New Zealand partner company of the now liquidated UK based data processing company Lake Parime, Contact Energy is looking to move on after the shock liquidation.Lake Parime, the company behind the almost complete data processing centre construction near Clyde, went into liquidation late last month (January).The UK-based startup was building a 10-megawatt data processing centre downstream from the Clyde dam, due to be operational in March (2023).In a statement Contact Energy said it had worked quickly to understand the impact of Lake Parime Ltd going into liquidation when they were advised on January 31.The large transformer built at the now defunct Clyde Data CentreThe generation company stated its priority was to ensure all creditors had been paid and that they said, “is the case”.Contact Energy has also terminated its contract to supply the energy to run the data centre with Lake Parime Ltd’s administrators.“We will consider the future use of the wider site, but our first priority is to ensure the completion of the electricity substation with Aurora that will ensure the future security of supply for the Clyde community,” a Contact spokesperson said.The data centre operators were to fund a substation connection at the Clyde dam site, providing a second connection for Clyde. Lines company Aurora is continuing with the project as part of its upgrade programme. 

Civil Defence is advising Central Otago residents who want to help those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle to restrict donations to cash. Civil Defence Emergency management groups ask that people do not donate goods and instead give money directly to relief funds. “We know that donating goods seems like the right thing to do, but often the donations don’t match what communities need,” a Civil Defence spokesperson said. “Monetary donations are the most useful as it means organisations can provide what is really needed to those affected.” You can learn more about the Auckland Council Emergency Relief Fund here.Links to information about the other Mayoral Relief Funds will be provided at: www.civildefence.govt.nz once they are established. People can also donate to funds set up by organisations like the New Zealand Red Cross or community groups.

This result is based on the counting of approximately 95 per cent of the returned votes. This progress result does not include special votes and votes returned today that are still in transit to the Electoral Officer. The outcome of this by-election may change once all votes have been counted. Cromwell Community Board (1 vacancy) Votes received: SANFORD, Wally 390 SIMPSON, Sian 316 MURRAY, Huw 292 HAYCOCK, Tony Independent 283 HORTON, David 218 BLAIKIE, Annabel 148 GEORGE, David 107 INFORMAL 5 BLANK 6 The voter return is currently 27.4 per cent (1,765 votes).The Central App will have the confirmed results when available.

Plan Change 19 (PC19) continues to wind its way through the bureaucratic processes, and like many things in local government, it can appear painfully slow for those wanting more affordable housing now.  Central Otago’s elected representatives are currently getting updates at council and community board meetings on the progress of the proposed changes to residential planning.PC19 could allow residential sections to be smaller in some centralised urban zones in the district, potentially intensifying residential development in Cromwell, Alexandra and Clyde.The changes could enable three-storey housing on sections with a minimum of one parking space, a minimum yard size of 3m from the rear boundary, and 1.5m down both sides of the dwelling.The maximum coverage of the section to be built on would be no greater than 40 per cent, including garaging and carports.PC19 allows for three-storey constructionCentral Otago District Council (CDOC) principal policy planner Anne Rodgers believes PC19 represents a significant shift for the council.“The last time the district plan was reviewed was when it was drafted in 1998; since then, we’ve tweaked it along the way, but we haven’t done any substantive changes to the provisions or the objectives of the policy,” she said.  “Part of developing the medium density, which is probably the biggest shift for us, was looking at what that might look like for our community, so we’ve developed some medium density guidelines.“Height and distance from boundary have been designed so that everybody has access to light and outdoor space. “We looked at it so we’d get a good outcome for the community,” she said.There were 248 submissions on the proposed changes, many of which will be presented in person to a hearing panel over the last week of April. CODC has two years to process the plan change; currently, PC19 is ahead of schedule by some months and could be enacted later this year (2023). PHOTOS: The Central App

