Rain gauges are filling up across Central following persistent downpours throughout much of today.MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said about 20mm to 30mm of rain had been recorded around the district over the past 24 hours.Among those areas to have received a substantial amount was Omakau, which has recorded about 26mm of rain since 5am today, July 1.The last notable rainfall across Central was last month between June 15 and 16 where Omakau had 47mm of rain, Roxburgh had 40mm and Alexandra had 23mm.The southern lakes area has also received a substantial amount over the past 24 hours, with upwards of 40mm in some places, she said.Cameron Flat, near the Makarora River has had about 48mm, along with some snow, while Wānaka has recorded about 41 mm.Mmathapelo said wet weather was expected for the rest of today and into tomorrow. “Tomorrow it will be more showery than rainy, with more dry gaps between the showers as the afternoon comes along.”She said snow was also still a possibility for the rest of today on elevated roads and passes, with road snowfall warnings for the Crown Range Rd and Lindis Pass, which were valid until the early hours of Tuesday. “These will be reassessed later this evening if any updated to end times might be needed.”She said once this weather passes, more settled weather was on the way from Wednesday. However, temperatures will be the thing to watch as minimum temperatures dip back down into the negatives, especially on Thursday and Friday mornings, while daytime temperatures remain in the mid-single digits.Check the Central App’s Weather and Roads to keep up to date with the latest conditions and road reports.And, if you are hitting the slopes this winter, don't forget to check out The Central App for Skiing conditions.

A repairability label on electronics could soon allow Central residents to make a more informed choice when shopping for their next device.Consumer NZ has launched a petition, calling on the Government to introduce a label on electronics, showcasing how long it will last and how easy it will be to repair.Central Otago District Council (CODC), which introduced electronic waste recycling at its transfer stations in Alexandra, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Roxburgh in February, believes a repairability label would be an advantage.CODC solid waste team leader Lauren Hunter said it would help people make informed choices about the likely value for money and how long items were likely to last.“Planned obsolescence of goods - through no longer providing operating software upgrades or discontinuing spare parts - is one big part of the waste problem that we in New Zealand, and the whole world, are facing.”CODC’s electronic recycling service accepts all forms of TVs, computers, laptops and computer equipment, printers and photocopiers, household appliances, stereo systems, and gaming consoles.Lauren said recycling electronic waste does require a change in habits and thinking - and does come with a cost. “However, landfill charges are only going to continue increasing under the current government, making landfilling more and more expensive. Electronic items will not ‘disappear’ in landfill, but will slowly degrade adding to the toxic leachate that costs a lot to collect and treat to prevent environmental damage.”She said most electronics contain metals and minerals that will become increasingly short in supply in the world. “It is a waste in many senses of the word that these valuable resources end up in landfills.”To reduce the cost to recycle electronic waste, CODC is covering the transportation costs on a trial basis using Waste Minimisation Funding from the Ministry for the Environment.The district’s libraries also have collection boxes for unwanted cell phones, which are sent to Re:Mobile and are sold for recycling or refurbishment. “The money raised from this is donated to Sustainable Coastlines, so is good news all around.”People are encouraged to clear data from their devices before recycling.According to Consumer, each year 97,000 tonnes of e-waste is thrown away in New Zealand each year, which equates to enough toasters to fill Eden Park and the Sky Tower.Consumer campaigns adviser Abby Damen said although New Zealand’s e-waste volume is shameful, “it’s not entirely our fault”. "Our laws allow the sale of products that can't be repaired."Consumer is urging people to sign its petition, which it plans to take to Parliament once it gets 20,000 signatures.“The more people who join our call, the harder it is to ignore,” Abby said.Click here for more information about CODC’s recycling and safe disposal services: Transfer Stations & Recycling Drop-offs - Central Otago District Council (codc.govt.nz) 

