Orchardists fighting to protect summer crops from spring frosts are raising the ire of lifestyle block owners.Some Central Otago orchardists are continuing to get complaints from rural landowners about the noise from their frost fighting wind machines.3 Kings Cherries managing director Tim Paulin said he estimated the wind machines across the district would only be used about 150 hours each season.Speaking on behalf of the industry, he said they did get a hard time of it, “but it’s not a huge problem for the amount of good they do,” he said.Given the history of the area was based around fruit growing, he wanted rural landowners living near wind machines to understand the importance of primary industry to the economy.“The area needs money put into it to keep it running and we're helping with that.”Tim and Tisha Paulin of 3 Kings Cherries, north-east of the Clyde dam. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APP There were now different models of wind machines on the market that were quieter, but they didn’t always do as good a job at frost fighting, he said.“We don't have them running for no reason - they are used for the good of the industry.”A Central Otago Frost Fan Control Group page had been set up on Facebook, with information about how to make an official complaint to council.It stated that if anyone believed a neighbouring property was breaching the noise limits, they should put it in writing to the Central Otago District Council for monitoring.The page administrator did not respond to questions from The Central App by the time of publication.A recent statement on the page said the council had been working with orchards whose fans have not complied with the noise limits.  “As a result, fan heads have been replaced and other noise mitigation efforts have been made.”But the council confirmed to The Central App only one official complaint had been made, with one orchard having to replace its frost fans in the past yearThe page said last season the council purchased its own monitoring equipment for the purposes of ensuring compliance in not only the District Plan but also the Resource Management Act noise limits.   Most orchardists spoken to said spring had been mild so far with regard to frost events.Gourmet Summerfruit manager Matt Tyrrell, who runs a large cherry operation in East Roxburgh, said he would usually average about 14 days of frost fighting a season, but so far had only been out half a dozen times.  Frosts usually only continued in Central Otago until mid-November but extreme weather events in recent years always had orchardists on guard.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said it has been an incredible privilege to serve the district over the past eight years, “and it’s hard to let go. But it’s time.”Reflecting on his tenure, Mayor Tim told The Outlet it had been a very strange feeling since making his announcement two weeks ago.“A lot of my time as Mayor I have looked at people who cling to privilege and I’m not going to,” he said.He’s had dinner with the Prime Minister and opened A&P shows, appeared on national media many times and chatted with little old ladies in the coffee shops - and enjoyed it all.“But I’ve started to become a bit of the person I don’t want to be and it’s grinding me down a bit,” he said.Mayor Tim said he’d learned how to handle criticisms and was always one for a good quote “only let the criticism of those you respect affect you."“But obviously there are those times I have got it wrong.”While blessed that he never had to declare a state of emergency, he said the Roxburgh floods came close and of course there were the tough times of Covid-19.It had been challenging working in a small council “that runs on an oily rag,” and admits they’d get a lot more done if they had more resources.There was only one person working in economic development, for example, and it was constantly a frustration for not only himself but the community, that things were done slowly.But he said Central Otago was blessed that it wasn’t involved in ‘party politics’ like other parts of the country, and people were willing to listen to others' points of view.“I’ve only had to use my casting vote once in eight years,” he said.Listen to Mayor Tim’s last podcast with The Outlet hereIf travelling this long weekend, keep an eye on Road report

Regional councillors are mixed in their response to the Government's intervention ahead of a vote on its Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).On Tuesday night the Government made an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, restricting councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans before the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is replaced.The intervention forced the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to axe a vote on its Land and Water Regional Plan scheduled for yesterday. As a result, the regional council may now miss out on early involvement in the new national policy statement for Fresh Water Management previously offered by Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds.Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher said he understood the offer for the regional council to be involved in initial planning was only on the table if it had paused its Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) last week.Following a recent closed door meeting with councillors and Ministers Simmonds and Todd McClay, it had become clear to the Government there was still a 7-5 split from the regional council in support of the LWRP being notified.Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds had met with Otago Regional councillors recently. PHOTO: SUPPLIED“The Government had handed the entire olive tree to ORC and seven councillors said no thanks. So the government, I guess had no option but to change the law and they did,'' Cr Kelliher said.“I hope the seven councillors are proud of themselves. Their determined ideological direction did Otago out of the deal offered to pause and then have specific involvement for Otago in the preparation of the new NPS-FM.’'Fellow Dunstan ward councillor Cr Alexa Forbes - one of the seven regional councillors in support of notifying the plan - was strong in her criticism of the Government’s actions."By not being permitted to notify this plan today, we have been prevented from playing our part in our democracy and our future,’’ she said.The Government’s actions, “or lack of it’’ risked ‘’our freshwater, our environment and our future economic prosperity’’ as well as local democracy, Cr Forbes said.“We have heard loud and clear from government, “do as I recommend, or suffer the consequence of our force’’.“And it’s not just us, we’re not special, we’re just first. "Sixteen regional councils in New Zealand trying to bring in plans will be watching, horrified, at this overreach. So much for localism.''The region's prosperity was “entirely reliant’’ on the health of our freshwater and our environment, and as such it was not okay there were still rivers with no legislated minimum flow 30 years after the Resource Management Act was introduced, she said.“We’ve heard a minister discuss the state of a river that runs through one of the world’s oldest and most heavily populated industrial cities in the same breath as she talks about our rivers, lakes and streams. ‘’The Seine with its high E.coli levels and other pollutants in the same breath as the mighty Mata Au (Clutha). There’s something seriously wrong with that picture.” Cr Kelliher believed the new legislation was better than having to pause the plan, “but not as good as it could be to have specific Otago involvement, which I assume will now be off the table, thanks to the seven still being determined to notify,’’ he said.“But if that plan had been notified it would have had immediate legal effect from notification date and before all of the changes that were needed through the submission process. So the Government had to act I think.”He said at least now the region’s economy and its environment could be factored together in a revised plan that provided for both when the new national policy statement for Fresh Water Management was in place. “And ratepayers and stakeholders can focus on Christmas rather than having to think about submitting on the incredibly poorly conceived plan just hopefully stymied, and the millions that likely have been saved.”Dunstan ward Councillor Michael Laws said he was delighted the Government had stepped in - “some much needed sanity has been restored to the process.”He believed the consultation process for the draft Land and Water Regional Plan was “shambolic” and did not properly convey the costs to individuals or communities of the plan.He said the Government had no option but to intervene as a result.“And to the claim that localism has been somehow denied: the truth is the draft plan was constructed at the direct behest of the previous Labour government, and the previous Labour chair had actually approached a Labour minister to sack the ORC, if she lost a vote.” 

