The Sun
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Friday December 6, 2013
Project boosts economy By Glenise Dreaver The local economy is set for a major boost following a contract for a large housing development in Kaiapoi. Owner/manager of ITM Picton Gary Knofflock, who also holds a 50 per cent stake in ITM Blenheim, says the firm has a contract to supply the homes over the next 18 months. Both ITM sites are involved, as well as the Framecad steel framing operation he bought from Christchurch and re-established in Picton five months ago. Work is well under way on three of the first nine homes in the Kaiapoi development with a couple of roof shouts to come before Christmas. They are starting three at a time, but will build up to five builds concurrently. Gary estimates that the work will have a big impact on the local Marlborough economy with the developer using 13 local businesses with an estimated 48 local people involved in the project. “This isn’t just the tradesmen, there is also manufacturing, design, business services and media development all from the region,” says Picton ITM’s key account manager Glen Profitt. The benefits for the area come, he says,
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Gary Knofflock, Glen Profitt and Framecad operator Corey Rawlings in the steel-framed building that will become the ITM site office in Kaiapoi.
because the developer is a local and keen to support the local economy where he can, preferring to forge longterm partnerships with suppliers here. With very little demand for development in Marlborough it made sense to employ locals where the rates were comparative and people could work to such a tight schedule. Glen visits Christchurch regularly to ensure that things are working smoothly. “Not hard!” he says as the developers are using commercial scheduling to manage the work flows.
Quantities, required delivery dates and start and completion dates for each stage are clearly identified and everyone working on the project has a copy. Gary and Glen cannot speak highly enough of Marlborough District Council staff and the Smart Business Marlborough initiative run by Neil Henry. The Marlborough Chamber of Commerce has also provided great advice and support they say and Brendon Burns of Macro has been involved as well.
College information made public By Kristy Martin Information and reports about the proposals to rebuild or merge the Marlborough colleges are expected to be on both schools’ websites today. Questions and answers taken from the public consultation meeting on Monday night, attended by 250 people, will also be available for viewing. The general feeling in the community appears to be that the McLauchlan Street girls’ college site is not large enough told hold the close to 2000 students should a merger be the preferred venture. A show of hands also suggested those attending the meeting preferred to keep the colleges as separate, single-sex facilities.
inbrief
Simon Cruickshank, Ministry of Education property manager
This would mean at least $13.6 million in funding was required to rebuild shaky and leaky buildings at both sites. Parents and teachers in the crowd asked for greater detail about budgets
and reports surrounding the options on whether to keep both colleges or combine the two. But Simon Cruickshank, Ministry of Education property manager for the southern region, said the issue should not be about new buildings or budgets, but what local parents thought best for their children’s education. “Don’t worry about what the dollars say; what do you want for your children?” he asked. Mr Cruickshank gave a presentation about ‘modern learning facilities’ and said the style of education needed to reflect learning in the digital and global age we are living in. But, he added, a shiny new building was not a silver bullet.
When a member of the crowd questioned whether he could guarantee modern learning facilities at both schools, should they remain separate, Mr Cruickshank told her he didn’t have a pot of money “just sitting there”. However, he did guarantee that students were not being placed in danger by the deteriorating buildings. “We will not allow your children into a building that is not fit for occupation,” he said. “I’m not going to put my kids into a building like that and I’m not going to put yours in there.” Public submissions on the colleges are now being accepted at janet. kelly@xtra.co.nz
NATIONAL CRATE DAY Saturday 7th December
Pay instore and collect your SUPER COLD crate from the depot outside hurry - specials end sunday 8 december 2013 or while stocks last
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The bodies of two Kaikoura men have been recovered after their boat capsized on Tuesday morning. A large team of searchers were joined by the Police Dive Squad on Tuesday and Wednesday to search for the men after their boat was found semi-submerged in Whaler’s Bay. The body of Ronald Clarence Monk, aged 75, was located on the shoreline near their upturned boat on Tuesday. He was wearing a lifejacket that was not inflated. The body of his companion, Auguste Robin Reinke, 79, was located on Wednesday morning. The pair had set off about 7am on Tuesday to check crayfish pots in the 16ft boat.
Hospice Christmas The beautiful Christmas display at Hospice Marlborough was put together with decorations from Shirley Hawtin and the dedicated efforts of Pip Griggs and Ann Best. "I wish to thank Pip and Ann for the wonderful job of creating this beautiful display," Shirley said.
$180k for pine project The Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust has secured funding for $180,000 of wilding pine control in the Marlborough Sounds. Work to control the nuisance tree will take place in Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds and on D’Urville Island. It is being done with a $75,000 grant from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, $20,000 from the Canterbury Community Trust and continuing contributions from local supporters.
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