Central Otago police stopped 40 vehicles over duck shooting weekend and carried out breath screening tests, with only one person caught drink driving.Alexandra Police Senior Sergeant Graham Perkins said one man was stopped early on Saturday morning on his way to the maimai at Idaburn and had an excess breath alcohol reading of 654mcg.Twelve speeding tickets were also issued and Otago Fish and Game checked seven ponds, reporting no concerns with alcohol, and only one breach of licence detected.For the entire Otago and Southland area there were only three breaches overall and no injuries reported, with “mixed success” on the ponds.“There was a lack of water in the Maniototo,” he said.“We’re very pleased with people’s behaviour and everyone was responsible.”Also on May 4, a Christchurch man was processed for drink driving (789mcg) after an ATV accident on a farm at Wedderburn.Police and St John were called to the property after a passenger broke his leg when the bike started to tip and he put his foot out.He was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, and Snr Sgt Perkins said emergency services will also ring police in situations like that, when an injury occurs on private property in a vehicle, and they can undergo breath screening tests.The day before, on May 3, police were called to a business in Ranfurly after a person with a firearm was reported to them by a member of the public. Police identified and seized an air rifle, which was removed from the premises.In Cromwell, on May 4, a small Fuso tip truck was reported stolen by the owner, who had left his keys inside.The truck was located on Pinot Noir Drive later that day and police found a distinctive baseball cap inside. It was currently being DNA tested to identify the offender. And, back in Alexandra on the same day, a man on home detention who was allowed out for one hour of fitness, decided he’d also take himself to the kebab shop for dinner.Police were alerted when they realised he was outside of his dedicated route. He was arrested and given a date to appear in the Queenstown District Court.He was released with a ‘certified breach’ of his electronic monitoring conditions.

Financial pressures are continuing to hit home for many Central residents, with many faced with rising costs and changes to their employment situation.Central Otago Budgeting Services has been busy supporting individuals and families as a result, and that workload is expected to increase, co-ordinator Pam Hughes said.She said health issues were another aspect affecting some people, which was adding to what was already a challenging and stressful time for people.In other cases, some people’s circumstances have changed, due to job loss, reduced work hours, or a growing family, which often meant less money coming into the household.A lack of childcare throughout the district also means some parents have no choice but to stay home instead of going back to work.Increased mortgage rates are another challenge many people have to work through.“In some cases, people’s mortgage rates have tripled.”However, Pam said there could potentially be help at hand for some people, which is where her expertise and knowledge comes in.“Some people don’t realise they might be able to apply for a rates rebate. They might not get the full amount, but they could get something towards it, but people don’t know these things.”She said people are having to think about where their money is going - not overspend or over-indulge.“It’s so easy to put things on tick.“You do have to stop and think about what are these costs, have you got two cars when you could really get away with having only one car.”She also suggested people talk to their employer to see if there were any avenues of support they could offer.In some cases workplaces might be able to assist by way of a fuel card, a phone or vehicle for work use.“It’s all about talking,” she said.Central Otago Budgeting Services has recently put together several pamphlets to provide people with practical financial information, including for those planning ahead, or in regards to money and practical matters after a death.The Ministry of Social Development also has a page on its website called 'check what you might get', which supports people to better understand their entitlements.To find out more tune in to this week’s The Outlet podcast where Pam talks more about the situation in Central.For more information email [email protected] or phone 03 448 8072.

