Region’s transport choke point has a solution

 The intersection of Queen St & HW6 Gladstone Rd

An intersection that has been a significant choke point for industry and commuters alike is in line for investment with the release today of the Government’s Policy Statement (GPS) on Transport.

The intersection of Richmond’s Queen Street and State Highway 6 is included as part of the strategic investment programme. 

“Due to the growth of the area, this intersection has become increasingly congested and costly to the region, economically and socially”, said Tasman Mayor Tim King.  

“With the agreement to consenting and design over the next three years we can now see a light at the end of the tunnel.” 

The GPS also provides for a significant increase in maintenance funding for local and national roads in the area. “For a number of years, we have had to prioritise maintenance on many of our roads which has led to a rising level of dissatisfaction over the quality of our important transport corridors. 

“Investment of this magnitude in maintenance is an investment in resilience, sustainability and safety in this network, a network that is vitally important to a predominantly rural district such as Tasman and the economic wellbeing of the region. 

“As our predominantly primary sector economy continues to grow and develop the sustainability of our transport network is vital. The proposed investment recognises the national importance of the Richmond State Highway 6 intersection and the need for resilient regional network. 

“While the release of the GPS provides a way forward, it still requires the Council, all sectors that could benefit and residents to submit in its favour. Without strong support for the policy, priority may be given to other areas to our loss. 

“We cannot sit back and accept this proposal is a done deal, we as a District and region need to signal our support.”  

Consultation on the draft GPS closes at 5pm on Friday 15 September 2023.

To submit on the GPS: Draft Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 Consultation - Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport - Citizen Space

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post News

Commuter Buzz:

 

Unprecedented Response to New eBus Service!

A wave of enthusiasm has engulfed the region in response to the brand-new eBus service!

Within its inaugural week, an impressive 15,500 journeys were clocked—a staggering 44 percent leap from the former NBus.

Contrasting the old NBus's daily average of 1,800 passengers, the modern eBus is cruising at an impressive daily average of 2,600 passengers.

The inaugural routes to Motueka and Wakefield have struck a chord, amassing 1,200 journeys in their first operational week.

Weekends witnessed an exceptional surge too, with passenger numbers soaring to 2,709—an astonishing 195 percent escalation over the old NBus figures.

We're all ears for your input on routes and bus stops! Join the conversation at https://bit.ly/3Cdha5M, drop a pin on the map, and contribute to shaping the future of routes and stops over the next year.

Tasman District Council

Pigeon Post News

MetService - Heavy Rain Watch -Tasman, about and west of Motueka

 

Widespread wet and windy weekend

MetService covering period of Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 August

The fine weather of today and Friday is set to change this weekend. MetService is forecasting a Tasman Sea low to bring widespread wet and windy weather this weekend. 

MetService meteorologist Andrew James say, “With high pressure taking hold of the steering wheel through into the weekend, we’ve got a cracking end to the working week for most of the country – Thursday sees showers gradually clear, with just a pesky few remaining in the far south of the South Island, and Friday is looking similar.” 

The weekend, however, is a different story. A broad area of low pressure is expected to cross Aotearoa New Zealand during Saturday and Sunday, bringing with it significant and widespread rain and wind.  

Severe Weather Watches for heavy rain are already in place for parts of Westland and Tasman while there is a Strong Wind Watch for Fiordland. Central North Island areas are likely to be added tomorrow. Some of these could be upgraded to warnings if required. 

Andrew has more detail “Rain gets going along the South Island’s west coast during Saturday morning, then into the afternoon the system moves onto the North Island. Wherever you are, Saturday’s best weather is going to be early in the day.” 

During Sunday the rain and wind continues to move eastwards across the country, with places like the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty potentially set to see the wettest weather.  

“The best advice this weekend is to keep up with the latest forecasts at metservice.com,” says James. 

The good news is that the weather is set to settle again after the weekend, as a ridge of higher pressure rebuilds across Aotearoa.

MetService

Pigeon Post News Richmond

Conservation Week 14 to 20 August 2023

DOC would like us to Take Action for Nature and Clean Spaces this Week

Conservation Week, a national event promoting nature and conservation engagement, is back this year, urging Aotearoa's residents to step up for nature. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is calling on individuals to contribute to a cleaner environment by participating in various activities. These actions include picking up litter, contributing time or funds to local community initiatives, and making sustainable choices to protect the unique ecosystems of Aotearoa.

Why Clean Up?

