SH6 Rock Removal - March 29 - 30

These boulders fell off the bluff and onto SH6 in July 2022.

Dellows Bluff Rock Removal  -  to stabilise cliff face above SH6

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising all travellers and regular users of SH6 about rock clearing work at Dellows Bluff which had been a problem for years.

The intention is to reduce, as much as possible, the risk of more boulders falling onto the highway and closing the road during blasting works for two night closures.

In a statement, Waka Kotahi said the planned works are set to start Wednesday 29 March and continue on Thursday 30 March between 6pm and 8pm.

Travellers should plan ahead for two night closures from Hinehaka Road to the intersection of SH6/Sh65.

The road will be closed during this time so that contractors can start work on making the cliff face safer and reduce the risks of more boulders falling onto the highway. 

Blasting and rock clearance work will be done removing dangerous rocks and overhangs from the cliff face where previous rock fall happened in July 2022.

The road will be open to all traffic outside of working hours with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place.

The maintenance work continues on from last year which saw SH6 at Dellows Bluff reduced to one lane with a  protective container wall between the rock face and the road and with ongoing work to a drop out site near the rockfall.

A protective container wall had been installed at the site of a rockfall at Dellows Bluff, near Murchison, on State Highway 6, which was down to the single lane in the area in 2022.

No detours are available, but Emergency services will have access through the site if required.

Tasman District Council announced to allow extra time for your journey and please be patient while the crews carry out these essential works.

TDC advise that these works may be postponed at short notice due to weather or other unforeseen circumstance and be rescheduled.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

Weather News Release - Cold coming - WARNING OUT FOR SOUTH ISLAND PASSES AND FARMERS IN HIGHER ALTITUDES

 

COLD TEMPERATURES AND SNOW ON THE SOUTH
ISLAND PASSES

First notable snowfalls of the year and drop in temperature

27/03/2023

Covering period of Monday 27 - Thursday 30 March

MetService is forecasting a cold southerly outbreak this week, which is set to bring cold temperatures, rain and the first noteworthy snowfalls of the year to Aotearoa New Zealand.

A cold front moves over the country from tonight (Monday) and brings a blast of cold air and rain. This rain will fall as snow on mountains and elevated areas. MetService expects snow levels as low as 400 to 700 metres above sea level over the southern and eastern parts of the South Island. 

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says: “The Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago Districts may get noticeable snow accumulations from early morning Tuesday, where the first MetService Heavy Snow Watch of the year has been issued until midday Tuesday.”

These snowfalls may affect high country farms, as well as high-level roads and mountain passes. Road Snow Warnings have been issued for Lewis Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Road for the potential of snow settling on the road.

Over the North Island mountains, snowfalls will be brief on Wednesday morning.

Below the snow in the mountains, other areas will experience a sharp drop in temperatures that will be strikingly felt, both in the daytime (maximum temperature), as well as overnight (minimum temperature).

“Christchurch and Wellington City only get a high of 12°C on Wednesday, which will likely feel colder due to the wind chill effect from those punchy southerlies over the eastern South Island and lower North Island. Overnight temperatures will be near freezing for parts of Southland and Otago into Wednesday morning, and central North Island Thursday morning, so no doubt those winter blankets will come in handy this week,” Makgabutlane advises.

The Chatham Islands don’t escape the weather. After a showery start to the week, Wednesday and Thursday bring periods of rain, gale force winds and large southwesterly swells. The east coast of the North Island will also likely see large swells on Wednesday, with a second pulse on Thursday. MetService advise to take care in coastal areas. 

A ridge of high pressure towards the end of the working week flips the script, and ushers in a settled close to the month.

“After a dip mid-week, it will certainly be a brighter end to March 2023,” Makgabutlane says.

MetService Report

Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman.

A Golden Bay drinks with mates ends up in an ‘Impressive Achievement’

Tremendous fundraising effort in Takaka for Hawke's Bay Farmers started from a drink with mates

On Friday night 24 March saw the first ever Golden Bay Farmers Bull fundraising event take place at the Golden Bay Recreation Centre. A fundraising event for the Hawke's Bay farmers.

The evening event was huge success and a lot of fun and entertainment was had by all.

A massive total of just under $40,000 was raised for farmers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The organisers thanked everyone that came along, to everyone that gave something, to NBS for helping with behind the scenes, to PGG Wrightsons for the massive massive support, Liqourland for running the bar and Wholemeal Cafe for the amazing food.

Shocked organisers, Stacey Strange, Tristan Strange and Phil Smith were happy, thrilled, shocked again and were very emotional at the support of the Golden Bay Community and businesses in achieving a wonderful amount of money in the fundraising for the Hawke's Bay farmers. 

“From an idea born while having a drink with mates to this is outrageous amount of money,” said Phil Smith he “thanked everyone.”

Phil Smith

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PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

Well over 100 positive comments on social media. Some examples:

This is so awesome, well done everyone who took part this is amazing!

Well done team! Great work!

