The Sun
Friday February 24, 2017
5
COUNCIL NEWS
Projects underway in Picton
Deane Goldsack (Pastor, Salvation Army, Blenheim) gratefully receives donations from Lyne Reeves (Marlborough District Council Welfare Recovery) handing out Countdown donated goods for earthquake affected communities.
Supermarket goods from earthquake-stranded train distributed 30 pallets of supermarket goods that had been stranded on a train during the Kaikoura Earthquake have been distributed to community groups throughout Marlborough. The Food Bank, Bread of Life, SPCA, Crossroads, Maori service providers and Marlborough Women’s Refuge were among organisations that received the non-perishable goods, which had been destined for Countdown supermarkets
when the Kaikoura Earthquake hit. Countdown donated the containerload to Kaikoura District Council, which forwarded 30 pallets to Marlborough District Council. MDC Community Development Officer Lyne Reeves said the huge task of unloading and distributing the goods had been made much easier by the help of volunteers and the support of Putake Honey, which had provided storage facilities and equipment.
Grass fires move fast
A Total Fire Ban is in place for much of Marlborough Marlborough Kaikoura Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Richard McNamara says the Christchurch fires are a horrifying illustration of the speed that a rural fire can travel in hot, dry weather. “It’s a shocking reminder of how quickly a fire can take grip over a big area when conditions allow,” said Mr McNamara, who was called in to assist with the Port Hills fire. Mr McNamara urged Marlborough residents to think carefully about the conditions here and take extreme care; grass fires spread very quickly
– burning at a pace of 25km an hour when it’s hot, dry and windy with plenty of fuel in their path, he said. Mr McNamara said a big event draws on firefighting resources everywhere so it was more important than ever for Marlborough to be vigilant at this time. The fire chief said in summer it was all too easy to start a grass fire accidentally by a spark from machinery such as a chainsaw, tractor or lawnmower. At any time of the year – take extra care with fire.
Look out for Tall Wheat Grass If you live in the Riverlands area, keep an eye out for Tall Wheat Grass (Thinopyrum ponticum). It’s a major pest threat and currently found only in the lower Opoa at the eastern end of Dillons Point Road. Tall Wheat Grass is perennial, growing 1.5m to 2m high. Its leaves are green-bluish with blades flat to curling, 2mm to 8mm wide. The leaves are coarse and scratchy to the touch. The seed head spike is up to 400mm long, and looks similar to Rye Grass. Tall Wheat Grass produces seed after flowering in January, later than most grass species. If you think you may have Tall Wheat Grass on your property, please contact Senior Biosecurty Officer Rob Simons: Ph 520 7400.
Picton is getting more sports facilities at Endeavour Park. The latest development at the park means there will be two new netball courts ready for the coming winter season and two new tennis courts for summer. The ground is being prepared now so courts can be laid and lighting and fencing installed. It’s a $160,000 project, two thirds funded by Council with the Endeavour Park Pavilion Committee meeting the balance.
The first ceiling support is up as the new Picton Library begins to take shape in the town’s High Street. The project is scheduled to be completed by September this year. The new building will be more than double the space of the old library and service centre and will include a mezzanine floor and communal meeting space. Karamu – coprosma robusta – a tough native plant with glossy green leaves and an orange berry will be a design feature in the façade of the new building.
Positive Ageing - A good sport Judy Shanahan is an inspirational example of the way that exercise helps to maintain physical and mental fitness and health. At aged 74, she is still on the tennis court, coaching players aged from four to 40. Born here in Marlborough, Judy has been playing tennis and coaching for more than four decades. A NZ representative player ranked Number 1 in the Veterans for singles and doubles, she is a member of the board
of New Zealand Tennis and has just been made a life member of Marlborough Tennis. Judy counts as a highlight her meeting and hosting of tennis great, Martina Navratilova. While her great love is tennis, Judy also enjoys playing golf, gardening, doing word puzzles and taking an interest in people, world and local events. Judy is in no doubt that keeping active, both physically and mentally, is the recipe for a happy fulfilled life.
Drain spraying in the Lower Wairau starts soon Drain Spraying Programme
The Council’s drain spraying programme for the control of weeds in open drains starts on 6 March. Spraying will take place in Council drains and watercourses on the Lower Wairau Plains, east of Jacksons Road and Grahams Road. If you’re using water from drains or watercourses in the area for irrigation, stock or harvesting watercress, please check by contacting the Council’s
contractor, Downer, Ph: 03 577 5807. The spray operation is in accordance with Sections 104 and 105 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (Resource Consent Discharge Permit No. U070702). Any other enquiries should be directed to Steve Bezar at Council; Ph: 03 520 7400.
Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Funding is available to rural sport clubs and rural school teams with young people aged 5 to 19 years who require subsidies to assist with transport costs to regular local sporting competitions in the Marlborough area. Applications can be completed online by going to Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz/
Our-Community/Grants-and-Awards/Sport-NZRural-Travel-Fund Applications close 5.00 pm, 28 February 2017. For further information please contact: Lyne Reeves Community Development Advisor Ph: 03 520 7400
Creative Communities NZ Local Arts Funding Applications for financial assistance by way of grants under the Creative Communities Local Arts Scheme are now being invited by Marlborough District Council. The scheme supports and encourages local communities to create and present diverse opportunities for accessing and participating in arts activities within the Marlborough community. Applications can be completed online by going
Marlborough District Council PO Box 443 Blenheim 7240 New Zealand
Phone: 03 520 7400 Fax: 03 520 7496 Email: mdc@marlborough.govt.nz www.marlborough.govt.nz
to Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz/ Our-Community/Grants-and-Awards/CreativeCommunities-NZ-Scheme Applications close 5.00 pm, 28 February 2017. For further information please contact: Lyne Reeves Community Development Advisor Ph: 03 520 7400