Dunedin Hospital needs to be built, but Central Otago has ‘’legitimate needs’’ that should not be ignored, outgoing Central Otago mayor says.The planned Dunedin Hospital redevelopment has become embroiled in debate after the government announced last month the project may need to be scaled back or built in stages.People took to the streets in protest, while Dunedin City mayor Jules Radich has taken to the roads across the lower South Island in an ambulance named Cliff to raise awareness of the Save Our Southern Hospital campaign.Invercargill city councillors have thrown their weight behind the “They Save We Pay’’ campaign and RNZ reported that 44 clinical directors from across the southern region wrote to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, warning services could be left in a “precarious’’ state if the project was stalled.Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said he believed Dunedin must have a hospital that met the needs of Dunedin, Waitaki, Clutha and to a much lesser extent than it is currently, of the people of Inland Otago.The original proposal was designed to have people from Central Otago and Wanaka use Dunedin Hospital as they do now, however that was a “mistake’’, Mayor Tim said.‘’Firstly, 70% of the people in New Zealand who live more than two hours’ drive from a base hospital, live in CODC (Central Otago District Council) and QLDC (Queenstown Lakes District Council).“It is going to be very hard for us to advocate for the health services that we need in Central if we advocate for a hospital in Dunedin that is, in part, designed to meet those needs in the decades to come,’’ Mayor Tim said.When it came to future investment in healthcare, it needed to be noted that Central Otago grew at 12.7 per cent and Queenstown Lakes at 22.1 per cent while Dunedin City grew by just 2.1 per cent, he said.“Of the 67 TA’s, (Territorial Authorities) Dunedin was ranked third for low growth and this is the continuation of a long-term trend.  ‘’In the 2013-2018 time, Dunedin grew by just 5%.  Population growth south of the Waitaki is and will be in Inland Otago, and it is massive.’’Building services on the coast to meet the growth inland made no sense and did a disservice to the future people of Inland Otago, Mayor Tim said. “Dunedin’s new hospital absolutely needs to be built to meet Dunedin’s needs, but not to meet all of ours.’’“The cost in time and money that Central Otago people are having to undertake to receive hospital treatment in Dunedin is a massive burden that would be avoided if we had the same level of hospital care in Inland Otago that most of the rest of the country has,’’ he said.“That is the situation now and with the huge population growth we have here, is only going to get much worse very soon. “I have sympathy for the Dunedin situation, but our legitimate needs cannot be lost or forgotten in this discussion.’’Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