There is plenty of activity in Naseby over the next few months, with the Maniototo Adventure Park hosting a range of winter sports events.Three former entities covering curling, ice skating and luging have now joined under one new rebranded incorporation, which encompases Maniototo Curling International and the Gold Rush Luge.Manager John Grant, who has a marketing background - including in winter sports in Queenstown, has come onboard to establish a new charitable trust and move it into more of a commercially sustainable operation.“It’s about future-proofing these great little community activities and products for our range of customers to ensure that we exist into the future.”To complement the ice luge that was built several years ago, the Gold Rush luge (Coronet Peaks’s former Cresta Run) was also opened before Christmas, extending the park to become a year-round attraction.“Whilst there is a noticeable shift to the winter specific activities of skating, ice luging and outdoor curling, at this time of year, we continue to get lots of interest in the Gold Rush Luge. Despite some conditions being challenging to operate in, especially rain and heavy frost, it is cementing itself as an all-seasons attraction and we've noticed that for many people it is the major reason they've visited us. It's proving to be a very valuable addition to our product mix,” John said. Last weekend the outdoor ice rink had an official opening on Friday, June 21, where they unveiled a new name for the rink.In the ceremony it was announced that the rink will now be named after a local stalwart of curling and all things ice — Naseby farmer Jock Scott.Jock Scott, who the Naseby outdoor ice rink is now named after. PHOTO: The Central AppThe Jock Scott Family Ice Rink acknowledges Mr Scott’s massive contribution to ice skating and other winter sports in the Maniototo.“Jock has put his heart and soul into the ice here for more than 30 years”, John said.‘‘The naming of the rink will appropriately honour him for his hugely generous commitment over the years.’’ This weekend there will be an ice festival in Naseby to celebrate the start of the season, and during the first weekend of the school holidays the park will be running the popular ice camps that give people a taste of curling, skating and ice hockey.John said the Romanian Ice Luge coach was going to be involved in lessons, along with hockey and figuring skating coaches who will be arriving in July.Karen Munroe with some goodies for the guests during the celebrations last week. PHOTO: The Central AppThis weekend will also wind up the New Zealand Curling Champs that started on Wednesday.John said a huge amount of money - in the hundreds of thousands, was spent on replacing the refrigeration plant at the ice rink, “so it’s an outdoor ice rink but it’s science assisted and machine assisted.”That was the park’s commitment to upgrade it, make it more efficient and increase its sustainability.“There's some heavy financial commitments that go into the operation of these businesses and especially with our climate changing. And, it's got noticeable, I mean, all you need to do is listen to the anecdotal chat around here of how ice used to be and how they had outdoor ice pretty much every year, you know, 50 to 75 years ago, like natural outdoor ice with no refrigeration equipment.”Listen to more about what’s been happening out in Naseby, on The Outlet podcast.

A Central Otago district councillor has spoken out saying she will be among those who cannot afford to pay her rates bill this year.Mother of four Sarah Browne told the Central Otago District Council yesterday she’s had to have the hard conversation with her children recently, that she’d need to pause her KiwiSaver contributions in order to cover the shortfall the rates rise presents.After listening to concerns from pensioners who spoke at the meeting, she too said she was “terrified” about what the rates increases of 18-30% meant for her family, “and hand on heart I probably can’t do it.”But, she told the council that it didn’t mean the rates shouldn’t be increased, “because what else can we do?”Cr Tamah Alley reiterated that it wasn’t just about pensioners, with some parents working multiple jobs, as well as young people in the community supporting their families while still at high school.She said many of these young people will never own a home or get a pension.“If we are continually being asked to cut our cloth to fit, it’s very difficult when the design materials and the timeframe for completion is being specified by local government.”Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie pointed out that while the community was great at telling them what they did want, through the Annual Plan process, “we don’t hear much from people about what they don’t want us to do.”“It affects us all differently and for those who struggle we are all resilient and we’ll help each other . . . but it’s not an easy decision to make.”Mayor Tim Cadogan said he took exception to comments from Grey Power that the council didn’t care, and thanked staff and councillors for all of their hard work on the Annual Plan.Describing the rates increases as a “hideous problem,” the council voted to set the proposed rates increase of 18% (average) for the year.Read more: Grey Power continues to fight "massive anxiety" rates increasesRead more: Dunstan ward regional councillors oppose rates increase