In this year's Conservation Week, DOC is challenging citizens to make a difference by cleaning up litter, safeguarding cherished local spots. Whether it's a beach, park, trail, or playground, these places hold personal significance to many as sources of leisure, exercise, and solace. However, litter poses a grave threat to these areas, impacting soil, waterways, wildlife, and overall ecological health. Collaborative efforts are crucial to counteract this harm, ensuring the preservation of natural spaces for both fauna and human well-being.

Taking Action

Taking action is straightforward and impactful. When in your treasured spaces, observe the amount and common areas of litter accumulation. Equip yourself with gloves and a bag – a paper supermarket bag or a bin liner – and aim to fill it before heading home. Share photos of your efforts online using DOC's #ConservationWeek hashtag to inspire others. Additionally, demonstrate love for nature by taking responsibility for your own waste during outdoor activities, such as walks, hikes, or bike rides. Carry a bag or container to collect your waste, minimizing your environmental footprint.

Further Steps for a Cleaner Environment

Engage younger generations by discussing the significance of maintaining clean natural spaces and involving them in litter cleanups. Organize outings with friends or family to clean up beaches or nature trails during weekends. Protect local wildlife by addressing food waste, as even biodegradable materials can attract harmful pests if left in inappropriate environments. To reduce waste, explore plastic-free alternatives in your household.

As Conservation Week continues, Aotearoa's residents are called upon to unite in a shared commitment to preserving the country's extraordinary natural heritage. By taking action, individuals contribute not only to the health of the environment but also to their own well-being.

DOC

Pigeon Post News

Take note:- Severe Weather Outlook

 

MetService Severe Weather Outlook - Valid Thu 17 Aug 2023 through to Sun 20 Aug 2023

MetService Severe Weather Outlook

A ridge of high pressure spreads onto the country from the west on Thursday, with cold and showery southwesterlies easing.

The flow is forecast to turn northerly on Friday as the ridge moves to the east of Aotearoa/New Zealand and a frontal system approaches from the Tasman Sea.

The front is expected to lie just to the west of Aotearoa/New Zealand by midnight Saturday, bringing rain to northern and western parts of the country and strong to gale force northeast winds to exposed places. The front should move eastwards over central New Zealand on Sunday, followed by a change to colder and showery southwesterlies. Meanwhile, the front is forecast to slow down as it moves eastwards over northern New Zealand due to a low developing on the front.

On Saturday, there is moderate confidence rainfall amounts will reach warning criteria about northwest Tasman, and low confidence of heavy rain for Westland south of Otira.

On Sunday, there continues to be moderate confidence of warnable amounts of rain for northwest Tasman, while there is low confidence of a period of heavy rain for other parts of Nelson/Tasman and northern Marlborough. There is also low confidence of a warnable period of heavy rain and severe northeast gales for the northern North Island from North Taranaki across the central high country to East Cape, as drawn on the chart. However, for Taranaki Maunga the confidence of heavy rain is considered moderate.

Low confidence:
a 20% likelihood (or 1 chance in 5) that the event will actually happen.
Moderate confidence:
a 40% likelihood (or 2 chances in 5) that the event will actually happen.
High confidence:
a 60% likelihood (or 3 chances in 5) that the event will actually happen.

Issued: 10:33am Tue, 15 Aug
Valid from midnight Wed, 16 Aug to midnight Sun, 20 Aug

MetService

Pigeon Post News Richmond

Waka Kotahi contractors working hard in Murchison stabilising Dellow’s Bluff and building retaining wall for under-slip SH6 beside Buller River

 

Overview showing Dellow’s Bluff and under slip - Photo Waka Kotahi

Rock blasting and anchors help stabilise Dellow’s Bluff

The end is in sight for ongoing roadworks at State Highway 6, Dellow’s Bluff, near Murchison.

Waka Kotahi contractors have been working hard to reduce the risk of large boulders falling onto State Highway 6 at Dellow’s Bluff, with a combination of rock clearing and rock anchors to stabilise high-risk cliff sections next to the highway.  

In July 2022, large boulders, including one the size of a car, fell onto the road, closing it for three days, affecting the critical transport link between Nelson, the West Coast, and Christchurch.

Boulders from Dellow’s Bluff, SH6, July 2022  - Photo Waka Kotahi 

One of the boulders, nicknamed ‘Eric the egg’ due to a distinctive nodule on the rock, is now displayed outside Murchison Museum as a permanent reminder of the scale of rock fall. 

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says tree roots and water getting into cracks in the cliff face caused the massive boulders to fall.

“Some parts of the bluff are particularly prone to erosion, and goats clambering over the bluff increase its instability. Inspections revealed more fractured rocks and loose material at risk of falling on the road. These had to be removed.”

