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From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
It may be one of the country’s few peanut-shaped roundabouts, but it cost anything but peanuts.
The roundabout on Forbury Rd, in the Dunedin suburb of St Clair, was announced by the Dunedin City Council in 2019.
The uniquely shaped roundabout was needed due to … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
It may be one of the country’s few peanut-shaped roundabouts, but it cost anything but peanuts.
The roundabout on Forbury Rd, in the Dunedin suburb of St Clair, was announced by the Dunedin City Council in 2019.
The uniquely shaped roundabout was needed due to the layout of the intersecting roads, and was designed to make the crash-prone area safer and more attractive.
The work had an original budget of $1 million – although work to place electrical lines underground was not pursued due to budget restraints – and was expected to be done by the end of December 2020.
However, lengthy delays due to upgrades needed for water and sewer pipes pushed the completion date to July 2021 and added to the cost.
Information released under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act revealed the final cost was $2.4m , with $1.4m attributed to transport and $970,000 to three waters.
A Dunedin City Council spokesperson said the price reflected an increase in the scope of the project.
“Our original estimate was about $1m to construct the new roundabout, but we encountered issues with poor ground conditions and delays caused by bad weather. This resulted in a final cost of approximately $1.45m.”
Work to replace ageing three waters infrastructure was not part of the original roundabout estimate, the spokesperson said.
The project was a priority for the council because the intersection was categorised as high-risk and difficult for motorists to negotiate.
“We are monitoring the performance of the new roundabout, and while it is too soon to comment on any improved crash statistics, it appears to be functioning well, and we have received positive feedback.”
The spokesperson was unaware if it was the first roundabout of its shape in New Zealand.
“Any roundabout is a complex project, navigating a variety of factors. We are planning other new roundabouts in Dunedin but none of the same shape as this one,” they said.
Included in the released documents was correspondence from business owners and residents angry over the lengthy delays.
“The disruption to the road has taken a lot longer than was first conveyed to us” according to one person whose business name was redacted.
Contractors started and finished at various times but never worked past 3pm on Fridays, one email noted.
“Some days there seemed to be an abundance of workers doing nothing at all.”
Another wrote to a senior council manager that the work was a “shambles”, while another email, headed ‘The Bloody Roadworks!!!’, noted no work had been carried out for days and machinery had been moved to another site.
“Why don’t they finish a job before starting another?”
Five people, who also had their names redacted, phoned and made complaints to the council, including one who was “extremely unhappy about the length of time it is taking to finish the roundabout”.
One complainant lived nearby and vented that when they drove past the roadworks, all they saw were two men “with brooms sweeping”.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Having created some of New Zealand’s most successful television shows and films Dave Gibson’s latest production is Cyclorama, New Zealand’s first e-bike festival.
Gibson spent four years as chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission before moving to … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Having created some of New Zealand’s most successful television shows and films Dave Gibson’s latest production is Cyclorama, New Zealand’s first e-bike festival.
Gibson spent four years as chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission before moving to rural Queenstown to join his partner and take up e-biking.
“It only takes me 15 minutes to get to Arrowtown and you can go to people’s places for dinner, and you’re not even sweating,” he said.
While enthusiastically researching his new pastime on the internet he came across an-e-bike festival in Verbier, Switzerland, and another in Flachau, Austria.
“They are these high mountain, winter resort-type places and this has suddenly become the summer thing to do.”
The similarities with Queenstown were obvious.
“This is a really great place for it. I thought that if I didn’t do it someone else would.”
The area is increasingly becoming known for its cycle trail offerings with hundreds of kilometres of off-road trails, mountainbike events and tours available.
A recent report commissioned by businessman Rod Drury – another local biking enthusiast – found biking in the region could become almost 50% of the size of the ski visitor economy by 2026.
Gibson, who created and ran Gibson Group producing films such as The Silent One and television programmes including Public Eye, The Strip, Duggan and The Insider’s Guide to Happiness. pulled together a team of event professionals and e-bike enthusiasts to create Cyclorama.
The inaugural festival, which is having a delayed launch after being scuppered by Covid-19 regulations last year, is scheduled for Labour Weekend in October. It includes six separate events, all non-competitive, and with a focus on fun.
Most are self-guiding and include enjoying the most of the region’s wine and food offerings.
The Tour de Gourmet is a progressive degustation-style ride in the Wakatipu Basin, the Hop Trail visits craft breweries, and Peddling Pinot includes lunch with renowned Gibbston winemaker Grant Taylor.
The Ginology trail includes gin tasting, and blending your own gin at a taxidermist studio.
If participants don’t feel as in control of their e-bike as they should afterwards, there is an option to be picked up and returned to Arrowtown, for a small charge.
Other rides include a bird-watching tour around Lake Hayes and a “Ride to the Sky” with local e-MTB guide Shay Muddle up Mt Rosa, one of his favourite and hard to access rides.
Gibson anticipated hundreds would book for the rides and hoped many more would visit the e-biking hub on Arrowtown’s Butler’s Green, which would include bike retailers, free tips and tricks sessions, a bike doctor, bike jumps, coffee and food.
“You spend a day on a bike in nice surroundings with a bunch of people and have some nice food and a glass of something, and have a good time.
“That’s the vibe.”
There would be no requirement to wear lycra and people of all ages were already booking their spot, he said.
And while those with regular bikes were welcome, the festival was intended for people with e-bikes, he said.
The large and growing number of trails in the region meant there was plenty of scope for the festival to continue to evolve in the future.
It’s time to start thinking about what you can do to help out those who need it most this Christmas. 1 in 5 Kiwi children are currently living in households that don’t have enough food. Christmas Box is a food box that caters to a family of 4-6, helping supplement breakfast, lunch and dinner … View moreIt’s time to start thinking about what you can do to help out those who need it most this Christmas. 1 in 5 Kiwi children are currently living in households that don’t have enough food. Christmas Box is a food box that caters to a family of 4-6, helping supplement breakfast, lunch and dinner meals over a week.
For just $40 you’re not only providing food essentials and treats but you’re also giving hope to families in need.
To sponsor a box, go to christmasbox.co.nz.
It doesn't matter how much you fall, the most important thing is how strongly you try to get up and try again. ?
Could your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up… View moreCould your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up for grabs.
Receive one of three $5,000 grants to spend on equipment, transport, costumes or anything you need to support your community’s love of dance.
Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52.
Subscribe at mags4gifts.co.nz/antipodes Terms and Conditions apply.
It’s easy to give an old fence and trellis a new lease of life with Resene Waterborne Woodsman.
Find out how to create your own.
There's more to reading than learning to read. If you're struggling to get your child into reading, visit us in our centre and ask for tips and a recommended reading list for your child! ?
Hello I'm looking for babysitting work. I absolutely adore working with children and have many years of experience. I've worked with all ages from newborn through to teenagers. I have experience with multiples and those on the spectrum. Full licence and my own vehicle. I'm available … View moreHello I'm looking for babysitting work. I absolutely adore working with children and have many years of experience. I've worked with all ages from newborn through to teenagers. I have experience with multiples and those on the spectrum. Full licence and my own vehicle. I'm available after 330 on week days and anytime Saturday and Sunday. Also available public holidays
It’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
… View moreIt’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Find out a little more about each entry here. Voting closes 5pm Thursday 4 August.
Thanks for voting; your clever neighbours thank you!
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Make a calm, comfortable place for your family to relax and read independently - or together ?????
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