A refresh of strategic direction is on the cards for the Otago Regional Council, as it signs off and releases its Annual Report this week.Chair Gretchen Robertson said it has been a busy year, but in looking to the future, the organisation recognises there’s more work to be done.“Our focus was not only on delivering efficient services to the people of Otago, but on supporting community-led environmental initiatives for positive outcomes,” she said.The Annual Report will be considered by councillors at a full meeting in Dunedin tomorrow.Cr Robertson said during the year council refreshed ORC’s strategic directions, setting clear goals and focus areas to realise its vision for Otago — "where our environment and communities thrive, ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea).”“To the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, and with proposed Government legislative changes still underway, we placed a strong emphasis on delivering a long-term plan which achieves organisational efficiencies, ensuring we give value for ratepayers’ money while continuing to sustain healthy and connected communities.”The development of a new Land and Water Regional Plan had been a priority for the regional council, with a work programme in place to achieve a notification decision this month.However, a shock Government announcement yesterday stated the Government would add an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill restricting regional councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans.The move saw ORC cancel today's voting on the matter.The Manuherikia River near Alexandra. More community-led environmental initiatives are on the cards for the Otago Regional Council in the next year. FILE SHOTIn ORC’s environmental monitoring and regulatory roles, Cr Robertson said staff completed 1411 compliance checks, including consent audits, dairy inspections, and forestry site visits, while the Pollution Hotline handled 1095 incidents, with 101 formal enforcement actions taken in 2023-24.She was “really pleased” that the annual ECO Fund was fully subscribed, again, this year, which supported targeted and general community environmental projects.“We’ve also actively fostered community-led catchment management initiatives in the Catlins and Upper Lakes,” she said.“Our valued partnership with mana whenua in Otago continues to underpin much of our work programme, with positive water enhancement work continuing through these partnerships.”For the year ahead, Cr Robertson said climate change remained a crucial focus area for the regional council.“This year, councillors endorsed the draft Strategic Climate Action Plan, and we’re now looking forward to seeking community input on this important initiative.”The regional council’s work on a variety of natural hazards adaptation programmes continued for South Dunedin, the Clutha Delta, and Glenorchy/Head of Lake Whakatipu, while climate resilience projects for its flood schemes have made significant progress, she said.Chief Executive Richard Saunders said that while he was pleased 48 targets were achieved overall, it showed there was more work for the organisation to do in setting its work programme and delivering those things for the community. “We did however achieve some great results in the face of challenging and changing times throughout the year, and especially in the Safety and Resilience sector, which met 11 targets, and missed none,” he said.He noted that under Safety and Resilience was management of Flood Protection and Emergency Management, both of which were under duress earlier this month around coastal Otago and some places inland, but both were reported to have functioned well and helped keep communities safe.He said of the 25 targets not achieved, a number were linked to the deadline for the final delivery of reports, reviews and plans, many of which had since been completed and were pending formal delivery.

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has axed plans to vote on its Land and Water Regional Plan tomorrow after a shock announcement from the Government today.Tonight the Government will be adding an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, restricting regional councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans.This meant the Otago Regional Council will no longer be voting tomorrow on whether it will notify or pause its Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).On Friday last week Environment Minister Penny Simmonds told The Central App she was continuing to monitor the regional council, and hadn’t ruled out further interventions or appropriate actions to ensure the freshwater planning did not impose unnecessary costs on ratepayers.The new pending legislation meant the regional council’s current water and waste plans were still operative, “so it will be business as usual for consent holders,” chair Gretchen Robertson said.Cr Robertson said although the regional council had worked closely with the Government in the lead-up to tomorrow’s vote, their new stance “is a change.”“We now need to take some time to consider the implications of this for the Otago community who still need these issues to be addressed.”More information around impacts of this change on Otago farming, business, recreational and environmental interests, will be communicated in due course, she said.Today’s announcement from Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay and Minister Simmonds, was made to provide farmers the clarity they needed around freshwater management, “and to minimise inefficiencies and duplication for councils, and prevent unnecessary costs for ratepayers,” the combined statement from Government said.“Labour’s National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (the NPS-FM) is extremely complex and expensive for farmers and councils to implement – and despite that it won’t deliver the outcomes for freshwater that New Zealanders would expect,” Minister Bishop said.“Regional councils must be equipped to manage freshwater resources in a way that is efficient, effective, and aligned with the Government’s future-focused goals. This amendment ensures the primary sector has clarity over regulations and that councils don’t waste time and resources developing plans that will soon be superseded by the new NPS-FM,” he said.Minister Simmonds said regional councils would still have an avenue to progress their freshwater plans in some circumstances – for example, where doing so would more quickly enable key housing or infrastructure projects to go ahead.“We look forward to working alongside councils as we develop the replacement NPS-FM. We will have more to say about it early next year.” Cr Robertson said the announcement would give the regional council some time to understand the changes the government was bringing in with the review and replacement of the NPS-FM.“This is not a pause that will stop the council from continuing to work with mana whenua and our community to improve freshwater in Otago, it is a pause for the planning process. The good work of protecting and enhancing our environment will continue across Otago.”“Additionally, the council will work with Government officials on legislative options to ensure that unintended consequences do not negatively impact on resource users or pose an unnecessary burden on ratepayers. We have specific time sensitive issues in Otago which will need to be addressed,” she said.She extended a “big thank you” to the thousands of people involved over the past almost five years in helping draft the plan, from attendance at public meetings and feedback sought, the partnership with mana whenua on the journey and a wide variety of rural and urban industry groups who got involved.“This has been a significant process, and everyone has worked well with us democratically so far – as we have worked towards a plan which has been years in the making.”“However, the Government made a different decision the day before our decision. We look forward to working with the Government on the Plan into the future,” she said.