Farmers will meet with Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) officials early next week to discuss the situation in Maniototo as dry conditions persist.The result of the meeting could be a declaration of drought conditions which would escalate the situation, allowing stricken farmers access to much-needed support. According to Otago Federated Farmers president Mark Patterson, a declaration of a drought looks more and more likely with each day that passes. There is already restricted water use in the district, with a stop on taking water from the Taieri River and other waterways soon to reach critical limits if rain fails to come. Federated Farmers is lobbying the Otago Regional Council (OCR) on behalf of farmers who rely on river water for their daily household needs.“We’re encouraging them [ORC] to be as liberal as they can in allowing ongoing water takes, that houses are on those rural schemes as well. It’s just not tenable to stop all water,” Mark said.“If the required rain does not fall, it starts to get to the next level. It doesn’t matter how good a farmer you are. You’re going to feel the impact.“Farmers will get rid of surplus stock as soon as possible provided there are no problems with processing capacity at the meatworks.” Ideally, the district needs 50 to 75 mls of slow, steady rain, then a follow-up rain of an equivalent amount in a couple of weeks to get back on the front foot. If the rain stays away, the long-term outlook is not good.“It will be challenging if we don’t get the autumn rains. Farmers need the feed this rain provides to get through the winter,” Mark said. “While a drought declaration is not substantive regarding any financial relief, it sends an important signal that it’s a serious event that farmers have on their hands.” PHOTO: The Central App

Time is running out to vote for the candidate you want to fill the vacant decision-making seat on the Cromwell Community Board.Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison wants everyone to take the opportunity to vote in this all-important by-election.“We’ve got a really full work programme over the next three years with essential things happening like the building of the new hall museum and event centre and, of course, the redevelopment of the town centre,” she said.“It’s just such an important time for us; we’re spending a lot of public money, and we want to make sure that we’ve got a solid mandate to get on and do what we’re doing.“We need people to step up and vote to choose someone who will join us on the journey, bring new perspectives and ideas, and make a difference.”Read the candidate profiles here.If you are voting by post you need to post the form tomorrow (Tuesday February 14) to ensure it arrives by midday Friday (February 17) - in time to be counted.Voting papers can also be dropped in ballot boxes located at the Cromwell Service Centre and Library, Cromwell New World and Fresh Choice Supermarkets.Currently, just 20 per cent of those registered to vote in the Cromwell ward have returned their papers.PHOTO: The Central App 

Representatives of the Cromwell Sports Club used the public forum at the most recent meeting of the Cromwell Community Board (CCB) to support its request for funding.The club wants to upgrade the existing facilities on Anderson Park Recreation Reserve and it applied to the CCB to release $69,333 from the Cromwell Sports Club Fund Reserve to the club for the upgrade.The club also requested $250,000 from the CCB, which resolved to consider the request as part of the 2024-34 Long-term Plan process. The sports club said as Cromwell’s population has grown, so has the need for larger facilities to cater to the additional demand. In May 2020, the CCB agreed to a variation of the club’s lease to increase the clubroom area to provide for the construction of new changing facilities and storage areas.The club has been working with council staff on a funding proposal for the board’s consideration over recent months, as well as undertaking discussions with funding agencies.The club invested $40,000 in concept design plans, incorporating feedback from consultation with its members and the public. The proposed upgrade includes increasing the building from 146m2 to 250m2, adding four changing sheds, improving accessibility, and creating a small and large meeting room. To date, the club has fundraised $200,000 of the estimated overall cost of the upgrade of around $2.1M.Cromwell Sport’s Club secretary Paula Clark said she would hold off commenting on the outcome of the CCB meeting until after the committee had met. The existing clubrooms were built in 1980 by the club on land leased from council. Cromwell Sports Club Inc. represents eight member clubs: Cromwell Rugby Football Club, Cromwell Junior Rugby Club, Cromwell Associated Football Club, Cromwell Basketball Club, Cromwell Cricket Club, Cromwell Lawn Tennis Club, Cromwell Netball Club and the Golden Oldies Netball Club.PHOTO: The Central App

