Lee Valley Fire - “Thanks to those men and women responsible for doing the hard work and for the community support”

Thumbs up and a smile from the Lee Valley fire incident controller, Steve Trigg, reassuring the community that the fire is contained and under control. 

Photo credit Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Lee Valley Fire: Unyielding Community Spirit in the Face of Adversity

The Lee Valley Fire, an unfolding crisis in the Tasman District, has tested the mettle of the community and the relentless efforts of firefighting teams. A chronological account of events reveals the challenges faced and the community's remarkable response.

On February 7, 2024, Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded urgently to a significant vegetation fire in Lee Valley. Three separate fire areas spread uphill into a pine plantation, requiring five helicopters and ground crews from nine brigades to contain the blaze. Urgent evacuations and road closures were implemented, setting the stage for a complex battle against the encroaching inferno.

On the same day, Incident Controller Steve Trigg faced a setback as all six helicopters were grounded due to a drone sighting. The safety risk prompted evacuations of eleven houses, and the civil defence centre opened at the Wanderers’ Clubrooms. Heavy machinery operators worked through the night to cut firebreaks, braving challenging terrain and adverse conditions to establish vital lines of defence.

Despite the challenges, firefighting efforts continued on February 8, with a relentless focus on establishing a 1.2 kilometre containment line. Volunteers inundated firefighters with an overwhelming wave of support, extending beyond words to tangible gestures like baking. Incident Controller Steve Trigg acknowledged the community's generosity and expressed gratitude, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between those fighting on the frontline and the unwavering support they received.

The completion of the containment line on February 9 marked a significant step forward. Evacuated residents were granted restricted access to their properties, allowing them to check on their homes and livestock. Plans for a community hub were unveiled, becoming a focal point for information dissemination and support. The fire, spanning about nine hectares, posed a formidable challenge, but favourable conditions supported the tireless firefighting efforts.

The Lee Valley Fire. Photo credit Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

By February 11, with the fire now contained and controlled, Incident Controller Steve Trigg announced a gradual scaling back of crews. Specialised drone crews proved invaluable in identifying and extinguishing hotspots, expediting progress and showcasing the integration of technology in firefighting strategies. The ongoing investigation ruled out suspicious causes for the fire, providing some clarity in the aftermath of uncertainty.

As Fire and Emergency concluded operations on February 12, forestry crews took over monitoring responsibilities. The investigation into the fire's cause continued, underlining the commitment to learning from this incident. While suspicions of foul play were ruled out, the community's resilience and support were acknowledged as vital components in overcoming this natural disaster. The community rallied behind the firefighters, inundating them with support, including baking. Incident Controller Steve Trigg expressed gratitude for this overwhelming wave of generosity.

Incident Controller Steve Trigg’s said “We'd like to thank everyone involved on the front line - as well as in the community - who worked together to get the fire under control and support the residents.”  

Amid a collective sigh of relief, Incident Controller Steve Trigg's words resonate – a reflection on the strength of community bonds and the collaborative efforts that brought the fire under control. The next chapter begins with continued monitoring, and a community forever bound by their triumph over adversity. The Lee Valley Fire stands not just as a chapter in the history of Tasman but as a tribute to the unyielding spirit of a community that faced the flames together and emerged stronger on the other side.

Renovation brings WWII aircraft hanger back to life - Plus a bit of WWII airport history

 

Nelson Airport WWII aircraft hanger after major renovations. Photo credit Beth Catley Nelson Airport Communications.

Major renovation brings WWII aircraft hangar back to life

PLUS - A bit of WWII airport history

NELSON AIRPORT

12 February 2024

Beth Catley Nelson Airport Communications

The nine-month renovation of a World War II-era aircraft hangar at Nelson Airport is complete,

bringing the heritage building back into commercial use.

Hangar 2 is a 3,400 square metre building located to the right as you enter Nelson Airport along Trent Drive. In early 2023, Nelson-based aircraft interior production and repair company Generation Global purchased the hangar and began renovations to turn it into a base of operations for the fit-out and refurbishment of aircraft.

While much of Generation Global’s commercial production takes place out of its Malaysian facility

and is exported globally, Nelson is an important base for the refurbishment of private aircraft. 

The renovations to Hangar 2 will allow the company to grow its local activities by providing a suitable covered storage facility.

The building had not been occupied since mid-2022.

