A small critically endangered beetle species on the edge of Cromwell has impacted the town’s spatial plan, with any future development now required to protect their habitat.An independent commissioner for Plan Change 18, by the Central Otago District Council, requested after a hearing in July, that staff work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) on a solution that protected the chafer beetle (Prodontria lewisi).A large flightless beetle that lives underground, it only emerges at night in spring and summer to feed on plants and to breed, and is averse to light.The 81ha reserve between Cromwell and Bannockburn was established in 1979, and is the only one in the world created solely for the protection of an invertebrate.DOC partially opposed changes to the Cromwell Spatial Plan - known as PC18, a proposal to rezone 52ha of land from rural to industrial.Expert witnesses, including an entomologist were brought in to provide evidence and requested a 25m setback on all property along the boundary of the reserve (around 2.5ha).This was to mitigate any effects on the beetle’s habitat, including protection from shading and run off that might change the habitat, as well as street lighting as it nocturnal.A joint witness statement between the two parties agreed on the removal of a 20-metre-wide strip from the proposed industrial resource area along 120m of the western boundary, adjoining the Chafer Beetle Nature Reserve - from Bannockburn Rd to north of the transmission pylon.This strip will be retained as rural zoning, and an ‘indicative roading structure plan’ has also been put in place, that provides for a road reserve along the eastern boundary, to reduce the likelihood of impacts from any future subdivisions.Principal policy planner Ann Rodgers said in her report to council, that providing a setback of 25m would have resulted in a loss of 2.5ha of developable land in addition to the 8% required to provide roading. “By utilising the setback area for roading purposes and designing the subdivision around indicative roading network, the potential loss of developable land is significantly less.”She told the meeting that DOC was also going to set up an education area onsite for people, so they could understand what exactly is there.The site was sensitive, and every time DOC carried out testing they were potentially destroying the beetles’ habitat, she said.

Elaborate bras are on display in Clyde this week, all in the name of charity.Clyde and Districts Lions Club members embellished a dozen bras in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and those masterpieces are now on display at Central Cycle Trails.Lions club member Anna Lind said the aim was to create a fun, interactive project.“Once we started it was a lot of fun and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”After talking to staff at Central Cycle Trails, it was suggested the bras be displayed to help raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (BCFNZ), while also creating more conversation around the topic.Central Cycle Trails co-owners Brendon and Kerry Urlich, who is a radiation therapist at Auckland Radiation Oncology, welcomed the idea.One of the many bras decorated in support of the BCFNZ's annual awareness campaign. PHOTO: Central AppEvery year, about 240 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Southern region.Anna said $55 had been raised by the bra project so far, and she was hopeful that money would remain local.“We’ve had a lot of people in and a lot of laughs.”The bras will remain on display throughout the rest of the month.As part of the month-long awareness campaign, BCFNZ will host its annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on October 27-28.All money raised goes towards BCFNZ’s work to advance breast cancer research, educate New Zealanders about the importance of early detection, and support patients through their treatment and recovery.

Cromwell Backpackers owner Darren Fox says he is struggling to offer people affordable housing, after his landlord increased his lease by $9000 a year.Speaking in the public forum of the Cromwell Community Board yesterday, Darren said the shortage of housing in the town was getting worse, and there were always people who resorted to living in their car.Now faced with having to put up his prices so he was not out of pocket, he questioned whether land could be opened up at the racecourse, and turned into a camping ground.The shortage of housing has been a problem across Central Otago, and Cromwell, in particular, for many years.But, some of the current short term options around Cromwell, such as The Chalets and Cairnmuir Camping Ground, were now being earmarked for bigger developments over the next few years.He warned members that if they did not do something soon, the town would just end up like Queenstown.“The gap needs to be filled now,” he told the meeting.Board members agreed more conversations should be had, and to address what the true needs of the community were.Cromwell Backpackers owner Darren Fox has raised his concerns around affordable housing in the town. PHOTO: SuppliedWhen contacted by the Central App after the meeting, Darren said he was also losing money by letting people stay at his backpackers for longer periods, “but hey, they need somewhere to live.”He said some of these people worked at the council themselves and were struggling to find long term accommodation.Operating the hostel for the past seven years, he said he often has to turn people away over the Christmas period, because many of the beds were taken up with seasonal workers.Listen to more here.Podcast

