Wanaka Sun | 22 - 28 October 2020 | Edition 997

New principal

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Signs on for MAC.

Views: Page 13 Sport: Page 16

PAGE 3

Camilla Rutherford Regenerative farming. thewanakasun.co.nz

THUR 22.10.20 - WED 28.10.20

PAGE 10 EDITION 997

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PHOTO: Dan Childs

Wānaka’s Southern Soul Choir sing “Mulled Wine in May” at the ReNew Art concert last weekend. The Queenstown Lakes District’s first creative community showcase has been hailed a major success after four sell-out shows and rave reviews over the past two weekends. For more, go to Page 4.

Tarras Airport operational in ten years Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

he Tarras International Airport could be up and running in as little as ten years, according to Christchurch International Airport project lead Michael Singleton.

In a conversation with Tarras resident Chris Goddard, Singleton said planning had begun and involved three years of design, three years to seek approvals and three years of construction.

Goddard said Singleton talked a lot about the airport team being in the middle of their airport cycle. He said it would be an approximate tenyear time frame.

T

Singleton also talked about getting the communities opinion on what the airport would look like so they could add that to the planning.

Goddard said: "There are a bunch in the community who are interested in hearing more and their minds are open neither pro nor con, and this came up just before the election. And there are a bunch who are quite concerned about a big international airport operating potentially 24/7 with on-site work like fruit packing and freight handling. Its a big change. A lot of people are concerned about what that will do to their lifestyle."

Singleton presented the ten-year timeframe as a statement of fact, Goddard said.

He talked a lot about the airport being investable and consentable as to the design process. They need to get money to invest in the airport, whether that's investable or equity, Goddard said.

Christchurch Airport manager communications Yvonne Densem confirmed that ten years was the starting estimate of a realistic timeframe for the new airport being up and running. We have bought 750 hectares of land on which an airport might be built, she said.

"Ten years represents our current estimate of a realistic overall timeframe. Exact timeframes are difficult to define at the moment but will become more apparent as we continue our work. Any

*Includes house and land. Some conditions may apply.

Photo is a sample only.

airport would have to be shown to be feasible and able to secure planning approvals.”

Densem said they could not answer questions about runways or hours of operation as they had not created a business case yet.

"The first step is to have conversations with Tarras residents to help us understand what is important to people so we can take that into account," Densem said.

"The conversations will inform our way forward. At this stage, there is no formal proposal, so we haven't concluded on questions like runways and hours of operation. We will share those things when they are ready."

Continued on page 3

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Tim Barke: Tourism the state of play Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

On Tuesday the Wānaka Sun interviewed Tim Barke, general manager of Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) to get his view on the state of play of tourism in our town.

So did we see a surge of tourists over the school holidays?

There was an excellent boost to domestic tourism over the school holidays- in fact, more domestic tourists than we had this time last year, which was good.

It has quietened off a bit this week, but we are starting to see more of the older demographic coming through. The people coming in now are the ones who were trying to avoid the school holiday.

With that demographic, they are targeting the wine and food, cycling, a variety of different stuff.

A lot are wanting to do more scenic touring and food, and wine is a significant factor. Others do some jet boat riding or sky diving and some of the adventure activities. But in general, they tend to be less the adrenaline market as opposed to some of the other demographics that come through at different times of the year.

And what about the adrenaline market?

That is still ticking over. The operators are all getting more domestic visitors than they have in the past, but this isn't filling the void of the international market. The operators are still down in numbers Pretty much everybody is down in numbers and are hanging out to get the Australian bubble open as soon as possible- that will help significantly.

The adrenaline outfits- are Kiwis willing to pay what an overseas visitor would pay?

Most places have some specials going. Some have held their prices. A lot depends on the cost of operating- some activities like helicopter ridesit costs a lot to keep a helicopter in the air. But there are deals out there, and most operators have one discount or the other that they are offering to the domestic market. And that has been widely taken up by people who are coming to stay.

What about other activities on offer?

The I-site girls are putting together a "food on a bike" tour just around the local area; tourists can go on a guided or unguided tour with wineries and different food outlets, and this has been pretty popular.

There are lots of operators trying to think outside the square and how they can connect different types of activities so that they can

PHOTO: AgScience

Jim Salinger, a nationally acclaimed climate scientist will speak at the WAO 2020 Reset Summit on October 27.

Jim Salinger: Change needs to happen now Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: op.ac.nz

Tim Barke is the general manager of Lake Wānaka Tourism.

provide an excellent experience for the visitor while supporting as many operators as possible.

It's the end of the ski season. Are there fewer tourists around?

We are going into a quieter period now, which is a natural part once the ski fields close- it does get a little slower for a couple of weeks.

Then you get a different type of consumer mobilising and travelling as it starts to warm up.

A lot of people in campervans are beginning to show up, and these will explore a fair bit. That's when the "grey nomads" get out and about and go and visit friend and relatives as well as touring.

Who are out there doing this?

There are over 100,000 foreign tourists still in New Zealand who haven't left. A lot of people are just staying – one thing that will be interesting to know with the Australian bubble opening up is whether these visitors leak out over to Australia.

It's become an annual habit. Event planners are looking at a new type of package based around food and wine- core places to visit and taste- but other activities for a higher economic market where there will be a whole bunch of different activities and options which they might do with helicopters for instance Tourist operators are thinking outside the square as to what specific segments of the kiwi tourist market want to do.

The big aim for these tour operators is to generate revenue and also to attract people to the region who are going to be a good fit with the products and community we have. And then we want them to come back.

To continue our series of profiles of speakers at the WAO 2020 Reset Summit, this week it’s Jim Salinger, a nationally acclaimed climate scientist and Queenstown resident who will speak on October 27. Salinger is a lead author for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and will look at the RESET through a climate lens.

"I am going to speak at the summit about future climate, and what the climate has been to date and impacts of this in the Queenstown Lakes District," Salinger said.

Queenstown has a 90-year climate record, and temperatures have increased 1.5 degrees centigrade, and over those 90 years. There are now 28 fewer frost days per year and 23 more days above 25 degrees. That is a huge change, he said.

"From long term records we can establish the trends and one in ten cold days and cold nights have been cut in half. So what would have been in 1930 one in five cold days are now down to one in ten? We don't have the cold days and cold nights that we used to."

Salinger said the outlook for the next 50 years depended on human behaviour. In 2070 it would be (compared to today) either half to one degree warmer.

"That one degree would be business as usual; half a degree would be if we could put some curbs on our behaviour, supposing we start reducing emissions now."

“What can we do to halt this trend? Get rid of the internal combustion engine. That's the big one. Aviation will look after itself. And then we are going to have to transform our agriculture.

There is a growing movement called regenerative agriculture- switching over from emitting methane to putting back carbon into the soil and having more vegetation.

“But there is a whole lot of simple things we can do; obviously in the house go back to growing vegetables, having compost heaps, rather than chucking it all out. There is also double glazing, electric space heating with heating exchanges, and on the transport side cycling and walking and I think electric buses are the way to go. If the QLDC could change their buses to electric would be a huge improvement."

And walking and cycling are much better for health, Salinger said.

“Aircraft are becoming more and more efficient, and they are thinking of introducing electric aircraft that hold ten people, and you could fly to Christchurch on one of these. And then you charge it up in 20 minutes. All you need is an electric motor to power a propellor.”

The benefit of electric vehicles is that you won't need mechanics,” he said. “No gearboxes, no carburettors- they are much simpler.”

The other significant change for the district was that by 2000 we passed the climate threshold to have enough heat to mature pinotnoir grapes. That's all to do with global warming, Salinger said.

“Prior to 2000 in warm years you could mature them, but they were marginal. That has put this area into good grape production. So that's good, but on the negative side the snowline has gone up about 300m.

“And we have had a lot of disappearing ice on our mountains- in 70 years the Southern Alps has lost about 40 per cent of its ice volume. That's permanent glacial ice, not the snow line that affects the ski season.”

Will people change? Have we changed since 1990? We do change, but if you look back, then we didn't have devices, hardly any computers- so there has been an enormous change. But we have to change because if we don't our environment will run away from us and won't be particularly inhabitable.

