introduce a capital gains, land or environment tax will meet stiff opposition from farmers.

The Federation asked members for their views last month to help inform its submission to the Tax Working Group.

The almost 1400 responses indicated strong opposition to some of the new taxes that have been suggested.

More than 80 percent opposed a capital gains tax (CGT) excluding the family home, with 11 percent in favour. However, 47 percent would support a CGT on property sold within a five year ‘bright line’ test. There is currently a two-year threshold, and the measure is seen by some as a way of discouraging speculators.

“Farmer opposition is even more

entrenched on the idea of a land tax, excluding under the family home, with 91 percent against and only 2 percent in favour,” Federated Farmers Economics and Commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said.

“Federated Farmers will be sending in a comprehensive submission to the Tax Working Group, which will pick up on the concerns and comments raised in our member survey.”

The Tax Working Group’s public consultation closes on Monday April 30, with the public’s feedback used to influence an interim report to Ministers due in September. A final report of recommendations is due in February 2019.

Submissions can be made at taxworkinggroup.govt.nz.

Rural women speak on Trust Bill REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

GOOD MICRON

GROWTH RATES

thewanakasun.co.nz

Trevor Peters 027 201 4490

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has made an oral submission to Parliament on the Trusts Bill.

“RWNZ submitted that both a rural impact and gender impact analysis be conducted on the legislation and intersectionality so that the Bill does not discriminate against women in any way,” RWNZ National Chair, Penny Mudford said.

“RWNZ research indicates that women can be shut out of a share of the family farm through old trusts that fail to acknowledge them in the family as beneficiaries.

“This can lead to women being discriminated against in the dissolution of a relationship where a trust is used to exclude them from a share in the

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

family farm or farm business.

“These situations should not be happening in 2018 and we urge the government to uphold the international instruments and outcome statements when updating legislation such as with the Trusts Bill currently before the Justice Select Committee.”

This bill will replace the Trustee Act 1956 and the Perpetuities Act 1964 to make trust law more accessible, clarify and simplify core trust principles and essential obligations for trustees, and preserve the flexibility of the common law to allow trust law to continue to evolve through the courts.

The bill has been referred to the select committee with a report due on June 5.

THE WANAKA SUN

Sun Views

thewanakasun.co.nz

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Influencing sheep

Dear editor, Influence (noun) the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Unfortunately, when you influence in a bubble all you get are sheep defecating on our beaches, our tracks, our backyard. Even more unfortunate is the sheep are human.

Some people make their living through gorgeous/photoshopped images and independent travellers - oh, let’s call them sheep, there’s nothing independent about following hoards of other can’t-think-for-themselves - go to the same place, pitch up a tent, take (the same) photo, and of course post it on social media, because let’s face it, nothing is real unless it’s on social media (I’m being sarcastic people)... Well, the point is, I haven’t seen any “influencers” taking photos of themselves carrying their defecation and rubbish down off a mountain/ beach/track/layby.

Reality stinks.

W Northern

Sponsored by

PHOTO: Supplied

A woman in the UK has created a “poo-shaming” scheme, an interactive map designed to combat dog fouling in her village. We asked if Wanake needed one too:

Joe: Dog poo is one thing but what’s worse is poo in a plastic bag then thrown to the side of the track once no one is watching... I see that way to often here.

John: At least dog poo is bio degradable.

Plastic bags are not. People who do this are not responsible enough to own a dog.

Between Albert Town and Beacon Point I saw 5 examples... in rabbit holes, in bushes and this one hanging on a fence. Idiots!

Vicky: Definitely for freedom campers

Brad: Definitely it’s got out of control there’s dog shit all up both sides on mt iron walking track these days, dogs should be on leads so the owners can clean up their mess!

Tanya: Or just a few more bins along the tracks to actually put said poo. A toilet or two would be nice too. That could help both human and dog poo problems... maybe?

What is your Opinion?

