A Central Otago REAP learner’s love of badminton has led local organisations to collaborate to revive the sport in Alexandra.Choices programme participant Brayden Avery, along with support from Alexandra Newcomers Network and Sport Central, is organising a fun session at Molyneux Stadium for people to try the sport.Alexandra Newcomers Network member Heather Harries said Brayden was the heart behind the initiative.“Our idea is to get everyone in the room and see the interest. He sparked the idea initially and he is the soul behind it.’’The session would bring the community together to connect through sports and fun, and participants could contribute to plans for the future of the club, Heather said.“We’ll find out what people want and how we can move forward, perhaps with getting a committee together or organising more matches.”Heather said previous newcomers network events included wine tasting, curling and cycling.  She hoped to attract different ethnicities and more varied cultural groups through offering sports such as badminton.Sport Central sport and recreation adviser Ben Hamilton said badminton was a very accessible and easy-to-learn sport.It provided a great workout while promoting social interactions through doubles play.“Its low impact on joints makes it suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it a fantastic choice for both newcomers and those returning after a break,’’ he said.Racquets and shuttlecocks would be provided for all the courts, so people just needed to come along.  The Have a Go session is at Molyneux Stadium on October 24 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

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 

Central Otago curlers are once again throwing stones on the international stage.Olivia Russell and Holly Thompson, both of the Ranfurly Curling Club, are part of the New Zealand Mixed Curling team competing at the 2024 World Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland this week.Auckland curlers Brett Sargon and KJ Fourd make up the remainder of the team.The curlers earned their spot in the New Zealand team by winning the New Zealand Mixed Championship held in Auckland in June.The team spent time training in Kinross with the Australian team before heading to Aberdeen. KJ Fourd said that time allowed the players to start ‘’building as a team’’.“We had a good practice game against the Aussies, the team dynamic is coming together, and our communication's going well,’’ he said.The Mixed Curling World Championships started on Saturday, and New Zealand already has two wins under their belt - a 6-1 win against Hungary and 10-6 win against against Czechia which was played at 12am this morning.The team is set to play Philippines next, with the game to be played at 4am New Zealand time.Pool play continues until Thursday, with the final medal round on Saturday.

The aurora australis has made a spectacular return to New Zealand skies, with people reporting displays of the Southern Lights from all parts of the country on Friday night.This year, the Southern Lights have been unusually active, as the Sun undergoes a period of intense activity, which occurs in 11-year cycles.In the Deep South, Debbie Crompton captured these images in Bluff, saying: "I felt like I was literally standing underneath it."Debbie Crompton shot this image of the Southern Lights in Bluff Photo: Debbie Crompton / SuppliedDebbie Crompton shot this image of the Southern Lights in Bluff, looking towards Invercargill. Photo: Debbie Crompton / SuppliedIn Queenstown, Kate Walker captured this stunning image from Jack's Point.An image of the aurora australis taken by Kate Walker from Jack's Point in Queenstown. Photo: Kate Walker / SuppliedAnd in Wānaka, Cody Tiger Gray said he had slept through an early morning alarm but managed to wake at 4.45. "I dashed down to the lake and managed to capture these shots as dawn broke. It was wild to see those beams still visible even with the sunrise creeping in!"In Wānaka, Cody Tiger Gray shot this image of the aurora over the lake as dawn broke. Photo: Cody Tiger Gray Photographer / suppliedIn Canterbury, residents drove to Lake Ellesmere to capture the aurora reflected off the water. Shanelle Siaki was there around 9pm and captured a number of images on her iPhone 14.An image of the aurora australis taken with an iPhone 14 at Lake Ellesmere, Canterbury on 11 October Photo: Shanelle Siaki / SuppliedAlso at Lake Ellesmere was Natalie Crowther, who took family members to her favourite spot for star-gazing and aurora-spotting.An image of the aurora australis at the peak of its display, taken by Natalie Crowther at Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury. Photo: Natalie Crowther / SuppliedRead more:Explainer: Why the aurora isn't just a pretty light showIn the capital, Sam Wilson captured this image of the Southern Lights at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast.Sam Wilson captured this image of the Southern Lights at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast. Photo: Sam Wilson / SuppliedAlastair Watkins took this photo of the aurora lighting up North Taranaki skies on Friday night.An image of the aurora australis taken by Alastair Watkins in North Taranaki. Photo: Alastair Watkins / SuppliedAt Karioitahi Beach, south of Auckland, Simon Jarman (@sjarmanphoto) said it was a "decent show" on Friday, posting on NZ Dark Skies the aurora "went off" around 9pm, "died down then came back around 11.15". His shot was taken facing west.An image of the aurora australis taken from Karioitahi Beach, south of Auckland on 11 October. Photo: SIMON JARMAN PHOTOGRAPHY / SUPPLIEDMeanwhile in south Auckland, Katrina Piggott described the skies around Papakura looking "pretty in pink tonight".Katrina Piggott captured this image of the aurora australis in Papakura, south Auckland. Photo: Katrina Piggott / SuppliedNorthwest of Auckland, at Muriwai Beach, Kasuy Gonzaga captured an image of a star framed by the aurora.Kasuy Gonzaga captured this shot of the aurora australis at Muriwai Beach, northwest of Auckland. Photo: Kasuy Gonzaga / SuppliedRNZ's Northland reporter Peter de Graaf captured an image of a glowing purple night sky late on Friday night at Marsden Cross, Rangihoua Heritage Park, in the northern Bay of Islands.He said the aurora was barely visible with the naked eye, but the colours were revealed with a long, 15-second exposure.Photo: Peter de GraafMany in the Northern Hemisphere have also been sharing images of the Aurora borealis this week.But an astronomer says Friday was the peak of the aurora australis' return to New Zealand.Stardome astronomer Rob Davison says another display is unlikely as the geomagentic storm has ended..The aurora displays are related to activity from the Sun.Usually particles from solar flares bounce off the Earth's magnetic field, but when there is a severe eruption, they can penetrate the ionosphere and interact with gases around the magnetic poles - causing the ribbons of colour.Auroras are usually confined to certain latitudes in the north and south, which makes them relatively rare to observe for most of the population.The pinks, purples and greens that are often associated with aurora are the particles interacting with different gasses. Simply put, oxygen - which emits greenish-yellow or red light - and nitrogen - which emits blue light - in the upper atmosphere release specific colours when bombarded by solar radiation.Atoms, molecules and ions in the atmosphere are excited by the electrically charged particles and, in turn, release photons - which is the light we see.