Nelson Airport chief executive Mark Thompson said the redevelopment work was extensive,

requiring the complete removal of the building’s original cladding.

“It’s fantastic to see the building come to life again, with a new owner providing high-value aviation-related services here at the airport. 

My congratulations to Generation Global for an outstanding job on what was a challenging renovation in many respects.”

Generation Global CEO John Hill said they were looking forward to filling the hanger up with aircraft in the near future as the custom and VIP aircraft side of the business continues to grow.

Nelson Airport WWII aircraft hanger before major renovations. Photo credit Beth Catley Nelson Airport Communications.

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Nelson Airport war time history

Nelson airport was home to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Station Nelson (1941-1946) remembered in a plaque 4 laid in February 2000 at the airport. 

After war was announced in 1939, New Zealand government was in a state of emergency

Nelson Airport and civilian aircraft based there were taken over and a general air squadron was based there from 1940. 

Runways and buildings were constructed as a result. At the end of the war, some useful infrastructure remained ready for use by the New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC), which was the national domestic airline of New Zealand from 1947 until 1978 when it amalgamated with New Zealand’s international airline, Air New Zealand.

Aerial photograph of Nelson Aerodrome during World War II. Copy Collection, Nelson Provincial Museum

Information from the Nelson Historical Society Journal, Vo. 6, Issue 2, 1998, written by Alex Kerr 'His Memories of Nelson Aerodrome in WWII.' ——

When the machines used in land clearing in Murchison were withdrawn, the two caterpillar D 8's were railed from Glenhope to Nelson. One was shipped north to Kaitaia and the other was held at Nelson aerodrome to tidy up odd corners that had been left when Downer and Co had moved out. There were dispersal pits to be built in various places, where planes could be parked and camouflaged to hide them from view. There were dummy mockups parked in the open all over the place, to give any enemy spies the impression that there was a larger force available and to draw any enemy away from the real scene.

Some dispersal pits were built along Annesbrook Drive in vicinity of Maire Street but they were never used. After several houses at the corner of Parkers Road had been removed to allow the planes to be towed to the pits, it was discovered that they could not be manoeuvred along Bolt Road and out of the gate because the guard house on one side and a large workshop on the other prevented it. A section near Maire Street was levelled and palatial quarters built on it to accommodate the WAAF personnel, but they flatly refused to occupy the facilities. The outcome of this was the purchase of a large residence in Stoke, in the vicinity of Whareama, which sported a swimming pool. This apparently suited their requirements and they occupied the house for the duration.

Other dispersal pits were constructed around the perimeter of the aerodrome and on the verge of the golf links. Some of these were roofed with camouflage. There was a battery of Bofor guns alongside Bolt road, and there was to be a battery of anti aircraft guns just north of a sandhill ridge between the aerodrome and the golf links. A bunker had been built in the sandhill ridge and work progressed in constructing solid mounts for the guns when they arrived. A senior officer with much red and yellow adornment about his uniform arrived and was taken to see the preparations. On being asked his opinion, he replied "Very good, but the bloody guns are on wheels and this will be no use."

I was duly sent with my bulldozer to destroy the whole scene and cover it up with sand. I had no sooner done this man trucks arrived with top soil for me to spread over the exposed sand, and it was then sown with grass seed, all in the space of a few hours. The grass seed had not had time to germinate before the guns arrived with solid mounts. These guns could operate from solid mounts, forward area mounts or from wheels and there was a scramble then to get them into operation. The Anchor Foundry was engaged to make four sets of forward area mounts from the blueprints which had been supplied.

An area of Tahunanui beach known as Hounsell's Circle had been levelled and grassed among the sandhills to provide a picnic area. It covered about half an acre and was approximately where the skating rink now is. I was sent to this area to enlarge it to its present size so that the anti aircraft battery could be set up on forward area mounts. 

Sand hills and pine trees disappeared with gay abandon with not a conservationist in sight. Pits were dug and filled with hard filling from Dixon's pit at the corner of Nayland and Quarantine Roads. The fill was continually watered and rolled to give a solid foundation for the guns.

At the same time work was proceeding up on the cliffs at Moncrieff's. Two gun emplacements were built of concrete to accommodate two six inch guns, but only one of them arrived. It was branded 1903 and was duly installed, with the help of the D 8 that I was driving, and was test fired at half charge. The other never arrived except for a wooden dummy that occupied its position.

