Latest news with #DanGordon
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Static review: A stranded astronaut, an Irish radio ham and snatches of a strange, poignant frequency
Static Peacock stage, Abbey Theatre, Dublin ★★★☆☆ In 1991 Sergei Krikalev was launched into space on what was meant to be a four-month mission. But by then the Soviet Union had collapsed, and the country that had promised to bring him home no longer existed. Remarkably, during the 10 months for which the cosmonaut was left stranded aboard the Mir space station, he managed to make contact with a handful of amateur radio operators, including a man in rural Ireland. It's the kind of archival news story that's irresistible to a writer. Unsurprisingly, it caught the imagination of Jimmy McAleavey, who used it as a springboard for Static. But this is not a dramatisation of those events. Instead the play fictionalises this moment of unlikely connection, turning it into something more allegorical and, sadly, a bit flatter. Visually, the production is captivating. Alyson Cummins's set is simple but powerful, a retro technological dreamscape of blinking devices, stacked in the dark, that evoke circuit boards, night cities and distant constellations. On one side of the stage sits Moonman, a lonely recluse in Donegal, played with an unexpectedly tender touch by Dan Gordon. On the other is Spaceman, the archetypal all-American action hero, played with just the right note of performative tinniness by Seán Mahon. Between them spins a glowing toy Earth. An acute problem has arisen. Spaceman, stranded in a failing space station, has lost all official channels of communication and will soon drift fatally off course unless someone on Earth intervenes. That someone, unfortunately, is Moonman, who's too anxious to leave his home, let alone persuade anyone that he's in touch with a dying astronaut. READ MORE Static: Seán Mahon as Spaceman. Photograph: Rich Davenport Even if he could bring himself to call for help, who would believe him? And perhaps, deep down, he doesn't really want to save him. Perhaps he's so starved of conversation that he'd rather keep him talking, suspended in a shared solitude. The characters are drawn from different tonal universes. This contrast brings flashes of humour and unexpected lyricism. McAleavey's dialogue is attuned to the strange intimacy of radio and to the intoxicated grandeur of early American space mythology: the endless frontier, the dream of expansion, the boyish hope and the looming void. Static: Dan Gordon as Moonman. Photograph: Rich Davenport But the arc of the play is ultimately too neat. To return to Earth, Spaceman must coax Moonman out of isolation. They both need the other to return to the world. The two men are revealed to be more alike than different: both ruled by fear, one hiding in his room, the other in space. There's a satisfying symmetry to the structure, but it leans toward the schematic. Dichotomies are set up and then cleanly reversed. The psychological unravelling tracks on a level of sense but never feels true on an experiential or emotional level. The problem is partly formal: the dialogue-heavy structure becomes an exhaustive sounding-out of themes rather than a dramatic unfolding. It begins to feel, aptly, static. Still, there are moments when the play seems to catch a strange and poignant frequency, something bruised, offbeat and humane. Static is at the Abbey Theatre , Dublin, until Friday, July 18th
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Council unlocks land for up to 17,000 homes in Canterbury
Land for up to 17,000 homes in the Waimakariri district will be unlocked - but there is no room for an 850-home development at Ohoka. Waimakariri District Council adopted its revised District Plan on Tuesday, opening up land for housing in Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Oxford. Mayor Dan Gordon said the new plan will provide land for between 14,000 and 17,000 new houses over the next 30 years, allowing the population to grow from 74,000 to around 100,000. ''This is a momentous day and probably one of the biggest decisions this council will make.'' Councillor Tim Fulton hailed it as a ''once in a generation'' decision. New housing developments in Rangiora include a new west Rangiora sub-division, development around Rangiora Airfield, and the expanding Bellgrove sub-division to the east. In Kaiapoi, land has been opened up to the south near Hellers and the Beach Grove sub-division is expanding. At Woodend, there will be a new development at Gressons Road, while Oxford has a new residential development in the town and a new large lot residential development on Ashley Gorge Road. But the commissioners recommended a proposed development by Carter Group at Ohoka be declined. It is the second time independent commissioners have rejected the development, after a private plan change was declined in November 2023. The proposed Ohoka housing development is still subject to an Environment Court appeal and was included for consideration in the Government's Fast-track Approvals Act. The west Rangiora and Gressons Road, Woodend developments were also included in the Fast-track Approvals Act for consideration. Work on the new District Plan began in 2016 and it was first notified in September 2021. But it has not been helped by changing Government legislation. The new medium density residential housing standards (MDRS), announced in November 2021, forced the council to do a separate consultation process to consider a variation to the District Plan. It allows for three units and up to three storeys, subject to conditions, and has been applied to Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood, meaning