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.

This is a big few weeks for the Falls Dam project on the Manuherekia River.  By way of background, Falls Dam site is located at the northern end of the Manuherekia Valley, was built in the 1930’s and provides approximately 10Mm3 of storage which enables the existing irrigation of approximately 8,000ha of land. The irrigation water provides for a number of different uses and, as we have seen over the last summer, at times the water coming out from behind the dam is vital to the sustainability of farms and other growers over those 8,000 hectares. The bad news is that, given it’s around 90 years old, the current dam is reaching the end of its natural life. Over the last decade or so, work has been done to try to figure out what is to be done about this, and forgive me, but it gets a bit complex, so bear with. There are four factors at play in what happens next. One of them is the minimum flow on the river. At present, that is set at 0.9 cumec at the Campground site in Alexandra and has been at that level for a number of years. So, factor number one, the higher the minimum flow, the more water needs to stay in the river, so the less water there is for irrigation. The Otago Regional Council will, on October 23, have a meeting to consider notifying its long-awaited Regional Land and Water Plan. In amongst this is a new minumum flow for the river. We don’t know what that flow will be but one thing can be guaranteed; no-one will like it. Some will say it’s too low while others will argue just as vociferously that it is too high. I am eagerly awaiting seeing the scientific evidence to back up whatever number the ORC has set, because that number should be what science says is the amount of water the river needs to be healthy. But the science on such a highly modified river as this is as slippery as an eel and there will be lawyers buying new Bentley’s arguing over the science before this is all over. The second factor is the relationship between the minimum flow and the dam. With the dam presently in place, which is at the end of its useful life and would cost tens of millions to get a few more decades out of, irrigation is cut right back in dry years such as this one to achieve the current minimum flow. Whatever the new minimum flow is, that will mean less water for irrigation. So, factor number two, the higher the minimum flow that is set, the higher a new dam will have to be to achieve that flow and allow water needed for irrigation. The third factor is reliability. What that means is how high a new dam needs to be to achieve the irrigation desired and the minimum flow required. From an irrigators perspective, this is crucial. They would love 100 per cent reliability, in other words the dam would be built to such a height that there would always be enough water to meet both needs. However, the cost of that is unattainable, the area behind the dam that would need flooded is equally unattainable and there is a question over whether there would ever be enough water come into a dam no matter how high it is to fill it enough to achieve 100 per cent. But of those issues, the cost is the one that stops having to worry about the other two. So, the irrigators need to figure out how much risk they can literally afford to take on the water supply out the dam. Lower reliability, lower the cost but the higher the risk that in a bad year, you’ve got no feed, your fat lambs are skinny lambs, and your income plummets. Everything in farming relies on water, so less reliability, the higher the risk of a bad financial year. And those bad financial years don’t just affect the irrigators, it flows just like the river down to the towns and the people living in them. The fourth factor is the area of land that can be irrigated. At the moment, around 8,000 hectares is irrigated. If there is more water, then new areas could be included. More land irrigated, more income; income that will be needed to pay for the dam, a cost that at the moment appears to fall solely and squarely on the shoulders of the irrigators. I always thought I’d lead a discussion on day as to whether the rest of the community should have a financial stake in the project, but time has defeated that hope, for me anyway. These four factors all hinge on the minimum flow. Once that is known, dam heights can be worked out, calculations can be made as to reliability of supply and what, if any new land can be irrigated. And good news! We will know the minimum flow in a few days’ time. Except that’s not the case. Even though the minimum flow has been discussed, argued and litigated over for much longer than my eight years as mayor, the meeting of October 23 will merely tell us what ORC thinks it should be. No disrespect to the years of work the ORC have put into coming to this point, the actual minimum flow will not be found out until the matter has gone through an inevitably long and eye-wateringly expensive court process. I have absolutely no doubt that this will go to court, and it wouldn’t surprise me that there will be one or more litigants claiming it to be too low and others claiming it too high.  And meanwhile, the old dam sits there getting older and the cost of the new dam, however high it is going to be, just keeps going up and up and up. It really is a dam shame.

