Repairs complete at Dellows Bluff.

SH6 Dellows Bluff rockfall, July 2022. Photo NZTA

NZTA/Waka Kotahi - All ticked off and ready to go. Repairs complete at State Highway 6 Dellows Bluff.

Underslip and rockfall repairs are now finished at State Highway 6 Dellows Bluff, south of Murchison.

 

Contractors have been on site since 2022, fixing an underslip and mitigating rockfall dangers. Substantive repairs are now finished, and the highway is restored to two lanes, operating 24/7 through the area.

Setting steel work at underslip site, SH6 Dellows Bluff. Photo NZTA.

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says a major rockfall in July 2022 had a big impact, closing the road at the time, and required significant effort to fix.

 

“We had to make the road safe, with shipping containers brought in to protect traffic while the cliff face was stabilised. This involved scaling and rock blasting, the use of drill rigs, and installation of hundreds of rock bolts into the cliff face.”

Mr Service says the nearby underslip, which was triggered by heavy rain in February last year, also required complex engineering and construction to fix.

 

“Contractors installed around 850 metres of steel piles and 563 metres of horizontal anchors while working to restore and stabilise this part of the road. 58 vertical piles were put in place to build a 60-metre retaining wall. New drainage was also installed to help stabilise underground areas.”

 

“A lot of work has had to go into fixing this site. We appreciate it has taken a while to complete. But it hasn’t been a simple job, and it was important contractors took the time needed to get design and construction right.”

 

“I want to thank the community and road users for their patience and understanding while this project has been underway. The result is a road that will be much more resilient and resistant to future bad weather events,” Mr Service says.

Meanwhile, the protective container wall and a temporary speed limit of 70 km/h will remain in place at the rockface until a permanent rock fence is built. The entire site will continue to be monitored to ensure it is stable and functional.

Aerial shot. SH6 Dellows Bluff rock fall and underslip repair sites. photo NZTA.

State Highway 6 rock fall and underslip repairs – facts and figures:

Underslip Site:

• Vertical steel piles totalling 850 meters in length were installed.
• Horizontal anchors measuring 563 meters were implemented.
• Approximately 18,000 litres of grout were used around the anchors for stabilisation.

 

Rockfall Site:

• Two drill rigs were used during construction.
• A total of 1,200 meters of rope was used.
• 280 rock bolts, each 6 metres long, were installed.
• 80 kilograms of high-explosive material were used.
• Transporting materials required 29 helicopter lifts.
• 840 bags of cement were used for various construction tasks.
• Rockfall blasting video for download

 

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

·       Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTASouthIsland
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTOTS
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
  

Felix Marwick
Media Manager NZ Transport Agency.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

 

UPDATED 21 December:- Phase D Water Restrictions to be Implemented on 22 December

 Phase D restrictions implemented for Tasman urban water 

users 

UPDATED

21 December, 2023

 

Tasman District Council has announced water users on council supplies for urban and rural extensions will move to Phase D restrictions, beginning on Friday 22 December. 

The areas affected are Wakefield, Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Redwood Valley 1 and 2, Māpua / Ruby Bay, Dovedale and Eighty Eight Valley.   

Nelson residents living adjacent to Champion Road, Wakatū Industrial Estate, and parts of Saxton Road West, where water is supplied from the Richmond Water Supply Scheme, will also face Phase D water restrictions. 

I asked Tim O’Connell, Communications Officer, Tasman District Council whether there were any exemptions for the disabled or the very elderly people in our community, he said “There are no exemptions contemplated, but the use of water for human health and wellbeing is not being restricted.” 

“The restrictions are implemented to reduce overall water use in the urban supply areas. However they are not put in place to deprive our community - and especially our most vulnerable - of the basic necessities that water provides. While the Phase D conditions minimise the opportunity for outdoor washing, watering and filling of pools, ample drinking and bathing water can be consumed during what we hope is not a long-term period of restrictions. We are asking everyone in our community to do their bit in keeping to the requirements of the water restrictions while they are in place.”