Hundreds of residents voted in the Wanaka Sun’s current opinion poll, with a clear viewpoint emerging on the state of local tourism. Go to www.thewanakasun.co.nz to vote on current issues.

Opinion Poll Results Do you feel Wanaka is attracting more visitors than our area can cope with?

Yes

93% No

6% Don’t know

1%

Frances: Yes, for dogs and humans!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Matthew Kennedy sent us this photo of Gabriel Kennedy enjoying a beautiful autumn day by the cenotaph this week, and expressed a sentiment that will be shared by many: “today’s freedom from yesterday’s sacrifices.”

THE WANAKA SUN

To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wanaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz.

Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page.

PHOTO: Supplied

Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

PAGE 11

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HOUSESITTER available from 28th April. Male Teacher 49yrs. Pet sitting is welcome. Will maintain garden and lawns. Contact Guy: 0221757833.

NOTICES Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store.

Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here!

Donations kindly received. Please drop them into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 5068 to book a pick up.

Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days.

Business Networking International.

The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Vicki Donoghue for information 027 208 9462.

Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton ones and drop cloths, available from the Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068.

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The Salvation Army Family Store urgently requires donations of warm bedding, if you have some to spare we would love it.

Wanted by the Salvation Army Family Store, if any one has any spare pillow cases we would love them, please just drop them into the store, thanks.

The Salvation Army Family store would like used glass spice jars with lids, to donate these please just pop them into the store in Brownston Street.

Volunteers required at The Salvation Army Family store if you have some free time and would like to be part of a team which makes a difference, come and see us.

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Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.

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PLUMBING

Luggate Village Services Ltd & Luggate Village Homeowner Society are having their AGM on the 16th May 2018 at he Luggate Pub at 7.00PM.

Services Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8am until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE available at Community Networks delivered by the Dunedin Community Law Centre on Wednesday 2 May. Please call Community Networks on 443 7799 to book your appointment.

Free computer lessons for older people Community Networks is offering one-on-one lessons in your own home on your own device or at our offices. If you are interested call in to Community Networks or phone 03 443 779.

Would a weekly visitor and a bit of companionship enhance your life? We have volunteers who would like to meet a senior to share stories or take you for an outing. If you are interested please contact Community Networks 03 443 7799 or contact project coordinator, Anscilaine, on championforolderpeople@gmail.com JP SERVICES are available at Community Networks every Tuesday from 1pm and Friday from 10.30am. Please book your appointment by ringing Community Networks 03 443 7799.

INLAND REVENUE are at Community Networks, Wednesday 23 May. If you need help with your Tax return, Family Tax credits or any other enquiry give Community Networks a call on 03 443 7799 to make an appointment for this free service.

Would you like to help with our community’s Meals on Wheels service? We’re looking for more volunteer drivers to help deliver meals around town. If you’d like to know more please visit our office or website (www.communitynetowrks. co.nz) or give us a call: 443 7799.

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THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

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Sun Classifieds

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employment

employment Housekeeper/ room attendant needed.

Full time. Prefer to have minimum 6 months of experience. Training provided. Applications close 31/05/2018.

New Zealand Travel Specialist We are leaders in our field (selling NZ holidays!) and as such we are on the lookout for the very best sales people to join our awesome team in our lakefront office based right here in Wanaka.

By best we mean not only are you motivated by targets, customers and friendly competition but you are also packed full of personality, as funny/ friendly as possible, super positive, slightly crazy and a hard worker!

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Please send your CV to: accounts@wla.co.nz

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WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 867 Free delivery to Wanaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wanaka, Albert Town and Hawea.

Also distributed to businesses in the Wanaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly.

Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Ruth Blunt • editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalists: Danielle Butler • newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Rob White • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Glenda Turnbull • wanaksun@gmail.com Social Media: Nikki Heath • hello@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 021 786 740

adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wanaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication.

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Public Notice

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EVERY LETTERBOX EVERY THURSDAY

N O T I C E B O A R D Meeting Schedule for May 2018 Public Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that meetings of the Council will be held as under, during the month of May 2018.