From an orchard packhouse to an icecream and chocolate factory, Patagonia has been given consent to convert Denny’s Orchard into a new Earnscleugh enterprise.Dennis and Denise Paulin have sold their business to Far Away Property Ltd, and the company was granted consent two weeks ago to extend and convert the packhouse to manufacture ice cream, chocolate and roast coffee.Patagonia Chocolates was started by Argentinian owners Alex Gimenez and Lorena Giallonardo in 2005. They now have five cafes in Arrowtown, Queenstown, and Wanaka.The company will use fruit products grown onsite in Earnscleugh, as an important condition of the consent, and will set up another office and cafe as well.This will complement the cafe and country store at the other end of Earnscleugh, opened by Roberts Family Fruit earlier this year.The former Dennys site on the corner of Earnscleugh and Fraser Road, is 6.95ha and the development will involve an internal fit-out to include space for food production.Orchardist Dennis Paulin up on his new land on the foothills of the Dunstan Mountains. PHOTO: The Central AppThe Central Otago District Plan allows for a ‘rural selling place’ as a controlled activity in the rural resource zone, when using fresh fruit/vegetables, nursery plants, nuts, eggs, etc.But, some of the retail activity was non-complying and a resource consent hearing was held in March this year to consider the application.Far Away Property Ltd will employ six people in roles of manufacturing, making food and serving customers in the cafe. The company’s main office will remain in Queenstown.It’s the end of an era for Dennys, which has been exporting Biogro NZ certified organic apples and summerfruit for the past 16 years, but the business has been around for more than 30 of those.Dennis Paulin is part of a strong Central Otago fruit-growing family. He bought his first block of land in Earnscleugh at just 19.Three orchards later, he is currently developing a new orchard on the foothills of the Dunstan Mountains, beside his brother Tim Paulin, of 3 Kings Orchards.Denise said she was ecstatic with the sale and said it was a huge weight off her shoulders.“I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life.”

Otago Regional Councillor Gary Kelliher has compared the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan as “a sales brochure for a new Ferrari that delivers a broken down Mini that is costing ratepayers a fortune."He then told the council meeting yesterday that farmers and foresters should stop all of their good environmental work and save that money for lawyers' fees to fight the plan.Despite his analogy, Otago Regional councillors voted 7-5 to send Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds an outline of costs, benefits and implications of notifying the Land and Water Regional Plan before the National Policy Statement on fresh water was released.Chief executive Richard Saunders told the meeting, staff were well aware of the strong differences in opinion around the table, but were not pushing their own agenda, “and it's wrong and inflammatory to suggest staff are doing that.”Cr Michael Laws then questioned him about the contents of the letter, implying that some of the statements were clearly subjective, and based on a judgement.“So who made those?” he asked, with which Richard replied that it was staff who gave their expert opinion to discuss as a draft at the council meeting.Contents of the letter outlined that while some areas of Otago have improving water quality trends, many were degrading, including the lower Manuherekia River, with nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and E.Coli levels measuring below the bottom line.However, the letter did say that there were improving trends in the river quality due to significant on farm effort. Cr’s Laws and Kelliher believe the degradation of the river was questionable.In terms of water quantity, many catchments in Otago also had a medium to high ecological risk as a result of water abstraction. The ORC said historical consenting of stored water has resulted in poor structuring of water allocation and low levels of water efficiency.Since 2018, the Otago Regional Council has invested around $18 million on science, monitoring and policy work to support the development of the new planning framework. That included around $2 million which has been spent on developing a minimum flow for the Manuherekia catchment. ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said despite the opposition around the table, they didn’t have a choice about sending the letter to the Environment Minister - “we have been directed to do this.”

It’s time to put an extra blanket on the bed and stoke up the fire as more cold nights loom across Central.Tonight’s predicted low in Alexandra is -2C, followed by -1C on Thursday night.However, MetService meteorologist John Law warns people across the district could see the mercury drop even lower in some parts.He said the cloud that is feeding into the south of the country overnight Thursday may struggle to make its way up to Central Otago, which could allow those temperatures to drop down a few more degrees. “I would not be surprised to see some spots in the region dip down as low as -3 or -4C and would recommend keeping a close eye on the forecasts for the next few nights.”Snow flurries were predicted at the top of the Crown Range Road this afternoon, but little is expected to settle. PHOTO: MetServiceHe said temperatures would depend on several things; the cold air that is sweeping across the district now, how cloudy it is and how much wind there will be. Cold temperatures are likely to continue into the weekend and the start of next week, although they will be more in keeping with this time of year, with lows of about 1C or 2C.A look at the temperatures across Central late this afternoon. IMAGE: MetService“While these temperatures are cold for the time of year it is likely that we have still got some warmer days to come later in the month. However, I'd keep those winter jumpers close to hand.” To keep up updated on the forecast and road conditions, click on The Central App's Weather & Reports link.