A prohibited fire season remains in place as the fire risk lifts to extreme levels in some parts of Central Otago. A prohibited fire season means a total ban on outdoor fires and the suspension of all previously granted fire permits.These zones include the towns and areas surrounding Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Omakau, Ranfurly and Naseby.“The warmer and drier weather, the increased risk of fire danger there is,” a Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) spokesperson said.“If we get windy days, it will exacerbate the fire conditions, and it can spread rapidly.“The long history of significant vegetation fires in the area shows how careful we need to be at this time of year.”Authorities are reminding people it only takes one spark to start a wildfire. Wildfires can pose a significant risk to life and property.Anyone mowing (especially beside roadways) or undertaking any other action that may ignite a fire due to sparks, should remain vigilant and take all preventative measures to prevent dry vegetation from igniting.Find information about what you can and can’t do during a prohibited fire season, along with fire safety tips here.

The Cromwell Community Board (CCB) has endorsed a report on changes to the proposed new Memorial Hall and Events Centre.The board also agreed to make the plans public for feedback.A drop-in centre to get feedback from the public will be established in Cromwell in the next few weeks.People visiting the drop-in centre will also be able to immerse themselves in the plans via virtual reality headsets. The preliminary floor planCentral Otago District Council (CODC) deputy mayor Neil Gillespie was enthusiastic about the new concept plans and looked forward to receiving all public feedback, whether positive or negative."I reckon that it's great to see where things are going. It's really exciting," he said.Cromwell Community Board (CCB) chair Anna Harrison was keen to get the community on board with the design, planned location and the story of the site itself. "The building is on a very significant site for the history of Cromwell from pre-European history right through." A movie theatre is proposed for the developmentInitially, the board was just to receive the report, but Anna recommended the board go further. "We want to be able to endorse that we think that the designs are going in the right direction and endorse those next steps of connecting with our community to make sure that we've got them behind us on this journey,” she said.The CCB has endorsed the preliminary design of the hall and events centre for engagement with the community. The design can be found on the CODC ‘Let's Talk’ website. There will be drop-in sessions for public feedback in March.The board also resolved to meet with external funders; and the developed design is to be presented to the board for approval at its May meeting. 

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan sought reassurance at the first council meeting of the year that staff were on track to meet the three waters handover deadline of June 30, 2024.Council will transfer the delivery of three waters services to a new water services entity on July 1, 2024, with $46.5M remaining of the 2021-2024 Long Term Plan (LTP) budget to spend.As a result there’s pressure on council staff and contractors to complete projects on time.If any budgeted capital in the LTP remains unspent, it will transfer to the new three waters entity.With fewer than 18 months remaining, Tim asked if already stretched staff were up to meeting the target date.After the meeting, the mayor told the Central App he had been reassured the organisation was up to completing water-related projects ahead of the transition.Follow the link to see what the mayor had to say. [video link] 

Lake Parine, the company constructing a data processing centre in Central, has gone into liquidation, and its assets have been sold.The UK-based startup was building a 10-megawatt data processing centre downstream from the Clyde dam, which was to be operational in March (2023).Lake Parine’s website is locked on a screen animation with no company information or links available. In a Twitter post in December (2022), the company shared a timelapse video of the installation of data processing infrastructure at the leased site below the Clyde dam with no indication of financial woes ahead.Earlier the same month, Lake Parine celebrated opening a 20-megawatt data processing operation at a nuclear power station in Ohio in the United States as part of its commitment to carbon-free data processing. One of the eight data processing modules at the centreLake Parine has not yet responded to Central Apps’ requests for comment.The company had committed to not exclusively mining cryptocurrency at Clyde as a condition of their agreement with Contact Energy, their energy supplier. However, much of the capital the company was investing at Clyde was derived from cryptocurrency.With the digital currency shedding 60 per cent of its value in 2022, offshore market watchers have speculated that Lake Parine was restricted in its ability to secure capital to continue investing in Clyde.  Lake Parine joins other crypto mining operations that have succumbed to the dramatic revaluation of the digital currency in what is known as the “Crypto Winter”.Statar Mining (Holdings) Ltd has purchased Lake Parine and its assets for an undisclosed sum in a deal that includes transferring all 16 staff members.Statar Mining (Holdings) Ltd is based in London and was incorporated on January 25 (2023) just last week.The data centre operators were to fund a substation connection at the Clyde dam site, providing a second connection for Clyde and bolstering electricity connectivity and supply security.No information has been provided on the status of the second connection with Clyde, whether Lake Parine completed the link before going into liquidation, or if Statar Mining will continue with the commitment.Contact Energy and line company Aurora are associated with the project. Both are yet to respond to Central App enquiries over Lake Parine’s sudden liquidation and sale and any possible implications for Central businesses involved in the project. The Central App will continue to follow the situation and provide updates when additional information is forthcoming.

