Anzac DayThursday 25 April.

 

Anzac Day services and parades 2024

Lest we forget: services and parades will be held around the Tasman District on Thursday 25 April.

Richmond

Parade – 10.45 am from Sundial Square.

Service – 11.00 am at War Memorial Gardens, Cambridge Street.

Brightwater

Service - 9.00 am at Brightwater Domain, Lord Rutherford Road.  

Wakefield

Service – 10.00 am at the Wakefield Memorial.

Motueka

Parade – 6.15 am from the Motueka Bowling Club Carpark, Pah Street, Motueka.

Murchison

Laying of poppies - 6.30am Murchison Cemetery

Service – 11.00 am at the Memorial in Waller Street (Murchison Sport, Recreation and Cultural Centre if wet).

Māpua

Parade - 10:45 am, by the tennis courts.

Service – 11.00 am at Māpua RSA Memorial Library. 

Upper Moutere

Service – 10.30 am at the Memorial.

Tasman

Service – 10.30 am at the Memorial.

Riwaka 

Service – 9.00 am at the Memorial Gates, the intersection of School Road & SH60.

Tapawera

Service - 9.00am at the Tapawera Memorial Hall, Main Road

Ngatimoti

Laying of Wreath and Service – 10.30 am at St James Church, Waiwhero Road.

Tākaka

Dawn Service – 6.30 am at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve, Commercial Street.

Parade - 8.45 am, departs from outside Golden Bay Pharmacy

Civic Service - 9.00 am service at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve, Commercial Street.

Collingwood

Dawn Service - 6.30 am at the Cenotaph.

Civic Service - 11.30 am at the Collingwood Memorial Hall.

Lake Rotoiti

Flag Ceremony – 10.30 am at the Lake Rotoiti Community Hall, 22 Main Road St Arnaud.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Weather News Release

 Rain for some but settled weather returns next week

18/04/2024

Covering period of Thu 18 - Mon 22 April

The weather has been mostly fine across Aotearoa New Zealand, however, MetService forecasts a burst of rain on Saturday, before a large area of high pressure brings another run of settled weather as we move into next week. 

A cold front approaches the south of the South Island on Friday. Blustery northwesterly winds precede the arrival of rain in the south and west, however, by the end of the day the front weakens leaving areas north of Christchurch mostly dry. For the North Island passing showers are possible in most areas, with Horowhenua, Wellington and the east coast looking to remain dry.  

A low pressure system approaching from the Tasman Sea is forecast to bring rain to a large portion of the North Island, leaving most of the South Island remaining dry on Saturday. 

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states, “the weather models have different ideas about the extent and intensity of the incoming rain, so keep an eye on the forecast for Saturday if you are making outdoors plans.” 

Areas north of Taranaki to Napier are most likely to see rain on Saturday with the potential for some heavy falls in the mix. The further south, the less likely rain becomes, but there is risk the wet weather will reach as far south as Wellington and the top of the South Island. 

On Sunday the low pressure system moves away to the east which means clearer weather across the country. However, southerlies and showers are possible around Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, while westerly winds bring showers to the south and west of the South Island. 

As we enter the new working week high pressure moves in across the country, forecast to bring a settled run of weather. While this will be a good chance for parents to get the kids outdoors, there’s potential the weather will turn as we head towards ANZAC Day.

MetService.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced today the first steps in delivering on Local Water Done Well

 

Hon Simeon Brown.

Government announcement on Local Water Done Well

Cabinet has agreed on key steps to implement Local Water Done Well, the Coalition Government’s plan for financially sustainable locally delivered water infrastructure and services, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. 

"Councils and voters resoundingly rejected Labour’s expensive and bureaucratic Three Waters regime, and earlier this year the Coalition Government repealed their policies.

“Today, we are announcing the next steps on how we will be implementing Local Water Done Well. This clear plan will deliver better, financially sustainable, and affordable water services while retaining local control of water assets.

“Our plan recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered. The Government expects councils will work together to address financial sustainability and affordability challenges.”