Discharges of wastewater to land/water under the partially operative regional policy statement by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) will be appealed in the High Court by the two inland Otago councils.The Queenstown Lakes District Council asked the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to join them in the appeal and an emergency executive committee meeting with councillors and the mayor was held yesterday to approve the decision.Under new freshwater plan provisions, the policy framework for new wastewater discharges has shifted from ‘preferred’ that wastewater discharges be to land, rather than water - to now ‘requiring’ any new discharge to be to land rather than water.Under the Resource Management Act, the national policy statement for freshwater management is at the top, followed by the regional policy statement, then regional plans, followed by district plans.In a report from group manager - planning and infrastructure Louise van der Voort, it was outlined that the first priority of the national policy statement for freshwater management, was the health and wellbeing of the water body, followed by people’s health needs (such as drinking water), and finally other users. Regional 3 Waters director Julie Muir said it was not just about discharges to rivers, but also to land near the river, “which changes the bar considerably,” and they needed to be able to have open conversations about that.Cr Tamah Alley said she didn’t think they could afford not to be involved with the appeal. But, because the CODC didn’t appear before the panel, it first had to make an application for leave to appeal.The report from council said the new regional policy statement narrows down the health needs of people, and may impact consenting wastewater treatment plant discharges and water allocation decisions for council water supplies.Mayor Tim Cadogan said he would write to ORC chair Gretchen Robertson and inform her of the council’s decision, along with the three affected iwi.

Help is at hand for people across Central who want to navigate their cell phone with more ease.Central Otago Reap is running a series of free digital phone courses, providing people with guidance and handy hints on how to use their phone, no matter whether it's an iPhone or Android.The course, held over five weeks for two hours at a time, is limited to four people so digital tutor Sonia Keogh can provide one-on-one time with each participant.Sonia said the course was developed by Age Concern during Covid-19 lockdowns, when they realised so many people didn’t know how to use their cell phone.She said for many people it was their only form of contact during that time, and while their phones had the capability of connecting them with the outside world, particularly with the likes of video calls, many didn’t know how to access the function.Taking part in a recent Roxburgh digital phone course are Geraldine Cook (left) and Arthur Moore. PHOTO: SuppliedSonia is currently hosting two courses - one in Alexandra and one in Roxburgh, with more regularly becoming available.At the end of each course, an extra session is hosted about online safety, which someone from Central Otago Budgeting Services also attends to assist with questions around topics like online banking.The final session on online safety is open to as many people that will fit in the room.Sonia said the courses are growing in popularity, but the key was to make people aware that the free course was available.For more information about other upcoming digital phone courses phone CO Reap on 448 6115.    CO Reap also has a range of other courses on offer, which can be viewed on their website.

Freedom campers no longer appear to be causing issues in Central Otago over summer, and the council has deferred imposing a bylaw until April 2025.Under new legislation, people sleeping in vehicles that were not certified or self-contained were banned from freedom camping spots, but they could still live in a tent.Local authorities could diverge from the default position of the national rule by implementing freedom camping bylaws that permit freedom camping in non-self-contained vehicles in certain areas, or prohibit, or place restrictions on freedom camping in certain areas.Land Information New Zealand currently has designated the popular Lowburn and Jacksons sites as only for certified self-contained vehicles, but Bendigo and Champagne Gully were currently exempt.The sites around Lake Dunstan were becoming particularly congested several years ago and facilities overflowing, causing concerns for residents and others trying to use the areas recreationally. Many freedom campers were working in the area to pick fruit. Tim Cadogan told a council meeting last week, his phone wouldn’t stop ringing from people complaining about freedom campers when it first became an issue.The situation settled when Covid-19 disrupted overseas backpackers from coming into the country, but even though strong numbers of freedom campers had been noted again this summer, council staff reported few problems. 