Spuds will be on the menu across Central Otago thanks to the generosity of an Invercargill potato grower.The farmer has donated 1.6ha of his crop to support agency Able Minds to help families across Otago and Southland this week.Invercargill staff held a team building day on Tuesday to dig and harvest the potatoes to be delivered around the city and further afield to Dunedin and Central Otago.The potatoes will be offered to the public from 9am on Thursday, October 26, from the back of a trailer outside Able Minds on Ashworth St until they are gone. The public is asked to take their own bucket or bag and is encouraged to give a gold coin donation.Able Minds chief executive Sarah Dowie said because Able Minds could mobilise fairly quickly and get the potatoes out to those who need them, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.“The cost-of-living crisis has affected many whānau across the district and potatoes are a versatile, nutritious vegetable that keeps tummies full."We are excited by this opportunity to help as many people as we can across the Otago/Southland region,” she said.Able Minds is a Charitable Trust with a mission to provide support to tangata whaiora who are affected by mental distress or addiction and their whānau in New Zealand.The goal is to provide individuals with the strength, skills and support they need for a better life experience at home, at work and in the community both now and into the future.Services include activity centres and peer support groups for those affected by mental distress, providing support and advocacy for the family and friends of a loved one affected by mental distress, wellbeing programmes for tamariki and rangatahi and suicide prevention.It also has a bereavement programme and provides supervised contact for those whānau experiencing challenges associated with separation.Able Minds has an office presence in Alexandra, Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin and Oamaru, offering a confidential, free and mobile service across the district. People can self-refer on www.able.org.nz or 0800 494 262.

Alexandra photographer Annemarie Hope-Cross will be celebrated next week during a talk about a new art book, which she collaborated on.Art and garden enthusiasts will be among those who will celebrate the late Annemarie, whose images of flowers from her garden are interwoven with Jenny Bornholdt's prose in the book, 'A garden is a long time'.Jenny, an award winning poet, will host the talk on Thursday, November 2. Annemarie lost her battle with cancer in December 2022, and a few days before she died she got to see the final proof of the book’s cover. Her husband Eric Schusser said when she got sick her photography was “a light in the dark”.A garden is a long time has 90 of Annemarie’s photos in it. PHOTO: Te Herenga Waka PressHe said the book had become a project of love for everyone who became involved with it.“We were working on it until 48 hours before she died.”When asked what he thought she would think of the book he said she would love it.“She would be very, very proud of her work, perplexed it’s happened and she’s the centre of attention. But, she’d be pleased it managed to be finished with so many people she values and loves being involved.”Eric said it has been very moving to have so many people organising a three pronged approach to celebrating the book and both his and Annemarie’s work, in their hometown.Poet Jenny is speaking at the Cover to Cover conversation event at The Packing Shed in Earnscleugh on Thursday, November 2 at 6pm. There is a small exhibition of both Eric and Annemaries’ work that will open at the Eade Gallery in Clyde the following night, November 3. Central Stories Art Gallery and Museum is also hosting a commemorative exhibition from November 15, until the end of January. Eric thanked Jenny, her husband Gregory O’Brien (Greg), Jan Bean, Rex and Melanie Eade, Paula Stephenson and Helena Heydelgar from Central Stories and the community in general for their support.Jenny and her husband spent 12 months in Alexandra in 2018 for the Henderson Arts Trust residency. During that time Annemarie, Eric, Jenny and Greg became friends.Te Herenga Waka University Press described the book as a “meditation on time, light and the spaces we all inhabit.”The book can be bought from independent bookstores, or from Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, or at the Cover to Cover event. Read about Central Otago District Arts Trust and the literary event: Arts trust ‘in good heart’.

Most of us own at least one car, but how many of us understand how to best insure our vehicles?Generally, there are three levels of car insurance, all including protection against most claims for damage that you cause to someone else. Third Party Only: This is really “Help, I damaged someone else’s stuff while driving and it’s my fault” cover.If you make contact with someone else’s property while driving (reverse into building, misjudge a car park, don’t see a car in front stopping) and you are responsible for the damage, then Third Party Insurance will respond and work with the other person’s insurer to sort out costs. You will be responsible for your agreed excess.This is the lowest cost cover, but only protects other people. It does save you from having to pay for someone else’s repairs/replacement, possibly over many years.Third Party, Fire & Theft: This is Third Party Only car insurance plus cover for your vehicle if it is stolen (or damaged in an attempted theft) or catches fire. It can include some cover for damage to your vehicle if caused by another identified driver.This policy type covers any damage that you are legally responsible for while driving and either an agreed value or market value cover that will pay out if your car is stolen or burnt out. It gives you some protection for what is often one of your biggest assets, but generally doesn’t cover your car against accidents while driving. For domestic cover, you may be able to extend this to include windscreen/glass cover.Comprehensive: This includes everything already mentioned, plus it will cover the cost to get your car back into the condition it was in prior to an accident (or to replace your car to agreed value/market value). Cover includes storm/flood damage, replacement of lost or stolen keys, and protection against uninsured drivers (financial, not physical). Market value is the reasonable retail value of your vehicle, immediately before it was damaged/lost/stolen. This is usually set by an independent valuer after a loss, but insurers will review figures if you can show different value. If your car is special (e.g. classic, low volume, prestige) you may be able to obtain your own insurance valuation and have an agreed value cover.Comprehensive cover has a higher annual premium than either Third Party or Third Party, Fire & Theft covers because it’s covering your car for more potential issues. There is also Windscreen/Glass insurance which can be included in covers or added as an optional extra. This covers repairs and replacement of any glass in the car, generally without an excess applying (if claim is for glass only). Be aware that it can cost thousands to have windscreens replaced and sensors recalibrated in modern cars.What cover is right for you? Think about what you could afford to lose in the event of theft, fire or a car accident and consider the risk. Policies will only respond if you are driving within the terms of your licence (e.g. the rules for a restricted licence) and the law (e.g. alcohol limits).Your local insurance brokers at C&R Insurance are happy to have a chat about options.