From the bright red bottles stacked in the corner against a cement wall, hydrogen gas is flowing into a giant white balloon. It's cheaper and lighter than helium, so as the balloon fills it begins to float off the ground, tethered by a weight to prevent an early escape.The two scientists handling it are wearing orange suits, masks and eyeglasses - precautionary protective equipment when handling this large amount of inflammable gas.It's an odd sight against the rural setting of Central Otago. Cows moo in the background, a pair of paradise ducks argue as they waddle by, and birds sing loudly in the sun.But it's the perfect place for investigating the ozone layer.Sending a balloon to the stratosphereWhen released, the balloon will float upwards, through the troposphere - the name for the part of the atmosphere closest to Earth - and up to the stratosphere, a layer 15-50 kilometres above us.At about 35 kilometres, the reduced pressure on the balloon will force it to expand and pop. A bright orange parachute guides its package back down - though only about 20 percent are recovered, as most fall into the ocean.The package contains an ozonesonde - an instrument that can sample air and detect the presence of ozone. As it drifts upwards under the balloon, it sends data back to NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station just outside the small village of Lauder - where we began filling the balloon with hydrogen.This isn't the only way that ozone is measured here. "We're known as a bit of an ozone super site," says Dr Richard Querel.Lauder is part of the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDAC). Within that network there are five recognised techniques for measuring ozone profiles, and Lauder has all five of them. The data collected here feeds back into that network, for scientists around the world to access and use.Ozone assessment also takes place via satellite - but ozone measurements such as the ones made here help ground-truth that data.Dr Richard Querel at NIWA's Lauder atmospheric research station. Photo: Claire Concannon / RNZHow ozone helpsThe stratosphere, the balloon's ultimate destination, is where you find the ozone layer. This is not the only place where you find ozone. It can also be found in the troposphere, especially near dense cities, where it is a pollutant.But the bulk of it is in the stratosphere, where it plays an important role for us by absorbing high-energy ultraviolet (UV) rays.Ozone is a molecule of oxygen gas (O2) with an extra oxygen atom added - so three oxygen atoms bound together (O3). Ozone forms when a type of UV light hits oxygen in the stratosphere. Then, if ozone absorbs a different kind of UV light, it can break apart. This natural ozone-oxygen cycle is what protects us from all UV-C light, and most UV-B.However, when we started adding certain chemical compounds to the mix, it upset this cyclical balance.In the 1920s a mechanical engineer working at General Motors called Thomas Midgley Jr created a new chemical compound - a chloroflurocarbon (CFC) he named Freon. It was non-toxic, non-flammable and seemed stable - perfect for use as a refrigerant.The production and use of different CFCs spread rapidly - not just in fridges, but also air conditioners, some types of foam, and aerosols.Unfortunately, these CFC gases are just the right weight to float up to, and linger in, the stratosphere where they act as an ozone destroyer.NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder, Central Otago. Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King / NIWA / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0What's going on with the ozone hole?It's because of these long-lasting CFCs that an ozone hole opens up each year above Antarctica. The "hole" is not actually completely ozone-free. It's an area of very little ozone below a certain threshold.This thinning happens at around the same time every year. It needs three factors to get going, explains Dr Olaf Morgenstern.First, you need polar stratospheric clouds - which you only get if you have really cold temperatures (-80 °C). You get these cold temperatures with a strong polar vortex (a strong wind that circles around the pole).Second, you need CFCs (or other ozone-depleting chemicals). And third, you need sunlight. This means the ozone hole only begins to form after the sun rises in Antarctica in spring.Olaf Morgenstern. Photo: Dave Allen / NIWAIn terms of the ozone hole's size, there are two things to think about: how long it is open for, and how big it is.This year's ozone hole formed a little later than usual, due to a weaker than normal polar vortex. But size wise it's about 'normal'.In 2023, we saw a large and long-lasting ozone hole.In 2020 we experienced a large one too, and, unusually, a second hole opened up above the Arctic as well.The annual variations between the size and duration of the ozone hole are one reason why it's tricky to track the general trend.And the presence of CFCs, or other ozone-depleting chemicals, isn't the only thing that impacts ozone either. The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires launched particles into the stratosphere and appeared to have a depleting effect. Climate change gases that we are emitting also alter the oxygen-ozone cycle in different ways.Our increased activity in space might even have an impact, with both rocket launches and debris from satellite re-entry of concern.In general, the ozone trend appears to be good. The CFCs do hang around a long time, but there are suggestions that the ozone hole might be a thing of the past by the late 2060s.However, some analysis of satellite measurements carried out by researchers at the University of Otago has highlighted the need for a watchful eye. Their results suggest that in some parts of the stratosphere, the hole may be getting worse - potentially due to the climate changes gases.Meanwhile at the NIWA Atmospheric Research Station in Lauder, now in its 63rd year, the weekly work of ozone measurement continues.