Cabinet has agreed to a streamlined decision-making process for the establishment of council-controlled organisations (CCOs) for water services as part of Local Water Done Well.

“The Government’s transitional legislation is expected to be passed by mid-2024 and will make it easier for early movers to shift the delivery of water services into CCOs as a first step, setting the foundations for more financially sustainable and transparent services.

“Transitional provisions will also include the requirement for councils to prepare Water Services Delivery Plans within 12 months to demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that are financially sustainable, meet regulatory standards for water infrastructure quality, and unlock housing growth. This will require the ring-fencing of funding so that sufficient revenues from water services are used to maintain those assets.

“Information supplied by councils in these Plans will assist in the establishment of economic regulation for water services by late 2025, ensuring fair prices and service quality for consumers, and appropriate investment in infrastructure,” Mr Brown says.

“The Government will provide further details in mid-2024 on the broader range of structural and financing tools which will be available to councils to ensure they can make the required investment in water services infrastructure. This legislation will be passed by the middle of 2025.”

The Government is currently working with Auckland Council as it develops options to the financial sustainability of Watercare’s investment programme.

“Cabinet has agreed a path which would enable any required legislative changes for a financially sustainable model for Watercare to be included in the Transitional Provisions Bill.”

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Tasman lifts all urban water restrictions

 

All Council-managed reticulated water supply restrictions lifted for Tasman

17 April, 2024

Tasman District Council has lifted all water restrictions on its Council-managed reticulated water supplies with immediate effect.

Due to significant rainfall last week, rivers in the affected catchments have returned to flows at which Council is able to lift the phased water restrictions for the Dovedale, Eighty-Eight Valley and Wakefield water supplies.

 

These areas had previously been under Phase C and D restrictions. However, the improvement in flow means that customers on those supplies are no longer required to restrict their water use.

 

There are no other Council-operated water supplies with restrictions at this time.

 

Residents on the Eighty-Eight Valley scheme are reminded that there is still a temporary boil water notice in place until testing confirms that the water quality has returned to normal following the heavy rainfall.

Residents will be advised when the notice is lifted.

By continuing to limit water use in the meantime, those on this scheme can reduce the risk of drawing lower quality water into their tanks.

 

Those on the Dovedale water scheme are also reminded that their supply is on a permanent boil water notice.

Outside of Council-managed reticulated water supplies, rationing measures are still in place for water consent holders in the Moutere Eastern and Western Groundwater water management zones.

We wish to thank everyone for their efforts to limit water use while restrictions have been in place.

Information around water tips can be found at www.tasman.govt.nz/my-property/water/water-saving-tips  

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

Tasman District Council.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Fire season changes for the Coastal, Waimea and Nelson North zones

 

Source Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Fire season changes for the Coastal, Waimea and Nelson North zones

Since we have had a tremendous amount of rain here in Tasman and Nelson, Fire and Emergency New Zealand have changed the fire restrictions for Coastal, Waimea and Nelson zones from today 15 April 2024.

Coastal, Waimea and Nelson North zones will move from a prohibited fire season (total fire ban) to a restricted fire season from 8am Monday 15 April, until further notice.

This means no open-air fires can be legally lit unless a fire permit has been applied for and approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Announcing the fire season change, Community Risk Manager, Steve Trigg says “the rain over the past few days in Nelson Marlborough has eased the fire conditions.”

"While the risk has reduced, people still need to be mindful when lighting any fires outdoors with a permit.”

The change means the whole of the Nelson-Tasman area is in a restricted fire season, other than the Tasman coast, which remains in a prohibited fire season. Marlborough North is in a restricted fire season while Marlborough South remains in a prohibited fire season.

"It is important people are aware they still must have the necessary permissions and must ensure any fires are kept well controlled and safe.