A round of golf for 186 people in Alexandra has raised $56,000 for Melanoma New Zealand. The fundraiser, called the Cockies and Tradies Golf Day, took place on Friday, something husband and wife Chris Flannery and Nicola (Nic) Jones have been working on for months.It was the second fundraising golf tournament for Melanoma NZ; the last one in 2021 netted over $80,000.The pair said they were stoked with the amount raised as it would allow Melanoma NZ to provide further patient support and keep raising awareness of the disease.Their involvement stems from Chris being diagnosed just before Christmas in 2019 with stage four metastatic melanoma.Nic said they were told he had three months to live. He’s had treatment, including immunotherapy drug Keytruda, radiotherapy and surgery to remove a tumour in his lymph nodes. He is currently taking another unfunded drug and doing well, Nic said.She’s also had melanoma removed herself so the family are advocating people to get regular check ups.“We want to promote melanoma awareness. Last time seven people got diagnosed after the tournament following the free check ups we offered.”Over the lunch period again this year, free skin checks were carried out by Dr Joost Breuk from Alexandra Family Medical. Golfers warming up on the putting green. PHOTO: SuppliedAttendees played Ambrose in teams of three, and each team teed off to a song of their choice adding a fun atmosphere to the start of play. The winners were Tussock’s boys; Graham Johnson (Tussock), Murray Rose and Colin Gray. Their team landed an impressive eleven birdies in a row.Chris (left) with the winning team ‘Tussock’s boys’. PHOTO: SuppliedMore than 1300 lamb cutlets were consumed on the day. PHOTO: Supplied Nic said she was grateful to friends and family for helping out with logistics, along with the Dunstan High School softball community for catering the dinner“Everyone is out there for 12 hours . . . and they all need to be fed, so there has been a bit to do. ”Chris said it was alarming that New Zealand has the highest death rates in the world from melanoma.“[NZ has] more than 6000 diagnoses annually and around 300 lives lost to melanoma each year. Although 70% of cases occur in individuals aged 50 and above, it is crucial to note that melanoma is the most common cancer among males aged 25 to 44.”After the social round of golf and dinner, a fundraising auction and speeches were held, then prizegiving and the day finished at 8pm. For more information see Melanoma NZ.

Entertainers of all ages and an array of ethnic-style street food all made for another successful street party in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct on Sunday afternoon.Organised by the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group (CDPG), the Fireworks and Street Party, with a multicultural twist, marked the beginning of spring and summer and attracted a huge crowd of both locals and visitors in town for the long weekend.New to the event this year was the Culture Corner - proudly supported by Cromwell Newcomers, featuring ethnic dancers, which was a strong drawcard.Sharon Smid from Cromwell Newcomers said it was exciting to be part of the event this year and to see it as the seed from which to grow.“Having involvement from some of our community groups, it better reflects the rich cultural fabric that is now Cromwell. We can only grow from this - it's very exciting.”People starting to gather for the popular Cromwell Fireworks and Street Party on Sunday. PHOTO: SuppliedCDPG marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said it was lovely to experience the connection between visitors and locals alike, across different age groups and cultures.“We are a changing community and the new multicultural element brings a platform for them to connect with us.”Cromwell has held a fireworks display annually in some shape or form for about 20 years, and several years ago the CDPG made it into a more formal event, in the heritage precinct.Labour Weekend also marks the beginning of the weekly Farmers Market, and Tanya said Old Cromwell “was abuzz with people out and about from sunrise to sunset.”