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.

More than 30 community leaders across Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes will be learning about good governance by New Zealand business woman Dr Jo Cribb next week.Hosted by huddl - a new initiative to strengthen and support community groups and charitable organisations in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes - the workshop was aimed at enhancing governance capabilities.Dr Cribb said she was impressed by the uptake of participants looking for more governance training, for a region that still had a small population base.“That’s a huge level of engagement in the level of interest of governance,” she said.Recent data from huddl’s recent Community Needs Assessment survey showed that 70 per cent of respondents expressed feeling challenged or in need of help.  Of those surveyed 44 per cent indicated that they would benefit from governance training.Held in Cromwell on Wednesday, The Foundations of Good Governance workshop was a two-hour practical session, and Dr Cribb said she was also interested to hear people share their stories.An accomplished board director, consultant, strategist, and author with extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, Dr Cribb regularly facilitated for the Institute of Directors and was recognised for her leadership receiving the Not-for-Profit Governance Leader Award from Women in Governance in 2021. She would be in Central Otago for a few days - MCing at the inaugural Inspiring Wahine conference in Alexandra as well as talking to the Women in Wine group.Harvest on a Central Otago vineyard. Governance leader and vineyard owner Dr Jo Cribb will be talking to Women in Wine next week. FILE SHOTAlso the owner of a small vineyard in Martinborough, along with her husband, who is a born and bred Southlander, Dr Cribb said she was looking forward to spending time in the area, and sampling some good pinot noir.“We are very familiar with Central Otago and we just love it,” she said.huddl project lead Fiona Reeve said the workshop was tailored for community group leaders and board members who were new to governance or wanted to strengthen their understanding of governance in a non-profit environment. "Good governance is essential for community organisations to be sustainable and effectively achieve their objectives, ensuring they have a deeper impact in the communities they serve,” she said.Dr Cribb said volunteers have taken on a lot of responsibility in challenging times, especially when costs were getting higher.“In this day and age, isn’t it great that people are still looking out for each other?” she said.huddl is governed by members from Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Lakes Trust, Whakatipu Hub, Central Otago District Council, Cromwell and Districts Community Trust, Sport Central, Volunteer South and Alexandra Community House. 

Central Otago Rotary Clubs have joined forces with their counterparts across Otago and Southland to strengthen women’s health in the region. The Rotary Clubs of Alexandra, Cromwell and Wānaka were part of a collaboration to fund vital medical equipment for Te Waka Wahine Hauora The Woman’s Health Bus. The Woman's Health Bus is a mobile health service which focuses on rural areas where access to medical care often involves significant inconvenience and expense to the patient, such as a day off work, in order to receive care. It regularly holds clinics across Central Otago, offering services such as gynaecology, colposcopy and other women’s healthcare.The Rotary Clubs contributed more than $40,000 to purchase a point-of-care machine that will expand the testing capability of the mobile service and reduce wait times for patients.The Cepheid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine can perform up to four tests at the same time. PHOTO: Supplied Woman’s Health Bus co-director Dr Helen Paterson described the equipment as a “game changer” for the mobile service enabling testing, diagnostic, and treatment on the same day. “What we are hoping to achieve is a service where more people will get more access to testing and treatment if required,” she said. The new ‘mini-lab’ will make it easier for rural women to access preventative medical testing with results available immediately and, where required, a colposcopy can be performed on the same day.  Dr Helen said this would remove known barriers to health care and ensure women were not ‘’lost’’ due to long delays. The support from the Rotary Clubs had been “extraordinary’’, she said. “We were amazed.’’ “It is absolutely fabulous that the community has got on board with this project and our hope is that we will be able to give back to the community equivalently in care.” The funding was initiated by The Rotary Club of Wānaka after learning 28 per cent of women in the southern districts had never had a smear test, partly due to expense and inconvenience. Club president Alan Richardson said Rotary clubs across the southern region quickly supported the project. “We all live in rural communities and we know how hard it can be to get the medical care needed,” Alan said. “We invited regional Rotary clubs to make this purchase a reality and within days we had the funds needed to purchase this vital medical equipment. “It makes us all proud to be Rotarians when we see this type of collaboration and know that we are making a real difference in people’s lives.” The new Cepheid PCR machine has been installed and is now used by the Woman’s Health Bus service. 