Thank you all so much for being awesome ✨️💛✨️ my whenua is Hawks Bay. My father's family farm is in Tutira. To see you guys giving so much love from all the way over here glows my heart. Thank you thank you thank you 🙏🥰🙏

Soo cool, well done

That is amazing. What a wonderful gift to those that have suffered so much.

Awesome  work  people. Kapai. Nga mahi.   I’m sure it will be very much appreciated.

Thanks for organising this! It was a great night!

Wow fantastic nice work 🤩🤩

Wow what a night it was. Phil, Stacey & Tristan you are all absolute true legends 👌

Congratulations 🎉 and well done team.

Awesome 👏

Absolutely amazing well done😊

Holy smokes that’s an INCREDIBLE achievement!!!!!!

Well done, was a great night :)

Wowow! And a great night!

Wowser!!!!!!!! Awesome work!!!!!

Fabulous effort by all!   Well done indeed.

Awesome efforts. Well done.

Amazing! Good job team!

That is amazing. You guys are legends.

Awesome mahi you guys!! More than can be expressed here but good on ya’s!!

Thats an amazing effort from a great community of caring people.

Thats the stuff ! Congrats..Good example of what are capable of..Awesome.

Awesome food with Vegan and Vegetarian options for farmers who do not wish to eat their friends. Full plates and tastes with no wastes. Thanks Wayne Green for your generosity for good cause and leadership in food choices. 👍👍👍

Such an awesome result!  It was a fabulous night <3 Well Done Team!!!

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Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

email: editor.pigeonpostnews@gmail.com

Dairy Farming News

 

Research shows plantain can reduce nitrogen leaching by 20-60%

Innovative new research has signalled feeding cows the leafy herb plantain can reduce nitrogen leaching from dairy farms by 20 to 60 percent.

The results, from the DairyNZ-led Plantain Potency and Practice (PPP) Programme, prove using Ecotain plantain in pasture can significantly reduce nitrogen entering waterways.

Farm trials at Massey University and initial results from a trial at Lincoln University are showing similar trends. The trials are part of the nationwide PPP research and development programme that partners with dairy farmers, industry and government.

“These are exciting results – we now have robust scientific evidence that Ecotain plantain is an effective solution to help dairy farmers further reduce farm footprint and continue playing their part in improving water quality,” says DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle.

“Plantain can bring significant benefits to local waterways and communities – we all want healthy freshwater to swim and play in, and dairy farmers can confidently use Ecotain plantain on-farm to support that.

“These research findings are part of a broader programme of work to continue delivering on dairy’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint in our local communities, while maintaining profitable businesses,” says Dr Mackle.

The $22 million seven-year PPP Programme is funded by DairyNZ, by the Government through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Fonterra, working with six additional research and delivery partners.

The programme uses Ecotain environmental plantain from Agricom because it has proven effectiveness. An evaluation system is available to assess the environmental benefits of all plantain cultivars sold by a range of providers.

At the Massey University farm trial, scientists are measuring nitrogen leaching from paddocks grazed by 80 dairy cows. After two years, the trial results have shown reduced nitrogen leaching by 20 to 60 percent in perennial ryegrass and clover pastures containing 30 to 50 percent Ecotain plantain.

The results are compared to traditional perennial ryegrass and clover paddocks (the most common pasture types in New Zealand). There was no difference in milk production between the plantain and control pastures in the trial.

The amount of reduced nitrogen leaching depends on the quantity of plantain in the pasture, the soil type, climate and farm system. The Massey University trial will continue for a further two years.

Initial results from the programme’s Lincoln University study in Canterbury, on lighter soils under irrigation, show similar trends to the Massey University trial, with a 38-50 percent reduction in nitrogen leaching from pasture containing 24 percent Ecotain plantain. More data are being collected to confirm these results.

Massey University Professor Emeritus Peter Kemp and his team have been researching the effects of plantain over several years and the experimental plots were established at the university in 2019.

“Building on decades of pastoral research at Massey, our team have designed an innovative drainage system that uses the soil structure on the farm to enable measurement of all the nitrogen leaching from each paddock,” he says.

“The four-year trial has had incredible success so far and our trial site allows the results to be directly transferable to current farming systems in New Zealand. Importantly for farmers, transition to plantain pastures results in no loss of production, while simultaneously reducing nitrogen leaching significantly from farms into freshwater.

“This supports current initiatives to protect our natural environment and improve waterways. Significantly, Massey University research has shown that this pasture regime also decreases the greenhouse gas emissions of nitrous oxide, a key issue for climate change,” says Prof Kemp.

PGG Wrightson Seeds (PGW Seeds) chief executive John McKenzie is pleased with the results.

“We are delighted to see these larger scale trial results support the earlier work we undertook in developing and commercialising Ecotain environmental plantain. With the numerous challenges farmers face, being able to provide an effective tool to help reduce nitrogen leaching is something we are immensely proud of.”

Ecotain environmental plantain reduces nitrogen leaching by increasing cows’ urine volume, therefore diluting the nitrogen in urine and reducing the total amount of nitrogen excreted in urine. It also retains nitrogen in the soil, preventing it entering waterways.