Motorists travelling between Cromwell and Queenstown can expect “short delays” from October 30 while rock removal takes place.Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Central Otago will start its spring safety programme at both the Kawarau Gorge (Bungy) Bridge bluff and Nevis Bluff, SH6, at the end of the month.Works will run for around four weeks from Monday, October 30 through to November 24.The time frame will include a week at the Kawarau Gorge (Bungy) Bridge bluff to start with, then three weeks at Nevis Bluff.Waka Kotahi system manager Robert Choveaux said travel delays should be expected.“People who travel between Cromwell and Queenstown will need to factor in short delays, up to 10 minutes at a time on weekdays, 8am to 5pm from Monday, 30 October.”Both schist rocks bluffs are prone to rockfall and are routinely monitored by Waka Kotahi crews and geotechnical advisors. While the Nevis Bluff spring and autumn work has been regularly programmed in recent years, the Kawarau Gorge Bungy Bridge site also now requires additional maintenance.“The scaling works at Kawarau Gorge Bungy Bridge is the first stage in a larger programme, which will go through into 2024. It includes the installation of 42 rock-bolts and structural mesh to retain the overhanging and fractured upper central section of the Kawarau River Bridge rocky outcrop.”The two rock scaling sites at the Kawarau Gorge (Bungy) Bridge bluff closer to Arrow Junction and the Nevis Bluff, on the Cromwell side of Gibbston Valley. IMAGE: SuppliedThe Nevis Bluff and Bungy Bridge are sites Waka Kotahi regularly inspect, monitor and complete stabilisation work on as part of its commitment to provide a safe, accessible highway network and reduce the risk of uncontrolled rockfalll, Robert said.The spring safety programme will run on weekdays, 8am to 5pm, from Monday, October 30 to Friday, November 3 at the Bungy Bridge and Monday, November 6 to Friday, November 24 at Nevis.

Matangi Station is on the market for the first time in just over a century, and co-owner John Sanders is blaming the past Labour Government for trying to “crucify” farms over the past five years.He said despite National now being in power, it had come too late for the Sanders family.“I’ll be almost 73 by the time they make any decent changes,” he said.Proud supporters of the Groundswell NZ movement, he said Labour had destroyed both dairy and sheep farming with too much red tape, and it was no longer a viable business for many people.The farm had diversified in recent years with a new mountain bike park (Matangi MTB), and he said it would be up to the new owners on whether they continued that or not.John’s son Brett and wife Helen currently look after that side of the business, and in 2023 hosted the ‘enduro’ section of the Crankworx Summer Series in New Zealand.Son Mark Sanders and family also work on the farm and third son Tony lives locally working for a stock company.John and Mary-Liz Sanders, of Matangi Station. John and wife Mary-Liz said they don’t yet know what their plans are once they sell the station."It could take at least 12 months,” he said.John’s grandfather acquired the Crown pastoral lease for the 11,400 hectare station in September 1923 - mainly focused on growing fine wool from a flock that traces back to the original Central Otago merinos of 160 years ago.Situated behind Alexandra’s clock on the hill, stretching through to Little Valley and back towards Roxburgh, Matangi was originally part of Galloway Station, one of Central Otago’s pioneer runs, which was first established by Scottish brothers Watson and Alexander Shennan in 1858, and divided up in 1916.Jack Sanders established the Matangi stud in 1940 when he bought half the stock from the dispersal of the Puketoi stud, first registered by pioneer Watson Shennan.Some of the stud’s original sheep came from the King of Prussia’s Saxony stud in 1862. John Sanders' family have owned Matangi Station for 100 years.Matangi wool ends up in fabric used by big names in the fashion world such as Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, Armani, Ralph Lauren and Gucci.Brent Irving of PGG Wrightson Real Estate in Dunedin is marketing Matangi Station and has been involved with the Sanders for the past 40 years.“My personal relationship with the property and the Sanders family spans some 40 years, starting out marketing the Matangi wool clip. Offering this property to the market, giving another custodian the chance to start a new era in the history of such majestic country is an exciting privilege,” he said.“It’s quite unique and what we want to do after 100 years is put it to the market and allow the market and those interested to weigh up the options.”The station has a deadline private treaty which closes on December 7.National MP Joseph Mooney said, when contacted by The Central App, Matangi Station was a really special place farmed by an awesome family. “They are a fine example of a passionate intergenerational family that work hard to achieve so many outcomes.”He said the country has now chosen change and a Government that backs farmers “in a big way.”“Farmers are important for our communities and our economy, and we need a strong economy to pay for the public services that everyone wants. And, they deserve recognition for their efforts.“We have the world’s most carbon efficient farmers. They are quite phenomenal.”He said the Government needed to get out of farming and agreed there had been way too much red tape, that had made farmers lives incredibly difficult.PHOTOS: PGG Wrightson