Resource Consent Hearing (Waterfall Park Developments Limited RM 171280) – Crowne Plaza Hotel (Level 3), Beach Street, Queenstown. Tuesday 1 May and Wednesday 2 May 2018 at 9.00am.

Queenstown Lakes District Council – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 3 May 2018 at 1.00pm.

Planning & Strategy Committee - Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 10 May 2018 at 10.00am.

Appeals Subcommittee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 10 May 2018 at 10.30am or at the conclusion of the Planning & Strategy Committee, whichever is the latter.

This meeting will be held with the public excluded, pursuant to Section 7(2)(g) and Section 7(2)(i) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Infrastructure Committee - Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 17 May 2018 at 10.00am.

Wanaka Community Board – Armstrong Room, Lake Wanaka Centre, Wanaka. Thursday 24 May 2018 at 10.00am.

Community & Services Committee - Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 31 May 2018 at 10.00am.

Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. All of the above meetings are open to the public.

Some meetings may have items of business that will be discussed with the public excluded, as set out by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Mike Theelen CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Intention to Grant Licence on Recreation Reserve NOTICE OF INTENTION TO GRANT LICENCE OVER PARTS OF RECREATION RESERVE GO JETS WANAKA LIMITED PURSUANT TO SECTION 54 (1)(d) OF THE RESERVES ACT 1977

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If not, email your address to hello@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252

The land described in Schedule A of this Notice (the Land) is vested in the Queenstown Lakes District Council pursuant to Section 26A of the Reserves Act 1977 as recreation reserve, known as Albert Town Boat Ramp in Wanaka. Go Jets Wanaka Limited are seeking a new licence over part of the reserve to embark and disembark passengers for commercial jet boating trips. The Council is considering granting the appropriate licence pursuant to Section 54 (1)(d) of the Reserves Act 1977.

Pursuant to Sections 54 and 119 of the Reserves Act 1977 the Council has an obligation to publicly notify its intention to grant such licence by way of this Notice.

Any person or organisation may object to or make submissions with respect to the proposed licence. More information can be obtained from the Council’s agent, APL Property, PO Box 1586, Queenstown, phone 03 442 7133 or email queenstown@aplproperty.co.nz.

Submissions will be required no later than 26 May 2018 and should be sent to APL Property as above.

Schedule A: The reserve is legally described as Lot 2 DP 375247.

THIS NOTICE is given on behalf of Queenstown Lakes District Council by APL Property, PO Box 1586, Queenstown, phone 03 442 7133.

Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wanaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

THE WANAKA SUN

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

PAGE 13

Sun News

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Fish surveys underway

PHOTO: supplied

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Good water survey REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Versus Research, an independent research company, wants to hear from farmers in Otago to find out what they are doing to comply with the Water Plan.

The survey responses will be combined with data collected by Otago Regional Council through previous surveys and used to inform the next steps for the implementation of the plan. The results

Fish surveys are underway, which will complete gaps in fish data on tributaries with deemed permits.

Otago Regional Council land resource officer Bruce Monaghan said approximately 180 sites will be surveyed throughout the Upper Clutha and Central Otago, and will comprise both fish data and associated habitat characteristics.

“The additional data is expected to speed up the process of agreeing on residual flows, which is part of the

will also provide ORC with information about the practical realities of the plan on properties across the region.

ORC is encouraging farmers to speak with the interviewers or go online to complete the survey. All ROB WHITE responses are confidential and go into the draw to journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz win one of four $200 Prezzy cards.

Pictured: Lake Hawea The elderly, people in rural areas and those driving for work are among the new groups found to be dying from not wearing a seatbelt, new research has revealed.

The research, conducted by the AA significant challenges finding appropriate locations Research Foundation in partnership to run their activities. We want to understand the with the Ministry of Transport, NZ challenges and get some solid data to support Police, NZ Transport Agency and groups to collaborate with each other to come up ACC, looked at 200 seatbelt deaths with solutions, promote smart investments and and examined the records of people assist with sourcing funding for future facilities. caught not wearing one.