The age-old skill of sewing is alive and well in Ophir, thanks to CO Reap’s popular series of classes.Seventeen women attended the first class of the six-week course at the Ophir Peace Memorial Hall on Wednesday, many with babies, ready to learn more tricks of the trade.Some came armed with clothing they wanted to mend, while others were keen to learn how to make a garment from scratch.The course was also helping to ease the burden as the cost of living increases, which has made buying new almost out of reach for some people.Everyone who registered for the course was also given the opportunity to start the class by making themselves a pin cushion.Course tutor Shona Bain was on hand to pass on her knowledge, along with several other helpers who had the skills to get the many participants on their way to making progress.Among the participants was Renee Matheson who joined the class to learn to sew like her mum.Her goal was to sew an apron for herself, followed by more for her children.Abi Book-Miller (left) receives some guidance from Bev Lawrence during the morning sewing session. PHOTO: The Central AppAbi Brook-Miller, who brought her nine-week-old baby, Ida, along to the course, was using it to enhance her existing sewing skills.“I thought it would be great so I could learn more techniques.”It was also an opportunity for her to get out of the house, she said.One of the group’s assistants, Bev Lawrence, was pleased to see so many young ones taking up the opportunity.“It’s wonderful to be with the young ones and keeping the skills going.”Shona was grateful to the women who joined her for the morning to assist, acknowledging the need for their support due to its popularity.“I needed my three ladies because they were busy.”The same course is also being offered in Cromwell this term.To find out more about the courses offered by CO Reap, visit their website.

A Central Otago vineyard’s multiple subdivisions of the same piece of land in recent years has not gained support from the Central Otago District Council planning consultant.Peregrine Wines first started a three-lot subdivision at Bendigo Loop Rd in 2021, then subdivided a 30ha lot into a further two lots a year later, and now wants to break it down even further.A hearing is set down for May 23 and although only one person has submitted against the proposal, planning consultant Olivia Stirling has recommended it be declined.“In all circumstances I consider the surrounding landscape to have already reached a density that is unable to absorb any further fragmentation without significantly undermining the rural character, amenity and open natural landscape values of the Rural Resource Area,” she said, in her planner's report.Although no change of land use has been made, nor any residential activity proposed on the bare land, the planner agreed with the submitter that the applicant was sending “mixed messages” in recognising the possibility of future housing on the sites.The initial piece of land subdivided was 38.9ha - split into three lots (5.46ha, 4.29ha and 29.17ha).The 29.17ha lot was then split into a further two lots (3.47ha and 25.72ha), and now the company wants to split the bigger piece that is left into a further 23.7ha and 2.005ha.Landscape planner Ben Espie also recommended a legal covenant to protect residential building on future lots.Olivia said in her report that it was evident the applicant had taken advantage of the average allotment areas in the district plan, which are intended to be used to manage the level of development in a rural area, and ensure the open space character is maintained. She said staging of the subdivisions of the same underlying piece of land had resulted in a density of development that was not anticipated by the district plan.“I consider that further incremental subdivision of this area will give it the appearance of a rural lifestyle enclave. In my opinion, the emergence of a rural lifestyle enclave within a distinctly rural landscape will visually appear as a departure from the open and natural character intended for the Rural Resource Area.”Peregrine noted in its application that viticulture use of the site was more productive than its current agriculture use, and confirmed it had already purchased sauvignon blanc vines to plant within one of the new lots.

Hunters are urged to take care and be considerate of others as they hunker down in their mai-mais across Central this weekend.Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) are among those calling for people to take extra care this weekend, which marks the opening of duck shooting season.The event features on the calendar for thousands of hunters, including locals and those who travel to the district for the occasion.Fenz advisor risk reduction Otago District Mark Mawhinney reminds people that a lot of volunteer firefighters enjoy opening day as much as any other hunter.“It’s a big weekend for a lot of people.”However, the last few years has resulted in callouts in the Ida Valley over opening weekend, causing the day to be cut short, or interrupted for some volunteers.While callouts were necessary and something volunteer firefighters were proud to attend, there were some scenarios that could be avoided.Mark urged people to be considerate of others and to not take any risks.He said another key message to anyone, duck shooting, or not, was to visit the Check Its Alright website to make sure it was ok to light a fire.“There’s good guidance there on what they should and shouldn’t do.”Central Otago has moved from a prohibited fire season to restricted, which means anyone who lights a fire requires a permit.The outlook for opening day is fine with morning frosts, light winds and a high of 12 degrees Celsius.Sunday is similar, but with a high of 14C.Keep track of the weather forecast by clicking on our Weather button.And, to keep up to date with the seven safety rules of firearms usage, visit the Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority.If you’ve got some photos or a good yarn to share after opening weekend contact [email protected]