An old 1940’s house in Clyde will be demolished and replaced by six two-storied townhouses, after gaining resource consent last week.Hamlin Enterprises was granted consent by the Central Otago District Council to subdivide 50 Sunderland Street and 11 Fache Street - some of which is partially contained within the Heritage Precinct.One submitter spoken to was disappointed to learn the consent had been approved, and felt that commissioners hadn’t listened to his concerns.He and another submitter were considering appealing the decision, with one saying he would lose much of his sun from the two-storied apartments.He also believed the developers were going to destroy the look of the village, by building them in the heritage precinct.The application was considered by councillors Neil Gillespie, Martin McPherson and Ian Cooney.Planning consultant for the council, Tom McIntyre, recommended the company be granted consent for the multi-unit development, subject to conditions.Under the District Plan, the erection of any new building or structure within the Heritage Precinct was a discretionary, or restricted, activity.The panel also considered a heritage impact report by Robin Miller, building surveyor and director of Arrowtown-based architecture and consultancy firm Origin Heritage, who found the subdivision responded well to the council’s heritage precinct guidelines, “and was a compatible addition to the precinct.”“Having carefully considered the heritage aspects of the application including the relevant District Plan provisions, The panel recognise that Mr Miller is suitably qualified expert, a highly regarded professional in his field and has an in-depth knowledge of the Clyde heritage design guidelines.”In its decision, the panel said while the proposed built form was larger than neighbouring buildings, they accepted Mr Miller’s findings that the multi-cellular design will sufficiently break up the mass of the buildings.Have a story you want to share? Contact us at [email protected]

As decision time for the Otago Regional Council’s decision on its Land and Water Regional Plan looms, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds is keeping a watchful eye on the outcome.Minister Simmonds and fellow Minister Todd McClay met with regional councillors in a closed door meeting in Dunedin on October 12.Following the meeting, Minister Simmonds told The Central App she continued to express concern that its approach to notify the plan may lead to duplication or unnecessary costs.“I am continuing to monitor the council and have not ruled out further interventions or appropriate actions to ensure the freshwater planning does not impose unnecessary costs on ratepayers.”Regional councillors will decide on Wednesday whether to continue and notify the plan or pause, until the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management review is underway.  “Local democracy means regional councils are responsible for freshwater management within their regions, while central government sets the national policy direction,” Minister Simmonds said. The Government has extended the deadline for councils to notify their freshwater plan changes by an extra three years, giving them until December 31, 2027. This would provide time to replace and start implementation on the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, she said.Otago Regional Council chair Gretchen Robertson SUPPLIED Regional council chair Gretchen Robertson, who was one of the seven councillors keen to push on with its regional water plan, said the ORC would weigh up risks and opportunities and take into account both its legal obligations and community needs. She said consecutive ministers have acknowledged that Otago’s current water plan was outdated.“Minister Simmonds has stated she prefers pausing notification to avoid duplication and costs, she has consistently reaffirmed that councils have the autonomy to decide on timing."Minister Simmonds has made clear she has not directed councils to stop. Her preference for a pause has been clear, but so too has her understanding of key local issues needing local solutions and of the time bound challenges Otago faces with its current plan.”  She said both the regional council and the Government shared the goal of a fair, efficient process that ensured healthy water and livelihoods. “ORC has the task of deciding whether this is through notification (which still enables any new Government policies to be incorporated through the hearing process), or through a pause till the resource management system is reformed. ''This is yet to be decided on the 23rd of October.” Cr Robertson acknowledged the regional council faced a key democratic decision. “Each councillor takes an oath to serve all the people of Otago. It serves a community that tells us in community surveys, that freshwater is its top environmental concern—vital for both livelihoods and futures.”

Central Otago residents may notice an increase of police on foot around the district over the next few months.Alexandra police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the initiative was a national police directive that started in October.He said it was to give communities reassurance that police in their towns were visible and available, and having a visual appearance was an important thing.Police were also monitoring high traffic areas around schools and early childhood centres, to ensure drivers were slowing down and coming to a compulsory stop at certain intersections.Snr Const Perkins said he had already given out many infringement notices to drivers recently who were not obeying the law.“They always ask for a warning but warnings don’t work because they just end up doing it again,” he said.With the increase in new licensed premises, particularly around Alexandra recently, police were also carrying out regular inspections.Starting back in early September. Snr Const Perkins said it has been great to see all of the new pubs full of people, and with few issues.“There’s been large numbers in all of the bars over the weekends, and good behaviour by the patrons.”Further checks again last weekend around Alexandra also found good compliance from all bar owners and no concerns.