A five-year-old girl had to be pulled from the Cromwell pool by a member of the public recently, prompting a WorkSafe investigation into how the situation was handled.In a report, authorised by Council general manager - people and culture Louise Fleck, to the Audit and Risk Committee last week, former Central Otago District Council safety and wellbeing advisor Hannes Strydom said the lifeguard seemed overwhelmed and uncertain of the appropriate response.The girl was pulled out of the water from the learners pool part of the therapeutic pool by a member of the public. She was taken to hospital but did not sustain any injuries, he said.The health safety and wellbeing report outlined details of the incident, which happened between May and July this year.The member of the public who pulled the girl from the water contacted WorkSafe as she felt emergency response procedures were inadequate. A full investigation has been completed and recommended actions included more education for caregivers of under 10-year-olds that must always be actively supervised. Additional scenario-based training would also be provided to lifeguards, as well as training refresher courses for swim centre staff, including casual members, covering emergency procedures.The incident was not the only time Cromwell swim centre staff were involved in a near drowning.In 2016, a girl under 10 had to be rescued from the deep end of the pool. She was given CPR and airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.Pool staff, helped by an off-duty nurse, carried out CPR until St John personnel arrived. The council was asked by WorkSafe New Zealand to take part in a voluntary review into the incident.However, WorkSafe did not carry out an investigation and formal report as the incident did not meet its criteria for such a response.The review was designed to help analyse and understand why the accident occurred, what failures in the health and safety systems allowed the accident to occur and to improve those systems.The recommendations included the need for continual education of caregivers so they knew they were required to actively supervise children under eight years.In June 2023, council updated its Supervision Policy to highlight the critical role of active supervision in preventing drownings. The Central Otago District Council now has different coloured wristbands to identify under 5s and 5-9- year-olds at its pools. PHOTO: Central Otago District CouncilThe minimum age for children to be at the pool unsupervised changed from eight to 10 years old and the council introduced coloured wristbands to help lifeguards easily identify children. “We have found this has helped create awareness, but we still have a way to go in educating parents and caregivers to keep their attention focused on their children/charges; incidents generally involve small children,” Hannes said.Since 2020, lifeguards have been involved in a total of 59 rescues at Council pools.“Ensuring safety at the pool has always been a top priority. The council’s philosophy is promoting prevention before intervention.”Central Otago District pool swim rescues during the past four years. GRAPH: Central Otago District CouncilA Council spokesperson confirmed to The Central App lifeguards needed to be 16 years old to complete their Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate. “We ensure that all lifeguards receive comprehensive training to handle emergency situations effectively,” they said.Training included:Understanding the roles and responsibilities of pool lifeguardsUnderstanding aquatic supervision techniquesDemonstrating aquatic rescue techniques for casualties in a range of scenarios.Completing the Pool Lifeguard Logbook (which includes 20 hours of poolside supervision, facility inspections, dealing with hazards, supervising pool areas and aquatic activities).“One of our challenges is parents and caregivers not being with their children or on their phones. We would ask all parents as we head into summer season whether at pools or many lakes in the district to be mindful of watching children and putting the phone down." Read more: Council moves to make pools safer

One hundred and fifty years of the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade is being celebrated with a fire station open day and an anniversary dinner tomorrow. From 10am to 2pm the Cromwell fire station will be open to everyone and there will be displays and activities for all ages, along with food and coffee.Chief fire officer Neil Gillepsie said his team of close to 35 firefighters would be attending the open day and there would be lots of educational things to do, including fire trucks for people to climb in and take a turn sitting in. “There will be dynamic video goggles to try… along with a garage rigged up and filled with smoke, so people can see what a smoke filled room looks like.”A car cutting display is planned along with fire safety stalls, fire extinguisher displays, and other give it a go activities.After the open day 150 people including past and present Brigade members will attend the 150th anniversary dinner, annual honours presentation and social night at the Cromwell College gymnasium. Neil said six past members, and two widows of men who all attended the 100th anniversary in 1974, would be at tomorrow's dinner. “The oldest is Leo Mangos, he lives in Tauranga, he’s 88 and coming down.”Leo joined the Cromwell brigade in 1955. Neil said the weekend ahead would be a busy one and attendees were looking forward to reminiscing and swapping stories about what has changed from when they first joined up. “We’ve just had a recruitment drive too [for more volunteer firefighters].“There’s been a good response… after this weekend I will be sitting down and going through the applications.” To learn more about volunteering visit the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) Volunteer for us webpage.Read more: Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade to celebrate 150 years.