James Malcolm Macpherson, ONZM  18/09/1946 - 24/08/2023The term Renaissance man is often overused, but the late James Malcolm Macpherson ONZM meets the definition, as someone who was educated, knowledgeable and skilled in a wide range of fields.Known to all as Malcolm, as the name James was given to many males in his family, the Central Otago District mayor from 2001 until 2010 is remembered by his family as a quiet achiever who had many different eras in his life.“He literally wore a lot of hats because he loved hats, but he also had a lot of talents,” daughter Amy said.Malcolm receives an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit from Dame Patsy Reddy, for services to local government and the community.Malcolm was born in Canterbury and his father, James “Arch” Macpherson, was a post-war teacher, meaning the family moved frequently. Malcolm studied geology, earning a BSc from the University of Canterbury, a postgraduate degree diploma from Otago, and then returned to Canterbury to earn his PhD.“He was a lifelong learner,” Amy said. “He had a very egalitarian streak.“He was interested in learning, but he was also interested in helping others to learn.”In recent years, Malcolm worked as an academic mentor and facilitator for bachelor's and master's degrees at Otago Polytechnic.Malcolm had completed most of a Master of Public Policy degree and was also working toward a Master of Professional Practice.“It was inspirational to me that you can pivot and you can learn new things,” Amy said.Malcolm in his woodworking studio.A self-taught woodworker, whose work was sold at Central Stories Art Gallery and Museum, of which he was a former chairman, Malcolm was also an artist, a scientist, a pioneering desk-top publisher, a business excellence consultant, community organiser and civic leader, his family said.His wife, Susan, said she was introduced to Malcolm by a mutual friend. In those days he was an academic and had worked as an exploration geologist across the Asia-Pacific region.“We met in Christchurch,” said Susan, who was born in Brecon, Wales. “I came in 1974 as a 10-pound POM (an assisted migration scheme) and we met in 1975.“I realised straight away what a lovely fellow he was. We decided the first time that we went out together that we would get married.”She was 27 and Malcolm 29 at that time, and it is family history they were often teased about that they only courted for about three weeks.Malcolm in 1976, the week he and Susan married.Eldest Amy was born in Christchurch, but her formative years were spent in Brecon, where the young family moved to be close to Susan’s family. It was there that James and Marisa were born.“He fitted in beautifully,” Susan said, “because he was subtle and clever and quiet.“He was always a quiet achiever. He wanted to be the best he could at everything he did.”In the six years they spent in Brecon, Malcolm made pews and cabinetry for many people in the town, Susan said.“One thing that really appealed to him is that he had work, not big work, in every church or chapel in Brecon, including the cathedral.”Amy and Marisa recalled how, even when they were little, they loved asking their father about the adventures he had.“He had some extraordinary adventures,” Amy said.“He was one of the founders of the Brecon Jazz Festival.”The festival has become a world-renowned event, and the family billeted many of the musicians who took part in its early years.Community leadership would be a recurring theme in Malcolm’s life. In 1988, the family moved to his ancestral home of Alexandra, and over the following decades he was involved with over 30 different organisations.Community leadership was always important to Malcolm.In the 2018 New Year Honours, Malcolm was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government and the community.“We are so proud of everything he achieved, such as his involvement in Alexandra’s flood recovery projects and the Warm Homes Clean Air programme,” Amy said.“He worked so hard to make a difference and across his many, many projects, there was a common theme of looking to the future and caring for local people and the environment he loved.”Susan describes herself as very fortunate to have married Malcolm, and the love in the family is apparent as the family shared stories, memories, laughter and a few tears abouthim.“He was incredibly kind.”

I’m usually pretty good at remembering important dates but one slipped past the week before last that I’ve only just cottoned on to.October 8 was a year since the local government elections, meaning we are 1/3 of the way through this term. So, what have been the highlights looking back?Firstly was welcoming the new council together. As Mayor, I get to spend a fair bit of time with councils from around the country and I am sincere in the belief that we have one of the best groups of people sitting as a council anywhere.One of the joys of being Mayor here is that I am not having to look over my shoulder or pull knives out of my back regularly as we see some mayors not that far away having to do.  Every one of your councillors is here to do the best for you and for those that follow us; not for their own ambitions and egos. I, and we, are very lucky.Seeing our carbon footprint drop by around 60% since we aimed at a lofty target of 55% four years ago is just wonderful.  Most of the low-hanging fruit in this regard has now been picked, but we will keep working towards further reductions.It was also great to see one of the most comprehensive waste collection systems in the country kick in this year.  I have had so many people say how good it is having a green bin and I’m looking forward to seeing the figures in a year or so time of how many thousands of kilos of waste we together are diverting from landfill.And, it was a thrill to open the Lake Dunstan Water Supply, bringing fully compliant and lower lime water to Alexandra and Clyde as well as seeing the first stage of the Clyde wastewater scheme come on line.We also had our former CEO Sanchia Jacobs leave after five years in the role and welcomed new CEO Peter Kelly who is already fitting into the organisation and the community really well.So, that’s what we’ve got behind us, but what’s ahead for the remaining 2/3’s of the term?  This is where I have to get all a bit Churchill “blood, toil, tears and sweat” I’m afraid.We have got some massive costs coming up as a district. A lot of work needs done on our bridges and, keeping in mind nothing is settled until we know what Waka Kotahi will contribute, this alone is looking at going to cost a 2-3% increase in rates year on year for the next five years.Then there is the dreaded Three Waters. We have been ordered by the regulator Taumata Arowai to bring our three protozoa non-compliant plants up to standard faster than we have budgeted to do so, at the same time as the cost of doing so has skyrocketed.  This work and the other things we need to do now the change of government means the Three Waters liabilities stay with council are going to make the bridge rates increase component look small.Then we have other things we can’t control such as increased depreciation and insurance costs alongside extortionate audit fees and there are huge rate increases coming.  There is no easy way to say it, and no-one on your council is happy about it, believe me.We have little we can control, but management have been told to come with us with ways we can cut costs.  We run a fairly lean machine as it is, so this means we need to be looking at, and discussing with you through the LTP (Long Term Plan) process, if there are things as a community we are going to need to do without.I can see why Churchill had such a legendary drinking problem.

