$26m Punakaiki development progresses
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Foundation work on the geologically complex site of the new $26m Experience Centre at Dolomite Point, Punakaiki, as seen on Tuesday, is almost at the stage where work can begin above ground.
Dolomite Point is a limestone karst headland on the West Coast, and home to pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools.
The anchor shaped building, started in May, will eventually house the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre and other facilities for the Department of Conservation.
After months of ground and foundation work - including pile driving down to 16m - scaffolding up to 8m has been erected to encase the building's frame in plastic 'wrap'.
This will protect it from the extreme coastal elements as work notches up on the timber building.
The scaffold highest point is slightly above the height of the new building, with a metal frame for a lift to a mezzanine floor already installed at one end.
Dolomite Point is one of the most visited DOC sites in the region, growing from 213,000 in 2008 on the Pancake Rocks walkway, to 511,000 in 2018, placing significant pressure on dated infrastructure at the site.
A key aspect of the redevelopment, including wider redevelopment of visitor facilities such as parking, is the re-establishment of a cultural footprint in the area for Ngāti Waewae. The runanga will be gifted the new experience centre to own and operate.
It has been funded through the provincial growth fund.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.4% A week before Christmas
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33.2% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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