“Part of the plan is to map and survey groups and AA research manager Simon Douglas facilities across the district to understand what’s said that a key finding was that deaths on offer out there and how they are contributing to were not restricted to one group. building strong, healthy and vibrant communities,” “We found that along with the she said. young, risky drivers that people might The research will start in May with surveys expect to feature, the other common and community workshops. More information is groups were people in rural areas, available by emailing services@qldc.govt.nz. people driving for work, the elderly Local groups that wish to be involved should ensure and tourists. their details are up to date at groups.qldc.govt.nz.

“The vast majority of people wear

New groups in seatbelt deaths R

Community group project launched WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is set to launch a district-wide project to better understand community groups and services.

The work, which is led by QLDC and supported by the Central Lakes Trust and the Community Trusts of both Otago and Southland, will try to understand local groups’ demand for space and how they use facilities. The eventual goal is to enable the community to make decisions on future investment.

QLDC’s community and events facilitator Marie Day said she was looking forward to connecting with groups and facility operators across the district.

“Our community groups and services are facing

deemed permit replacement process.

These surveys will be completed by the end of June.

“There’s a possibility some follow-up surveys might need to be done if an affected party requests more information, but we’re not anticipating many instances of this.

If it does arise, the permit holder will be responsible for any costs,” Bruce said.

Bruce reminded deemed permit holders that ORC will continue to assist with providing flow information through the ‘request for flow data’ facility on the Fish and Flow portal.

their seatbelt, yet up to 30 percent of vehicle occupant deaths in recent years haven’t been buckled up,” he said.

The research also revealed that over the last decade, a quarter of people who died in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt and half of those deaths involved alcohol. It also discovered that 58 percent of people caught without a seatbelt on by police had at least one previous seatbelt offence.

“It’s mystifying that in New Zealand the rate of people dying while not buckled up is much higher than in other countries like Australia,” Simon added.

“Far too often we are seeing crashes where multiple people are in a car and the ones with seatbelts only suffer bruises and scrapes, while someone who isn’t buckled up dies.

“The research is a first step in tackling our seatbelt problem and, now that there is a better understanding of the types of people involved, it will help better guide efforts to change their behaviour.”

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Sun Sport

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Young wins NZ title PHOTO: supplied

Youth fire workshop REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Kahu Youth was the venue for a fire workshop on Thursday, April 19.

Youth worker Claire French delivered a two hour session for group members, including a safety talk, demonstration and practice.

Youngsters Bayne and Rory then put their new training to good use, trying out a range of techniques using torches, Dragon Staffs and

fire whips.

“The fireballs are so awesome, it’s like standing in a volcano,” Bayne said.

The workshops run throughout the year and serve as a springboard for the youth fire show at this year’s Matariki celebrations.

Rehearsals for the youth fire crew start on Tuesday, May 8, and anyone aged 11-23 can take part. More details are available via kahu.youth@xtra.co.nz.

Pictured: Claire showing Bayne and Rory the right technique.

sports results PHOTO: Barking Cat

TURNBULL G GLENDA editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Wanaka cyclist Phoebe Young took out the under-19 New Zealand Time Trial Championship title on Friday April 20.

Phoebe said winning the title was a bit of a relief.

“It proved my result at Oceanias wasn’t just a one off, but that I could compete against the best.

“On the surface, there isn’t much to an individual time trial. You pedal as hard as you can for the given distance and hope that your time is the fastest.

However, there’s a lot that happens beneath the surface. The race begins before the timer even starts. A high proportion of my result is due to the contribution and support of family, friends, coaches and sponsors which I am forever grateful for.”

Unfortunately Phoebe didn’t get much of a change to relish the win as she had to avert her attention to

the road race on Sunday, April 22.