Former Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer Mary ‘Dawn’ Russell died in Alexandra on October 2, aged 86 years.Loving mother of Lee (Alexandra), Rebecca (Tauranga) and Anna (Italy), and proud grandmother of Hunter, Moss, and Maggie, Dawn began her years in Dunedin, and attended Arthur Street School.As well as a dancer, she led an interesting life as a teacher, an entertainer and was a generous hostess and friend to many.Her dream was always to study ballet and she finally persuaded her mother to agree. Naturally talented, she sailed through her exams and was awarded a scholarship with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and toured with the company.Dawn Russell performing with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in her younger years. PHOTO: SuppliedGood friend of 30 years Esme Kilgour, who spoke at her funeral, said she understood Dawn even danced with Sir Jon Trimmer - and along with his wife, became lifelong friends.Establishing a ballet school in Alexandra in her 20s, at the request of former artist the late Elizabeth Stevens - who wanted someone to teach her children, Dawn used to bus from Dunedin and then back to Roxburgh to give lessons, before heading home again.The Stevens family introduced her to her future husband Bruce, who was studying architecture.“Dawn’s life, from what I have gleaned over the years, was one of high achievement, hard work, generous hospitality and friendship,” Esme said.Travelling by boat to go to Sydney for her overseas experience, Dawn auditioned for the main role in Alice In Wonderland at a pantomime, which she was successful at, and was also a good actress on the stage as well.In her role of Alice in Alice in Wonderland at a Sydney Pantomime. PHOTO: SuppliedShe then continued on to London which took five weeks via sea, and married her husband in Tayaran where he was working at the time.They returned to Auckland to start a family, where each of the three girls were born, and Dawn took to sewing to supplement the family income.Several years later they moved to Alexandra where she took over Fay McKay’s ballet school, and Dawn choreographed and acted in many shows for the Alexandra Musical Society. At one stage she put on a concert to raise money for Greenpeace.After the marriage ended after 16 years, Dawn started Alexandra’s first wine bar ‘The Dandelion’ along Limerick St.“It was a wonderful place, small and welcoming with good food and great music,” Esme said.Dawn always exuded a warm welcome to anyone visiting her home, and her Christmas dinners always included people whose families were far away.“She worked hard at any job she took on - nothing was beneath her and all was tackled with a broad smile,” she said.In her later years she enjoyed the companionship of friends in Tai Chi, book group, mahjong, The Poetry Party and the Shakespeare group.“No matter how difficult things were, we could always have a glass of wine and laugh,” Esme said.

Last month Minister of Health Shane Reti and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop announced the cost of the planned Dunedin Hospital redevelopment had ballooned to $3billion and would either need to be reduced, or done in stages. The shock announcement saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets in protest, angry at broken promises and the implications of what a smaller build would mean not only for Dunedin, but the wider Otago region. In Central Otago, residents live with the impacts of a stretched health system every day. Limited access to mental health and other key services, a maternity unit that was promised but yet to materialise and a lack of an emergency department coupled with isolated communities, long commutes to Dunedin - or further afield - for specialist care, dangerous winter road conditions and a burgeoning population adding more pressure to already stretched resources means Central Otago residents know first hand the impacts of a stretched health service. So is placing all of our eggs in the Dunedin Hospital basket the answer to the region's health woes? The Central App spoke with leaders from both Dunstan and Maniototo Hospitals about the impacts of the Ministers’ proposal on Central Otago. Dunstan HospitalCommunity-owned Dunstan Hospital in Clyde. PHOTO: The Central App Dunstan Hospital based in Clyde is a community-owned facility operated by Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL).The hospital includes a 24 acute bed inpatient ward, including a three bed High Dependency Unit, and provides secondary health services to more than 25,000 people living in the wider Central Otago and Wanaka regions.In the last financial year, Dunstan Hospital has experienced an increase in demand across the majority of its services. Patient admissions increased 17 per cent; the number of afterhours patients treated grew 38 per cent; chemotherapy and infusion treatments 17.5 per cent; CT scans 1.6 per cent and outpatient encounters 1.3 per cent. Patient Transfers in the COHSL vehicle between Clyde and Dunedin had increased 9.6 per cent. Not all services had experienced growth, with district nursing visits and equipment loans reducing by 6.5 and 6 per cent respectively.Central Otago Health Services Ltd chief executive Hayley Anderson. PHOTO: Supplied Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL) chief executive Hayley Anderson said the majority of patients were elderly medical, complex palliative care, and rehabilitation with 85 per cent receiving the entirety of their care at Dunstan Hospital. COHSL had a “strong and supportive’’ relationship with their Dunedin colleagues and staff were in daily communication regarding the flow of patients in and out of the region. The same applied to Lakes Hospital, Hayley said. There were times the flow of patients in both directions was under pressure due todemand and it was important when patients required the services of Dunedin Hospital they were available.  “We cannot, for example, offer surgery as we have no theatre, we do not have an Intensive Care Unit, we have CT but not MRI,’’ she said. COHSL would like to see appropriate services divested from Dunedin to Central Otago - along with the required operational funding - so people could access those services “closer to home”.  “This would be in keeping with the Rural Health Strategy,’’ she said. The region’s population growth meant opportunities were evolving and health leaders in the region were no strangers to finding innovative solutions – on Monday, in collaboration with COHSL, Wanaka GPs, St John and Ka Ora Telecare, the Wanaka Acute Overnight Care service opened. The service will see an overnight nurse service linked to senior doctor support at Dunstan Hospital to meet an overnight gap in service availability. “We could be offering more in terms of outpatient support to our community however we need the contract volumes and the specialist staff to achieve this,’’ Hayley said. Maniototo HospitalIn 2019, after years of hard work and fundraising by the community, the revamped Maniototo Hospital opened, costing a cool $7million. Overseen by Maniototo Health Services Ltd (MHSL), the facility has 25 aged residential care beds along with six medical beds and an emergency department. MHSL also provides a range of health services across the Maniototo.Maniototo Health Services Ltd general manager Tracey Kubala. PHOTO: SuppliedGeneral manager Tracey Kubala said population growth in the district – both in new families and retirees – as well as its popularity as a holiday destination had placed pressure on services. MHSL had experienced approximately a 50 per cent increase in demand for services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, while aged residential care had shown “consistent high demand’’ along with community nursing and Meals on Wheels, she said. Patient referrals to Dunedin Hospital were usually for emergency or critical care and the community hospital was able to admit and manage “more stable conditions’’. “As such we have not had an issue with having access to services, however transporting to outpatient or specialist services is another issue,’’ Tracey said. However, downgrading the Dunedin Hospital build could have flow-on effects to Central Otago. “I can see there being a higher demand for Rural Health Service Providers to be providing more services with less funding.   “We are about our communities, and we are already fighting for every dollar we receive to ensure that we can meet the needs of our populations. Maniototo is no different,’’ Tracey said. “We are quite isolated as a community and the costs involved in running the hospital are higher due to this. We struggle to access services for our community that are readily available in Urban areas. We believe rural residents should have equitable access to all the services their urban counterparts have.’’ Rural hospitals needed to be valued and funded in such a way they could support our main hospitals to provide services, Tracey said. “The plan has always been to have equitable access to services wherever you are in New Zealand, it is a basic human right. So let’s look at our models of care and rather than seeing Rural Hospitals as the poor cousin fund us to support service delivery equitably.’’Next week: Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan gives his perspective Do you have a story you would like to share?  Contact us at [email protected]

