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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Shutting down the district's coal burners will reduce the same amount of emissions as removing all vehicles in the district, EA Networks chief executive Roger Sutton says.
The Mid-South Canterbury region’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Shutting down the district's coal burners will reduce the same amount of emissions as removing all vehicles in the district, EA Networks chief executive Roger Sutton says.
The Mid-South Canterbury region’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and what it needs to do to transition to a low emissions economy, is outlined in a new report published by the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA).
The Mid-South Canterbury Regional Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) report is the result of months of collaboration between Venture Timaru (Timaru district’s economic development agency) and EECA, with EA Networks, Transpower, Alpine Energy, and Network Waitaki, local biomass suppliers and forest owners, energy generators and retailers and medium to large industrial energy users.
Mid Canterbury already had a head start, Sutton said.
“We have a network which, because it was built for the big irrigation loads, is much more ready for customers to decarbonise than many other parts of the country.
“The coal boilers in our region emit more carbon than all the cars and utes combined.
“We are working closely with many of the big boiler owners to help them decarbonise.”
That included Ashburton Hospital and Ashburton College, which are in the process of decommissioning coal boiler systems.
And the transition to clean energy is already under way.
A large solar farm being consented in Lauriston will be able to add power to the grid from the end of next year, while there is an established hydro station at Highbank.
EECA business group manager Nicki Sutherland said the report’s insights show the potential for many of the region’s decarbonisation projects to be cost neutral in the coming years.
“While there will be the need for capital investment, over the longer term, switching to clean and clever tech is frequently not going to cost more than continuing to emit carbon."
Businesses need to commit now, she said.
“This will mean they will streamline their efforts, and collectively unlock other supply chains, infrastructure and cost efficiencies for the region."
Included in the report is the significant role biomass will play as a renewable fuel into the future, with $75 million (over 15 years) worth of wood residues sitting in Mid-South Canterbury’s forests.
Up to 40% of the region’s energy needs could be met by biomass as a complement to electricity.
There are 33 sites across Mid-South Canterbury covered by RETA and the report details various emissions reduction pathways which will eliminate more than 90% of emissions in the region by 2036.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A bike skills park has plenty of backing but nowhere to go in Ashburton - yet.
The project has gathered traction and an initial meeting earlier this month showed there is plenty of support for the idea, deputy mayor Liz McMillan said.
“There… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A bike skills park has plenty of backing but nowhere to go in Ashburton - yet.
The project has gathered traction and an initial meeting earlier this month showed there is plenty of support for the idea, deputy mayor Liz McMillan said.
“There is quite a lot of work to do but it’s got a lot of support already which is great."
A bike skills park is for young children to learn to ride a bike in a safe environment away from footpaths and roads.
The idea for bringing one to Ashburton was raised in the walking and cycling strategy submissions in 2020 by Safer Mid Canterbury’s Lesley Symington, McMillan said.
“It was discussed a bit but it has only just started to gain traction”.
An initial meeting this month involved councillors, council staff, Rotary and Lions club members, and Safer Mid Canterbury.
The meeting also had representatives of the Timaru Suburban Lions who provided the group with the details of how they built a $500,000 bike skills park at Caroline Bay.
It provided plenty to think about, but the biggest initial challenge is finding a suitable site.
Several were being considered, including the Ashburton Domain, EA Networks Centre, and Tinwald Domain, McMillan said.
“We’ll move forward but we just have to figure out a spot for it.”
Council democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said there were “a few factors we are working through in terms of an open space for it to go into”.
That included being accessible for communities, visible, and meeting crime prevention through planning and design requirements, she said.
The next meeting will be held in July, to consider options to progress the project.
Once a suitable location is found, plans can be drawn up to start working out costs, which will determined on size, Durham said.
Like Timaru, McMillan hopes to include traffic lights in the park to further help teach young riders about road safety without having them on the roads.
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Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and… View moreLottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
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Sam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident … View moreSam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident and self-assured, and his teachers noticed a positive change in his sociability and willingness to ask questions in class.
He developed a "give-it-a-go" attitude. Inspired by his newfound passion for the outdoors, Sam plans to join the New Zealand Defence Force after finishing school.
Support young people like Sam by donating today.
Have a bit of fun playing around with verdigris paint effects with Resene paints and add classical highlights to your summer garden.
Follow our easy advice to get started getting creative at your place.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
*some conditions apply
Even well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid… View moreEven well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid living in cold, damp conditions. Do you think curtains should be mandatory for New Zealand homes?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The future of Glow in the Park looks bright - but isn’t locked in yet.
The second year of the light festival in the Tinwald Domain attracted more than 17,000 people over two nights at the weekend, before rain washed out the third night on … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The future of Glow in the Park looks bright - but isn’t locked in yet.
The second year of the light festival in the Tinwald Domain attracted more than 17,000 people over two nights at the weekend, before rain washed out the third night on Sunday.
Even with one night scrapped, it meant crowd figures were well above the inaugural 2022 event, which had around 10,000 people over the three nights.
Despite the popularity of the event, there is no guarantee it returns in 2024, council chief executive Hamish Riach said.
“We’re currently gathering feedback from attendees, so we can make further improvements if Glow returns next year.
“We’re yet to confirm our event calendar for 2024, so we can’t promise that Glow will return at this stage.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the number of people who visited over the weekend and it’s clear from the very positive feedback we’ve received, that the event has strong community support."
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown hailed Glow as an excellent event, with the only snag being “it took a little while to get there... because it was so popular the roads were congested”.
“Perhaps we do need another bridge."
The inaugural Glow was held to celebrate EA Networks centenary and “it was so popular we thought why not do this again”, Brown said.
“We get sponsors on board which is good so it doesn’t cost the ratepayer much money at all and it is a free event.
“It is popular and we can probably build on it even more.”
The review into the event is already underway, with the public survey released to gather feedback before a council debrief will consider the future of the event, Riach said.
For the 2023 Glow, the council set aside $15,000 from its community event budget, he said, but the event “was largely made possible through the generous support of our event sponsors and volunteers”.
“We’re still tallying the final costs and income from the weekend, but we’re hopeful that the event will be delivered on or slightly under budget."
The skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots… View moreThe skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots in your neighbourhood that bring a smile to your face and add a little colour to your day.
There are 10 prizes of $250 Resene ColorShop vouchers and $250 Prezzy® cards up for grabs so you can create your own Bright Spot!
Enter your local bright spots pics today and be in to *WIN*.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
*some conditions apply
Celebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to … View moreCelebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to stuff.co.nz/loveyourlocal to vote for your favourites and show them you appreciate what they do!
Extend the boundaries of the garden season by making your own cloche protected in Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Anti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, … View moreAnti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, having heat pumps set to lower than 21°C, cold laundry washes and having showers of less than five minutes.
Vote in our poll and share what you think of these energy-saving tips below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
We have your chance to win an Antipodes Skin-Hydrating set worth over $110.
Simply grab a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener and find the link in the magazine to enter. There are 100 prizes to be won – each winner will receive Anoint H2O De-Puffing Eye Gel (RRP $59) and … View moreWe have your chance to win an Antipodes Skin-Hydrating set worth over $110.
Simply grab a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener and find the link in the magazine to enter. There are 100 prizes to be won – each winner will receive Anoint H2O De-Puffing Eye Gel (RRP $59) and Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel (RRP $52), the perfect combo to use on your skin after a good day out in the garden.
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