The Alexandra clock will be lit up purple for Baby Loss Awareness Week until October 15 and locals are sharing their experiences of pregnancy, baby and infant loss.The Alexandra Lions Club will illuminate the town clock to honour the memory of lost children and promote a culture of compassion and support within Central.One Central man, who lost a baby earlier this year said seeing the Alexandra clock lit up in purple was a deeply meaningful gesture. “It’s a symbol of remembrance and a reminder that we are not alone in our grief. “In the past people may have hidden and not talked about their grief, and I hope this opens up conversations and helps people heal,’’ he said.“I hope it brings comfort to other families in our community who have also faced this devastating loss, and honour the lost children and their families.” Lions Club president Murray Anderson said every lost child deserves to be remembered.“By lighting the town clock purple, we hope to spark conversations and provide comfort to those who have experienced this unimaginable loss. It’s a symbol of solidarity and support for families in our community and beyond.”The Lions invite all residents to join in the initiative by sharing their stories, lighting a candle in memory of their lost little ones, or simply taking a moment to reflect.“Together, we can create a compassionate environment where families feel supported and understood,” Murray said.Statistics shared by parent-run not for profit organisation SANDS New Zealand are that one or two of every 10 pregnancies in New Zealand ends in a miscarriage.One in every 100 pregnancies after 20 weeks of pregnancy in New Zealand ends in a loss and one in four couples here experience infertility.Approximately 35 other landmarks across New Zealand are lighting up in blue, pink, and purple to raise awareness about pregnancy, baby, and infant loss.The Alexandra Clock lit up purple for Baby Loss Awareness Week. PHOTO: The Central AppBaby Loss Awareness Week is an annual event that encourages conversations about pregnancy and infant loss, fostering an understanding of the emotional challenges faced by families.For information about baby loss awareness week or for more resources and support, see SANDS New Zealand. To share your story use #breakthesilence or contact [email protected]

A boil water notice has been issued for Ranfurly (effective from 6pm Wednesday, October 9) and is now in place for all residents and visitors in Ranfurly. People are asked to boil all water until further notice for:DrinkingFood preparationPreparing baby formulaBrushing teeth To ensure safety, bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then let it cool naturally before use.Drinking water tankers are available at:Maniototo HospitalManiototo Area School (currently on route)An update will be provided when water conditions improve.Please share this post and notify neighbours or friends who may not be online.For more information, including FAQs, visit: https://www.codc.govt.nz/services/water-services/bwns The for Omakau and Ophir remains in place.Conserve Water Notices remain in place for Patearoa and Naseby.A boil water notice has also been issued – Omakau/OphirImportant Reminder: The Boil Water Notice remains in effect for all residents of Omakau and Ophir.The Council understands this is inconvenient, and truly appreciates the community's continued patience and cooperation.Why the notice is still active: Although we are producing cleaner water, the river is still dirty, and the water hasn’t yet reached safe drinking levels.The notice will be lifted as soon as it’s deemed safe.Where to get clean drinking water:Omakau DomainSwindon Street, Ophir Thanks to the public for their patience and understanding. Our communities’ health and safety remain our top priority. The Conserve Water Notices for the following areas remain in place:PatearoaNasebyStay updated with our Water Notices

Five former and current Dunstan High School (DHS) students showed their paddling prowess on the national stage last week.The New Zealand Canoe Slalom National Championships were held at the Mangahao Power Station near Shannon on October 3-6. In the K1 Men’s final the top four placings went to Central Otago athletes with Paris Olympic gold medalist Finn Butcher placing first, Nick Collier second, Tom Goldsmith third and younger brother Ollie fourth.DHS year 13 student Ollie (17) won in the under 18 category while Quinn McCutcheon (15) earned a second place in under 16. The group honed their skills with the Central Otago Whitewater (COW) club becoming what Nick called “lifelong paddlers”. Nick said COW paddlers grew up kayaking in various forms, including canoe polo, canoe freestyle and whitewater kayaking. “This cross-training culminates in paddlers' who are comfortable on harder rapids and, importantly, have the most fun on the river,” he said.Nick coached Quinn in his first season and said it was brilliant to watch his progress and have him competing alongside older club members.“His silver medal in under 16 is a testament to the hard work and dedication he has shown. “While most Central Otago residents were sheltering inside over winter, Quinn was training in all conditions, including snow.”Nick Collier (left) checks out Finn Butcher's Olympic gold medal at Mangahao,. PHOTO: Supplied Nick received some help from Finn prior to national champs.“After struggling with one section of the course all weekend, before the final Finn gave me a few tips, and sure enough, it worked exactly as he said.” Nick said his next goal was to qualify for the New Zealand team in U23 canoe slalom and kayak cross as well as the senior kayak cross team. Selection will be based on events in Australia in January and February.  Tom Goldsmith, who is in his first year studying law at the University of Waikato, said the third placing had boosted his confidence for New Zealand team selection races and the upcoming season.“I’m pretty happy.. I couldn’t have done much better than [third]. Having a one, two, three and four for Central Otago was cool.” Depending on his course work he’s in his kayak up to six times a week, as well as the gym.Nick and Tom often carpool to the high performance whitewater course Vector Wero in Manukau. Next year Ollie, who is 18 months younger than Tom, will join the pair studying and paddling in Waikato.Tom said Ollie had improved a lot and it was good to see him at a higher level.“It’s nice to be the fastest Goldsmith for a few more months.”Despite competing in the same races, the rivalry between club members was also based in friendship, Tom said.“Nick’s a wee bit ahead of me in terms of skills, but we are mates… and we hang out together.“In terms of going up against Ollie… it’s good we don’t compete directly head to head.”The next generation of Central Otago Whitewater paddlers Ollie Goldsmith (17, left) and Quinn McCutcheon (15) with their medals from the New Zealand Canoe Slalom National Championships. PHOTO: Supplied The paddlers thanked the parents for their riverside support including George Collier (Nick’s dad), Kira Goldsmith (Tom and Ollie’s mum) and Aimee McCutcheon (Quinn’s mum). Read more: Ollie Goldsmith returns inspired from EuropeRead more: Gold medalist Finn Butcher returns to Dunstan High SchoolRead more: Nick Collier achieves top 10 finish