The duck population will be significantly reduced across Central Otago this weekend, and a planned goat cull was also planned for the Cromwell Gorge.Alexandra Police Senior Sergeant Graham Perkins reminded duck shooters to be vigilant heading into opening weekend.Remembering basic firearm safety was important such as identifying your targets and being mindful of those around you for public safety.Drinking alcohol was another risk and best saved for the end of the day when the hunting had finished, Snr Sgt Perkins said.If children were accompanying adults they should be wearing ear protection, and legally nobody under 16 should be in possession of a weapon.“And finally look after your dog, feed it and keep it warm,” he said.According to the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, which supports hunter safety and carries out firearms training, 87 per cent of game bird hunting injuries occur in May and 50 per cent over opening weekend.Falling, tripping and slipping in or around the maimai is the most common cause of duck hunting injury, but firearms incidents also occur, such as proximity-related injuries, hearing loss, as well as facial and eye injuries.Fish and Game officers would be out and about checking licences, and there will be a strong police presence, particularly in the Maniototo, carrying out breath testing on road users.Motorists travelling through the Cromwell Gorge recently would have noticed many wild goats and their small families that have come down from the hills to find fresh feed.Snr Sgt Perkins said Aspiring Highways had a goat cull planned for May, as numbers have started to escalate and encroach on the road verge.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee is disappointed by comments made by the Vincent Community Board (VCB) this week that it should work towards becoming financially self-sustainable. Festival organiser Martin McPherson, who sits on the VCB, was not privy to the discussion and declared a conflict of interest - removing himself from the meeting.Festival treasurer Tim Coughlan spoke to the recent grant application on Tuesday and said he was “deeply disappointed’’ to hear the comments made by council staff and board members about the festival’s sustainability. To his knowledge this has never been raised as an issue with the festival committee.The VCB has granted $20,000 for this year’s festival - less than a tenth of the cost to run the event ($224,400), and $4000 less than what it received last year.Tim said when the opportunity arose to clarify any issues or concerns the VCB had with supporting the festival, they chose to remain silent, with discussions about sustainability held after he had left.VCB chair Tamah Alley said, when approached for comment, Tim could have remained for the discussion, and she acknowledged to him that she could have specifically invited him to, and will in the future.“It was important for the board to have a conversation directly with the blossom festival committee rather than through alternate channels. “I have spoken with members of the committee and we all look forward to meeting soon to talk through how to support this event into the future.”She said the VCB “whole heartedly” supported the festival, “and as the current cost of living makes life challenging, it is important that fun events in our community remain accessible to as many people as possible. The committee has always strived for this by subsidising entry fees. It is important to consider all options with a long-term view to ensure this event remains accessible and viable for years to come."The Alexandra Blossom Festival has been a cornerstone event in Alexandra and the wider region for 67 years, attracting visitors from across New Zealand, and internationally. The past two years saw more than 12,000 people attend the Party in the Park - with 17,500 attending the Grand Parade - many of them from out of town. Festival chair Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said the festival had survived more than six decades despite the odds, and was a not-for-profit entity that relied heavily on generous sponsorship, grants and donations. “The festival has survived recessions, Covid-19 lockdowns, extreme weather and a cost of living crisis, but only with the support of the community and key grants and sponsorship stakeholders.  “Where other events have folded, the blossom festival is still standing, proving the not-for-profit event is sustainable, with the support of generous sponsorship, grants and donations,’’ she said. Sharleen said she welcomed the opportunity to discuss with members of the Vincent Community Board any concerns they may have regarding the festival. “We have always said the festival is by our community, for our community - but if our own community can’t afford to go, then what’s the point?’’ 