Eleven leading New Zealand academics recently wrote an open letter stating a proposed new airport in Tarras should not proceed, as it runs against prevailing research.In the letter, the group suggested “significant environmental, social, cultural and economic as well as political and reputational consequences” of failing to reduce carbon emissions by building a new airport during a climate emergency.”Read more: Professors say ‘no’ to proposed airport in Tarras Tarras airport project director Michael Singleton told the Central App he had read the letter with interest, and always welcomed perspectives on the project.“We believe a new airport can fit within New Zealand’s emissions targets and meet the challenges posed by a changing climate,” he said. “No project, including our own, is likely to be given approval if it fails to demonstrate how it will address its impacts and fit into a low emissions future.”Michael said researchers “continue to wrongly assume our plans are driven solely by long-haul tourism”. “That is not and never has been the case.“Airports need to be able to serve a range of people from local residents, visitors, friends and family, exporters or goods and services (including education). Our project aims to do that.”The Central App asked a Tarras local what they thought of the academic input, and their response was it looked like the “greenies” were determined to stop the airport.“Why can’t they just build the thing?”One Tarras local said it looked like the “greenies” were determined to stop the airportThis view seems to be in the minority in the Tarras area, however. A survey conducted by the Sustainable Tarras group indicated that 85 per cent of the community disapproved of the airport proposal.The open letter has also not affected the neutral stance taken by the Central Otago District Council (CODC). In a statement attributed to Mayor Tom Cadogan, the council said: “CODC has not taken a formal position on the potential development of an airport at Tarras.“As the consenting authority, it is important that we are very circumspect before taking a position, although we reserve our right to do this in due course should a firm proposal be tabled. “If we do, it will need to take into account a range of factors, including those related to the environment, those people most directly impacted, and the interests of the community at large.“We would note that at this stage CIAL (Christchurch International Airport Ltd) is a landowner only and have not made any applications for development at the site.”The Central App understands CIAL will soon release details of the proposed airport’s runway orientation early this year (2023) after postponing the release in late 2022.

Vincent Community Board (VCD) is seeking policy clarification from the full council before committing to the majority-preferred option of a staged removal of the Bridge Hill reserve pine trees.The trees have been deemed a nuisance as they are spreaders of seeds in the area, exacerbating the already enormous problem of wilding pines throughout Central Otago’s unique terrain.A report prepared by council staff recommended clear felling of the trees as the preferred option, however the majority of the VCD voted for a staged approach to the removal over the coming years.The Central Otago District Council (CODC) has a by-law which states that all measures be taken to prevent the spread of invasive species of trees, and the board is seeking clarification of this policy.“We’ve got a policy that’s not going to be followed,” councillor Tracy Paterson said. “If we as the owner of the land are going to do a staged approach we’re setting precedence for everyone else and I’m not sure that’s being a responsible landowner.”Effectively the council will be asking itself whether it can continue to encourage pine eradication on private land and not be seen to do so on its own property.Council must decide if a staged removal of trees contravenes its own policy“I think we can do more work as a community board and as residents with staff to come up with a compromise,” councillor Martin McPherson said.“If it’s a case of money we can find the money; we find the money for everything else we wish to do.” And it may be a question of the board “finding the money” if a decision is not made by the close of the financial year, as access to government wilding pine eradication funding will then end.The burden of the removal of the trees and the rehabilitation of the land would then fall exclusively on the shoulders of ratepayers. The community board’s approach to tree removal will be finalised by the full council at the next meeting in March, while the window to government funding continues to close.Watch a full stream of the Vincent Community Board Meeting, where the future of the trees was addressed, here. 