The health facility being built in Alexandra has hit a milestone, with the building reaching its full height of about nine metres.HealthCentral is the anchor tenant for the new building and work is progressing well on site with seven to 10 staff from Breen Construction there daily. Breen Construction site manager Jeff Golden said they were “absolutely on target” with the project that is due to be completed mid 2024. “The ground floor windows are all in, we’re measuring the first floor windows next week and then due to install them the week of November 13.“The roof framing is next [along with] getting the roof done so the shell is closed in and things are watertight.”The building from Fox St. Subcontractors working on plumbing, electrical, and mechanical services (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) will soon be installing services and cabling inside the building, after the internal partitions are built.Jeff said it would get “busier and busier” in the days ahead with 20-35 people working on the build. “We’ll be gibbing the ground floor pre-Christmas . . . it’s all coming together.”The planned services will help primary tenant HealthCentral better meet the increasing demand for acute care as a result of population growth and increased visitors to Central Otago.In addition to the general practice, a number of other tenants including physiotherapy, mental health and wellbeing support, a pharmacy, dentist and a café are anticipated. The first floor, when finished, will have consultation rooms for specialists and health providers. The ground floor has two negative pressure isolation rooms, a cafe, and a pharmacy. Local company Breen Construction is contracted to deliver the project for Queenstown investment group Mackersy Property. Subcontractors from Central Otago and across the South Island are also involved, including Aotea Electric, Cooper Roofing, Foleys, Phoenix Steel, Rabbette Brick & Block and Rayners. Read more: Foundations poured for new HealthCentral buildingPHOTOS: The Central App

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan is among those getting behind this year's annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal.The appeal, which takes to the streets next week, aims to raise funds and support for breast cancer education and innovative projects by some of the country's top researchers.It also aims to support patients and their families as they navigate their way through their own breast cancer journeys. The team at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is delighted to have the backing of Tim, who encourages other locals to donate to the charity when they see collectors on the street on October 27 and 28.“There would be very few people in Central Otago who haven’t been directly affected by breast cancer in their whānau, workplace or friendships," he said."The Breast Cancer Foundation does great work in early detection education, supporting those with breast cancer, research and medical grants and advocacy and I hope many people in Central feel able to get behind this appeal.”The two day event will be supported by 10,000 volunteers, who will be on the streets all over New Zealand to raise vital funds.  Breast Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner welcomes "everyone" in Central Otago to show some love for New Zealanders affected by breast cancer by donating to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. “As a charity that doesn’t receive any government funding, it’s only thanks to the generosity of New Zealanders that we can carry out our life-saving work. Your donations will bring us closer to our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.” Every year, around 240 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Southern region.All of the money raised from the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal goes towards Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s work to advance breast cancer research, educate New Zealanders about the importance of early detection, and support patients through their treatment and recovery. Donations can be made to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal through volunteer collectors who will be out in force shaking pink buckets across the region on October 27 and 28 October, or donate to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ online.To read more, check out Beth King's story.