• For more information on the programme, visit dairynz.co.nz/plantain-programme
• For more information on how plantain works, visit: dairynz.co.nz/plantain-benefits

NZdairy

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Monaco House Fire

 

Fire destroys home near Nelson Airport

Firefighters fought hard to gain control of a fully alight house fire near Nelson Airport that destroyed the home in the evening of 23 March.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire on Grace Street, Monaco just before 7pm on Thursday.

The fire was well out of control when two crews arrived from Nelson sparking a call for back-up from three other crews some from Richmond.

No one was home or injured Fire and Emergency reported.

Firefighters finally gained control of the blaze after a massive amount of smoke drifted over the area and Police were called to assist with traffic control. 

Judy Marsh took this photo of the house fire and large amount of smoke on the evening of Thursday about 7.15pm

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

Tasman District Council agreed to begin Public Consultation on the Draft Annual Plan 2023-2024.

Tasman’s Draft Annual Plan to go out for Public Consultation 

24 March, 2023

On 23 March 2023, the Tasman District Council agreed to begin public consultation on the draft Annual Plan 2023-2024.  

The community will be asked for their views on some tough choices the Council is having to make at a time when everyone is feeling the pressure of increasing costs.

 

Mayor Tim King said “the Council is keenly aware of the impacts being felt in the community of high inflation, increased interest rates and the overall of cost of living.” 

 

“The Council is proposing a 9.06% rates increase, which is being driven by a range of issues, including inflation, insurance, interest rates, and supply chain disruptions.  These increases that are affecting individuals, families and businesses are also impacting on Councils costs.”

“We have tried to strike the right balance, but we don’t for one minute underestimate the impacts - as a regional and district council Tasman needs to meet environmental and community needs."

Tasman District Council said “the District is one of only six unitary councils in New Zealand. This means our rates are charged for both our district and regional functions.”     

“Despite this, data that combines the district and regional council rates for 66 of the 67 territorial authorities in New Zealand shows Tasman’s rates per unit figure (total rates revenue ,including metered water charges, divided by the number of rating units) places us the 34th highest in the country.” 

 “We are trying to balance cost pressures without cutting the services and functions that our communities value the most, and to make decisions that consider the short, medium and long term interests of Tasman,” Mayor King said. 

“The Consultation document explains what measures the Council is proposing to take to reduce costs, it also explains what other options were considered and why Council is not recommending those.” 

“We are being open about what’s possible, noting that Councils don’t have an option about the some of the services and functions we manage. We want to hear from our community before we make any final decisions”. 

Formal consultation will commence on 29 March. Copies of the ‘consultation document’ will be available at service centres, libraries and available online at shape.tasman.govt.nz. 

You can also keep up to date on the Annual Plan through Newsline and our social media platforms.  

Tasman District Council

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 

1/   Bloody shame you're willing to spend 100s of millions on a useless poxy dam that will only benefit a handful of people instead of fixing the lower queen st traffic lights that effects 1000s of people every day.

2/    You clowns have your priorities all up to hell and gone 
Fix the traffic problem first and foremost it is ridiculous the wait times and lack of flow the going on in Nelson Richmond area 

There are near missis every day along your main roads all because people are frustrated with shit roads and you have the balls to put rates up 

For what , what is it that you actually do for you locals 
Nothing we are paying for a damp only a few will benefit from , roads that’s are frustrating and killing people and services that just plain don’t function at any level 

Hell where I live you haven’t even been bothered to sort it out on any sort of a maps app

So what may I ask do I pay you expensive rates for 
SOD ALL

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman

Water demand has dropped - Council relaxing restrictions from Phase B to Phase A as of Tuesday 21 March.”

Tasman District Council Water restrictions relaxed

 Waimea and Wakefield urban water restrictions ease back to Phase A

Thanks to a drop in demand for water consumption and adequate rainfall across the Tasman District, residents on council water supplies in Waimea, Wakefield and their rural extensions will return to Phase A water restrictions from Tuesday 21 March. 

Water users in the affected areas had previously been under Phase B restrictions, prompted by uncertain rain forecasts and Council concerns around exceeding the amount of water it could extract from its intakes.   

However, Tasman District Council Community Infrastructure Group Manager Richard Kirby said “the measures taken to reduce the level of abstraction in recent weeks had provided the necessary shift beyond the risk area for any exceedance.” 

“The demand has since dropped and we are relaxing restrictions from Phase B to Phase A as of Tuesday 21 March.” 

“We want to thank everyone for doing their part to conserve water so far.”  

Waimea includes Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Redwood 1 and 2 and Māpua water supplies.  

Under Phase A restrictions, watering of grass or lawns is not permitted.  However, watering decorative and productive gardens is permitted using a handheld hose with trigger nozzle or time limited water system.     

For pool owners, filling a pool is prohibited at this time, however topping up a pool is still permitted.        

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, are also included in these Phase A water restrictions.   

This covers the Wakatu Industrial Estate, Champion Rd and parts of Saxton Road West.  

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.