Six of the seven candidates vying for the vacant seat on the Cromwell Community Board fronted up to an audience on Monday night (January 30). Candidates had five minutes to address the 50-strong audience before taking questions from the floor. Many topics were traversed, from the community’s lack of health facilities, the location of the new museum complex, and the need to make the most out of opportunities presented by the new cycling trails in the district.All candidates, however, were united over the critical issue facing Cromwell: The significant lack of housing and accommodation.Sian Simpson, who could not attend the meeting, had a statement read by meeting chair and former Cromwell mayor Peter Mead.Watch the Central App video to see and hear some highlights of the candidates’ comments:Candidate profiles can be found here. Voters have until Friday February 17 to return voting papers. Orange ballot bins have been placed at Cromwell Fresh Choice, Cromwell New World, the Cromwell Library, Cromwell Service Centre and the Central Otago District Council offices in Alexandra.Update your details or enrol to vote in the by-election here.

Seven candidates are competing for the vacant seat around the Cromwell Community Board table. Voting papers are in the mail, and it’s now time to meet candidates.Cromwell voters who want to hear what candidates have to say are invited to a public meeting this coming Monday (January 30) at the Cromwell Presbyterian Church, Elspeth Street at 7pm. Each candidate will give a brief presentation followed by questions from the floor.Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan is enthusiastic about the election, especially as so many have put their hands up for the vacant seat.“I was really disappointed when we wound up in a situation where the Cromwell Community Board, which outside of the Auckland boards I would say is the most well endowed and powerful community board, probably in the country to not have enough candidates put their hand up to get on that board was a great disappointment, but to see seven people now recognising that ‘hey, this is important, I wanna be part of this’, is absolutely fantastic,” he said.For voter convenience, ballot boxes have been placed at the Cromwell council service centre and New World Cromwell and Fresh Choice supermarkets.The last day for voting is Friday February 17.The Cromwell Lions and Rotary Clubs have arranged the candidate meeting. Watch The Central App video report hereThe public meeting will be live-streamed here. Click here if you need to update your details or enrol to vote in the byelection.

On a warm sunny Central Otago day, there’s nothing more inviting than a dip in one of our many lakes and rivers. However, river and lake swimming can be as risky as any coastal location around New Zealand, a risk highlighted by two recent tragic drownings at Glenorchy.Many people lack an understanding of or acknowledge the strength of river currents. It can be particularly deceitful when a river meets a larger body of water, such as a lake or reservoir.Lake DunstanThe two recent drownings near Glenorchy were close to where the Rees River flows into the head of Lake Wakatipu.Swimming in a river presents many hazards; swimmers can be swept down river, dragged underwater, or pushed against an obstacle like a rock or log and trapped. Water Safety New Zealand’s river swimming safety tips warn that swimming in a river is not like swimming in a pool or in the sea: River water is much colder than pool or seawater, and you do not float as well in river water as you do in seawater. People should also be aware of river currents. The current can be strong even if the river looks calm and the water is slow-moving.Check there is no risk of being swept into a fast-flowing part of the river.If you are in a current and try to put your feet down, your foot could become trapped under rocks; you can become trapped against obstacles and strainers or be swept into rapids, waterfalls or weirs; and you will use a lot of energy to keep yourself afloat as you aim to get out of the river at the first safe exit.People should also check the depth of the water (it may be deeper or shallower than you think), and what is beneath the water - there may be obstacles you can’t see washed into the swimming hole. You could get trapped on a submerged log or rubbish. Central Otago swimmers especially should check the water depth before leaping into rivers, as they can change daily.Investigations into the two Glenorchy drowning incidents are still ongoing. The causes of the drownings will be revealed when the coroner reports are released.  For more information on water safety please visit the Water Safety New Zealand website.