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Tarras Airport operational in ten years

PHOTO: Christchurch Airport

A map of the 750 hectares set to become the Tarras Airport.

Sleepy little Tarras- set to become an international airport?

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

New principal signs on for MAC Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Mount Aspiring College has a new principal who will start at the beginning of the first term, 2021.

Limited statutory manager Madeleine Hawkesby announced the appointment of Pakuranga College deputy principal, Nicola Jacobsen, to the role of MAC principal on Monday.

The MAC Board of Trustees was "delighted "at the appointment which followed a "robust" recruitment process led by Hawkesby in consultation with the Board of Trustees.

Ian Hall, Chairman of the Board, saw the appointment of Jacobsen as a positive step for MAC. "Nicola comes to the college with an impressive track record of effective educational leadership and strong academic credentials. The board was impressed by Nicola's presentation to us and by her vision of a high-performing college that caters for the needs of all students," Hall said.

"Nicola will bring a fresh perspective, and she well understands the importance of strong community connections. We are confident that staff will respond positively to the ambitions that Nicola has for the college and its students," he said.

"We acknowledge the work that Dean Sheppard is doing this year as acting principal, and we look forward now to having Nicola join the staff and become known to the Wānaka community," Hall added.

Hawkesby said Jacobsen was an "ideal fit" for the Wānaka-based secondary school.

"As a leader of teaching and learning, Nicola has a focus on personal excellence. Her ability to collaborate, problem-solve and critically analyse will be a significant asset to the college," Hawkesby said.

"A key strength of Nicola's was clear and effective communication, and I am confident that she is the right person to lead Mount Aspiring College as we move forward together," she said.

Jacobsen, who originally hails from Blenheim, has been at Auckland's Pakuranga College for the past six years.

"I believe that education is for everyone, and to lead a school which serves the whole community is a great opportunity," Jacobsen said.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Continued from page 1 Densem also said that Christchurch Airport executives were "of the view people will continue to want to travel into and out of the wider Central Otago region into the future, so the region needs an airport solution that can do the job for the region in the long term.”

Goddard said a Tarras Residents' Society would be established shortly to help the community decide what a sustainable plan for Tarras would look like for 2021 and beyond.

Mark Sinclair of the Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) said: "We're aware of the unfolding plans at Tarras, but our primary focus today is on Wānaka Airport. We're waiting on the High Court judge's ruling, likely within the next two months. In the meantime, there is no

indication from either QAC or QLDC that they are changing their approach to Wānaka Airport, which is the immediate threat to our community.

QLDC has chosen to spend $2.7 million of ratepayers' money to make way for the planned runway - expenditure which they tried to hide from ratepayers. They need to be held to account.

"As a region, we should be having robust conversations about the future, including the future of tourism and the massive climate challenges we all face. Queenstown Airport still has significant slack left in its existing noise boundary, even more so because of Covid.

And then there's existing infrastructure at both Dunedin and Invercargill Airports. Surely nobody should be talking about new airports for a long, long time - let alone building them?"

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PHOTO: MAC

Nicola comes to the college with an impressive track record of effective educational leadership and strong academic credentials.

“In terms of the appointment and the move south it’s something both my husband and I are really excited about. We moved from Blenheim to Auckland 17 years ago for me to start my teaching career.

“I’m excited and humbled by the opportunity, and very grateful for the trust that the Board has in my appointment. I’m looking forward to learning about the staff, students and community.

“Being from a small town, I really like the role that schools play in terms of being there to serve the whole community. It’s a great opportunity in a great environment.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know the community. The staff - who are a valuable asset of the college - the students; who we serve - and the wider school whanau. This partnership is crucial for our youth to achieve their personal best and become the leaders of the future." she said.

Before her appointment to Pakuranga College, Jacobsen held senior positions at Botany Downs Secondary College. She is a graduate of the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch College of Education and completed a Master's degree from the University of Auckland in 2019.

Jacobsen will meet with MAC senior leadership la.ter on this term and will be welcomed officially to the school with a powhiri at the start of Term 1.

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RenewArt 2020 wows all NEMA forks out

$2.74m to QLDC

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Queenstown Lakes District’s first creative community showcase has been hailed a major success after four sell-out shows and rave reviews over the past two weekends.

Ninety-one performing artists and 21 visual artists from all over the district have spent the past two months creating their visual and performing arts works for Queenstown and Wānaka locals to enjoy at the RenewArt 2020 events, which wrapped up in Wānaka on Saturday night.

Organised by the Three Lakes Cultural Trust, more than 2000 people attended the live shows and visual art installations at the Queenstown Events Centre (October 9-10) and at the Lake Wānaka Centre (October 16-17), while more than 2000 people so far have viewed the events on Facebook.

“The community has been blown away by the events – the breadth of artistic talent, the cultural diversity and the thought that each artist has put into their renewal-themed concepts,” Trust general manager Jo Brown said.

“The performers and artists are over the moon. It has meant so much to them to be able to perform live on stage, in such a professional setting. It was especially satisfying to know that these arts and cultural practitioners have received payment for their efforts via the fundraising the Trust was able to achieve.”

The council is waiting on two further claims to be assessed by NEMA.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz PHOTOS: Dan Childs

Belly dancer and butterfly Bee Sadala performs at the Lake Wānaka Centre last weekend.

The Trust, which launched in February this year, raised more than $180,000 during the lockdown to support the cultural sector while unifying the community in the wake of Covid-19. Each artist and creative received payment for their efforts from the funding.

“As we all adjust to the new normal, unity is important. RenewArt 2020 set about to unite and strengthen our artistic community while providing free events for the public to enjoy, be inspired by and connect with our local culture,” Brown said.

The Trust is especially thrilled that

more than a third of the visual art pieces on display have been sold over the four shows – supporting the artists even more. The remaining artworks will now move to Queenstown Contemporary Gallery from October 28 to November.

RenewArt: by the numbers 21 Visual artists 91 performers 6 stage staff 5 art installers 12 tech crew, 100 volunteers across 26 shifts 2 Curators 7 putting it all together (project management, admin, promotion)

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has forked out $2.74m to the Queenstown Lakes District Council to allow it to subsidise those financially strapped by the effects of COVID-19.

The NEMA is a departmental agency, supported by the prime minister and cabinet.

The first five claims, totalling $2.5M, have already been approved

by NEMA and reimbursed to the QLDC. Meaning the shortfall won't fall on ratepayers shoulders According to the QLDC quarterly financial report, the council is

PHOTO: Pixabay

waiting on two further claims to be assessed by the NEMA. The QLDC emergency operations centre response team’s effort assisted more than 7,500 people in the district to waylay the restrictions of COVID-19 before the Red Cross, and Department of Internal Affairs took over the reins.

The majority of those assisted were unemployed migrants who were unable to return to their countries.

Support came in the form of clothes, groceries, blankets and firewood. The scheme later expanded to include accommodation and utility bills.

On average, 150 migrants per week across Otago asked for support from the scheme.

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MAC achievers

Pedestrians will find it a whole lot easier to negotiate the CBD.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

More room for pedestrians with updated policy Pat Deavoll PHOTO: Supplied

Local Mount Aspiring College (MAC) year 13 student Laura Neale trained as a marine medic over the weekend and is now able to assist Project Jonah New Zealand with whale and dolphin strandings. The one day course in Timaru included hands-on practical training with life-size and weighted dolphin and pilot whales in Caroline Bay. Laura will attend Auckland University next year and hopes to study marine biology.

PHOTO: Craig Jefferies

Four MAC seniors (Ronan Kay, Toby Blatch, Tom Roberts, Weston Bell) have done a great job working together on the design, planning, materials selection and construction of this garden shed as part of their Level 3 Materials Technology course this year. All four students intend to gain apprenticeships in the building industry or continue with architecture or engineering pathways next year.

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editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Negotiating the sidewalk tables and chairs in the CBD is about to get a whole lot easier after an amendment in updated council policy.