As summer looms closer, authorities are urging people to ensure they are adequately equipped when heading out on the region's lakes and rivers.Central Otago police are warning people of the dangers of using inflatable boats without being adequately equipped, following an incident on Lake Wakatipu last week.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said two 18-year-old females were found cold and wet near Glenorchy last weekend, after their blow up raft deflated.The girls planned to paddle two nautical miles from Geordie’s Creek to Twenty Five Mile Creek with only one life jacket between them and no food or water.Starting their lake journey at 5:45pm, they failed to show up by 11:30pm, so their parents called police.Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard Queenstown and two Otago Rescue Helicopters were all deployed to look for them, and they were located washed up amongst bushes 2km north in the early hours of the morning.“People need to be aware that their stupidity and inexperience is putting emergency services under pressure and themselves at risk,” Snr Const Perkins said.Police said it was important that people took some form of waterproof communication or a bag to put phones inside, and registered personal locator beacons were an even better option.Snr Const Perkins said the females had purchased their blowup raft from K-Mart.Many teenagers were oblivious to the dangers of using inflatable lilos and dinghies on Southern Lakes and rivers over summer, without wearing the appropriate clothing and life jackets in particular, he said.Changing weather conditions also made the inflatable toys dangerous - particularly in high winds, when they can be swept away very quickly.The Harbourmaster team will be patrolling Lake Dunstan as well as other Central Otago lakes and rivers over summer on the vessel Kaitiaki. PHOTO: SuppliedOtago Regional Council (ORC) harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook urged water users - whether a boatie planning to cross a bar, a keen paddle boarder or kayaker heading out on an Otago lake or river- to take the time to do a thorough check of their vessel and gear before heading off.“Before going out, prep your boat, safety and communication equipment, check the weather conditions and know the rules,” he said.“For those new to boating, please stop, think, and find out about basic boating safety rules to protect you and your loved ones. Be safe, it’s about enjoying our amazing environment and coming home safe at the end of the day. If in doubt, don’t go out”.“No matter if you’re on a power boat, jet ski or kayak, remembering the boating safety code is integral.”The Boating Safety Code reinforces five key messages:Wear your lifejacketTake two waterproof ways to call for helpCheck the marine weather forecastAvoid alcohol – booze and boats don’t mixBe a responsible skipper

Government ministers and Otago Regional councillors have met behind closed doors to find a way forward in the lead up to the Land and Water Regional Plan decision.The meeting with Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds and Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay took place in Dunedin last Friday.Councillors attended in person and by zoom however regional council chair Gretchen Robertson and Cr Bryan Scott were unable to attend due to personal matters.Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher told The Central App the Ministers were interested in why the Regional Council was still determined to notify its Land and Regional Water Plan (LRWP).While no final decision will be made until October 23, the regional council has been split 7-5 up until now in support of the plan still being publicly notified, despite the Ministers trying to dissuade them otherwise.Cr Kelliher along with fellow Dunstan ward councillor Michael Laws, Moeraki councillor Kevin Malcolm, Kate Wilson, of Molyneux and former chair Andrew Noone, of the Dunedin ward, were advocating to pause the plan.Cr Kelliher said it was clear from the meeting the Government’s recent offer to be involved in initial planning in the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, was only on the table if the plan was paused, “and they were keen for us to do that ASAP,” he said. The changes in the new policy framework were going to be substantial, “and they want the red tape taken away from farmers”, he said.Regional councils were substantially growing in staff numbers and tied up in regulations and enforcement, which was becoming increasingly unmanageable for the rural sector, Cr Kelliher said.“The environment must be protected but we want production back as well.”Queenstown-based Alexa Forbes representing the ORC in the Dunstan ward, is still in favour of the Land and Water Regional Plan being notified next week. SUPPLIEDDunstan ward councillor Alexa Forbes, who was a strong advocate for the LRWP to be notified, said despite the new offer on the table from the Ministers, her position remained the same.“Because I haven’t heard any argument that would move it at this point, but I’m open to any new discussion,” she said.Cr Kelliher said the meeting went for just over an hour, and showed the integrity of the Government, “and that they want the best for the ORC, and they don’t want to burden the ratepayers with the massive amount of changes that are coming.”The Central App approached Minister Simmonds for comment however there was no response at time of publication.

