Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 26 February 2020
Carrying on into retirement
Page 5
Page 18 - 19
Rotoiti Powerboat Club Regatta
Page 22
Challenging waters in Akaroa
Dam cost blows out by $25 million Matt McCrorie The cost of the Waimea dam has seen a sharp increase, thanks to “unforeseen geological conditions” to the tune of an extra $25 million, bringing the total cost of
the project up to $129.4 million. Waimea Water CEO Mike Scott says that rock designated for use as drainage material in the embankment has become a concern. “Some rock was found to be more fractured and breaking up more
readily than expected,” Mike says. The rock in question was originally meant to be used for the drainage zones of the embankment of the dam, but rock testing in January this year has shown this rock is not of a high enough
quality to be used. Mike says that one of the possible solutions will be to import rock from nearby quarries, which will contribute to adding $25 million to the project. “We’ve always been clear that ge-
ology was the big risk in this project,” Mike says. Ratepayers across the Tasman District may bear the brunt of this additional cost. Under the
SEE PAGE 2
Gold digger unearths a ‘gem’ Jonty Dine Swarmed by sandflies and knee deep in muddy river water, Glen Tomlinson’s gold digging crew made a once in a lifetime discovery. Glenn had unearthed a gold nugget weighing in at a whopping 3.7 ounces from the Lyell River, in Buller. The find came just one day after Glenn’s son, James, discovered a 1.3 ounce nugget for a combined value of over $12,000. “We all started acting like five-yearolds,” says Glenn. “It was weird high.” The Lyell was one of the country’s most lucrative goldmines but became unviable during the 1970s.
SEE PAGE 6
Nelson jeweller Glen James Tomlinson with the two gold nuggets he found in the Lyell River. Photo: Jonty Dine
Design & Build - Free Quotes
231 Queen St, Richmond Ph: 544 0886 www.endeavourhomes.co.nz
NOW OPEN - 231 Queen St, Richmond Additional copies $1
100% locally owned and operated
www.waimeaweekly.co.nz