Otago regional councillor Michael Laws says the ORC is seriously misaligned from the community that it serves, with its staged three-year rates increases through the Long Term Plan (LTP).However, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) agreed to drop its rates increase by a further 2% with the new average for year one of the LTP now just 16.3% instead of the original 18%.Fellow Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher also opposed the increase, and both have voted against the increases for the past three years.Chair of the finance committee, who led the LTP and from the Moeraki constituency, councillor Kevin Malcolm was the third person to vote against the motion.Cr Laws told the meeting the ORC had an “extraordinary appetite” for local government and spending other people’s money.Staff numbers had increased from 300 to 350 and he questioned whether that was necessary or just to fill the new ORC headquarters in Dunedin?In year two of the LTP, rates would increase 13.8% instead of the 11.2% originally forecast, and in year three the increase dropped down to just 8.7% instead of the proposed 9.4%.Those new amended figures were made at the LTP deliberations meeting on 29-30 May this year when the finance committee directed council staff on a range of adjustments to the consulted proposed plan.ORC chair Gretchen Robertson told the meeting the LTP has a “significant focus” on public transport, large-scale environmental project funding and how rates are calculated. Under the new public transport strategy, there was a need to improve public transport in Dunedin and Queenstown, and by exploring the possibility of new services for Ōamaru, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Balclutha, and Wānaka.

A dedicated group of potters have reopened the doors to The Pottery Club Māniatoto, revitalising the local arts community with their creative passion.The club was once a popular offering in Ranfurly, but as time went on membership dropped off due to age and eventually its doors were closed.However, local residents keen to see the group reformed have brought it back to life.Among them is Nina Healey.She said the idea of reopening the club has been on the cards for a couple of years, with those behind the concept working out the best way forward and completing a feasibility study.It was decided after “quite a period of time” that the group would start off gently, work out how many were keen to be a part of the group and ascertain what equipment was available.She was one of 13 who attended the first fortnightly session, earlier this month.Participants used polymer clay for the first couple of sessions because of its ability to be air dried, instead of having to rely on firing their creations in a kiln.Nina said it also meant everyone managed to make something in the first session, which was ready for the next stage of the process when they attended last night on Tuesday, June 25.Traditional clay will be used in the coming weeks.“Some of us have a tiny bit of knowledge so we’ll be learning together as we go along.”Eventually, someone will be trained on how to use the kiln, one of the many pieces of equipment that was still available from when the former group retired.Nina said other pottery groups around the district would also be approached to see if anyone wants to pass their knowledge on to the Māniatoto group.The sessions are held at the The Maniototo Arts Centre in Reade St, Ranfurly, every second Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm throughout winter.“Once we get to about October we’ll start possibly going weekly, depending on how everyone is feeling.”For more information text Nina on 027 271 3399.

A public meeting led by Grey Power to support Central Otago residents’ concerns about this week’s rates increases, attracted about 150 people in Alexandra on Saturday.Former ACT MP Gerry Eckhoff, who was also once an Otago regional councillor, chaired the meeting which was also supported by MPs Todd Stephenson and Joseph Mooney.Gerry made it clear at the start of the meeting that “nobody came here today to put council on trial,” and acknowledged there were many other similar meetings being held around the country.Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan and several councillors were in attendance and when questions around the room jumped to why the council couldn’t make more cost savings, he got up and spoke.“There is a whole big list of things that don’t need done,” he said referring to community spending, and reiterated that the time to speak up about those was heading into next year’s Long Term Plan (LTP), which has been deferred until 2025.But, in the meantime, the focus was on the Annual Plan, and council had already shaved off $10 million from its spending, for projects that weren’t urgent or affordable.However, people at the meeting said they still didn’t understand what those cost savings were.Mayor Tim said much of council’s proposed 18 per cent rates increase was just to cover basic infrastructure upgrades such as wastewater and drinking water in its Annual Plan, “and we don’t have a choice in a lot of this.”Prominent local figures including MPs attended the rates meeting at St Aidans Church in Alexandra last weekend. PHOTO: The Central App“We all hurt and we feel your pain and we know this situation sucks,” Mayor Tim said.Local businessman Dewald de Beer said he was confused that people in the community didn’t know why the costs were so high, when there had been ample opportunity through drop-in sessions, etc for the public to ask those questions.“It’s the important stuff that is costing us at the moment, and if we go with less money, the important stuff won’t get done. There is no fancy stuff in there.”Gerry said it was the wellbeing of the people of Central Otago that must be front and centre, “especially when setting rates in this very difficult time.”But Dewald, representing a young demographic in the community, said delaying spending on vital infrastructure upgrades wasn’t fair on those families who would then have to pay for them in the next 30 years.“If we want to keep the rates low, what does the future look like? It’s just delaying the pain.”A motion was moved at the meeting at the St Aidans Church Hall that the rate increase should be no more than the rate of inflation (4-5%), and local businessman Stu Millis proposed a street march to council on Wednesday morning to drive that message home.“Stick to your budgets,” one person said in the crowd, with another questioning if the population was increasing so fast, why that hadn’t made any impact on the rates?Mayor Tim assured Grey Power of a speaking spot at 10am on Wednesday morning at council chambers to further share their concerns, but plans are also underway for placards and a street march first.

