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From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The owners of a popular Central Otago water park fear they won’t open this summer after being bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Kiwi Water Park opened in 2020 and is New Zealand’s largest water park, attracting 30,000 visitors last summer.
It’s based on a… View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The owners of a popular Central Otago water park fear they won’t open this summer after being bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Kiwi Water Park opened in 2020 and is New Zealand’s largest water park, attracting 30,000 visitors last summer.
It’s based on a reserve shared by freedom campers and boaties off State Highway 8, near Cromwell.
The popularity of the area has led to a review of the entrance and a suggestion a right-turning bay is needed.
Land Information New Zealand (Linz), Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Central Otago District Council are all involved, but progress has come to a standstill.
Now Kiwi Water Park co-owner and marketing manager Emily Rutherford says that after six months of fruitlessly waiting for decisions, the business may not be able to open this summer.
The requirements of the water park’s licence include that any changes are made by November 4.
“In the meantime, our business planning and recruitment of staff for this season hangs in the balance. We’ve got two months till we open and we need action urgently,” she said.
The park was originally granted a six-year consent by the council to operate at the Lowburn Reserve – an area frequented by campers and boaties as well as water park users.
Last season, they shifted the park to a more sheltered area at the reserve and had to apply for a variation to their consent.
At that time, Waka Kotahi raised concerns about the number of vehicles entering the reserve, so a temporary speed reduction along the stretch of road was installed.
An agreement was made between the government departments and the business to monitor the amount of traffic using the area and concluded the majority of traffic was caused by freedom campers and boaties – and that a right turning bay was needed.
In a statement a Waka Kotahi spokesperson said the review followed a serious crash at the access to the car park used by the water park in the 2020-21 season.
All the parties agreed a right-turning bay was necessary, but there was disagreement on who would pay for it.
“If no agreement is reached on the access upgrade requirement process the consent conditions stipulate that the final decision sits with [the council] as the consent authority,” the statement said.
It was now up to the business to get a detailed design and submit it to the department, the statement said.
However, Rutherford said the cost of the right-turning bay could be prohibitive for the business, particularly without a long-term lease.
“We’ve been put in an impossible position.
“It could cost $1 million, I don’t know, but we don’t even make that in a year. How would we pay for it?”
Linz was currently renewing the lease annually. Rutherford said she would need a 20 or 30-year lease to justify the investment.
It would also take at least 18 months to design and build, so it would not be ready for this year, Rutherford said.
Even more frustrating was that the bulk of traffic was generated by freedom campers, not water park users who tended to travel in buses or family groups.
Linz could decide to close the area to freedom campers, which would resolve the problem, she said.
Regardless, the company needed LINZ to confirm the lease would be renewed.
Linz Minister Damien O’Connor told the Rutherfords this month that the department was still considering the company’s application.
“This whole process has been incredibly frustrating,” Rutherford said.
She described the Kiwi Water Park as a Covid-19 success story, which received no public funding but phenomenal support from the local community.
“It’s now two months before we’re due to open, and we should be busy recruiting locals for another summer season and contributing to the local economy.”
Linz has been approached for comment.
Spring is in the air, which means that the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Tutus on Tour is back and coming to the Regent Theatre on 9 November!
See dancers from your national ballet company performing an enchanting programme including classical favourites and new works which are sure to delight … View moreSpring is in the air, which means that the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Tutus on Tour is back and coming to the Regent Theatre on 9 November!
See dancers from your national ballet company performing an enchanting programme including classical favourites and new works which are sure to delight dance fans of all ages.
With just one show and adult tickets starting at $30 plus booking fee, seats are selling fast.
Find out more and book at rnzb.org.nz.
GrandFriends is an organisation that connects people by linking families with children with GrandFriends (usually our older community). It is a win-win situation for all. Families are seeking support and a connection with our older, wiser folk and our older community are looking for more purpose, … View moreGrandFriends is an organisation that connects people by linking families with children with GrandFriends (usually our older community). It is a win-win situation for all. Families are seeking support and a connection with our older, wiser folk and our older community are looking for more purpose, companionship and to be able to help others.