Sustainable Tarras has not let the Christchurch Airport proposal go, and now the Central Otago group is also submitting against the Santana Minerals gold mine operation.Local media and group spokesperson Suze Keith have both poked fun at Santana’s ‘scoping study’ which promotes plenty of employment opportunities for the local population.“Good news, every person (children, adults, workers, retirees, like absolutely everyone) living in Cromwell can be assured they’ve got a job with Santana Minerals,” Sustainable Tarras’ Facebook page says.Santana’s scoping study said ‘fly-in, fly-out’ of staff or major camps were not required when Cromwell had an 8000-strong labour pool, and there was main road access from State Highway 8.Sustainable Tarras is made up of just eight members, with support from people all over New Zealand, who meet fortnightly to discuss their research and findings, and make Official Information Act requests for important information on relevant high-profile projects.Suze said the group was particularly concerned with Santana’s ‘fast track’ proposal, which it believes will open up politicians to corruption, being the final decision maker.Site map of the area for the proposed Rise and Shine gold mine near Bendigo. PHOTO: SuppliedMaking a formal submission on the proposal, Suze said the group believed it was a form of authoritarianism not seen since the Muldoon era of the 1980s.The group advised against any developer in New Zealand using the fast-track process, as it risked being seen as disrespecting social licence, and alienated the local community.While Bendigo had been used to mine gold many years ago, it was not a landscape that recovered well from the industry activity, she said.Then there was the toxic waste left behind and storage dams built to contain that risking contamination of waterways.“Our infrastructure deficits do not lie in airports or gold mines. It’s not smart development,” she said.The Australian-owned company said several weeks ago that it expected to make a net profit of $2 billion, but was still a year away from starting its Rise and Shine prospect.The mine would operate for eight years as an open-cast mine and for four years underground, recovering 1.12 million ounces of gold.

A French fruit picker working on a vineyard at Bendigo was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital last week, after getting stuck underneath a moving car without a driver.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the car was parked on an incline and started to roll backwards, picking up speed as it headed towards the fruit picker and knocked him over.“He became wedged underneath the vehicle which dragged him and rolled him and then spat him out the front,” he said.The incident happened on Lakeview Rd on private property so police wouldn’t be laying charges as it was a Worksafe New Zealand issue.Snr Const Perkins said he wasn’t sure how severe the man's injuries were, but it was obviously an extremely unpleasant experience for the backpacker - having not long arrived in New Zealand.In other police news, a civil dispute between a landlord and tenant in Omakau last week, resulted in the 65-year-old owner of the property being charged with cultivating cannabis.Snr Const Perkins said an argument broke out between the pair about unpaid rent, and the landlord called police.The local officer walked past the garage and smelled the cannabis. Five mature plants were later discovered, which had been harvested, along with a large quantity of marijuana on the bench.Back in Alexandra last weekend, two Central Otago men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested by police for interfering with a patrol car in Queenstown.Snr Const Perkins said one of the men was also charged with endangering transport after police had to pull over on the way to a job and pump up their tyres.Endangering transport carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment. The pair were also identified by CCTV footage for stealing a taxi sign off the roof of another vehicle.They appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday morning and were bailed with conditions, which includes a curfew.   

Alexandra Police are noticing an increase in golf carts being used by players illegally on the road in Clyde.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said golf carts needed to be registered and warranted if driven on the road, and more and more players were using them as transport and pushing the boundaries to get to and from the Clyde golf course.“And they are coming from further afield.”Players could also be breath tested and were liable to the same conditions as a normal motorist.Alexandra Police have met with the Clyde Golf Club president who will advise members in a newsletter about their responsibilities.Snr Const Perkins said it was the same as a farmer using a quad bike between paddocks - their vehicles also required to be registered and warranted if used regularly on main roads.Meanwhile, a 64-year-old woman, who had been using an E-bike, was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital on Thursday after she was found lying on the Roxburgh Gorge track, north of the dam.Snr Const Perkins said she had been riding her bike alone and while her current condition was not known, it must have been serious if she was taken to hospital by the rescue helicopter.He said accidents on E-bikes were becoming more common, and riders needed to know their limits and be familiar with the track conditions, as well as their own riding capabilities. “They’re either coming around a corner too fast or cutting corners.”Last week a driver fell asleep at the wheel of his car near Lowburn between 7am to 8am, and side-swiped a truck coming in the other direction.Luckily there were no serious injuries, but the driver’s car received extensive damage.