It’s a big week for the Otago Regional and Central Otago District councils, both setting their rates increases for the year on Wednesday.The Central Otago District Council (CODC) will also be setting its fees and charges schedule as part of its Annual Plan consultation.The changes to fees and charges are primarily driven by increased costs in electricity, fuel and insurance, in line with rising costs being seen across New Zealand. The CODC said it could not absorb these cost pressures, and this is reflected in a change in the cost in a range of its fees and charges.Rates increases for Central Otago residents through the district council have been proposed at around 18% and for the Otago Regional Council (ORC) between 18% and 20%.Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher will be voting against the rates increase, and said his suggestions that the ORC be more financially prudent have been ignored. “The spending of ratepayer money is out of control and instead councillors want to push ahead with what staff want.” ORC estimates $315 million needs to be spent on flood and drainage protection over the next 30 years; including $67 million during the first 10-years of the Long Term Plan.  Areas proposed to receive this investment include Alexandra, the Leith (North Dunedin), Lower, East and West Taieri, Tokomairiro, lower Clutha and lower Waitaki River areas. For many areas, there will be changes to flood protection, drainage, and river management rates, which will see the current targeted rates decline by more than $500 across around 2100 properties in most flood and drainage-defined areas.But the general rate rise moves up between 10% to 20% in the areas impacted; Alexandra, Leith, Lower Clutha, Lower, East and West Taieri and Tokomairiro. ORC proposes to implement a new region-wide (general) rate of 20% of the amount required for flood protection and 10% for all drainage schemes. Proposed targeted rates for river management will see decreases in Dunedin (-33.9%), Whakatipu (-28.2%) and Wānaka (-19.2%) but Central Otago, with large waterways, would increase 40.2% and Waitaki will go up 57.5%. Central Otago will also have its own targeted rate for river management, such as willow removal and river maintenance, resulting in an increase of 40% in the amount collected from Central Otago for this activity.  There will also be a new air pollution strategy. 

Districtisation remains a hot topic around community board tables as representatives prepare to attend a workshop on the matter at the Central Otago District Council (CODC) this week. Maniototo Community Board members are among those who have had lengthy discussions on the topic, ensuring they understood what it would mean if it went ahead.The board continued those discussions when it met last Thursday, with chair Robert Hazlett asking CODC chief executive Peter Kelly what the feeling was among other boards.“I would say it’s relatively neutral. No one has spoken out against it, or strongly in favour,” Peter said.He said at this stage people appeared to be keeping their options open.A report from council showed that over the past 20 years, CODC had engaged in consultation with the community to rate certain activities across the district, rather than by ward level.This was because it was particularly challenging in the less populated wards to maintain services given the fewer ratepayers in those areas to spread the cost across.Chairs of community boards or their representatives have been invited to attend this week’s workshop, providing them with an opportunity to tell council what their community boards thoughts are.The aim is to ensure funding of assets is fair and equitable.“The only thing we have to be cautious of . . . over the next 10 years is significant cost,” Peter said.The upcoming workshop will showcase where the priority of effort should go, with realistic expectations.“If someone says we want to build Disneyland out the back here, we’d say well there’s no scope for that, there’s no money for that.”The community board agreed to provide informal feedback at the workshop on Wednesday, June 26 and formal feedback by Monday, July 8.