“Sadly the road race didn’t go exactly to plan as about half way in, I crashed. As I hit my head, I don’t remember too much. I do remember at some point trying to get up and back into the race as quickly as possible, but my attempt must have been unsuccessful,” she said.

Luckily Phoebe came away with only a few cuts and bruises.

“The doctors x-rayed my elbow just as a precaution, but I have been given the all-clear.

However, they did ask that I take it easy for the next few weeks, which is perfect timing as I was about to have two weeks off structured training anyway.”

Phoebe will miss round four of the Calder Stewart Series in Timaru, but she will be targeting selection for the Road World Championships in late September.

Pictured: Phoebe competing in the 2017 National time trial championships.

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THE WANAKA SUN

Please email Sa or Ray for an Expressions of Interest form: sarah.dagg@colliers.com / raylene.mcqueen@colliers.com

Jacqui Dean MP for Waitaki

If you would like an appointment with Jacqui in Oamaru/Waimate/ Geraldine/ Fairlie/Tekapo/ Ranfurly/Central Otago/ Kurow or Twizel please phone our office.

Wanaka Progressive Bowls 20.04.18 Skips 1 I Fletcher 2 C Kiewiet 3 T Tovey Thirds 1 J Feehly 2 R Chartres 3 P Traynor Leads 1 G Raffills 2 N Matheson 3 P Gray Bridge results (Tues) 1st Han Limacher, Carolyn Grey 64.71%. 2nd Shona Watt, Joy Baxter 59.51%. 3rd Annie Hudson, Eleanor Jessep 55.36%.

(Wed) N/S 1st Blair Coghill, Shona Watt 57.48%. 2nd Hans Limacher, John Hogg 57.05% 3rd Miranda O’Leary, Jane Hamilton 52.14%. E/W 1st Gavin Stevens, Kay Ross 63.43%. 2nd Kate Coe, Tommie Munns 62.73%. 3rd Pam Miller, Ruth Coghill 57.64%. (Fri-H/Cap) N/S 1st Ruth Coghill, Pam Miller 58.41%. 2nd Maggie Stratford, Sherril Harries 55.81%. 3rd Helen Millar, Clare Scurr 50.85%. E/W 1st Jill Paxman, Mary MacLean 60.12%. 2nd Lyn Hill, Robyn Gilchrist 53.70%. 3rd Jenny Turnbull, Shona Watt 53.67%. (Mon) N/S 1st Laraine Shepherd, John Lyness 62.31%. 2nd Ann-Louise Stokes, Michael Metzger 58.62%. 3rd Jenny Pryde, Errol Kelly 57.54%. E/W 1st Clare Scurr, Terry Wilson 58.70%. 2nd Martin Unwin, Lynne Fegan 57.36%.

3rd Marc Simmonds, John Hogg 56.35%.

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Biopsies can be taken and liquid nitrogen treatment is available if necessary. We will photograph and record anything of concern for reference so we can monitor any changes in your skin over time.

ph: (03) 443 0710 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka www.wanakamedical.co.nz

PAGE 15

Sun Sport

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Win, draw, loss for local teams REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz On Saturday April 21, two Central Otago Football League games were played in Wanaka and one in Queenstown.

The first game was Wanaka FC Braves against Arrowtown. The teams were equally matched with both team having early chances. The Braves looked a much better team from their previous games, with their hard work at training starting to pay off.

The game was 0-0 at half time, but shortly after the break Arrowtown made a play down the right, putting the ball through to their striker who scored. The Braves were all up in arms as it did seem that the Arrowtown player was offside, but the referee didn’t see it that way and the goal was allowed.

The Braves did very well to stay in the game after that disappointment and managed to string a few good attacks together. One such attack lead to a Wanaka player being fouled in the box.

The resulting penalty kick was slotted in by player/coach Sebastien Arratia to make the score 1-1 and that is how the game ended. Wanaka FC Braves was the better team and was unlucky to not take the win, but the draw earned the team its first point of the season so it’s

heading in the right direction.