The Queenstown Lakes District Councils(QLDC) revised tables and chairs policy which grants licenses to businesses to use public land for their customers will benefit pedestrians, according to Queenstown Lakes District Councillor Quentin Smith.

Smith said: “I think any reasonable person would realise that 1.5m (the previous legal distance between tables and chairs) is too narrow.

“That was the previous minimum required, and that caused major problems with congestion on our pavements. So certainly we needed it wider for pedestrian protection on our thoroughfares.

I do think its necessary and people have been very supportive of the idea. If we need more outdoor seating, we will need to build the areas to accommodate this.”

Concerns were raised with the QLDC regarding congestion on public footpaths, where pedestrians had to compete with the clutter of outdoor tables and chairs.

Under the Tables and Chairs in Public Space Policy (2006), licences were issued if there was a minimum 1.5m width between the tables and chairs and the kerbside, allowing for unobstructed pedestrian movement. But under the revised 2020 policy this minimum width has been doubled to three metres.

The new amendment might make it a little harder for some businesses to renew their licenses, Smith said.

“Outdoor seating is an essential part of our town centre, and it’s essential for the vibrancy of the town. But the new rules do affect the ability of some business owners to get tables and chairs licences.”

The 2020 policy was approved unanimously by elected members at a council meeting on October 8, The Doughbin Bakery was a recent example where seating had to be limited. Smith

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said, “but a balance was struck.”

“But Big Fig and the Trout Bar are examples that would struggle under the new rule if they were a new license application.”

New table and chairs licenses would probably struggle on Helwick Street because of insufficient width, he said.

He said it was not about the licences that had already been granted, more about the ones that were yet to be issued.

“We are not trying to wind back the clock, but I am very comfortable in that the previous 1.5m would have resulted in a really poor outcome for our public spaces. And if you measure the distance at Kai (Whakapai) for instance, it would meet the standard, and the new tables and chairs in front of the Doughbin have been adjusted to comply with the standard. But the tables and chairs in front of the Trout Bar are 2.2m, and those at the Big Fig are 2m.”

Another significant change to the 2020 policy was the decision to remove the 10:00 pm rule which was described by deputy mayor Calum Macleod as a “fractious issue”.

A condition in the 2006 version was that no alcohol be served or consumed in the outdoor table and chair areas after 10.00 pm. That included businesses with a liquor license and resource consent- after 10 pm, customers had to move inside to continue drinking. “ Any of the conditions in these rules are enforceable in that a business could lose its license if they are not carried out,” Smith said.

“The point, in this case, is the reason to adjust the policy to bring the liquor licencing and tables and chairs licence in line.”

Licenced outdoor consumption of alcohol will now be addressed by Alcohol Licence and District Plan requirements.

Businesses granted licences under the tables and chairs policy will also have to abide by any future QLDC smokefree and vape free policies. Smoking was permitted outdoors, but licence holders must manage the containment and disposal of cigarette butts. The policy will be next reviewed in 2023.

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Wānaka Post on the move

PHOTO: Supplied

Alison Carrington and Annette Nichols volunteering as part of the COVID welfare response.

Volunteer South launches database Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Members of the public across Otago are now able to register as an Emergency Volunteer (EV) using Volunteer South’s new emergency volunteering online database.

This emergency volunteering capability has been developed by Volunteer South (formerly Volunteering Otago and Volunteering Central) in direct response to the welfare response collaboration during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Central Lakes Manager Gillian White said that Volunteer South was “keenly aware” of the volunteer needs of the wider Southern region, particularly those that occur during an emergency.

The capability and the eagerness of the community to volunteer had led to incredibly strong community led-initiatives that “transcended the usual call of duty” - including emergency responses to the Wānaka floods in

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2019 and this year’s Covid-19 welfare crisis, with teams in both Central Lakes and Dunedin/ Waitaki/Clutha supporting the welfare response with local councils.

Volunteer South Manager Leisa de Klerk said the new database was “a great addition to our website whereby people from the public are able to register as an EV whenever they want and can update and withdraw their details at any point of time.”

“At the time of registration, EVs will be able to tick checkboxes with their skills and provide any relevant information to ensure that, in an emergency, we will then send the correctly skilled people to the area where those skills are needed,” she added.

Volunteers could fulfil a range of roles in an emergency, including community coordination, practical tasks, welfare and logistics.

The Emergency Volunteering link is now live on the Volunteer South website with more information about this initiative provided

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PHOTO: Supplied

NZ Post has committed to staying in Wānaka through the establishment of an NZ Post agency operated by the team at Paper Plus Wānaka.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Next Thursday, October 29, the Wānaka PostShop and Kiwibank at 39 Ardmore Street will become a standalone Kiwibank branch.

The NZ Post agency will move to Paper Plus, 23 Helwick Street.

General Manager Retail Distribution Geoff Waller said Kiwibank had had “great feedback on the standalone branches we’ve opened across the country.”

“Increasingly customers have shown us they love using the Kiwibank app or talking to us on the phone. With more and more customers doing basic banking transactions this way, when they visit a branch, it is for more complex needs and

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specialist conversations. We’re excited to bring an environment that supports specialised banking conversations to this location.”

An NZ Post spokesperson said NZ Post had committed to staying in Wānaka through the establishment of an NZ Post agency operated by the team at Paper Plus Wānaka, just 500m away.

“This means all current postal, courier and bill payment services available at the PostShop will continue to be available within the town.

“We have had posters up at the PostShop advising customers of this change, and staff at the PostShop have also been telling customers about the move for the past month or so.”

Branch opening hours at the Ardmore Street site will be changing to 10am-3pm Monday to Friday.

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A new lift for next winter? 12th place finish for Joanna Perry

Alice Robinson

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resort Manager Bridget Legnavsky has estimated a 30 per cent loss of business this year compared to last, but that hasn’t stopped the resort from looking forward.

Earlier this month, a resource consent application was submitted to install a new chairlift within Willow Basin, which is located in the lower portion of the Soho Ski Area.

The agreement to expand into Soho was confirmed in July 2018, providing Cardrona with 500 hectares of skiable terrain to develop. Resource consents have already been approved for the construction of a ski lift in the Soho Basin (the upper portion) and earthworks to extend and create tracks and establish staging areas within the Soho and Willow Basins. Once the expansion is complete, Cardrona will be the largest ski area in New Zealand.

The proposed Willow Basin chairlift is to be located adjacent to the existing Cardrona Skyline trail and extending southward. At 748m long and with 75 chairs, the lift would have the capacity to ferry 1,487 people per hour up 235 vertical metres at 2.1m per second.

PHOTO: Supplied

The proposed Willow Basin chairlift is to be located adjacent to the existing Cardrona Skyline trail and extending southward.

The construction process would include over 500 helicopter trips to deliver materials and concrete pours.

Legnavsky confirmed that they would be using the existing lift replaced by the McDougall’s Express Chondola in 2017, which had been “completely repurposed and upgraded and is now waiting to be installed.”

The application was still being vetted

by Queenstown Lakes District Council

(QLDC), but Legnavsky hoped to have the lift in place before next season.

She added that the consented installation of a brand new lift in the Soho Basin would depend on how well the resort does over the next few years.

"It’s a significant investment and the timing needs to be right to make it possible,” she said. The consent for the Soho Basin lift is currently set to expire on June 22 2022.

PHOTO: Supplied

Robinson had been in Europe for the past two months preparing for the start of her World Cup season in Sölden, and last week accepted her Snow Sports NZ Athlete of the Year award by video.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

SNOW BOARDING COLUMN

The numbers are in Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The numbers are still being analysed after Cardrona closing day last Sunday, but General Manager Bridget Legnavsky has reported an estimated 30 per cent drop this season compared to last. All things considered, that’s “much better than expected.”

Thanks to some amazing planning and even more amazing staff, Covid-19 closed Cardrona for one day this winter - and, despite alert level rises, second lockdowns and the delay of the transTasman travel bubble, the number of visitors remained strong.

My numbers are in too, thanks to my Cardrona card: 15 days, 23,590 vertical

metres and 103 runs. It’s not quite as impressive as ski hero Lochie Win’s 40 days and 560 runs, but, again, much better than expected.