The shortest day of the year was celebrated in style when Probus Alexandra members gathered for a long lunch yesterday.More than 50 members attended the winter solstice gathering, hosted at the Senior Citizens rooms on Skird St, where they were treated to a meal and good company.Members aged 90 or over were also celebrated, with each being presented with a floral spray, acknowledging their involvement and dedication to the group.Heather Payne (left) and Maureen McIntosh.Those members are Maureen McIntosh, Freda Robertson, Nancy McAuslan, Betty Leask and Joy Hawkes. Life members Russell Fawcett, Robyn Bowman and Jim Oliver were also acknowledged for their commitment to the group.Probus Alexandra started in 1991 to provide people in the community with companionship, while also supporting their mental wellbeing.Joy Hawkes attends yesterday's Probus Alexandra gathering. Heather Payne (left) and Betty Leask.There are currently 62 members, aged from their 70s up to 93, and membership was continuing to grow, secretary Joy Watson said.The group gathers for bus trips once a month, which has so far included destinations like Glenorchy, Wānaka, Queenstown and Danseys Pass, among others.To learn more about the group, visit its listing on The Central App.PHOTOS: The Central App

Today’s episode features Teviot Valley resident and community board member Gill Booth, as she continues to fight for a drop in the proposed rates rise.Earlier this month, Gill attended the Central Otago District Council (CODC) annual plan hearing where she raised her concerns, many of which have been echoed by other members of the Teviot Valley - that a 33 per cent rates rise was too high.Gill clarified that the proposed 33 per cent was a targeted rates rise, so how much of an increase would be determined by the value of a person's house and whether they were on town water supply.“It all depends on where you live in the community.”Teviot residents made 59 submissions to the annual plan, which made up almost 40 per cent of the overall submissions received.“A lot of the people who are facing a 33 per cent rates increase are elderly. Their wealth is in their property, and they are on a limited income. So, some of those people are having to find an extra $800 to $900 a year,” she said.“That’s a real worry for older people.”Gill is concerned it will result in some people not getting out of bed or they will cut back on food or electricity just to make ends meet.“So, that’s an overwhelming worry.”The majority of people from the Teviot Valley who made a submission to the annual plan have called for a town hall meeting, in the hope their fears will be realised.She told the CODC that a two-hour drop-in session leading up to the annual plan in the middle of the week between 4pm and 6pm was not sufficient.Instead, she was hoping a town hall meeting could take place on a Wednesday or Thursday night, which she wants council members and other district leaders to attend, so people could be better informed about the situation.To hear more from Gill, tune into The Outlet.Read more: Teviot Valley residents voice their concerns

