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

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

A team of Australian curlers are in Alexandra training at the closest curling rink to their home city of Perth, IceInline’s indoor curling rink.The newly formed women's team is led by skip Helen Williams (51) and includes Sara Westman (32), Karen Titheridge (38), Michelle Armstrong (40), Kristen Tsourlenes (30) and coach Dustin Armstrong (40). The team from Perth and Melbourne are one of the 22 teams due in Central to participate in the Australian National Curling Championships (ANCC) for men’s, women’s and mixed fours teams in Naseby from May 13 - 25. Coach Dustin said it was his sixth trip over and he always comes early to train here and “stay in your own bubble or zone, rather than head to Naseby early.”The group said they found the indoor facility at IceInline amazing, as at home they train on an ice skating rink, after public skating sessions are finished.Originally from Scotland, Helen said she had been curling for about 40 years but her time visiting New Zealand was special.“We’ll have four practice games against local ladies. Last night Natalie Thurlow was here . . . and Bridget Becker is due one evening too.“I have a lot of respect for [the New Zealand women’s curling team] and we value their support.”Helen said the welcome and sense of camaraderie from the Central community of curlers was fantastic and there was a strong notion of respect going both ways across the Tasman.“The people [in Alexandra] and in Naseby running the facilities have been so accommodating and friendly, we want to thank them.”On Tuesday the group were practicing and timing their nine-minute warm up to ensure it was a well-oiled machine, perfected to roll out before their competition matches.Team Williams contains members of two teams who placed first and second in last years Australian Championships, but skip Helen has not won a gold in the nationals since 2017.The 2020 and 2021 Australian Championships were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Team Williams coach Dustin Armstrong (at front) inspects a delivery at IceInline. PHOTO: The Central AppWatch a warm up stone slide down the rink towards the house. VIDEO: The Central AppNZ Curling executive member Bruce Kissel said he always stayed for the first few minutes of any team's practice to check over the ice and how it was behaving.He was looking forward to the social curling competition starting tonight (May 9) in Alexandra.“We’ve been growing and growing, there are 42 teams of four entered this season.”Now the roof over the outdoor ice was up he said there were a few things still to be figured out about how curling might be different in 2024.“There might be a rumble of stones, or a bit of a roar . . . will it be like a wind tunnel? It might feel cooler on dull days . . . we’ll have the lights on while curling most likely.“But there will be no more cancellations due to weather and ice conditions.”To find out more about curling in Alexandra or Naseby see the listings for IceInline, and Maniototo Curling International (MCI).Read more: Kiwi curlers in Sweden for world mixed pairs and senior teams  Read more: Men’s curlers leave retirement residence, world champs next

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

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

The Roxburgh Pool is in the running for an Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) award. In a social media post, Teviot ward councillor Sally Feinerman said it was wonderful the Roxburgh Pool had been entered into the awards.“The photographer did an excellent job in capturing the beauty of the complex. This is quite an achievement for a small community like ours, and it's amazing what can be accomplished when a committed group works together.”The design by Hierarchy Group is described as simple and structural, blending organically into the site, with colours influenced by the Central Otago environment. Hierarchy Group design director Chris Wheeler said they were planning to put the project forward in other design industry awards this year and next. Local firm Breen Construction, together with Coombes Aquatics, built the new 25m lane pool, learn to swim and toddlers pool, replacing the 89-year facility that was decommissioned on the same site.Breen executive director Lindsay Breen said it was a pleasure working with the Hierarchy Group on the Roxburgh pool project and was thrilled the project had been submitted for the ADNZ awards.  “We wish the team at Hierarchy the best of luck. The Roxburgh community continues to demonstrate how amazing the results can be with a committed group working together to deliver fundamental assets like the pool. “It is a true credit to all those involved. Congratulations to everyone, and we eagerly await positive news from the award entries."New changing rooms, office space and a plant room were included in the long-awaited pool project, which was officially opened last December.The Roxburgh Pool committee has worked hard over the past 16 years navigating numerous finance, planning and design challenges to successfully fundraise the $2.7 million needed for the project.An aerial view of the Roxburgh Pool alongside the Mata-Au (Clutha) River. PHOTO: Lightforge- Dennis RadermacherAnother photo for the award entry, commissioned by the designers. PHOTO: Lightforge - Dennis Radermacher The ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards national gala dinner is on in Rotorua on Friday, November 1. Read more: Roxburgh Pool a new reality after 16 years