A bunker was built in the hillside up Arapiki Road to serve as a control centre for the aerodrome in the event of enemy action. I never went inside this structure, but assisted with the placement of Tahuna sand around the outside to deaden the effect of bombardment. I was told by some of the other workers that there was an exit tunnel into the plantation up behind it. I have often wondered what became of that bunker. Several of the dispersal pits on Annesbrook Drive were eventually sold for building sections.

No photographs were ever taken of these activities, as cameras were prohibited and would have been confiscated if they appeared on the scene and the operator would probably have been interned for the duration. There were guards at all times to prevent entry to the aerodrome and each worker had a pass that he had to show to be let in. A high barbed wire fence ran from the golf links along through the camp ground, past the modellers pond and across the front beach to the low tide mark. The fence excluded entry to the anti aircraft guns. The personnel to operate the guns were largely made up of WAAC's who were accommodated at the southern end of the camp ground in army huts, with suitable ablution blocks built nearby. There was no unauthorised entry beyond this fence, which meant that most of the front beach and all of the back beach was out of bounds.

Alex Kerr

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE WAR TIME HISTORY OR PHOTOS OF THE AIRPORT PLEASE EMAIL ME AT:

EDITOR.PIGEONPOSTNEWS@GMAIL.COM       

  Thanks Ray  

NIWA Drought Index

New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) - 5 February 2024

 NIWA Drought Index and Hotspot Forecast

New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) - 5 February 2024

As of 5 February, the New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) map above shows that abnormally dry conditions are currently found in parts of Northland, Auckland, much of the lower North Island, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and far northern Southland. 

Very dry to extremely dry conditions are located in southern Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, eastern Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, parts of Canterbury, and northern Otago, while small areas of meteorological drought are indicated in southern Marlborough and far northern Canterbury. 

Please note: some hotspots in the text above may not correspond with the NZDI map. This difference exists because the NZDI uses additional dryness indices, including one which integrates the rainfall deficit over the past 60 days. Changes are therefore slower to appear in the NZDI compared to soil moisture anomaly maps that are instantaneously updated.

Hotspot Forecast

Soil moisture anomaly (mm) at 9am on 06/02/2024

Pictured above: Soil Moisture Anomaly Map, relative to this time of year. The map show soil moisture anomalies over the past weeks. NIWA.

A weekly update describing soil moisture patterns across the country to show where dry to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing significant soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions have the potential to develop into drought.

Recent rainfall and current soil moisture conditions:

South Island:

• Widespread rainfall amounts of more than 200 mm affected Fiordland in the past week, while the West Coast generally received 50-100 mm.
• Lower Southland received 30-60 mm, while the rest of Southland, Otago, and the upper South Island generally received up to 25 mm.  
• However, much of Canterbury received less than 10 mm.
• While many areas didn’t see much change in soil moisture in the past week, some increases were observed in the upper South Island and Southland, while central and southern Canterbury saw soil moisture decreases.  
• The driest soils across the South Island, when compared to normal for this time of the year, are found in Nelson, Marlborough and parts of Canterbury, while the wettest soils for this time of the year are found in the upper West Coast and western Tasman.  
• The previous hotspot in portions of southern Marlborough and northern Canterbury dissipated in the past week, and no other hotspots are currently present. However, parts of the upper and eastern South Island remain close to hotspot status.  
• As of 5 February, the New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) map below shows that abnormally dry conditions are currently found in Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and far northern Southland. Very dry to extremely dry conditions are located in eastern Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, parts of Canterbury, and northern Otago, while small areas of meteorological drought are indicated in southern Marlborough and far northern Canterbury.

NIWA.

"Nature's Wrath Unleashed: Tasman District Braces for Devastating Water Crisis"

 

Waimea Plains

Unprecedented rationing implemented for Moutere Eastern Groundwater zone -  Waimea Unaffiliated A Permits move to Stage One water restrictions

9 February, 2024 - Press release

Water Shortage Directions, which come into effect on Monday 12 February, 2024 will affect several water management zones across the Tasman District. 

For the first time, Stage Four rationing – or a 65% cut from authorised weekly usage – has been put in place  for the Moutere Eastern Groundwater Zone.  

These measures have come as the Moutere Deep Groundwater level dropped to its lowest on record – in reaching 29.8 metres, the Eastern Groundwater Zone is now below the Stage Three trigger of 31m. 

“These are unprecedented low levels, and we need to consider the aquifer integrity and protection,” Dry Weather Task Force Convenor Kim Drummond said. 