They say blood is thicker than water and those words couldn’t be more true for Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan when he first announced he was stepping down.When asked who had surprised him the most with their comments upon announcement of his resignation, Mayor Tim said it was his brother Bryan.“I have had a huge number of emails, texts and other forms of messages with very kind wishes and thoughts. It’s been very humbling. One I loved in particular though was a person who said they would be sad to see me go after I spoke so well at the Dunedin Hospital rally, was actually my brother Bryan, which gave me a grin.” Clutha District mayor - and Mayor Tim’s brother - Bryan Cadogan is also serving his final term.On September 30, Mayor Tim announced his resignation via Facebook live, and come October 30, Central Otago district councillors will be naming their new leader.He said Central Otago had not had anyone resign before their time was up before. “I believe our first mayor, Bill McIntosh stood down at election time, but not a year out as I have done. No previous mayor has had an LTP (Long Term Plan) in the election year either though.”While there was no “aha’’ moment for when he decided his time was up, Mayor Tim made it clear in recent weeks that since the Long Term Plan had been moved out to 2025, he needed to start thinking about how that would be better led by someone committed to it in the next election.“From the outset, we always thought three terms was about the right amount of time for me.”He said while those thoughts were simmering around in his mind, the job offer as local government engagement officer at Taumata Arowai came up.His decision to leave within 12 months of the next local government election - held on October 12 - also meant the district was saved the $100,000 cost for a by-election to be held, so the timing was right, he said.Mayor Tim said he was looking forward to immersing himself in city life in Wellington with his wife Linda, and had already booked two gigs to live concerts, which he planned to balance with more yoga - a recent love of his.“I’m looking forward to being by the sea for a while, I’ve got good friends who have offered to take me sea fishing which I love. I’m going to read a lot more, particularly when the weather keeps us inside, which I suspect will be a lot,’’ he said.“I’m going to play more guitar, properly get into yoga, go to every art exhibition that’s on, ride on buses and trains to explore different parts of the area. I’m going to keep myself busy, that’s for sure.“I’ll need to, because I love this place and leaving is going to be bloody hard, so best to be busy to avoid thinking too much of what we have left behind.”And of course, family will always be close to his heart.  His advice to the next mayor will be the same thing his late mother said to Bryan, who then passed on to him in 2016 when he was first elected - three years after she died.“Analyse every political decision you make, question and consider if your decisions can fully withstand moral scrutiny, and once you have formulated your decision, knowing it is morally the right thing to do, only you can defeat yourself”.

Two serious assaults in Ranfurly kept police busy over the past week, with one incident needing assistance from units in Mosgiel, Dunedin, as well as Alexandra.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said on Monday night police heard second hand information about a domestic incident in the town, between a male and a female.Because of the seriousness of the incident, four units were dispatched and the male was arrested and taken to Queenstown where bail was opposed.He was only charged with breaching bail but police inquiries were continuing, after the female victim was reluctant to press charges or receive any medical treatment for her injuries.On Friday night police attended another serious incident in Ranfurly where a male was arrested at a workplace on two charges including assault and sexual assault on two females.He was transported to Dunedin where bail was also opposed and would appear in court within the next week.On the same night, Alexandra police were called to the Millers Flat Tavern where a Balclutha man was causing a disturbance.Snr Const Perkins said he was arrested for disorderly behaviour and transported back to Balclutha with assistance from Gore Police.Last Thursday, a cannabis grower was identified by police at a rural address in Omakau, after looking for a female who had a warrant out for her arrest.Snr Const Perkins said three days later police were called to a burglary at the same address, where the offender had broken into the sleepout where she had been staying, and taken a television and sound system.He said the female smashed her way into the sleepout after being evicted by the owner.Both tenant and homeowner faced separate charges and would appear in the Alexandra District Court this week.