Children can take part in two fun activities coming up at Alexandra and Cromwell libraries; a teddy bear sleepover and Halloween session.For ‘The Great Teddy Bear Sleepover’ teddies can be dropped off on Friday October 27 between 4pm and 5pm and then collected the next morning at 10.30am.When children come to pick up their toys, there will be a bring your own picnic, along with a story time and chat about what the toys got up to overnight.On Halloween, children are invited to come along to the library in their favourite costume for some stories, songs, a craft activity and a treat. A spokesperson from Alexandra Library said the event would be not-too-spooky, but more about favourite book characters, sharing stories and enjoying being together.Bookings are required for the Halloween session on Tuesday October 31 from 3pm - 4.30pm. Under fives need to be accompanied by an adult.  With Halloween coming up, a Central Otago parent, has suggested households who welcome trick or treat visitors put out a balloon or decoration at the letterbox.A sleepover for teddy bears will soon be hosted at Alexandra and Cromwell libraries and a Halloween dress-up event will follow. PHOTO: Central App She said a sense of creative fun and community enjoyment could come out of Halloween, even if it was something that was a bit new to the district. For more information visit Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes Libraries What’s On page.Contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions.  

Age is no barrier for Alexandra and Cromwell's new swim coach.At 23 years old Ashleigh Rankin is young to be a head coach, but she’s bringing plenty of enthusiasm to the two local swimming squads she is coaching.She started swimming as a toddler in Wellington. Her mother, who was from the Philippines, wanted her children to be confident in the water so enrolled them in learn to swim classes.Ashleigh started competing at the age of seven for SwimZone Racing (SZR), formerly known as Watties Swim Club in Wellington’s Hutt Valley. She was top in her age group for a few years and raced in the national age group championships, specialising in butterfly events.“I hung up my togs in 2016, then started coaching at SZR in 2018.”She spent a year at the University of Canterbury in 2021, but it wasn't the right fit for her. With her family in Central Otago, and after lots of trips to spend time with them, she decided to move south with her partner, who is a bottler at Vin Pro, and their young baby. She was appointed coach for the Cromwell Swim Club first, and started in March.Ashleigh (front, centre) with some of the Cromwell squad. PHOTO: Supplied Alexandra Swim Club head coach Shane Allan was looking to step back after many years in the role, and he suggested she put herself forward for the role. Shane was named coach of the year by Swimming Otago in 2023 and 2020. “Shane is an amazing person as well as a coach. He really nurtures and looks after his swimmers. And not just his own swimmers, but swimmers from around the region . . . he's just legendary. So I've got big shoes to fill.”Ashleigh looked at the training schedules for both squads and luckily it all worked out.“In Alexandra it’s opposite times to what we have in Cromwell. It’s so challenging in this area to find steady coaches . . . everyone has been welcoming and I’m enjoying stepping into new territory.” Her goal is to get the youngsters to travel to more swim meets, possibly to the North Island once a year. “Over the term three school holidays we opened up a mini junior bootcamp to get the swimmers to mix and mingle . . . and it was a success.”Listen to Ashleigh on The Outlet.Read more: Alexandra Swimming Club scores regional awards.  

Central Otago's Eat.Taste.Central (E.T.C.) will return to restaurants across the region from today, serving up another round of tempting dishes.The annual food and beverage showcase, brought to the district by Tourism Central Otago, will run for a month at participating venues, complimented by a series of food and beverage-focused events scheduled over the coming weeks.It is the seventh year the event has been hosted, which Tourism Central Otago's head of destination Anthony (Antz) Longman describes as a "wild gastronomic ride". “We’re proud that E.T.C. continues to celebrate our amazing venues, chefs and producers, and is a key part of telling the story of Central Otago as a food and beverage destination of choice. Additionally, our event partners, including Air New Zealand, The Central App, MiNDFOOD, More FM and Central Otago Winegrowers Association have continued their support for another year, which further highlights the value of the event to the region. “This year we’ve got dishes that hero ingredients such as rabbit, thar, venison, lamb, cherries, apricots, apples, honey and more. Chefs from participating venues have designed their category dishes in such a way that celebrates not only the flavours of local ingredients, wines and beverages, but in many cases also touches on culture, history and heritage of the person, place and their chosen hero ingredient.”Waipiata Hotel’s Head Chef David Aracama with the E.T.C. Sense-ational Burger - a Coneys Creek Beef Bulgogi Burger with Swiss Cheese. PHOTO: Supplied Tourism Central Otago media and marketing manager Alison Mason said the team was impressed with the creativity and flair being shown in the use of local ingredients.“We have now seen their dishes, and rather than pick just a couple to highlight, we can confidently encourage people to get out and try as many as possible during Eat.Taste.Central while they are available.”   In addition to the online regional menu and dish images, for the first time, a short video profile has been created for each dish and venue. These can be viewed within each dish listing on eattastecentral.co.nz and capture the people and flavours that are integral to Eat.Taste.Central.  Wine lovers will get to enjoy two celebrations of local wines bookending the event, with the Alexandra Basin New Release Tasting event being held on Sunday, October 22.The final weekend for E.T.C. will be marked with the Central Otago Wine Experience event hosted by Central Otago Winegrowers at Mt Difficulty – a rare opportunity to discover, taste and learn about the Central Otago wine region from a selected group of world class wineries in one space.In addition, there are other unique and personal events throughout E.T.C. including a Quartz Reef wines and Sanga’s Pies fusion event, Wine and Fromage (cheese) at Domaine Thomson, Burger Afloat’s Beats and Burgers and more. Antz said when Eat.Taste.Central. was launched in 2016, the intention was to raise the profile of Central Otago’s food and beverage providers, growers and experiences, with the additional aim of giving the region a boost in a traditionally quiet time of year.“On reflecting on the last six years, it has become clear that Eat.Taste.Central. is achieving those original goals.” Eat.Taste.Central. runs from Friday, October 20 to Sunday, November 12 and offers a regional menu of specially created dishes, while supporting food and beverage focused events.  Visit The Central App's E.T.C. button to support participants, or to hear what they have planned for you this season, check out the E.T.C. YouTube channel.