 “We also appreciate that these actions are being implemented at a time when irrigation and growing needs are at a critical phase of growing and/or harvesting. 

“Following discussions with those affected by potential restrictions, we have decided not to bring in a cease take for this zone in favour of moving to Stage Four rationing. 

“Moutere Western deep groundwater has fluctuated but seems to be at last weeks level – if there is overall decline in the coming week it may trigger Stage One rationing for next week.” 

Increased concern over an extended dry weather forecast in the coming weeks has led to Stage One restrictions being implemented for Unaffiliated water consent holders in Waimea and an unprecedented Stage Four rationing for the Moutere Eastern Groundwater Zone.  

As well as the Stage Four restrictions, Stage One rationing - or a 20% cut from authorised weekly usage will come into effect for Unaffiliated A Permit consent holders in the Waimea Delta, Golden Hills, Waimea Reservoir, Upper Confined, Waimea Upper Catchments and Waimea West Water Management Zones. 

Stage One rationing will continue for the Motupiko and Rainy Water Management Zones. 

Due to the dry state or extremely low flow of the Dovedale River and Powley Creek, respectively, new Cease Take for all surface water takes (excluding takes from storage) will commence for these Water Management Zones. The existing Cease Take for the Moutere Surface Water Management Zone will remain in effect. 

While recent rain had benefited Buller, Nelson Lakes and Golden Bay - other parts of the district have received minimal rainfall, averaging around 5 – 10 mm.  

Dry areas continue to be Moutere/Dovedale/Motupiko – with also soil condition being very dry in the Waimea as well.  

Kim said “We are grateful for everyone's cooperation and efforts to manage the water demand to reflect the dry conditions. Testament to consent holders’ support is that compliance levels across the district have been maintained at a level that demonstrates responsibility for compliance is being taken seriously”  

“However, with the next two weeks anticipated to be similarly dry – it is important we continue the good work in managing the water available to us.” 

Staff will continue to monitor and update information, with the Dry Weather Task Force team next reviewing the situation on Tuesday 13 February.  

In the meantime, it is important that consent holders were familiar with their Resource Consent conditions.     

These restrictions do not apply to users of Council-managed reticulated water supplies, which are subject to alternative restrictions.    

For more information, go to Current restrictions - consented and private supplies | Tasman District Council

Tasman District Council Communications.

Tākaka ITM fire contamination - bore water concerns eased with latest test results

ITM fire Tākaka

 

Tākaka bore water concerns eased with latest test results 

8 February, 2024 

Latest test results in relation to the ongoing monitoring of the Tākaka bore water situation have eased concern around the drinking water quality at all sample sites. 

We identified a number of houses and workplaces in Motupipi Street that use bore water that could have been potentially contaminated by run-off from firefighting at the ITM building site on Thursday 11 January. These occupiers had been contacted by Council staff.  

Bore water testing has been occurring regularly since then, with the area of focus being a cluster of properties around Motupipi Street, Factory Road, and Abel Tasman Drive. 

A positive sample was taken on Monday 22 January in Factory Road – which was outside the initial area of concern – as well as two properties on Motupipi Street within the original zone. 

As part of our regular testing regime, on the 2 February, the Council undertook further drinking water samples from the following nine locations:  

• One on Factory Road  
• Three on Abel Tasman Drive  
• Four on Motupipi Street  
• One on Hiawatha Lane 

The tests were for VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and specifically Dichloromethane. 

We are pleased to report that the testing results show that the Dichloromethane levels at all nine sampling points are within the maximum acceptable values set out in the drinking water standard.  

All 9 samples returned less than the detection limit of <0.010g/m3.  

These results have given us sufficient reassurance to remove our previous recommendation that users of the bore north-east of the fire site in Motupipi Street, Factory Road and the first section of Abel Tasman Drive (to Scotts Corner) refrain from drinking water. 

No further testing is proposed at this point, but we encourage anyone in Tākaka, in particular in north-east direction from the fire, to call council if they have any concerns or to report any issues with their water quality.  

If you are concerned about your health or are feeling unwell please contact Healthline for advice 0800 611 116, or seek medical attention immediately. If you need urgent attention, call 111 and ask for Ambulance.   

We would like to thank the entire Tākaka community for their patience and understanding while we have navigated the situation over the last month.

Tasman District Council, Communications.