Replacement of the public wastewater main has started in front of the Ranfurly Hotel on Charlemont St.Central Otago District Council (CODC) has temporarily closed some of the area’s parking spaces as a result, due to public safety and to ensure road access can be maintained.A CODC waterservices team spokesperson said while it was inconvenient for people not being able to park on the main street for the next couple of weeks, it was a step they had to take due to health and safety measures.It was also part of temporary traffic management guidelines by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, in order to carry out the essential pipe work.“We have taken proactive steps to highlight the alternative parking space, and we have marked this space with the minimum number of cones adjacent to the Four Square to comply with traffic management requirements.“We apologise for any inconvenience the work is causing and thank the community for their cooperation.”The area of the map marked red features parking spaces that are currently unavailable, those marked yellow are still accessible, although caution should be taken around temporary signage and traffic cones, and spaces marked green show the additional parking available on Northland St.CODC anticipates it will complete this phase of work within the next couple of weeks.Work on Thomas St is progressing at the same time and is expected to be complete by May 21.

Stormy weather did not deter the thousands of people who paid their respects across Central on Anzac Day.People of all ages attended the many services held across the district, from Alexandra to Cromwell, and Roxburgh to Ranfurly - and everywhere between.Alexandra-Clyde Returned and Services Association (RSA) president Kevin Harding said while the weather Gods were not kind, the number of people who braved the conditions was impressive.The sun came out for Cromwell’s Anzac Day parade. PHOTO: SuppliedHe said a dawn service at the Clyde Dam was met with gale force winds, which made standing up difficult.Another service that followed in Clyde was greeted with a rainbow, which added an “amazing” element to the occasion, he said.By the time the Alexandra service started, the sun came out, making for much better conditions.He said the amount of people who attended the various services was “amazing”.An estimated 150 people gathered in Omakau for a 10am Anzac Day service. PHOTO: The Central App“I think [the weather] would have put a lot of people off . . . but there were still a lot of people at each one, especially the dawn service [at the Clyde Dam].“That’s the biggest crowd we’ve had up there. There were cars up to the top of the hill.”He estimated the dawn service was attended by more than 1000 people.A 10am service in Omakau was also well attended, with an estimated 150 people.Penny Sinnamon watches on while children lay wreaths in Omakau. PHOTO: The Central AppPenny Sinnamon, who led the proceedings, said while the attendance was good, the weather had possibly kept some people away.If you have a photo from one of the Anzac Day parades you would like to share with our readers, email [email protected] more: Another Anzac Day ready to dawnRead more: Poppy Day support continues in Central

Outspoken Otago Regional Councillor Gary Kelliher never expected to stay onboard more than for three terms, but he’s thinking he may need to consider one more.From one long standing chief executive to then two subsequent Otago Regional Council (ORC) bosses who’ve come from outside the region, and now a third from within the council, he’s seen a lot of change around the table in recent years.He said the ORC’s new direction meant it had in the last 10 years “moved away from being a council that understands its regions, and with staff out interacting with what was happening out there,” to a council that became very Dunedin-centric and very much working to impose central Government direction.An engineer by trade, as well as a farmer, a quarry owner and also involved with the Manuherekia Irrigation Company scheme management, he brings many ‘hats’ to the table, and questions where that understanding is around the table about all of the region’s issues.To him it’s a governance role, but it was very much a career to some regional councillors, particularly those who have served for more than 20 years, he said.“What I see around the table is a very determined ideological perspective brought to the table to influence direction that’s not relative to what’s happening on the ground,” he said.Gary said the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan that has been worked on for years now, no longer aligned with the recently released Regional Policy Statement, “and it doesn’t fit the direction the new Government’s signalling, so while the Government’s scrambling to change its direction, we’re set on bulldozing ahead to try and beat it.”For a more in-depth analysis on the issues facing the ORC from Gary’s perspective, tune in to this week’s The Outlet podcast.