After a decade of protecting Lake Dunstan, the Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust will move into hibernation this summer. The move comes after trustees decided to step down with nobody new to replace them.Originally the Guardians of Lake Dunstan, the group was successful at lobbying and tightening up regulations of Lake Dunstan, using $1million in Government Jobs for Nature funding to tidy up the lake shore.Their work prompted new resource consent obligations on Contact Energy, which operates the Clyde Dam - with much of the work focused on the Kawarau Arm of the lake, from the Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn.For years silt and driftwood had clogged the Kawarau Arm and combined with invasive weeds, made it difficult for boats to use the area.The Trust's Bridge to Bridge project focused on restoring native species and improving recreational access/use from Lowburn Bridge to Deadman’s bridge.Former chairman Duncan Faulkner said the Trust put the call out for new trustees recently however nobody had come forward and as a result would have to wind up operations for now.That also meant this year’s annual spring clean, which would’ve prepared the lake edge for this coming summer, was also cancelled. The clean up had been happening since 2010, but relied on new volunteers to help.A lakeside clean up at McNulty Inlet in Cromwell. PHOTI: SUPPLIEDDuncan said the trustees had fulfilled their five-year commitment and now with the Jobs for Nature funding finished, it was a perfect time for them to step back.“The hard work’s been done really. The commitment to LINZ (Toitū Te Whenua - Land Information New Zealand) was a four-year project, so naturally we wanted to see that through to completion.”All of the trustees were from professional backgrounds and had different skills to offer to the Trust, so were able to make change quite quickly, he said.But with no new fresh blood to step up and take over, the group would go into hibernation for a year.He said the trustees all had family and work commitments that were now more of a priority.Looking back over the past few years, Duncan said there had been some surprising challenges within the community.When the 12,000 natives were planted around the lake shore, some of them began to be ripped out and go missing and initially the Trust couldn’t understand why.Then they realised it was certain “retirees” who were upset about the potential of losing their lake views, and the Rural Fire Service got involved.The logic from the residents was the trees were a fire risk, but Duncan said the fire service told them they’d done a really good job of the plantings with a good choice of species.After negotiations between the fire service and affected residents, the Trust replaced some plantings in areas in front of those properties with other species that were less of a risk.“In reality we just saw it as Tall Poppy Syndrome, which is a shame really,” he said.Contact Energy began its Kawarau Arm beautification project in 2023 to co-design improvements to the Old Cromwell area, as part of its revised 2019-2024 Landscape and Visual Amenity Management Plan.Further engagement has been underway with Linz, the Central Otago District Council and local iwi.Read more about this in our follow-up news story next week.Read more: Old Cromwell beachfront on the cards 

Volunteer firefighters had an early wake up call responding to a plane on fire in Cromwell this morning. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) said it received a report of a plane on fire at the Cromwell aerodrome about 7am. Two fire appliances from Cromwell attended and on arrival found a small two-seater plane fully engulfed by the fire, the Fenz shift manager said. The fire was extinguished quickly with firefighters on the scene for about 40 minutes before leaving the plane “in the hands of the owner’’, he said. The plane was stationary when the fire started. A fire investigator was called but did not attend and the matter has been left with the Civil Aviation Authority and the owner. On Facebook the Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade posted it attended the blaze as it was covering for the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade which celebrated its 150th Anniversary last night.

Finn Butcher’s gold medal performance at the Paris Olympics became the pride of Central Otago.In his Olympic debut, the 29-year-old Alexandra paddler claimed gold in the first ever men’s kayak cross final.His use of Kiwi greeting the Mana Wave then selection for closing ceremony flag bearer alongside Dame Lisa Carrington further endeared him across the country.However it is Central Otago that has his heart.Alexandra kayaker Finn Butcher won gold at the Paris Olympics in August. PHOTO: The NZ TeamSpeaking to The Central App on a brief trip home after the Games, Finn said the win in Paris was “extremely special’’, especially with family, friends and Central Otago locals in the crowd to spur him on.“I’m just really, really proud of being from Central Otago and representing the community on the world stage and pretty stoked to bring a new piece of gold back to gold country,” he said.Finn’s visit home was short-lived, returning to Europe to compete in two World Championships.Now, the region will finally mark his historic win - in true Central Otago style.On October 26, Finn will be back where it started - with paddlers from the Central Otago Whitewater Club on the Manuherikia River.The group will pull in just past the Shaky Bridge before the paddlers form a Guard of Honour for Finn as he enters the Linger and Die area. Members of the public are welcome to line the path and share a moment with Finn and his medal as he walks to Centennial Park, where a Civic Reception will be held.Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan is encouraging people to take the opportunity to congratulate Finn.“Let’s show Finn just how proud we are of him.’’The celebration will take place at 2pm on Saturday, October 26 at Linger and Die (Rivers St, Alexandra).Read more: Central paddlers’ medal haul in Canoe Slalom National Champs Read more: Gold returns home with Olympian 

A two-day hearing in Cromwell next week will consider a new application by developers of a residential subdivision in Bannockburn.DJ Jones and NR Searell Family Trust was originally given resource consent to subdivide 32.721ha into 15 residential lots, but withdrew its second application in 2021 for a 35-lot subdivision after huge community opposition.This time the development on Terrace Street will include a 24-lot subdivision with a public reserve area featuring interpretation panels of gold mining history.The Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) planning consultant Kirstyn Royce has recommended it be approved.A total of 38 submissions were received for the current application, two neutral and three in support and the remainder in opposition.The majority of submissions in opposition raised concerns regarding the lot size. For the residential resource area, a minimum lot area of 1500m2 and an average allotment size is no less than 2000m2 was required.The applicant proposed the reserve would provide a connection to the informal public trail and a lookout area to the north and east towards Cromwell, the wider Upper Clutha area and eastwards towards the Bannockburn Outlet and surrounds. It would include interpretive material associated with the former mining activity, heritage associations with the twin Water Race Hill water races, and also potentially geomorphic explanations of the Upper Clutha area.The supporting information submitted with the application site showed evidence of former gold mining works dating back to pre-1900’s as evidenced by a network of historic water races and deeply incised sluice gullies in the northwest with sluice faces and channels.The hearing will be held at The Gate in Cromwell on Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 4:30pm.