GrandFriends NZ are looking for very special members of your community to support lovely families in your area. If you, or someone you know are interested in finding out more, please get in contact by email on info@grandfriends.nz or click on the link below.
We are always welcoming new members - if you are interested in getting involved with GrandFriends as a member or a volunteer - we would love to hear from you!.
TO JOIN US: www.grandfriends.nz... 😀
We have some gorgeous toys, books, dress ups and accessories available tomorrow (Saturday 1st of Oct) for the first day of the school holidays 🙌 Open at 10am.
The Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, … View moreThe Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, purchase a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, find our promo ad, and follow the link to submit a photo of your pet online. If your pet is selected, they’ll feature in our promotional adverts across all Stuff newspapers for a day, plus you will receive $50 worth of Wishbone pet food so you can spoil them rotten. For more information on the prizes and to view the T&Cs, click here!
The team at Stunday Star-Times
From reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Election advertising from a sitting councillor urging voters to give her a ‘tick’ may render their votes invalid.
Carmen Houlahan is again running for the Dunedin City Council and the mayoralty, under the slogan ‘Carmen 4 Change’.
However, some of … View moreFrom reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Election advertising from a sitting councillor urging voters to give her a ‘tick’ may render their votes invalid.
Carmen Houlahan is again running for the Dunedin City Council and the mayoralty, under the slogan ‘Carmen 4 Change’.
However, some of the first-term councillor’s electoral advertising – including her website – has raised eyebrows, after showing a ‘tick’ next to mayor and council.
That is because Dunedin, like some other centres, uses Single Transferable Vote (STV) in voting for the mayor or city council.
That means you rank your preference by using numbers, not ticks.
Houlahan told Stuff voters could give her a “number one” ranking to avoid any confusion.
Confusingly, a tick – rather than a ranking system – is what you use for the Otago Regional Council, which uses First Past the Post voting system. Both councils’ voting forms were located in the same documents sent to voters.
While Dunedin City Council deputy electoral officer Clare Sullivan could not talk about specific candidates, she confirmed that putting a tick in a box on an STV voting paper could render a vote invalid.
Voting papers for the Dunedin City Council had specific instructions telling voters to rank their preferred candidates.
If a voter ticked only one person for the mayoralty, their intention was clear and their vote would be deemed valid – and counted accordingly.
“But if they have voted for more than one person ... it is too hard to determine which person is the preference.”
A vote would still be valid if a person did the opposite for the Otago Regional Council, so if a person ranked the required number of candidates – rather than ticked – their vote would be counted.
“We would know who you were voting for,” she said.
In 2019 the voter return in Dunedin was 45.6% (42,618 voting papers), excluding special votes.
In that mayoral race, there were 107 informal votes and 504 blank votes. There were 415 informal votes and 522 blank votes for council candidates.
Sullivan said informal votes were ones incorrectly filled out. While it was difficult to say why some people returned blank votes, it appeared some people voted for one council, but not the other.
“Information is unclear as to whether there is less informal, or blank votes under STV.”
But when votes were processed “we do look very carefully to understand the voter’s intention”, she said.
Dear neighbours, in the October issue of NZ Gardener, you'll see the five finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year competition. They've all done amazing things for their communities. You can read about their wonderful work here, and then vote for your favourite.
Join the Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust and Te Tapu o Tāne to plant a portion of 10,000 native trees on the beautiful Lake Dunstan shoreline.
Be a part of restoring the native flora and fauna in this stunning location.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for new potato recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing… View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for new potato recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View moreRetirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.
It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
"I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work … View more"I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work together." - said during an address to the United Nations General Assembly
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. We hope you and your family are taking time to Kōrero and create space for conversations about mental health and well-being. A little chat can go a long way!
Nice good condition California King Bed set with firm mattress. Pottery Barn Brand
Can offer bed sheet and duvet/inner also(+50)
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