When my family and friends ask me how I got on with learning to snowboard this year, I’m always quick to say that I did better than I ever thought I could; with 15 days under my belt, and a tonne of new confidence, I’d like to think I’m edging from beginner to intermediate territory. But I don’t always acknowledge that, at least in part, that’s because I didn’t even know if I’d get to snowboard at all.

It’s easy to forget in our spring-filled Wānaka bubble that many parts of the world are still in turmoil, and the northern hemisphere ski season is a

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

Cheers to Cardrona, TC and all their staff for an incredible first season. Hopefully see you next year.

question mark. We got really lucky, and I’m endlessly grateful to be here, and for every one of my 103 runs - even the ones that hurt.

So, cheers to Cardrona, TC and all their staff for an incredible first season.

Hopefully see you next year.

Queenstown alpine ski racer Alice Robinson finished in 12th place at the Audi FIS Giant Slalom World Cup in Austria on Saturday, one week after being named Snow Sports NZ Athlete of the Year.

The traditional season opening on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden attracts the world’s best racers, all vying for the prestige of finishing on top of the podium. Robinson made history last year at this race when, at the age of 17, she won New Zealand’s first Alpine World Cup gold medal since 1997 and New Zealand’s first ever Giant Slalom Alpine World Cup gold medal.

Conditions this year were tough, with low visibility on the top portion of the course during the first run. Robinson ranked fourth equal, sitting 1.18 seconds behind the leader Marta Bassino (Italy).

Robinson explained that she skied solidly but just felt that she was lacking the attack and planned

to build on her solid skiing to make up some time in her second run.

With the start order of the top-30 racers flipped for run two, Robinson was the fourth to last skier through the start gate, and finished in 12th place overall.

Bassino maintained her lead through run two and teammate Federica Brignone (Italy) finished in second, just 0.14 seconds behind.

Petra Vlhova (Slovakia) rounded out the podium in third place.

Robinson had been in Europe for the past two months preparing for the start of her World Cup season in Sölden, and last week accepted her Snow Sports NZ Athlete of the Year award by video.

“The calibre of athletes representing New Zealand at the moment in various snow sports is extremely high so I am very humbled to have received this recognition amongst such other incredible athletes,” she said.

Penny Fisher RN MBA

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Sun News

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Tourism reaches tipping point Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A near-capacity crowd of 100 people turned up to the Big Conversation session as part of the Across the Bridge festival at the Bannockburn Coronation Hall last Tuesday night.

A road toll for the Milford Road and remote cycleways were suggestions from a panel of three tasked with considering the topic of how to “reset” the tourism industry sans border restrictions.

Panellist and Kathmandu co-founder Meg Taylor said things had reached a tipping point, not just with tourism but with the “world in general.”“The pressures …are massive, such as the number of plastics, and a lot of that has to do with population,” she said.“The increasing

volume of people who are becoming wealthier and able to travel, like the huge middle class coming out of China, are contributing to the large numbers of tourists visiting countries including New Zealand," Taylor said.

Panellist Max Rashbrooke said a cap on tourist numbers would be too difficult to manage and wouldn’t be democratic. Immigration numbers were capped, but those with more money got more points.

Panellist Sarah Bennett, former Lonely Planet writer and “inveterate traveller,” said she had had “an epiphany” two years ago when flying from London to Florence.

“There was so much traffic in the air, and where there weren’t planes, there were vapour trails across the sky.”

She described being “herded like cattle”

through Florence airport, and at that point, thinking “this is wrong, maybe we have reached a tipping point.

“There has to be some degree of travel, but there needs to be some serious behavioural change,” Bennet said.

All three panellists agreed that as well as the Covid-19 crisis, climate change, carbon pricing and the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels would be the biggest drivers of change in the tourism industry.

Taylor suggested introducing a minimum stay for overseas travellers – this would reduce the PHOTO: Pixabay number of tourists to New Zealand and increase There was so much traffic in the air, and where there weren’t planes, there were vapour trails across the sky. their dollar value at the same time.

Rashbrooke said the price put on carbon example of creating a citizens’ assembly made up needed to be decided collectively and suggested of 100 people who made the recommendations New Zealand follow the French Government’s for how the nation could meet its climate goals.

New permanent speed limit for Luggate Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has set a new permanent speed limit on SH6, through Luggate, to take effect in a month’s time.

The speed limit through Luggate township at each end will drop from 70km/h to 50km/h connecting with the existing 50km/h existing limit through the middle of the town. This change will be in force from Friday, November 13.

Luggate has expanded residential developments in recent years as the popularity of Queenstown Lakes District and Wānaka has fuelled growth in the district’s small towns. In 2018, the average daily vehicle count was 2,600 per day, up 40 per cent on

four years earlier.

Waka Kotahi consulted with the community and transport partners at the end of 2019 on the proposed Luggate speed review, with 60 submissions received, the majority in favour.

The new speed limit aims to improve safety and prevent needless deaths and serious injuries, said NZTA Director of Regional Relationships, Jim Harland.

“No crash resulting in death or serious injury is acceptable, so it’s important we take every opportunity to address the risk. Fewer crashes PHOTO: Supplied will also mean fewer closures, which will increase The additional areas of highway dropping to 50 km/hour through Luggate – 450 metres at the Wānaka side and the reliability of this important transport route,” 350 metres on the Cromwell approach. to reduce the speed through town for many years he said.

Harland said.

New speed limit signs will be installed ahead of Luggate Community Association chair and were thrilled it was going to happen.

“It will just make the town a safer place,” the change taking legal effect next Friday.

Graeme Perkins said the group had been trying

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Sun Farming

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A monthly column

by Kim Reilly, Regional Policy Manager, Federated Farmers South Island.

Moving forward post-election Congratulations to all political representatives who made it into, or back into, Parliament last weekend. It was a clear-cut election result, so it’s fair to say the people have spoken.

And so, with celebratory (or commiseratory) decorations down, and hangovers (hopefully) now gone, we need to look to the future.

The ‘now’ is that critical period in which key decisions around coalitions, portfolios and ministerial positions need to be made, and this stuff really matters.

This will not be a typical government term.

COVID-19 has placed us in strange times. The year 2020 literally started off with a cough and a roar, and many New Zealanders have felt pummeled around ever since.

We have seen a significant impact on our economy, our employment, and our overall wellbeing, with some experts predicting worse is yet to come. The next decade will require careful policy, spending and revenue recalibrations to recover and move forward.

Whereas our immediate response to COVID-19 required some short-term, urgent action, the new government has a little more time to make its decisions.

Ministers need to take that time to listen, particularly to those directly impacted, and to take on board the facts, evidence, and science

before them, even if it is not necessarily saying what they want to hear.

There is no use having laws or regulations that sound good in theory, but either do not work in practice, or can only work with disproportionate and unnecessarily high costs and resourcing.

There must be an end to the raft of government working groups stacked with people handselected by Ministers to reinforce their views.

A diversity of views is needed, particularly from those on the ground who understand the topic.

We need quality lawmaking that is workable, practical, and importantly, affordable. It needs to be backed up by objective science, and the costs of making it work need to stack up against any likely benefits.

In respect to farming, there is a way to get win/wins for both the environment and our primary sector producers. It does not need to be one at the price of the other.

Representatives of the last government recognised that changes would need to be made to the unworkable components of the new national freshwater regulations. We will be pushing for a broader review of the regulations to determine what changes are needed.

More broadly, a comprehensive overhaul of the cumbersome, complex, and costly Resource Management Act is critically overdue and looks

PHOTOS: Pixabay

Local councils might be required to upgrade their water infrastructure, yet national freshwater regulations might make this so burdensome and costly, that it becomes impossible.

to finally be about to happen.

In our view, some of the core principles of the Act remain sound, and both the ‘effectsbased’ ethos, and the requirement to balance environmental, economic, social, and cultural wellbeings, should remain. Finding the right balance may not be easy, but it lays the critical foundation for sensible decision-making into the future.

The government needs to get on top of the endless stream of national regulations its been rolling out and piling onto local government to implement (and pay for). Too often these regulations are at cross-purposes with each other.