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

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

The word on the street is that using job titles or language like Superstar, Rockstar, Boy/Girl Friday, or Ninja in job advertisements may not be as effective nowadays when seeking candidates to join your team.It can say more about you than the potential candidates.And let's be honest, we all embody these qualities when we're in a fulfilling role, appreciated, and working at our very best ability!So here are some top tips for kicking off your recruitment campaign in the right vain!1. Grab Attention with an Engaging TitleThink creatively to capture the interest of your perfect candidate. What would make them pause and take notice? Consider what unique opportunities your position offers: flexible working hours, school hours, remote work, health insurance, training, and career development!2. Keep It Clear and ConciseIn a world of information overload, brevity is key.Write with clarity, using action verbs to make your ad easy to read. Trim unnecessary words and streamline your message, drawing from the job description – we all love a few bullet points! You should be able to easily condense all your details into 250 words.And to really kick your job listing up a notch, getting current employees involved adds that extra touch of authenticity.You may feel the need to include lots of details about your business but anyone worth their salt will go straight to your website and socials and find that information out for themselves.Additionally, if you include the hourly rate/salary range, you are going to get over 40% more engagement. People don’t enjoy ambiguity when it comes to money, so take the awkwardness out of those initial conversations. It will save a lot of backwards and forwards later in the recruitment process.3. Define Your Ideal CandidatePaint a clear picture of who you're looking for. Developing a "target candidate persona" helps you go beyond basic qualifications and envision the perfect fit for your team.Also, think about the kind of person you don't want to attract. If you need a strong leader, make that clear. If a nurturing vibe is what you need, then focus on that in your wording.4. Showcase Your Company's AppealHighlight what makes your company stand out from the competition. If you have company values that you put into action, then this is where you can really shine! Emphasise exciting projects, growth opportunities, and benefits. Let potential candidates see why joining your team is a game-changer for their career.5. Outline the Application ProcessMake the hiring process seamless and straightforward to encourage qualified candidates to apply. For instance, instead of a lengthy instruction, opt for a direct call to action like: "Send CV & cover letter to: [address]."You can also include a closing date for applications, but this might run the risk of discouraging a great applicant from applying if it’s a few days past. You can take advertisements down once you have decided to move forward to interviewing.Need some help?For guidance in recruitment and retention, your local specialist team EASI NZ are happy to help in all or any parts of the recruitment process. From developing job descriptions to reference checking, we are here for you! 

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

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

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has moved Central Otago from a prohibited fire season to restricted.The recent move to restricted limitations means fires now require a permit before they can be lit.Previously, Central was in a prohibited fire season due to the particularly dry conditions, which meant there was a total ban on open-air fires, and all previously granted fire permits were suspended.Fenz is also revoking the restricted fire season in the Queenstown Lakes fire zone from 8am today (Sunday), until further notice.It means people in the zone no longer need to have a fire permit by Fenz to light a fire outdoors.Declaring the fire season change, Otago District manager Phil Marsh said recent rain and cooler autumn temperatures had seen the fire risk drop below the thresholds that require ongoing fire permitting restrictions.“While permits are no longer required to light an open-air fire (in the Queenstown Lakes District), our local team remains on hand to provide advice to anyone looking to complete a burn,” he said.“Even with those cooler temperatures, vigilance around fire safety is important.“For Otago, any period of dry, settled weather at any time of year can increase the potential for unwanted fires. Escaped burns are a major contributor to this, so knowing how to burn safely is key.”Fenz advisor risk reduction Otago District Mark Mawhinney said everyone should visit the organisation’s Check It’s Alright website to better understand what they can and cannot do on any given day.