Tasman District Council Group Manager Community Infrastructure Richard Kirby said “a move beyond the existing Phase B restrictions had been anticipated, and we had intended to implement Phase C but use has not decreased sufficiently as we continue our efforts to meet consent conditions.” 

“Recent rain, and the possibility of more across the Christmas period, is helpful for the district in managing the wider potential for dry weather scenarios. 

We also acknowledge any water released from the Waimea Community Dam will assist in keeping aquifers at stable levels and salinity at bay in the Waimea Plains. 

However, restrictions on our urban supplies are guided by the level of abstraction across our water supplies.  

As abstractors, we have a responsibility to remain within our consent conditions - we want to avoid exceeding the amount of water Council could extract from its intakes.  

Due to excessive use, we need to restrict the amount of water going out. In the meantime, we appreciate everyone’s efforts to make these short term reductions in their water use.” 

Under Phase D restrictions; 
You can: 

• Wash your car using recycled grey water only. 
• Do essential outdoor washing for safety reasons, using a bucket only. 
• Water listed protected trees every second day only with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering systems on a timer or a bucket. 
• Water your veggie garden and fruit trees every second day using a bucket only. 

You can’t: 

• Water your flowers/trees/planters. 
• Water the lawn. 
• Fill or top up a pool, spa or water feature. 
• Use water for play. 

 

More information around water restrictions can be found at Current restrictions - reticulated | Tasman District Council

Tasman Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

NELSON / TASMAN AIRPORT LATEST

 

GO Rentals CEO and founder John Osborne, Nelson Airport Commercial Manager Simon Barr, Nelson Airport CEO Mark Thompson and GO Rentals Chief Operating Officer James Dalglish at the new GO Rentals building at Nelson Airport.

First stage of new Nelson Airport development precinct complete

21 December 2023

The first stage of a new development area at Nelson Airport is complete with the opening of a back of house facility for award-winning national rental car company, GO Rentals.

The 230 square metre facility provides car grooming, maintenance and EV charging facilities for GO Rentals, and is the first phase of the airport’s future development plans on land at the southern end of the terminal precinct.

A new roadway off Trent Drive provides access to the facility, as well as creating simpler exit and entry points to the Value Carpark for airport customers.

Future development phases will see additional commercial and light industrial tenancies created in the area currently occupied by the airport’s Value Carpark. Work is underway to consider options for catering for future carparking demand in a different location.

GO Rentals Chief Operating Officer James Dalglish says GO Rentals is delighted to be moving its back of house operations into the airport precinct.

“It’s been our goal for some time to carry out more of our operations within the airport environment. Talks began back in 2019 but were disrupted by Covid so it’s fantastic to see this come to fruition allowing us to fully support our airport rental car fleet in one place.”

Nelson Airport Commercial Manager Simon Barr says it’s exciting to see the first phase of the development area complete.

“The facility will allow for more efficient servicing of GO’s rental car fleet, and contribute to their journey towards a climate-friendly fleet and operations. That complement’s Nelson Airport’s vision and mission too – we’re working toward becoming a world-class airport where zero-emissions planes operate – so this development is a great fit here.”

GO Rentals plans to increase its low-emissions vehicle fleet at Nelson Airport over time, with a third of its national fleet set to be clean-energy powered (a mix of EV and hybrid) by the middle of 2024.

The company is paving the way in the car rental industry in terms of sustainability and climate change action and is New Zealand’s first rental car business to partner with CarbonClick. When customers rent a vehicle with GO Rentals, they get the opportunity to offset their emissions with CarbonClick – reducing the impact of their drive - and can calculate their driving footprint by offsetting via the website. 

The rental car company is also proud to be Toitū net Carbonzero recertified, accurately measuring the greenhouse gas footprint of their business.    

Nelson Airport Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Local Speed Management

 Speed Management process to continue with a local focus

20 December, 2023

 

The regional Speed Management consultation will continue with the added economic focus as described in the recent letter to all Councils from the Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.

“The consultation on reducing local speed limits will continue but we need to acknowledge the change in Government policy, particularly as any changes will need their approval. The new Minister has made plain that they do not support blanket speed limit reductions. We need to focus on those discreet roads and streets in Nelson and Tasman that are adjacent to schools or have other localised safety issues enabling a good case for change,” said Regional Transport Committee Chair Tasman Deputy Mayor Stuart Bryant.