For instance, one regulation might require farmers to fence off waterways, yet another

might prevent the earthworks or vegetation clearance necessary to do so.

Similarly, local councils might be required to upgrade their water infrastructure, yet national freshwater regulations might make this so burdensome and costly, that it becomes impossible.

Although the government has a renewed mandate, and an enthusiasm to lay the path for this next term, we urge calm, clear, constructive, considered, and inclusive decision-making and reform.

That is what we seek for this parliamentary term, and we look forward to working with government to continue making gains for our environment, economy, and wellbeing.

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PAGE 9

Sun Farming

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Photographer champions re-gen farming Healthy soil makes for a healthy plant which makes for a healthy animal which makes for a healthy human.

Rutherford’s biodiverse crop last summer; over 25 species sown including sunflowers, clovers, brassicas, grains including oats and buckwheat… all to improve biodiversity and feed the 'underground livestock’ in the soil. This was then break fed multiple times to sheep and cows.

PHOTOS: Mark Anderson

Tim and Camilla Rutherford.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Camilla Rutherford is from Scotland, but you wouldn't know it. She has an international accent, she says, the result of having lived in a few countries over the years.

A freelance photographer and a high farmers wife, Rutherford lives on The Point Station in the Ardgour Valley near Tarras with her husband Tim Rutherford and two young children.

On October 31 her photographic and audiovisual display on the subject of "regenerative farming" in New Zealand will feature at the closing night of the Reset Summit 2020.

"I'm a freelance photographer who married a high country farmer," she says. "About four years ago, my husband started looking into regenerative farming practices (re-gen farming).

I was interested in what this meant for not only our farm but the world as a whole. Being a photographer, I wanted to try and document the movement. I wanted to create a bit of a record."

Re-gen farming is a movement happening with farmers worldwide, to transition from conventional agriculture into a new way, she says. It's quite complex because every farm is different, but the theory is all about soil health and regenerating soil. If you have healthy soil, it makes for a healthy plant which makes for a healthy animal which makes for a healthy human.

"It's about biodiversity, increasing the water

holding capacity in the soil, so that you reduce the risk of floods and drought, and not using synthetic chemicals. It has incredible environmental and human health benefits. And mental health benefits for the farming community – farmers feel they are improving the ecosystems on their farms and aren't so open to public criticism. It's a story that needs to be told.

"What are we doing on our farm? Its pretty complex. There is minimal soil disturbance. We never leave soil bare; have living plants in the ground at all time; use animal integration- grazing ruminants to build topsoil, and break fence and move the stock daily. We have multispecies paddocks with 20 varieties of plants which all work in symbiosis. And no pesticides."

Rutherfords photography journey started by taking pictures of her farm. Then she won a grant from Canon New Zealand for a personal photography project and chose to take the re-gen farming theme further.

"I knew some amazing things were happening across New Zealand, and so I ended up taking a year to do research and travel around to visit these farmers and tell their story. I wanted to do as broader representation as I could so photographed dairy farmers, sheep and beef, market gardeners, heritage seed producers and soil ecologists. That was the basis of my project. I also did on-camera interviews with these people.

"So my exhibition is not just about photos- I have put together an audiovisual story. A slide

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show so when people come to the exhibition they are asked to view the artwork and then after half an hour are invited to watch 25 minutes of story to listen to all the voices of these farmers. Then they can revisit the photos and have a different perspective on them and what they mean.

"It an interactive exhibition – I guess it's about starting a conversation and bringing awareness that this is happening in New Zealand and across the world."

Rutherford says it's so important to tell a positive farming story. Farmers are being hit left right and centre, and they know they have to change, but re-gen agriculture is a win-win-win.

There is nothing to be threatened by, there are always going to be people scared of change, but

Submissions open for Dunstan Downs tenure review

PHOTOS: Dunstan Downs

If the proposal goes ahead, 9,500 hectares, including part of the impressive St Bathans Range, will contribute to nearby conservation areas and reserves.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The public is invited to have their say on a proposal that could see 9,500 hectares in the South Island high country become conservation land.

A preliminary proposal was recently developed for Dunstan Downs, a 12,300 hectare Crown pastoral lease in North Otago, which is one of 28 properties currently in tenure review.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), which manages the tenure review process on behalf of the Commissioner of Crown Lands (CCL), recently released details of the proposal to allow the public an opportunity to

PAGE 10

it is not an all in. You can start changing your mindset slowly, she says.

Merino New Zealand and Icebreaker are "really on board" and starting to source wool from these reg-gen farmers, Rutherford says.

"It is gaining momentum – it's just the general public who need educating. The movement is trying to get to that tipping point where more people are doing it, and it becomes mainstream.

"One of the big things for me was when I became a mother and began questioning what I was feeding my kids. Do I want the world they will inherit to be better than the one I was given? This is a hopeful way that solves so many of the world's problems," she says.

Rutherfords exhibition will show at Criffel Station Woolshed on the evening of October 31

THURSDAY 22.10.20 - WEDNESDAY 28.10.20

provide feedback.

CCL Craig Harris said under the proposal more than 70 per cent of the pastoral lease would become public conservation land.

“If the proposal goes ahead, 9,500 hectares, including part of the impressive St Bathans Range, will contribute to nearby conservation areas and reserves.”

The remaining 2,800 hectares of the pastoral lease would become freehold, with some areas subject to protective conditions, such as conservation covenants.

“I would like to encourage anyone who has any feedback on the future of this special landscape to make a submission,” said Harris.

Submissions close 24 November 2020.

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Sun News

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NEWS IN BRIEF QLDC Planning & Strategy Committee Meeting A meeting of the QLDC Planning & Strategy Committee will take place today in the Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown beginning at 10.00am. The public are invited to speak in the public forum.

Backcountry skiers: beware avalanches A large avalanche in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park was noticed recently, and mountain safety experts are seeing it as an important reminder to be extremely cautious around avalanche prone areas during spring.

The recent avalanche was so large that it was estimated to have been able to destroy a forest or group of large buildings, which is an event not usually recorded in Aotearoa.

Large avalanches like this are powerful enough to travel far below the snowline in some cases.

So make sure to check the avalanche forecast at www.avalanche.net.nz and keep avalanche hazard a part of your planning this spring, and for those in Aoraki/Mt Cook all year.

Wānaka residents recognised at investiture ceremonies Three Wānaka locals will be travelling to Government House this month to be recognised for their achievements.

Stuart Thorne is receiving a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM), for services to conservation and search and rescue.

John Lamont is also receiving a QSM for services to aviation.

Joan Harnett-Kindley is receiving a ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit), for services to netball and the real estate industry.

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Videos and photos of the ceremonies will be available on the Governor General’s website after the ceremonies are concluded.

Slow down, buckle up, and plan ahead for a safe Labour Day weekend New Zealand Police and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are asking Kiwis to plan ahead, slow down, and buckle up for a safe 2020 Labour Day long weekend.

“Many roads around the country are likely to be very busy before and during the long weekend, and we’re anticipating high volumes of traffic on many state highways and local roads.

Congestion and some delays are inevitable in peak times, but if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, the worst of the frustrations can be eased and everyone can concentrate on arriving safely at their destination," says Greg Lazzaro, Waka Kotahi General Manager Safety, Health and Environment.

Snow Sports NZ Annual General Meeting (AGM) Our AGM was held on October 9 at the Snow Sports NZ offices with 27 Snow Sports NZ members attending. David Wallace (chairperson) and Michelle Trapski resigned from the Board, and five candidates stood for the election of the three vacant positions.

George Bridgewater was elected, and Tamsin Chittock re-elected to the SSNZ Board for a three-year term; Laura Hedley was elected for a one-year term, by Ordinary Resolution.

Dean in but by a smaller margin Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Nationals Jacqui Dean retained the Waitaki seat in Saturday's election, but by a much smaller margin than she was used to.

Dean said she was "humbled" to be re-elected as MP for Waitaki- but it was a closer result than previous elections.

"I have never taken this seat for granted," she said.