In the other home game, Wanaka A FC Athletic, sporting a new kit, faced Wakatipu. Wanaka A came out all guns blazing and really put the pressure on the Wakatipu defence and early shots on goal just missed their mark.

Wakatipu did well to hold off Wanaka, but a combination of slick passing and speed became too much and, midway through the first half, striker Steve Pleskun (pictured) scored.

Wakatipu was more determined in the second half. Wanaka looked a bit sleepy and maybe a bit too relaxed after such a good first half and seemed to go off the boil a little, which let Wakatipu hit back. Wakatipu was rewarded with a corner and the ball was delivered perfectly for the Wakatipu player to slip the ball past the keeper to even the score at 1-1.

Wakatipu’s goal seemed to spark some life back into Wanaka, who came back firing and later in the second half put the game to bed with two more goals, one from Steve Pleskun one from Adam Harris.

Over in Queenstown, Wanaka FC Youth went down to Queenstown AFC Rovers Classic 4-1.

PHOTO: Wanaka Football World

Trail ride draws big crowd

PHOTO: Danielle Butler PHOTO: Wendy Bowie

WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz The fourth annual Wanaka Trail Ride has been hailed as a success by organisers after hundreds of bikers took part.

The event, held on Saturday, April 21, saw 761 riders from across the South Island make their way through more than 100km of trails across Deep Creek, Long Gully and Lindis Peak stations.

Marshal and tracks manager Grant Cagney said the day had made all the hard work worthwhile.

“The key organising crew, an amazing team of marshals and of course our event day volunteers have put in over 1000 hours of their own time in preparing the ride. That hard work paid off today with hundreds of riders having a fantastic day on the hills and thousands of dollars being raised that will all go directly back to the two schools.

“Changes to the tracks ensured returning riders had something new to keep them challenged and each year the core team make adjustments and improvements to their delivery of the event, making it as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved,” he said.

PAGE 16

Rider Richard Wilson said it had become a holiday for him and his family.

“It’s great to come to Wanaka. It’s perfect timing for a family holiday, so we make a week of it. I ride with my two boys while my wife goes shopping with the girls.

“The event is very well run, the pre-registration is really smooth and there is even a repairman onsite,” he said.

The event raises money for Wanaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House, with $1 for every rider also donated to the local RSA in recognition of Anzac Day. Spokesperson Alice Lovelock said this year’s funds were still being counted.

“The team look forward to contributing further funds to the $80,000 that has been raised over the past three years. Montessori will be using the funds to update their Bambini bathroom, and Wanaka Primary will be laying artificial turf outside Pod 2 which is the junior soccer area,” she said.

Organisers said they wanted to thank local businesses for their time, equipment and sponsorship and the Nyhon and Annan families for allowing access to the land.

Rugby Club extension approved BUTLER D DANIELLE newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Upper Clutha Rugby Club is to get a long-awaited extension to its club rooms after the council approved its application last week.

The club first proposed a two-storey extension in 2012 but have since scaled it down, adding 204sqm to the existing floor area of the building located at Wanaka Showgrounds, which will include two new changing rooms, equipment storage rooms, new toilets, an extension on the building’s social area and a deck and barbecue area.

Pre-project coordinator Mike O’Connor said, “When we have this new building, it will be available to all the Upper Clutha area. It’s a community building and we look forward to seeing it being used for a

THURSDAY 26.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 02.05.18

wide variety of events.”

The project will be made possible thanks to club fundraising and a number of grants including a substantial one from the Central Otago Community Trust.

Club committee member Luke Robson said that the club hoped that building would begin in August and be complete before the beginning of next year’s season, which kicks off in March.

“Getting the consent is a huge step towards getting the club rooms up to a standard that we can really be proud of, not just as a rugby club, but as a wider community. It’s all great timing as the premier team have been going well, so there’s a real positive vibe around the club going forward,” Luke said.

Pictured: Profile poles outside of the ruby club rooms show the proposed footprint of the new building.

THE WANAKA SUN