While clearly outlining the Government's direction of ensuring the economy is not hampered through changes to local speed limits, the Minister acknowledges that communities are able to consider what they believe is appropriate for their areas.

“When planning the current consultation process the Regional Transport Committee extended the consultation period and final decision-making timeline to allow the predicted change in Government direction to be considered.

"Despite the change in Central government direction and the process no longer being compulsory, the Councils’ Joint Regional Transport Committee still wants to consider the views of the community regarding speeds on council managed roads throughout the region."

The current Speed Management consultation is set to close on February 29 next year with the Joint Regional Transport Committee making their recommendation to the Councils in the following months.

See: https://shape.tasman.govt.nz/speed-review

Tasman District Council Communications

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

BROCKEN WINDSCREENS OCCURRING FROM NEW SEAL ON FOXHILL SOUTH OF WAKEFIELD

Fulton Hogan contractors reconstructing SH6 Foxhill.

Photo credit NZTA/Waka Kotahi.

 

Caution Urged on Newly Reconstructed Foxhill SH6 as Residents Report Broken Windscreens

Residents using Foxhill State Highway 6 are reporting broken windscreens, attributing the incidents to speeding traffic on the recently sealed road. The New Zealand Transport Agency emphasises the importance of driver caution, stating, "Our standard advice to drivers is always to slow down when driving on a new road surface, especially when loose chip is present."

Fulton Hogan report that since the conclusion of the work late last week, the speed limit has been returned to 100km/h.

The completion of major road reconstruction on this section of State Highway 6, just south of Wakefield, marks a significant milestone. Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, notes the extensive rehabilitation required to address the deteriorating pavement. "Before we started, the pavement on this piece of road was at the end of its life, necessitating significant rehabilitation," says Mr. Service. Despite unforeseen challenges that required additional work on the subgrade, the Fulton Hogan team managed to complete the project on time. Approximately 13 thousand tonnes of rock and 21 thousand square meters of chipseal were used, resulting in a considerably smoother, safer, and more durable section of the state highway.

While acknowledging the disruption caused by major works, Mr. Service expresses gratitude for the community's patience, stating, "Major works like this are disruptive, and we appreciate they have meant longer travel times for road users. But the good news is the new and improved road is here and ready for the busy holiday season." He urges drivers to enjoy the enhanced stretch of State Highway 6 but emphasises the need for caution on the newly reconstructed road.

Looking ahead, minor safety works are planned at the site. Contractors are set to return early next year to install a gabion wall and a guardrail, further enhancing safety features along the road.

As we celebrate the successful reconstruction, let's prioritise safety and responsible driving on the freshly sealed Foxhill SH6. Your safety is paramount, and we appreciate your cooperation as we continue to improve our local infrastructure.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

UPDATE - PICTON ELEVATION NZTA/Waka Kotahi TRAFFIC BULLETIN - NO ROAD SURFACING WORKS THIS WEEK

 

UPDATED: NZTA/Waka Kotahi Traffic Bulletin: NO ROAD  SURFACING WORKS THIS WEEK

Pre-Christmas road surfacing work planned – State Highway 1, Picton Elevation. (NO ROAD SURFACING WORKS THIS WEEK)

Traffic bulletin UPDATE 11:40am 20 December 2023

The stop/go originally planned for State Highway 1 Picton Elevation will no longer proceed before Christmas.

 

Drainage works have proceeded faster than expected, and a further site evaluation has been done.

 

As a result, it has been decided not to carry out surfacing works this week and to keep State Highway 1 open to two lanes through the Picton Elevation.

 

This ensures there will be minimal disruption to holiday traffic on this busy route in the lead-up to Christmas.

A moratorium on roadworks will be in place across the entire state highway network from 22 December to 7 January.

 

This ensures delays and disruptions on state highways are minimised as much as possible over the holidays. However, contractors will be on-call to attend emergency maintenance and safety works as required.

People travelling to and from Picton should’t expect any travel delays.

Felix Marwick
Media Manager NZTA

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.