"This has been a long and dis-jointed campaign, but I have enjoyed every minute that I've been able to spend out and about around all parts of what is the third-largest electorate in New Zealand."

Dean won by 3,145 votes ahead of the nearest candidate, Labour's Liam Wairepo, compared to her majority of 12,816 votes in 2017.

"My focus now is on making sure that this part of the country is not ignored in the difficult months and years ahead. This is a strong region that can play an important role in the economic recovery that we as a country, desperately need to take place," Dean said.

"I've said many times that I want to be judged on my actions rather than promises and that still holds true. I will continue to be a strong and proud advocate in Parliament for the people, businesses and communities of the Waitaki electorate."

The results for Waitaki: • Jacqui Dean, National, 17,615 • Liam Wairepo, Labour, 14,470

THURSDAY 22.10.20 - WEDNESDAY 28.10.20

PHOTO: National Party

Jacqui retains her Waitaki seat, but was chased hard by the Labour candidate Liam Wairepo.

• Sampsa Kiuru, Greens, 1,965 • Sean Beamish, ACT, 1,562 • Daniel Shand, Independent, 887 • Troy Allan, New Conservative, 742 • Heather Meri Pennycook, Advance, 507 • Anthony Vickers Odering, NZ First, 475 • Brian Mowat-Gainsford, Sustainable NZ, 164

PAGE 11

Sun Sport

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Record-breaking ducks

PHOTO: Rossmackay_nz

The opening event last weekend saw over 80 riders aged between 6 and 60+ taking part.

The longest dual slalom in the world?

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Bike Glendhu celebrated the opening of the Toogood Trails last Saturday, and discovered that it might just be the longest dual slalom course in the world.

The idea of building a dual slalom course was first floated earlier this year, as Charlie Cochrane, MD of Bike Glendhu explained, with “some beers and a bit of banter after watching the Dual Slalom at Crankworx.” It was suggested by Tom Hey of Elevate Trail Building that the course build itself would be a battle, carried out by two diggers and opposing teams each carving their own track to develop the blue course - a ‘duel’ slalom.

The opening event last weekend saw over 80 riders aged between 6 and 60+ taking part including internationally renowned freeriders

Conor McFarlane and Vinny Armstrong - with 28 qualifying riders in two teams of 14 contesting the final.

‘Duel’ slalom innovator Hey’s team were victorious in what Ed Leigh, the event MC and global action sports aficionado, called “the equivalent of a streetfight on mountain bikes, There’s nowhere to hide, you either win the bragging rights or suffer public humiliation. I love it.”

Meanwhile, communications contact Paul Gunn said the team “unofficially” believed the course could be the longest in the world, spanning nearly 500m from start to finish. “Most dual slalom courses are 250m to 300m long and the longest one I could find online was 292m,” said Gunn.

The course is open to anyone anytime that Bike Glendhu is open. All you need is to find a buddy to toe the line with.

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Some 120 corporate ducks and 1,500 small ticketed ducks will partake in the race this year.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

A record number of ducks will take to the water this Labour Weekend for the annual Rotary Club of Wānaka Duck Race.

The highly anticipated family event is scheduled for Saturday, October 24 and will raise funds for the Rotary Club of Wānaka, which will in turn be distributed to worthwhile causes in the community and around the world.

Rotary Club member Tony O’Regan said some 120 corporate ducks and 1,500 small ticketed ducks would partake in the race this year, from which $15,000 was estimated to be raised.

Download the new libraries app

Snap, Send and Solve with QLDC

The Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago libraries app makes it easy to manage your account and explore the ever-expanding range of library services from your mobile device.

Local primary schools will be at Wānaka Rec If you spot an issue in the community you can now raise it with Council using an app on your phone called Snap Send Solve. The app is a simple, free and fast way to send QLDC ‘Fix It’ requests, meaning the next time you spot a pesky water leak on the road outside your house or a fallen tree blocking a trail, snap it then send it and QLDC will solve it.

Sport 10 social league

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Our ever-popular Sport 10 social league is starting again at Wānaka Recreation Centre.

Get your mates together and have fun competing in a different sport each week for 10 weeks. Monday evenings from 2 November with a Christmas break. Mixed teams essential. $450 per team.

For more info drop by the Rec Centre, call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc.govt.nz.

Badminton for juniors and adults Junior badminton for school years 6-9 runs at Wānaka Recreation Centre 3.30-4.30pm every Monday in Term 4. $3 per person with gear provided. Badminton for adults (16+) runs 7.00-9.00pm every Wednesday. $5 per person with gear provided. No experience or term-commitment required – just turn up!

Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM • SUN 10AM TO 6PM PAGE 12

The event begins at 10am with a front-loader dumping rubber ducks into Bullock Creek at the top of Dungarvon Street. From there, they will be closely followed and cheered on as they race their way down river to the finish line at the lakefront Dinosaur Park.

The fastest ducks in search of a cash prize usually take around 20 minutes to reach the finish line, with volunteer ‘sweepers’ collecting all the strays who have gone off course along the way.

Although no one can recall when the annual tradition first started in Wānaka, similar races are run by Rotary Clubs the world over. O’Regan said the popular event had been a “mainstay” for raising community funds in Wānaka for many years.

The Council Word

Search the App Store or Google Play for ‘Queenstown Lakes Libraries’ or drop by your local branch for more info.

100%

PHOTO: Wānaka App

You can download the Snap Send Solve app on Google Play and the Apple Store.

Are you looking for work?

If you’re looking for new work or thinking about a change and looking for advice on a new career path, Kia Kaha Queenstown Lakes workshops can help. Workshops take place throughout the week, and a great range of hosts are on hand to share accurate and independent information to help you take your next step.

Head to www.qldc.govt.nz/kia-kaha for more information on these free workshops and to book your tickets.

Call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc.govt.nz for more info.

www.qldc.govt.nz

THURSDAY 22.10.20 - WEDNESDAY 28.10.20

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Sun Views

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Flawed consent process

I strongly support your correspondent Murry Frost’s comments on the flawed QLDC consent process that allowed a dwelling to proceed in Penrith Park that did not comply with the planning codes for the area.

The bulk and location requirements in council codes are the most important tool to protect the amenity of the area. To consent a proposal well in excess of height limits and that destroys the view of the skyline, without the consent of the residents is a denial of their rights. The proposal should have been advertised and an objection process gone through before planning consent.

Denis Costello

New speed limits ridiculous

So I’m doing 40km past Ramada Resort. I have about eight or nine cars behind me, all getting frustrated with my speed when three cyclists overtake me! I have no problem with the speed limit of 40km in the main town (lower if necessary). BUT if absolutely no one is obeying the 40km laws on the outer roads, and no one is enforcing the law, then is not the law an ass?

Mark Hadida

EDITORIAL

Ohau a reminder of our vulnerability

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PHOTO: Supplied

Emergency services, planning and execution, community support and personal bravery all worked as one during the worst of the Ohau blaze.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Ohau fire has come as a shock to us all. It brought to mind images of the fires in Eastern Australia and California with 50 houses demolished in one windswept night.

The infamy this fire will hold in public memory has its terrors and heartaches, but most would say it has been pulled up short of the scorching tragedy it had the potential to be.

Emergency services planning and execution, community support and personal bravery all worked as one during the worst of the blaze.

It worked because people knew about it, had practised what to do. From the moment the first alarm was raised the small community sprang into action and got themselves outa there How many other towns in fire risk areas around New Zealand can say they have a similar plan? That they would be so well prepared and able to react in a timely way? As individuals, as families, as a community?

What about Wānaka? After all, we have a forest out the back and a lot of manuka/ kanuka cover over the slopes of Mt Iron. Can we say we have an exit plan should Mt Iron go up in smoke?

We have to admit luck played some part in the Ohau tragedy. A barking dog alerted its owner who in turn alerted the township. What if this hadn't happened? Even a few minutes could have meant the difference between life and death. The Waitaki District mayor Gary Kircher admitted as much in a TV interview.

And let's not forget the Lake Pukaki fire five weeks beforehand – two fires and summer isn't

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even upon us yet.