“We used a range of techniques to make the cliff face safer. Scaling and blasting removed loose rocks and overhangs, and rock anchors (or bolting) helped stabilise other sections,” Mr Service says.

A challenge for the project was using helicopters to lift large equipment, such as drilling rigs, to the top of the bluff. Specialist abseiling crews also installed 280 rock anchors. 

Rob Service says the work has stabilised the most at-risk section of the cliff, and future work at Dellow’s Bluff will be prioritised under the national resilience programme. In the meantime, some safety measures will be kept at the site.

Dellow’s Bluff rock anchoring work - Photo Waka Kotahi

“We will keep the protective container wall in place for up to another 12 months. Keeping it lets us monitor the cliff’s stability under a range of conditions. Monitoring the amount and type of debris coming down, and where it comes from, helps us decide what is needed to best protect the road in the long term.” 

As well as stabilising the cliff face, crews have been working to repair an under-slip about 150 metres from the rock face on the river side of the road. 

Mr Service says sharing traffic management and resources helped both projects and minimised disruption to road users.  

“We had been running ongoing maintenance on the under slip, using asphalt fill as a temporary measure. However, after a weather event last February, we decided to get resilience work for this site done sooner.”

While work on the under slip had been planned to be finished earlier this year, Mr Service says challenging ground conditions (including a high water table and little rock to anchor into) mean the retaining wall is now expected to be finished by the end of 2023. 

Construction of under slip retaining wall  - Photo Waka Kotahi

“We’ve installed 58 vertical piles to build a 60-metre retaining wall and are now drilling 27 horizontal 15-metre anchors to complete the tiebacks. We’ve also taken the opportunity to put in more drainage to remove water and stabilise the underground conditions. This will help make the road more resilient in future heavy rain events,” Mr Service says.

He says Waka Kotahi does appreciate that the long-running project has sometimes created delays and inconvenience for road users.

“The good news is we are almost there, and, at the end of this project, this section of State Highway 6 will be a much stronger and safer stretch of road for everyone to use,” Mr Service says.

Press release Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Pigeon Post News Richmond

MetService Media Release for Weather covering period Monday 14th - Friday 18th August - Plus details on Tasman East

 

Richmond Looking towards the Bay

Briefly Wet, Briefly Dry

The week ahead shows spring is not far away, with MetService forecasting westerly winds and wet, thundery weather in the west, and drier conditions in the east. With average weather comes average temperatures, but a chill creeps in ahead of the weekend.

John from MetService said “there does not look to be much rain in store for the eastern parts of Tasman this week.  The majority of the rainfall forecast this week will be brought along on westerly winds and so the ranges in the west of the region will be acting as a good block to the wet weather. There is some rainfall for the east on Wednesday but a ridge of pressure building on Thursday and Friday will bring a few more dry but cold days.”

“The rainfall accumulation chart below gives an idea of how much rain you could expect across your region this week. (see below)

MetService - Friday 18th August 5pm Accumulated rainfall

John went on to say “the rainfall figures for the winter so far in east Tasman looking at Nelson Airport:

June 83.4mm

July 33.6mm

August (so far) 16.4mm

 

The average for each month is normally around 80mm for June, July and August in the east of Tasman and Nelson”

A complex low-pressure system to the south of Te Waipounamu/the South Island throws a series of active rainbands over the country throughout the week, with heavy falls and thunderstorms possible for western areas from Monday right through to Wednesday evening. 

MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor offers more detail: “These bands of rain - with embedded thunderstorms - are relatively short-lived, but there are a number of them that pass over, battering the west coasts of both main islands over the next couple of days.” 

Out east, everything looks a lot drier. Residents of eastern areas of Aotearoa New Zealand can expect to remain mostly dry until early Wednesday, but remnants of a cold front bring some wet weather to Bay of Plenty and the East Cape Monday evening.

“Wednesday morning brings a shift from a northwesterly flow to southwesterlies. This shift brings more precipitation to that previously dry east and clears up conditions in the west by Wednesday night.” O’Connor details. 

A building ridge of high pressure on Thursday will see a respite from the showery weather, however the clearer skies will bring a morning chill that will be missing earlier in the week. The ridge looks to be brief; a new low developing off the east coast of Australia approaches Aotearoa on Friday, and while there is uncertainty about the impacts it will have, a wet weekend looks likely for the west again.

MetService Forecast 48 Hour Rainfall Accumulation

MetService

Pigeon Post News Richmond