The Dunstan ward of the Otago Regional Council is still favoured to receive an extra councillor within the next year - while Dunedin would drop one under representation review.But the Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers wants to see a new extra constituency added to his area that also extends to Cromwell.Hearings and deliberations were held in Dunedin last week, with quite different submissions from all of the Mayors across Otago.Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich acknowledged the significant population growth in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes areas that made up the Dunstan constituency. But he said it was the Dunedin City Council’s strong view that its constituency should remain at six members, and the addition of a member in the Dunstan constituency should not come at the expense of those residents.Every six years, all councils are required to review their representation arrangements, including how many councillors there are and the areas they represent.Population data supplied from Stats NZ indicated that following population growth during the past six years, the Dunstan ward now fell outside the +/- 10 per cent margin of the average across the region.That meant it no longer met the legislative requirements for fair representation.Since the last review in 2018, the Dunstan ward population has increased by 57,400 to 78,800.Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers spoke about the Dunstan constituency having significantly different challenges, environment, diverse needs and populations from each other - specifically Queenstown versus Ranfurly or Omakau.He said the population size of the Queenstown Lakes “would easily demand” three dedicated elected members, and supported the creation of an Upper Clutha constituency, which included Cromwell.“The geographic scale of the existing Dunstan constituency creates too many divergent needs to consider the whole population as one community of interest.”Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers. PHOTO: Queenstown Lakes District CouncilDunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher said after the hearing it was starting to become “a very parochial direction” from both the Dunedin and Queenstown Lakes councils.“If both mayors had got their way, the potential outcome was up to three large rural constituencies left with only single councillor positions, and urban areas with multiple positions, and I think that would be a further decline in rural representation.”  The ORC will make a final decision at its October 23 meeting, after which there will be a one-month appeals/objections period.The Local Government Commission will determine the arrangements by April next year, and they will take effect for the local government elections in October 2025.

“We all need help at some point.’’ That is the key message behind the Seniors Cuppa & Chat at Alexandra Community House tomorrow. The afternoon is an initiative from the Alexandra Council of Social Services to help keep the area's retirees informed and connected. Alexandra Community House manager Carole Gillions said it was important for people, particularly seniors, to be made aware of the services available in the community, especially as there were always new people choosing to retire to the town. “We all need help at some point so we just want people to know there’s information available and here’s an opportunity for connection,’’ Carole said. “I often find there can be a sort of “that other person is worse off than me, I don’t need support” – sometimes you don’t need it right then and there.’’ There were a range of services available to support people in the community “but you don’t know what you don’t know’’. “It’s import to get the information out there – it may not be for the individual, it may be for a friend or family member.’’ Age Concern, Alzheimers Otago, Family Works, the Stroke Foundation, Central Otago Budget Advice and the Alexandra Friendship Group would all share about their services as well as the Alexandra Community Advice Network volunteer drivers and Central Otago Reap’s digital safety training. Afternoon tea would be provided, offering a space for connection. Seniors Cuppa & Chat is at Alexandra Community House tomorrow between 1.30pm and 3pm. While the information is targeted to those aged 65 plus, all are welcome.