The government intends to spend $36m to tackle the wilding plan problem blamed for fuelling these fires. Half of this will be spent in the Mackenzie Country. Is this enough to deter another fire incident in the district? I guess it's better late than never.

DOC's land management is under scrutiny, especially as it says fireproofing the Mackenzie Country isn't really possible. It's not just the trees that burn, grazed tussocks burn pretty well too.

At the same time, farmers accuse DOC of mismanagement of land no longer being grazed but left in vegetation that carries an increasing fire load. And in this, a time of climate change. The then Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage agreed that land management had to be looked into.

But it's not all bad news - Environment Canterbury is confident it can solve the problem.

ECan's special projects biosecurity advisor Steve Palmer said the fires were a sobering reminder of the damage wilding pines cause.

Palmer said that since receiving its first tranche of funding - $16 million - for wilding control from the Ministry for Primary Industries in 2016, ECan has been clearing ten separate "management units" of wilding pines, which cover over 1 million hectares.

Palmer said ECan, which is also spending almost $1m of its own rates on the problem, had in the past four years managed to tackle many zones in the Mackenzie Country effectively and was working closely with landowners to ensure they have good management practices.

Even so, the New Zealand public will be looking for answers when it comes to combustible qualities of this part of New Zealand.

In last week’s edition, the Wānaka Sun’s story about Lochie Win completing his challenge to ski 40 days at Cardrona incorrectly reported that he started his 40th day with a helicopter ride provided

by Aspiring Helicopters.

The helicopter trip was in fact donated by Wānaka Helicopters.

The Wānaka Sun sincerely apologises for this error.

Crimeline McLean B Bruce Senior Constable, NZPD And the winter resort season is a wrap. Well done Treble Cone, Cardrona and Snow Farm, I know you guys showed the region off well and bring on next winter.

We still get plenty of calls of poor drivers on our roads and thanks for that. With your help, we can tidy up behaviours of locals and visitors driving and keep us all safe.

This month is “impairment month”. This relates to drink and drug driving. Now that doesn’t mean we are ignoring those seatbelts, driving while using cell phones and stop signs etc. so please think about what you are doing on the roads.

This week we dealt with a mix of cases and here are a few that we can put to print.

We dealt with two family harm matters this week where people didn’t get on. It is essential to realise when to display behaviours, you can be proud of rather than actions that are only intended to hurt.

Children are affected by what they see.

A male in Hawea was arrested for being in unlawful possession of a firearm and using it near

THURSDAY 22.10.20 - WEDNESDAY 28.10.20

to a dwelling house. Please be mindful where you shoot rabbits; it is an offence to discharge a gun in a built-up area or near dwellings.

We had the report of a ute on Macpherson Street that had been broken into over the last few weeks, and if anyone has seen anything or knows anything about this, please call Crimestoppers or us anonymously on 0800 555 111.

We dealt with an elderly lady who had been going onto properties where she didn’t belong.

There was no criminality in her actions, but please be vigilant and keep precious items locked and houses locked. Not all wanderers have no criminal intent.

We had a search and rescue in the mountains this week where the group had all the correct equipment and made the right choices to call for assistance and make the rescue as low risk as possible. This was a timely reminder to check that your gear and equipment is safe and fit for the purpose out in the hills and on the lakes etc.

Make sure the boat trailer is up to date, and your safety equipment is operational before you need to rely on it and find out it has been sitting half the year and is no good.

PAGE 13

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SUN TEAM Deadlines: Display Advertising

SERVICES Wānaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street open from 8am until 7pm every single day.

Ph 443 8000.

The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.

PUBLIC NOTICE BUSY AT WĀNAKA POOL Local primary schools are visiting Wānaka Recreation Centre for their school swimming and water safety programme.

Until Friday 11 December there’ll be very limited public access to the learners’ pool between 9.00am-2.00pm every weekday except Thursdays and Fridays when half the pool will be free.

Other pool users may wish to schedule their visits to the learners’ pool around these times.

Four lanes in the lap pool will remain free for public swimming between 9.00am– 2.00pm weekdays during this period.

Many thanks for your co-operation while our local children learn these essential life skills.

For more info please contact (03) 443 9334 | wrc@qldc.govt.nz

Hirepool Charity Golf Tournament 2021

WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 997 Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea.

Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly.

Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Pat Deavoll • 0274 487 741 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 021 786 740 adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka

Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle.

Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.

16 OCTOBER – 11 DECEMBER

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Business Networking International–The Wānaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning.

Great networking opportunity to grow your business.

Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043.

The Salvation Army Family store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.

The Salvation Army Family Store urgently requires warm clothing, if you can help this would be greatly appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick Street.

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4pm Friday prior to publication.

marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz

03 443 5252

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5pm Monday prior

The Wanaka Golf Club invites interested Groups or Organisations to apply for funds generated by the golf tournament to be held 19-21 March 2021.

A requirement for application would be the supply of donated Goods & Services and Manpower to run the fundraising aspect.

Please apply to Manager@wanakagolf.co.nz or Kim Badger PO Box 182 Wanaka, before 2nd November 2020

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions:

$175 within NZ (including GST)

per year. Overseas rates on request.

Remittances to PO Box 697,

Wānaka, NZ.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Variation to Provisions of the Large Lot Residential and Subdivision & Development Chapters of the Queenstown Lakes Proposed District Plan Queenstown Lakes District Council has prepared the following variation to the Queenstown Lakes Proposed District Plan under Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 19991 (RMA).

The variation amends rules in the Large Lot Residential Zone and the Subdivision and Development Chapter of the Queenstown Lakes Proposed District Plan. The variation seeks to make it easier to undertake anticipated subdivision within the Large Lot Residential A Zone, of sites that are 4000m² or greater, while maintaining an average area of 2000m2 per site.

The variation also amends Policy 11.2.1.2 to clarify that the requirement for colour controls applies only to the Large Lot Residential B Zone, located on Mt Iron in Wānaka.

Queenstown Lakes District Ratepayers affected by the proposal will receive a copy of this notice by mail or email. If you haven’t receive a copy, you can find it online at www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-llra Where to view the variations to the Proposed District Plan In addition to viewing the notified proposal online at www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-llra a copy of the proposal (including the notified plan maps) can be viewed at any of the following locations: Council Offices, between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday: • • •

A person who made a submission on the Variations to Chapter 30 Energy & Utilities as part of Stage 3 of the review may appeal this decision to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the service of the notice of the decisions (by 4 December 2020).

For further information on making an appeal see the Environmental Court website www.environmentcourt.govt.nz/ court-process/lodge-appeal-or-application/ For further information on the district plan review please contact Queenstown Lakes District Council on (03) 441 0499 or email PDPenquiries@qldc.govt.nz

Queenstown Lakes District Council Meeting Schedule for November 2020 Subject to change. Last amended: 16 October 2020

Community & Services Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 12 November 2020 at 10.00am.

Queenstown Library: 10 Gorge Road Wānaka Library: Dunmore Street Arrowtown Library: 58 Buckingham Street Makarora Library: Rata Road Glenorchy Library: 13 Islay Street Lake Hāwea Library: Myra Street Kingston Library: 48 Kent Street

Infrastructure Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 12 November 2020 at 1.00pm.

Appeals Subcommittee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 12 November 2020 at 3.00pm.

This meeting will be held with the public excluded, pursuant to Section 7(2)(g) and Section 7(2)(i) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Options for making a submission are:

•

Online access to the decisions is available at QLDC Libraries and offices without charge

Wānaka Community Board – Armstrong Room, Lake Wānaka Centre, Ardmore Street, Wānaka. Thursday 5 November 2020 at 10.00am.

Submissions • •

QLDC website: www.qldc.govt.nz Go to: Your Council > District Plan > Proposed District Plan > Decisions of Council

Public Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that meetings of the Council will be held as follows, during the month of November 2020.