One of Central Otago’s passionate sons Bob Kilgour died on June 6, aged 82.Loved husband of Esme, and father of John and Victoria, Bob was born in Cromwell on February 18, 1942 - the son of one of New Zealand’s most successful goldminers at the time - Bill Kilgour.Bill was just 19 when he struck gold in the Kawarau Gorge, and used his wealth to support his widowed mother and siblings. But by the time he married at 29 he’d spent all of the money on fast cars and gambling.Bob left school at 15 to work on an orchard and clean out water races, and even helped build the Cromwell Primary School.  Photography also became a passion of his at high school, and he started sending in photos to the Otago Daily Times, eventually getting his first job there at 19.His first assignment was in Princes St where a parcel bomb had blown up a solicitor’s office and killed someone. He also became friends with former ODT editor the late Robin Charteris when he was a cadet journalist in the Alexandra office.A young Bob Kilgour on a photography assignment in the 1960s. PHOTO: SuppliedBob went on to photograph the Royal Family when they arrived in New Zealand, and his photo of the Queen Mother fly fishing in Lake Hawea ended up all over the world.Described by Esme as a passionate person who was extremely driven, he was also lighthearted and entertaining, and looked after those less fortunate than himself - particularly if they were miners.Bob is buried in the Clyde cemetery near his brother Ian, as he loved the umbrella trees that stand like guardians of the burial grounds. Esme said they once saw some similar on a trip to Italy.Gold mining was his true passion along with building the plant and machinery for all of his operations. He picked up where his father left off in the 1970s to mine back at Scotland Point in the Kawarau Gorge. His entrepreneurial streak also gave him the chance to get involved with developments, starting with townhouses in Bridge Hill and a 30 acre subdivision in Earnscleugh.Molyneux Estate and Molyneux Industrial kicked off in the early 2000’s and then in recent years he won a local award from the Alexandra, Clyde & Districts Business Group for his work establishing the Countdown/Woolworths development.“He was always a big thinker in that way,” Esme said.Hitting the jackpot with some of his earlier gold mining successes. PHOTO: SuppliedMarrying Esme when she returned from Europe in 1970, Bob helped establish the Central Otago Aero Club and was the first person locally to get his pilot’s licence. Esme remembers being pregnant and landing on top of the Sugarloaf.  He’d also fly his friends to go hunting and used his business skills to make deer antler bottle openers and chandeliers, exporting possum skins to Europe and trapping eels to sell in Scandinavia.In the 1960s Bob and Rex Gourlay set up a photography business and went on to establish New Zealand’s biggest school photo scheme, building a team of staff all over the country.   Also community minded, he was involved with Promote Alexandra, the Alexandra Flood Action Group, and was president of the Otago Miners and Prospectors Association.Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery was a shared passion of both Bob and Esme, and they worked with a group of friends over many years to help establish the community facility. As a former New Zealand speed skater, Bob was also involved with the relocation of the Manorburn ice rink into Alexandra and the rebuild of the facility.Bob and Esme loved entertaining and always threw great parties at their house in Tarbert St, particularly after the Alexandra Blossom Festival.Bob packed three lifetimes into one and loved welcoming new people into the town.“He went from ditch digger to developer and everything in between,” Esme said.

An initiative designed to upskill people across a range of everyday tasks is looking for more volunteers in Alexandra.The programme called SuperSkills, offered through Central Otago REAP, was established to help respond to the needs of the community, whether that be teaching someone how to prepare their garden for spring, knit, or turn a large portion of mince into several different meals.SuperSkills coordinator Ann Conder said it was community needs driven.“If there’s a need we can come in and support - it can be in the home or through coffee mornings, and it can be as an individual or small group.”The group, previously known as SuperGrans, went through a rebrand last year and now under the name SuperSkills is helping make a difference to people throughout New Zealand, including Central Otago.It was initially set up in 1994 in Lower Hutt by Erin McMenamin who discovered the need while volunteering for her local food bank.She noticed people were removing items from their food parcels because they were unsure of how to use them.There are now 11 agencies throughout New Zealand offering the service, which has far exceeded just a few simple tips in the kitchenAnn said currently there were seven volunteers and five knitters supporting the group in Central Otago so far, but hoped more would join, bringing with them one or more skill sets.She stressed that the SuperSkills concept was designed to have volunteers teach people, not complete the task for them to ensure those learning the skill can continue to use it without assistance.And, volunteers, who are welcome to work in pairs, are not strictly required week on week.“There’s no compulsion - if you are going away on holiday we’ve got other people that can fill in for you.”The group also offers a coffee get-together each fortnight, alternating on Wednesday mornings with Mums 4 Mums at the Baptist Church on Gregg St, where workshops will soon be on offer for those who want to take part.Ann said it is designed to fill gaps for new and young families and help them make connections within the community.SuperSkills knitters have also been busy creating garments for young families, and welcome any donations of wool.The group will give all new babies in Alexandra a small pack, complete with a beanie, booties, cotton cloths and a pamphlet detailing what SuperSkills can offer the family.The next coffee morning will take place on June 26, and will then take a break for the school holidays.Anyone with donations of wool, preferably 4ply or double knit, are welcome to drop them into Community House.The group is just one of many who are recognising Volunteer Awareness Week across Central from June 16 - 22.