Santana Minerals Bendigo-Ophir gold mine is one of the 149 projects selected for the government’s one-stop-shop Fast Track Approvals Bill.However, not everyone is happy with Sunday’s announcement, with one Tarras community group vocal in their opposition.The Bendigo-Ophir project is an open pit and underground mine on Central’s Bendigo and Ardgour Stations, with completion and remediation expected in 2065. Regional development minister Shane Jones said the 11 mining projects would make a major contribution to the government’s resource objective of doubling the value of mineral exports to $2billion by 2035, extracting coal, gold, iron sands and mineral sands. “They will deliver measurable benefits to regional and national [gross domestic product] highly-skilled and highly-paid jobs in the regions, and other associated benefits like the retention of regional infrastructure,” he said. Sustainable Tarras, a small advocacy group of people from Tarras and across New Zealand, has been outspoken in opposition to the project.Boil water notice for Omakau and OphirSpokeswoman Suze Keith said the group was dismayed but not surprised the project was included in the list. “This is a development with a lifespan of 150 years and a perpetual liability in a toxic tailings dam. As a community we have many questions about the mine that we fear will be left unanswered and that the local community will be excluded from any decision-making, despite being those most impacted.”Suze said information presented to date had a long way to go before the local community could be confident the benefits outweighed the mine’s environmental, social and reputational impacts and long-term risks.She said concerns were impacts on the local aquifer system, the tailings dam facility which likely contained significant levels of arsenic, and electricity and diesel use that would generate emissions. Time pressure to meet the fast track approval submission timeline was another factor Sustainable Tarras said “hugely exacerbates potential long term risks”.“This is in a place which New Zealanders prize for its natural beauty, its dark skies and tranquillity. “In return it’s promising a little over $1 per person each year in return in royalties and a toxic tailings dam which will loom over the Tarras Primary School and village for the next 100 years. “No one is marching in the streets demanding a gold mine – how about fast tracking the Dunedin Hospital? Or the remediations needed to protect South Dunedin from the next massive downpour?”The inclusion of mining projects was applauded by industry pundits with mineral and mining industry association Straterra saying mining did belong on the fast track list.Straterra chief executive Josie Vidal said when manufacturing and processing plants were closing in the regions, mining brought much needed jobs and money into regional communities, and exports to boost trade deficit."We urge people with any concerns about mining or the fast-track bill to do their research, talk to experts, and think about life without mining those minerals in New Zealand. We don’t have an economy to sustain importing everything.The Fast-track Approvals Bill is currently before the Environment Select Committee which will report back to Parliament by October 18.The Bill is then expected to go before Parliament for its second reading in November, and passed into law before the end of the year.Once the Bill is passed the fast track projects can apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess them and apply conditions.The Government is recommending to the Environment Select Committee that expert panels have the ability to decline approval for projects.“The expert panels will include members with technical expertise relevant to a project, expertise in environmental matters (and where relevant, conservation), and the Treaty of Waitangi.”Santana Minerals is holding community drop in sessions in Tarras and Cromwell during the next few weeks. Find dates and times on The Central App’s What’s On page.Read more: Santana Minerals supporting three Cromwell initiatives. Read More: Sustainable Tarras submits against Santana Minerals.

Deadline day is looming for the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) contentious Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).On October 23, Councillors will vote whether to notify the plan, or consider a new option of delaying until the new national policy statement for freshwater management (NPS-FM) was underway.Water NoticesAt another extraordinary meeting late last week, the council shared the latest option from Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds, to pause its plan and instead become part of initial planning in the new Government framework.The option is a huge change from the stance Minister Simmonds and others took on September 12 when ORC representatives met with them in Wellington.Ministers restated their strong preference for the regional council not to notify its LWRP, and the new option of becoming involved in influencing policy direction, has been described as extending an olive branch.The recent letter from the Minister following the Wellington meeting, proposed that ORC participate in targeted engagement on the review and replacement of the NPS-FM between October and early 2025. This would also provide ORC early access to the direction of the new NPS-FM, and allow that to be incorporated into the ORC draft plan (LWRP).But the regional council would also have to delay notifying its own plan (LWRP) until at least early 2025, and up until now a majority 7-5 split have continuously voted to push on with it.In her letter, Minister Simmonds said the Government understood there could be unintended consequences, particularly for water take and discharge consent holders if the ORC delayed its plan."The Government will work with you to make sure unintended consequences do not negatively impact resource users or unnecessarily burden ratepayers,” the letter stated.Cr Gary Kelliher said the olive branch from the Ministers recognised that the ORC was quite advanced with its plan.But he said the regional council was putting themselves at huge risk if they didn’t take up the offer, and pause all work on the LWRP immediately.Some councillors were dubious about the offer and said they weren’t sure they could trust the Government to be true to its word.Chair Gretchen Robertson said what she got from the meeting in Wellington was that they all needed to understand each other and have trust.But Otago had significant issues that the council was trying to address through its LWRP, “and that is costly, and not getting it right is costly,” she said.The council voted 7-5 to consider the Minister’s new option and adequately consider all of the advantages and disadvantages as part of the decision-making process at its October 23 meeting.