February 22 2022
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Firefighters take swift action at Aranga u by Andy Bryenton
The efforts of firefighters and helicopter pilots saved seven homes and a significant marae site from destruction last week, as a bushfire consumed more than 70 hectares of forest near Aranga.
Museum appoints overseas director
The Kauri Museum has appointed an overseas-based leader to take the reins in future, following a series of …
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Rest home plans new project
Design plans are being drawn up for the next stage of Maungaturoto Riverside Rest Home’s extensive …
Firefighters were called to Waikara Road, which leads to the settlement of Waikara and the Ripiro Coast, at around 4pm on Tuesday, February 15. The scale of the fire was such that, at its peak, 40 firefighters and five helicopters armed with monsoon buckets were active, battling to keep the fire away from homes and the important marae that forms a community hub for the settlement. Seven households were evacuated with the assistance of Civil Defence. Aranga School principal Todd Warmington confirmed the school had been in readiness to house and support any locals who were forced to stay the night away from their homes. As it transpired, a concerted effort from fire crews, working in rotating shifts throughout the night, meant that long-term evacuation was unnecessary. The all-clear was given for residents to continued on page 3 …
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p Firefighters and helicopter pilots worked in unison to quell a bushfire near Aranga, saving several homes and a marae complex
Plan change for racecourse is in u by Andy Bryenton
A 3,000-page comprehensive application for a private plan change to facilitate the Dargaville racecourse development has been delivered to the Kaipara District Council, in a major step toward implementing the project.
Pontoon safety upgrade
Additions to the Pahi wharf and pontoon are nearing completion after the installation of safety features …
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The plan change is required so the racecourse land can be repurposed for the forward-thinking project seeking to establish housing, retirement living, light industry and more on the currently unutilised equestrian site north of
Dargaville. Racing has stopped there by order of the racing industry’s governing body, leading to discussion on a community-focussed new use for the land. “This is not just another application for a private plan change. It is, of course, that,
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but it is also a major community initiative,” said Dargaville Racecourse Development Committee chair Richard Alspach in his address to elected councillors last December, preceding this application. continued on page 3 …
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