Cromwell Police were called to a private accommodation business on Sunday night to find severe damage caused by the female occupant.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the woman had arrived in Cromwell from Christchurch and caused a disturbance with her noise - prompting neighbours to call police.She had breached her bail conditions and wasn’t supposed to be in Central Otago.She appeared in the Queenstown District Court and was further bailed to an address in Roxburgh.Back in Alexandra that same night, the Alexandra rural sergeant assisted police with a 26-year-old driver on Manuherekia Rd at a checkpoint.Police noticed a strong smell of cannabis and also found ammunition and firearm parts in the vehicle.A search warrant was issued for the man's home address in Omakau where four unsecured and loaded firearms were seized.   These included a shotgun under his bed, a .22 and a .33 magnum, as well as a quantity of ammunition. Further cannabis was also found and confiscated.Snr Const Perkins said the man, who was known to police, was arrested after learning his firearms licence had been revoked.He is due to appear in the Alexandra District Court this week for possession of cannabis and possession of firearms while prohibited.

Districtisation is back on the agenda again for community board members as the Central Otago District Council moves to integrate all of its rated activities.A representation from the Cromwell Community Board (CCB) has been invited to a workshop next week to provide informal feedback to the council.  Official written feedback has to be submitted to council by each of the community boards by July 8. A report from group manager - business support Saskia Righart for yesterday’s CCB meeting said only 18 per cent of activities are rated at the ward level, including community facilities, parks, pools and community grants.Over the past 20 years, council has engaged in consultation with the community to rate certain activities across the district rather than by ward level. This was because it was particularly challenging in the less populated wards to maintain services given the fewer ratepayers in these areas to spread the cost across. The report said now that council has external debt it was important to manage the balance sheet impacts of all assets as a district. “Most of council’s debt is currently for the three waters programme and as it currently stands council will meet the maximum debt levels in the next few years. “Overall, the reserve accounts are forecast to deplete, the most significant being the Cromwell reserves accounts, which are funding in part the Cromwell Memorial Hall.”The report said in the future, council will not have the ability for wards to borrow internally from other wards for their ward asset expenditure. During the delegations conversation two months ago, there were concerns from the Cromwell community in particular, that the rationale behind the proposal was to take land from one ward to fund activities in other wards with less assets. “This was not the rationale behind the proposal, but it is fruitful to outline what would happen to land if council further districtised activities,” the report said.All land is currently held by council as a whole, and under the Local Government Act 2002 community boards cannot hold land. In practice, however, the council has operated as if land is managed at the ward level, and they have historically endorsed community board land sale proposals - and the proceeds have been allocated to activities within the particular ward. 

A Wānaka man in his mid-30s sparked a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission and an Armed Offenders Squad callout to Albert Town on June 13.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the man failed to stop for police and instead waved at them before carrying on.Queenstown Police then stepped in and put out road spikes on the Crown Range, but they just missed him before managing to track him down at the summit.The man, who was just wearing street clothing, took off into the hills on foot in the snow, so police got SAR involved, with search dogs and a helicopter all deployed.He was not located, but a few hours later the man sparked an AOS callout to his address in Albert Town where he was wielding a cross bow.Police urge motorists to be vigilant on Central roads as goats and other wildlife continue to cause problems for motorists. PHOTO: FileSnr Const Perkins said police managed to negotiate with him to release his weapon. He will be charged with failing to stop and driving while forbidden and has been released on bail.On the same day Cromwell police were called to a three-vehicle crash at Deadman’s Point on the Cromwell bridge, where a motorist failed to give way to another driver travelling from Clyde to Tarras.All three drivers were injured - the motorist who failed to give way was sent to Dunstan Hospital with internal bleeding, the driver from Clyde suffered a broken wrist, and a third driver who crashed into the back on the first car had neck and shoulder injuries.Animals are continuing to cause issues for motorists around Central Otago.On June 11, a woman, driving on the Clyde-Cromwell Rd crashed into the barrier and told police she was distracted by the goats on the hill.Aspiring Highways was understood to be carrying out a goat cull to reduce numbers, but Snr Const Perkins said there were still plenty about. A driver in Ranfurly also hit a stag on the highway last week, but no more details were available.Read more: Drink drivers still taking risks on central roads