We all see them, and you may even have played a role in establishing and placing one in the memory of a significant figure or event. Central Otago District Council (CODC) regularly receives requests from the public to memorialise people, events and activities on public land.Included are commemorative trees, park seating, metal plaques, ornamental features, and sculpture memorials. Requests for memorials have been handled on a case-by-case basis, until now.An official memorial policy was adopted yesterday (Wednesday January 25) at the first meeting of the CODC for 2023. The new policy provides a clear and consistent process for those in the community who wish to place memorials in parks and reserves in Central Otago, and guidelines for council staff.Memorial bench at Pioneer Park“It will assist both our staff and the applicant with more clarity around our approach,” CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said.Factors taken into account when determining the suitability of a commemorative memorial include its location, materials, language and historical significance. CODC staff consider applications for commemorative memorials for subjects (whether individuals, associations or events) that have made significant contributions to the Central Otago district.Anyone interested in establishing a memorial can find the application here. The CODC policy as adopted, with slight amendments, will be available on the CODC strategies and policies page later this month.

Animal Rehab Central’s (ARC) Shirlene Steel is happy that Kitten season has returned to the typical months after starting as late as January and running through until July in recent years.Shirlene said she expects kittens to come in October, November and December, but for the past few years, they’ve been turning up in the winter months.“There have been no kittens on the ground in, you know when they’re supposed to be, and then we’ve been getting lots of kittens from January right through to the middle of winter, and it’s not ideal.“We probably homed about five letters before Christmas (2022), and over the Christmas New Year period, it’s slowed up a bit,” Shirlene said.There are just eight kittens at ARC at the moment, and Shirlene has good advice for anyone interested in getting a new kitten for companionship or the family. Hissy the kitten“Well, put it this way, people are better off getting a kitten through us and paying the $200.00 because these kittens will be fully vaccinated, microchipped and desexed.” Her advice is not to get a free kitten because “it’s going to cost people an arm and a leg”. “That’s when the desexing doesn’t happen, and people go, oh God, we can’t afford that, and the kitten problem begins again with a new generation of non-desexed cats.“There’s no way they’ll get all that done at a vet for the $200 we ask for a kitten at ARC,” she said. Many kittens that come to ARC are from feral cats that drop their kittens at somebody’s back door. If you own a cat you should be aware of the risks to New Zealand’s native birds. Forest and Bird and the RNZSPCA have made a fact sheet that includes tips on how to reduce your cat’s hunting birds and other native wildlife. Find it here.ARC is a charity that aims to provide care and rehabilitation for the region’s animals in need. Find more information here.If you want to support ARC or foster or adopt a kitten, please get in touch with ARC via email.

The Monkeypox (Mpox) vaccine can now be prescribed in Central Otago.The vaccine is free for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), people who have multiple sexual partners, and trans and non-binary people who have sex with MSM.Associate minister of health Ayesha Verrall is encouraging eligible people to make an appointment for a free consultation with a doctor by calling Healthline free on 0800 611 116. “The consultation is needed as this vaccine has not yet been approved by Medsafe, the New Zealand medicines regulator,” Ayesha Verrall said.“Mpox did not get a foothold in New Zealand in 2022 like it did in other countries. This is down to the great collaboration of community organisations, public health teams, and people taking sensible steps to reduce their risk.”The vaccine may be prescribed by a medical practitioner following the consultation and provided in line with section 29 of the Medicines Act.This vaccine can also be given to close physical contacts of people infected with mpox after they have been exposed to mpox. If this is within four days after the first exposure to mpox, it will provide the highest chance of avoiding the disease. If people think they have been exposed to mpox, they should also call Healthline: 0800 611 116Advertising the availability of the vaccine is prohibited by section 20 of the Medicines Act 1981, as it is not yet approved by Medsafe. However, section 29 allows the vaccine to be prescribed.