10 Gorge Road, Queenstown 74 Shotover Street, Queenstown 47 Ardmore Street, Wānaka

Public Libraries, opening hours vary, please check www.codc-qldc.govt.nz or details: • • • • • • •

The decision report and decisions version of the chapter together with the reasons for the decision are available for inspection for free at the following locations:

Online: www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-llra Post: Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348, Attention: Proposed District Plan Submission Email: pdpsubmissions@qldc.govt.nz (subject line: Proposed District Plan Submission)

Any written submissions that do not use the online form must be made using Form 5, as prescribed by the Resource Management (Forms, Fees, and Procedure) Regulations 2003. All submissions must state whether or not you wish to be heard in support of your submission at a hearing. The submission form is available from the locations listed above, as well as the MFE and New Zealand Legislation websites.

Planning & Strategy Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 26 November 2020 at 10.00am.

Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. All of the above meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may have items of business that will be discussed with the public excluded, as set out by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Mike Theelen CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The closing date for submissions is Monday, 23 November 2020.

What happens next?

After submissions close: •

A summary of decisions requested by submitters will be prepared and publicly notified.

•

People who represent a relevant aspect of the public interest or have an interest greater than the general public may make a further submission, in the prescribed form within ten (10) working days of notification of the summary of decisions sought, supporting or opposing submissions already made;

•

A copy of the further submission must also be served on the Council and the person who made the original submission;

•

Submitters may speak in support of their submission(s) at a hearing if they have indicated in their submission that they wish to be heard;

The Rural Travel Fund is open to all sports clubs and school teams in the Queenstown Lakes District to apply for funding to support teams participating in regular local sport competition, which excludes inter-school and intra-school competitions.

•

Following the hearing, the Council will give public notice of its decisions on the Variations on the Proposed District Plan and matters raised in submissions, including its reasons for accepting or rejecting submissions;

Applications forms are available from the Council website www.qldc.govt.nz/community/community-funding

•

Every submitter then has the right to appeal the Council’s decisions on the Variations to the Proposed District Plan to the Environment Court.

Want more information or help understanding the proposals?

Visit www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-llra for a fact sheet to help you understand some of the more technical aspects of the provisions.

A duty planner will also be available during normal office hours during the notification period. Call 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka) or email pdpenquiries@qldc.govt.nz.

This notice is in accordance with clause 5 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Now Open

Funding round closes 5.00pm Friday 30 October 2020 All applications must be addressed to Jan Maxwell Queenstown Lakes District Council Sport NZ Funding Private Bag 50072 Queenstown or emailed to jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz Any queries regarding this funding round please contact Jan Maxwell on 03 441 0469 or 027 233 7934.

New Zealand Jet Boat River Racing Association 2020 New Zealand Jet Boat Marathon Public notice is hereby given pursuant to the Queenstown Lakes District Navigation and Safety Bylaw 2018 that Bylaws 9, 31, 43 and 51 have been uplifted to allow the running of this event.

Dog Control Activities 2019/2020 Under Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996, notice is hereby given that a report describing the Council’s dog control activities during the 2019/2020 financial year is now available on the Council’s website: www.qldc.govt.nz

Notice of Decision on QLDC Proposed District Plan – Variation to Chapter 30 Energy & Utilities (Stage 3) Pursuant to clause 10 and 11 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991, public notice is hereby given as of 22 October 2020 that the Queenstown Lakes District Council (Council) made a decision on the submissions and further submissions to a variation to Chapter 30 Energy & Utilities as part of Stage 3 of the District Plan review at its meeting on 8 October 2020.

The effect of the decision is to adopt the recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel to confirm amended provisions for Chapter 2 – Definitions and Chapter 30 – Energy & Utilities. The Proposed District Plan is amended in accordance with the Council’s decision from the date of this public notice.

Date: Sunday 1 November 2020.

Time: 8.00am until 4.00pm Place: Legs 1 & 2 - Clutha River upstream from Lake Dunstan to Lake Wānaka outlet and return to Lake Dunstan.

NB: The above uplifting covers only the section of the Clutha river within the boundaries of the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Date: Monday 2 November 2020.

Time: 8.00am until 5.00pm Place: Legs 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Lake Wānaka Glendhu Bay to Matukituki River upstream to Beech Forest and return to Bridge at West Wānaka, twice.

Special condition: Between rivers and especially from Lake Dunstan to Lake Wānaka Glendhu Bay, all race craft and safety boats must be checked and cleaned for lagarosiphon.

Only those craft involved in this event are exempt from the provisions of the Bylaws.

Dated at Queenstown 19 October 2020.

Harbourmaster M A Black

Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

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THURSDAY 22.10.20 - WEDNESDAY 28.10.20

PAGE 15

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Young females receive Trust’s support Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka Swim Club Coach Cameron Stanley: “Both Kate [Bennie] and Ben [Silipo] are role models for the younger swimmers and testament to what Wānaka swimmers can achieve on the national stage.”

Huge turnout for Wānaka meet Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

One hundred and twenty swimmers from all over Otago raced at the Wānaka meet last Sunday, including a team of 28 from Wānaka Swim Club, who beat last year’s winning Queenstown team to the overall points score for the meet.

Coach Cameron Stanley said it was a “fantastic success for the club,” whose turnout at the competition was the largest he had seen in his years as coach.

“It was awesome to see so many from the club competing, especially those that were racing for the first time,” said Stanley. “The quality of the skills and technique in the junior section of the club, as well as the large numbers competing, is testament to the hard work Belinda Donaldson has put in, and the knowledge and enthusiasm she brings to coaching.”

Wānaka swimmers Kate Bennie and Benjamin Silipo were the top female and male swimmers of the meet with the highest FINA points score - Bennie in the 50 freestyle and Silipo in the 100 freestyle.

The pair’s success came off the back of a fantastic week at the New Zealand Short Course Championships in Hamilton over the school holidays. Bennie took her first ever medal at a National Championship by finishing second in the 14 year old girls 50m Freestyle, with three other top 10 finishes, and Silipo took home eight medals.

Stanley said: “Both Kate and Ben are role models for the younger swimmers and testament to what Wānaka swimmers can achieve on the national stage.”

He also acknowledged the hard work of volunteers - particularly Natasha Schurink and the Wānaka Swim Club committee - who ensured last weekend’s meet was a success.

Thirty young Central Otago females will hit the local mountain bike trails weekly before the end of the month participating in a Central Otago based outdoor adventure programme.

The Journeys Charitable Trust received a $25K grant from Central Lakes Trust (CLT) for Journeys Central Otago over the next 18 months.

The programme used the challenge of various activities in accessible local outdoor 'wild' areas to develop skills and knowledge which enhanced wellbeing, resilience, self-worth and belief of young female participants aged between 12 – 15.

Developed in 2018 by three Alexandra woman, the programme was selected in 2019 as part of the Sport NZ Innovations for Young Women fund and with the associated funding the programme was further developed beyond the initial pilot.

Journeys co-founder, Megan Longman said it was her own personal experience that compelled her, with friend Kim Froggatt to create the programme.

“We see less females in the outdoors, yet speaking from experience, getting out amongst nature is a powerful tool for growth and self-confidence.”

Currently, on offer in Alexandra, Clyde, and Omakau, the group hope to extend to the wider Central Otago area over the coming year.

Thirty year 8 -10 young females were enrolled for this seasons programme, with a further five spaces available.

It involved weekly two-hour mountain biking sessions, spread over four groups run by 12 trained wāhine, and transitions into on-foot navigation activities in the autumn.

“We used lockdown as a chance for programme

PHOTO: Supplied

We see fewer females in the outdoors, yet speaking from experience, getting out amongst nature is a powerful tool for growth and self-confidence.

development, evaluation and training, and now have 12 wāhine to run the four groups for the upcoming programme,” Longman said.

CLT Grants Manager Mat Begg said that there wasn’t a similar programme for young females.

“CLT has spent quite a bit of time reviewing the youth sector to better understand the issues facing our young people today. Journeys Central Otago is a great example of a group that has done their research and identified a need in our community for local girls to connect and develop self-confidence, resilience and outdoor skills. We look forward to seeing the progress they make over the programme” The volunteer instructors were trained in both the physical aspects of the adventures along with the life skills aspects to develop resilience, self-worth and belief, confidence, coping in situations outside of their comfort zones, independence, leadership and general wellbeing.

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