The doors to Alexandra’s new pop-up library open at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery today, thanks to a mammoth team effort.Library staff have spent the past week packing, unpacking and arranging shelves to ensure a display of well-loved titles remain available while the library at 43 Tarbert St gets refurbished.Alexandra Library team leader Mo Fenton said the team had worked hard to make sure the pop-up library was ready for the public this morning.“They’ve really worked hard. If you can imagine when you are working in a library, it’s very systematic, so it’s created a bit of chaos, which they’ve managed really well.”The library was closed last week while the team co-ordinated the move, box by box.Mo said the entire collection of 26,000 books were packed up, however not all of them will make it to the pop-up library.The most popular titles, hot pics and new editions feature at the new site, while everything else has been put into storage, but would be easy to retrieve if anyone requests something that wasn’t on the shelves, she said.“We’ve still got access to them with a system going on behind closed doors.”Other library collections across the district were also still available for Central residents to borrow from.A range of programmes, including Home Services, wi-fi, printing and computer use will remain available at the pop-up library.Renovation work at the Tarbert St site will begin today and is expected to take about six months.It will include a cosmetic internal renovation of the building, new office equipment, shelving and general enhancement.The project has been made possible by Central Government’s Better Off Funding, which has provided 60 per cent of the total $1,035,000 cost.Read more: Alexandra pop-up library to open in a week

Peak average particulate matter (PM) concentrations across Alexandra from wood burners in the north-west area of the town tend to be double that of other areas, a report from NIWA and Otago Regional Council (ORC) shows.NIWA conducted a spatial study in Alexandra in 2023 using 42 temporary sensors, to understand more about the variation in PM concentrations across the town.The sensors measure particulate matter (PM2.5) from combustion-related sources, such as wood burners, industry, and traffic. The data gathered gives a better idea of where PM2.5 concentrations are highest and at what time of the day the peak concentrations occur.NIWA released its findings to the ORC, outlining the current state of the environment, and found that the higher concentrations in the north-west corner were likely due to topography and wind pattens in Alexandra.A possible new monitoring site and origins of the concentrations are being investigated, as well as data from the current and previous site being analysed.ORC also ran a number of spatial studies last year in Oamaru, South Dunedin, Hawea, Ranfurly, Luggate and Kingston, using temporary sensors to understand more about the spatial variation of particulate matter.The information from these studies can be used to help identify potential future locations for further monitoring. The annual report also noted improvements being made to the state of the environment monitoring network to include monitoring for PM2.5 particles, which are smaller and therefore can be harmful to health.An air quality monitor being installed in South Dunedin. PHOTO: SuppliedRecent research provides evidence that air pollution is dangerous at lower concentrations than previously thought and supports the lowering of existing guidelines. Upon validating last year’s winter data, Otago recorded only 17 exceedances of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) during the winter months.Otago has several towns where air quality is considered degraded during winter, namely Alexandra, Arrowtown, Clyde, Cromwell, and Milton.

Central’s trail users are being called on to complete a survey to ensure the district’s ‘great rides’ get the funding they need in the future. The Roxburgh Gorge, Clutha Gold, Lake Dunstan and Otago Central Rail trails each rely on funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to help keep the popular tracks maintained.Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails manager Shayne O’Connor said while the survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, it was a simple act in return for what was a free facility many locals and visitors to the district enjoy.“You don’t have to pay anything, but we’d love you to give us 10 minutes of your time,” he said.The surveys are connected to key performance indicators (KPI).“We have to get a minimum of 300 surveys each year, per trail,” Shayne said.“As long as we hit our KPI, MBIE will consider our funding application to do maintenance projects on the trails.”In April, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail had a great response to the survey with 307 completed, and it was hoped that momentum would continue, despite the cooler months and off-season.Shayne said anyone who uses the trails was encouraged to complete the survey every time they use one of them, including young families who only do a short section.The survey is accessible in a variety of ways, including via a QR code on trail maps and a QR code at various locations along each trail, often near interpretation panels.Trail providers can also supply the QR codes, or people can access the links via the various trail websites.Shayne said the information that comes back also provides a valuable insight into the demographics who use the trails, how much money is being spent domestically and where people doing the trails are from.Click to complete the survey for Clutha Gold, Roxburgh Gorge, Lake Dunstan, or Otago Central Rail Trail to ensure maintenance of the district's four 'great rides' can continue.To learn more about the many trails across Central, click on The Central App's Cycling l Walking button.