Sharplin Falls track takes big step forward
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There was bound to be a feeling of relief for the Mt Somers Walkways Society last week, not that they would easily admit it.
Society president Charles Ross said the crucial part of the new Sharplin Falls Walkway was completed with the two almost 30m-long steel bridges installed by helicopter over the last two weeks.
“We are relieved to get through this stage,” Ross said.
“It’s been over five years to get to this stage and there is plenty of work still to be done before the track can open.
“The scaffolding will go out soon and the timber steps and lookout will be constructed, as well as finishing the track shingling.”
The complex bridge installation was led by Fulton Hogan and Ross said they have done an outstanding job in difficult conditions.
“They spent the last six weeks walking in and out most days.”
The society is eager to get people back visiting the “local treasure destination” but until the track is completed and receives DOC sign off it remains closed to the public he said.
Rockfalls on the track during and after the 2011 earthquakes meant that DOC permanently closed the track due to safety concerns in 2017.
Following extensive consultation with DOC and geologists, the society has undertaken to build the new track itself.
The cost of the two steel bridges has made up the bulk of the cost of the project, which is estimated to be around $470,000, which has all been raised by the society.
That is why there was likely a few nerves ahead of bridge installation, the “crux of the project”, and some relief they are in place, and the Society is closing in on completion.
Along the journey the Society received $5000 as a Community Projects Grant from the Ashburton District Council in 2020-21 to help cover resource and building consent costs for the new walkway, and a further $7500 from the council in 2022-23.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
Best way to use leftovers?
I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.
What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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62% Summer
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36.5% Winter
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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