Roxburgh’s new community swimming pool should be open in early to mid December, just in time for summer.Teviot Valley Community Board member Sally Feinerman, the lead person for the Punawai Ora ‘Safe Water’ aquatics complex, told the monthly meeting yesterday, the original opening date was set for December 3, but it could be a few weeks after that.Coombes Aquatics and Breen Construction have been building the new 25m lane pool, learn to swim and toddlers pool, replacing the 89-year-old facility that was decommissioned on the same site.New changing rooms, office space and a plant room have also been added to the long-awaited pool project.The Roxburgh Pool commitee 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.Coombes Aquatics posted on its website in April that the tenacity of both community and school committee groups working on the pool project was astounding.“These hard working people, often holding down full time jobs, have busy families and still find the time to tirelessly fundraise, liaise with contractors and council to ensure their community/school pool projects not only survive, but thrive and become key assets for all to enjoy.”Teviot Valley Community Board chair Norman Dalley told the committee there had been a lot of talk in the town about the new pool, “and it was good to make that dream a reality.”Frames for the solar panels went up at the end of last month, which will also provide shade. PHOTO: SuppliedHe also noted the new life in the town with the construction of houses, and seasonal workers arriving on orchards.“It’s like watching the town open up like blossom. It’s just that time of year where things start to happen.”The town had a lot of community spirit “and people are working their hearts out,” he said.

Soft plastic recycling is making a return to Alexandra.Bread bags, bubble wrap and plastic wrappers can now be taken to Alexandra’s Countdown and The Warehouse, with a further site to be established at New World.Bins will be located at each participating site and welcomes the type of plastic that is not suitable for the Central Otago District Council kerbside recycling service.The initiative is a project by the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme, supported by AllWaste, which will collect and bale the plastic before being transported to Future Post’s new Blenheim facility.From there it will be recycled into fence posts destined for farms and wineries, as well as garden frames for households.Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme manager Lyn Mayes said historically residents have championed soft plastic recycling.Prior to collections stopping in 2018, they were dropping off about 1000kg of soft plastics every month for recycling.“There is a huge difference between the scheme back in 2018 and how we operate now,” she said.It was previously sent offshore, but is now recycled in Aotearoa New Zealand and is 100% funded by scheme members.Here’s a look at what soft plastics will be accepted at the new collection points. PHOTO: SuppliedLyn said having the new Future Post operation in Blenheim has helped expand the service across the South Island, starting with Marlborough in July, Nelson and Tasman in August and Dunedin and Mosgiel in September.The service is also available at Queenstown’s Countdown, New World and The Warehouse at Five Miles Shopping Centre.In Wanaka it is available at New World Three Parks and The Warehouse.In the last 12 months, the scheme has collected 657 tonnes of post-consumer soft plastic, which was the equivalent of 100 million bags, or wrappers. That was enough to be made into 67,000 Future Posts, or 335km worth of fencing, enough to fence the road from Timaru to Queenstown.Central Otago District Council (CODC) welcomes the return of the scheme, which has been made available through an external service.CODC waste minimisation officer Abi Hawkins said plastic recycling was often reported as the most confusing part of the kerbside service.“The most common contaminant that we see in our kerbside yellow recycling bins is soft plastic.“I think this is because people are starting to see that this is recyclable, but are unsure of where they should put it - and people genuinely want to do their best with recycling.”She said now that there were collection bins in the district, people will be able to collect their plastic at home and return it when they visit stores they commonly shop at.“We would hope that this will reduce the amount of this type of soft plastic that is being found in the kerbside recycling bins.”Ultimately, trying to avoid single use plastic was the best option, she said.“Even with this recycling scheme in place, it’s always good to try and avoid any type of single-use packaging and find ways to re-use things.”Visit Soft Plastic Recycling to find out more, or visit Future Post NZ to learn more about where your soft plastic could end up.