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

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

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

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

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee is working hard to build up its reserves in case it had to cancel the event at the last minute.Treasurer Tim Coughlan spoke to the Vincent Community Board (VCB) yesterday about how 2023 was a close call, with rain all week in the lead up to the September festival threatening the iconic event.“We were pretty close last year, but the weather gods came through with the sun at the last minute,” he said.According to its accountability report, the festival costs $224,400 a year to run and the VCB grants the festival $24,500 each year for the infrastructure.The committee also relies on corporate sponsorship - Contact Energy has been involved for many years, donations/fundraising in 2023 raised $126,000 and revenue on the day almost $100,000.Tim said they were looking at securing a new agreement with Contact Energy in coming months, but had also been advised the company was under a corporate review.VCB chair Tamah Alley questioned what would happen if the Blossom Festival was canned at the last minute, and how much of a loss they would face.Tim advised it would cost them $100,000 in reserves, but all market sales would be refunded.“We broke even last year, but there is not much room for error. “The committee was just “one event away” from not being able to go ahead if threatened by bad weather or another Covid-19-type outbreak.“All of our funding is short term and we have to do that annually.”Numbers attending last year’s Saturday in the Park was around 12,000 - similar to 2022.The board decided it was important to have another talk with the committee about how best it could become self-sustainable.Board member Tracy Paterson said it was so iconic to the region and was here to stay, “and we need it to stay.”

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

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of downsizing as retirement approaches? You're not alone. Many of us find ourselves faced with the prospect of downsizing. Whether it's to simplify our lives, reduce maintenance, or free up equity, downsizing can be a daunting task but ultimately a rewarding journey.Here's how to prepare for downsizing and make the transition smoother: Sort Out Your Budget:First things first, get a clear picture of your financial landscape.Seek a market appraisal from a trusted real estate agent to understand the estimated value of your current property. This information will be invaluable when determining your budget for a new, smaller home.Once you determine the price, remember to include legal fees, real estate agent fees, removal costs, and any other related expenses, as well as consider how much you want to set aside to support your retirement savings, before you complete your budget.This will provide you with a ballpark figure and help you make an informed decision on what houses you should be looking at.Research Several Properties:Once you have a budget in mind, make a list of your "must-haves". Your must-haves could include the number of bedrooms, office space, bathrooms, or even the level of maintenance required both internally and externally.While thinking about your "must-haves", you must also factor in what it might look like for you getting older. Proximity to amenities like supermarkets, medical care, and recreational facilities might be crucial to consider especially when things like driving become a challenge in the future.It might be worth exploring different housing options, such as retirement villages or houses closer to town, based on your needs and preferences.Aurum on Clutha residentsThe Future You:Getting older may mean your living space may have to look a little different.Some common considerations that people look into are single level with few stairs/stairways, internal access garage, low-cost heating, ensuite, wheelchair access and wet floor shower.Consider factors like medical dependency or convenience to amenities when making your decision too. Although homes like these are usually more favourable and can mean more demand, hiking up the prices. In Preparation For Downsizing:When downsizing you're not going to have the same storage space you once had, so you'll have to start decluttering and getting rid of items you no longer need. Consider giving back your children's belongings and consider hosting garage sales, donating to charity or putting extra belongings in a storage unit.While you might be excited to get rid of unwanted items, there may be quite a few sentimental items that can be hard to part with. Downsizing often requires making tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go, so start preparing months in advance to allow plenty of time for the decluttering process. Your real estate agent can also help you make decisions around decluttering.There are many areas of the house such as your kitchen or closet space that are likely to be smaller after you downsize, so it's a good opportunity to simplify and lighten your load across all areas of your life. With less square footage available, larger items like furniture pieces and heavy appliances might also need to be downsized or creatively arranged to fit the available space more efficiently. Don't Leave It Too Late:One common mistake is leaving downsizing too late. Waiting until health issues arise or mobility becomes limited can make the process more challenging. Start planning early to avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a smoother transition.Getting started early gives you extra time to spruce up your place for open houses or viewings. You can freshen things up with a new coat of paint or improve the lighting by switching out bulbs to better appeal to potential buyers. If you'd like some more suggestions, you can check out my article for some tips on getting your home ready for showings.Get The Help You Need:Consider involving family members in the downsizing process. They can provide support, help with decisions, and assist with the physical aspects of moving. Keeping lines of communication open ensures everyone is on the same page and can alleviate some of the burdens associated and decrease the stress levels with downsizing.Conclusion:Downsizing can be a significant life transition, but with careful planning and preparation, it can also be a fulfilling one.If you need some expert advice and guidance on budgeting, moving logistics, or navigating the real estate market, don't hesitate to reach out to me. We can support you every step of the way on your downsizing journey throughout Central Otago.