"Always visit checkitsalright.nz before lighting and avoid lighting fires during or ahead of strong winds.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

MetService Weather News Release - Settled Start to the School Holidays

 

Settled Start to the School Holidays

15/04/2024

Covering period of Monday 15 - Thursday 18 April

As the remnants of the weather system from last week move away to the east, the first week of the April school holidays begins with settled weather. Although MetService is forecasting cloud and showers at times, there will be plenty of blue skies and sunshine to go around, before we reach a potentially damp weekend.

 

This week begins with short-lived, isolated showers speckled across the western halves of both the North and South Islands, but a ridge of high pressure rules the situation over country. Eastern regions can expect a dry Monday, though shorter days and weaker sunshine at this time of the year combined with light winds means morning cloud will take longer to clear up over the day – if at all.

A weak cold front moves onto the lower South Island before dawn on Tuesday, bringing rain about Southland and Otago in the morning, and the west coast of the South Island in the afternoon and evening. The front quickly loses steam as it tracks northwards and anticipated rainfall totals are well below those seen last week. 

MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor details, “The good news for the west coast is that after this band of rain, they can expect a couple of dry days over Wednesday and Thursday. Eastern regions are expected to miss most of the rain, although a few showers may crop up as everything moves through. Despite this, no matter where you are spending the next few days you can expect some sunshine.”

A shift in the weather is in store later this week, as a low-pressure system tracks over the Tasman Sea towards Aotearoa. The outlook indicates the possibility of a wet weekend over the North Island and cooler conditions in the South Island. MetService recommends keeping up to date with the latest forecasts and severe weather alerts on www.metservice.com, especially anyone planning to travel over the weekend. 

MetService Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Tasman Dry Weather Task Force update - April 12 2024

 Tasman Dry Weather Task Force update 

April 12, 2024

 

The significant amount of rainfall this week has allowed water rationing to be lifted for all Tasman consent holders except those in the Moutere Eastern and Western Groundwater Zones. 

Tasman's Dry Weather Task Force (DWTF) has updated its water restrictions for consent holders across the district.   

The following Water direction notices will apply from Monday 15 April 2024 for consent holders in these Water Management Zones:    

Changes to previous week: 

• Removal of cease takes in Motupiko, Rainy and Moutere Surface/Dove/Powley Creek.  
•  Tākaka, Waimea Unaffiliated, Stanley Brook, Baton/Wangapeka/ Glenrae/Tadmor/Tapawera - no restrictions. 
• Stage 3 rationing has been lifted for Wai-iti Dam Service and Wai-Iti Zone. However, we will continue to manage the release of water from the Kainui Dam while river flows and rainfall assist with replenishment. 

Continued directions:  

• Moutere Eastern Groundwater – stage 4 (a 65% cut) remains   
• Moutere Western Groundwater – stage 2 (a 35% cut) remains    

Most areas within the district have had at least 50mm of rain in the last 24 hours to Friday AM, with Anatoki receiving almost 400mm during this period. 

All rivers have had good flushes and have reached between low and moderate flood flows while as of Friday morning, the Waimea Dam was overflowing.

However, Tasman DWTF Convenor Kim Drummond said despite the relief the rain had brought, it was still a concern that the two deep Moutere Zones – which have been severely affected by the dry weather over summer - are only slowly rising.  

“While the rain is most welcome for all areas, we need to remain vigilant regarding the management of Moutere groundwater. 

“We will also be sending staff out to check that the Moutere surface water has been replenished to the expected level. If the result comes back that the surface water has not risen as projected then a restriction will be reinstated. 

“It is important to protect the recovery of the aquifer. We want to ensure that all efforts are made to encourage sustained water level rises in these zones. “ 

 Regarding decisions that come from the Dry Weather Task Force, it is important that Consent holders take heed of the directions and remain familiar with Resource Consent conditions.    

Watering of lawns or decorative gardens is not permitted for any water user situated in water management zones where rationing is in effect.  This excludes users of Council managed reticulated water supply (where alternative restrictions will apply).    

Stock drinking water is not affected by these water restrictions.    

The position will be reviewed by the Dry Weather Taskforce next week. 
     
For more information, go to https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-property/water/water-supply/current-water-restrictions/

Tasman District Council.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.