there is potential for up to 80,000 new houses. ''We could have stopped this process because change was coming, but we needed to create a plan for our district now, regardless of what might change in the future,'' Mr Gordon said. ''This plan brings us as up to date as we can be.'' The council's development planning manager Matt Bacon said how many new houses are built will depend on housing density. ''We need to make some assumptions around housing density. Technically it would give us capacity for 80,000 properties. ''But practically we know that is not going to happen.'' There are new categories to comply with national planning standards, with rural residential being replaced by large lot residential (4ha) and rural lifestyle (1ha). New business zones include town centres, neighbourhood centres, local centres and industrial zones. The council plans to notify the new District Plan on July 14 and there will be a 30-day appeal period for submitters. The District Plan received strong support from councillors, with just councillor Paul Williams abstaining. He was one of several councillors to raise concerns about the inclusion of the MDRS rules. Drop-in sessions are planned to update residents on the new plan. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
1News
24-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
'Momentous': Canterbury council unlocks land for up to 17,000 homes
Land for up to 17,000 homes in the Waimakariri district will be unlocked — but there is no room for an 850-home development at Ohoka. Waimakariri District Council adopted its revised District Plan on Tuesday, opening up land for housing in Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Oxford. Mayor Dan Gordon said the new plan will provide land for between 14,000 and 17,000 new houses over the next 30 years, allowing the population to grow from 74,000 to around 100,000. "This is a momentous day and probably one of the biggest decisions this council will make." Councillor Tim Fulton hailed it as a "once-in-a-generation" decision. ADVERTISEMENT New housing developments in Rangiora include a new west Rangiora sub-division, development around Rangiora Airfield, and the expanding Bellgrove sub-division to the east. In Kaiapoi, land has been opened up to the south near Hellers and the Beach Grove sub-division is expanding. At Woodend, there will be a new development at Gressons Rd, while Oxford has a new residential development in the town and a new large lot residential development on Ashley Gorge Rd. But the commissioners recommended a proposed development by Carter Group at Ohoka be declined. It is the second time independent commissioners have rejected the development, after a private plan change was declined in November 2023. The Waimakariri District Plan allows for more housing growth. (Source: David Hill / North Canterbury News) The proposed Ohoka housing development is still subject to an Environment Court appeal and was included for consideration in the Government's Fast-track Approvals Act. ADVERTISEMENT The west Rangiora and Gressons Rd, Woodend developments were also included in the Fast-track Approvals Act for consideration. Work on the new District Plan began in 2016 and it was first notified in September 2021. But it has not been helped by changing Government legislation. The new medium density residential housing standards (MDRS), announced in November 2021, forced the council to do a separate consultation process to consider a variation to the District Plan. It allows for three units and up to three storeys, subject to conditions, and has been applied to Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood, meaning there is potential for up to 80,000 new houses. "We could have stopped this process because change was coming, but we needed to create a plan for our district now, regardless of what might change in the future," Gordon said. "This plan brings us as up to date as we can be." ADVERTISEMENT The council's development planning manager Matt Bacon said how many new houses are built will depend on housing density. "We need to make some assumptions around housing density. Technically it would give us capacity for 80,000 properties. "But practically we know that is not going to happen." There are new categories to comply with national planning standards, with rural residential being replaced by large lot residential (4 hectares) and rural lifestyle (1 hectares). New business zones include town centres, neighbourhood centres, local centres and industrial zones. The council plans to notify the new District Plan on July 14 and there will be a 30-day appeal period for submitters. The District Plan received strong support from councillors, with just councillor Paul Williams abstaining. ADVERTISEMENT He was one of several councillors to raise concerns about the inclusion of the MDRS rules. Drop-in sessions are planned to update residents on the new plan. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury council unlocks land for up to 17,000 homes
Land for up to 17,000 homes in the Waimakariri district will be unlocked - but there is no room for an 850-home development at Ohoka. Waimakariri District Council adopted its revised District Plan on Tuesday, opening up land for housing in Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend and Oxford. Mayor Dan Gordon said the new plan will provide land for between 14,000 and 17,000 new houses over the next 30 years, allowing the population to grow from 74,000 to around 100,000. ''This is a momentous day and probably one of the biggest decisions this council will make.'' Councillor Tim Fulton hailed it as a ''once in a generation'' decision. New housing developments in Rangiora include a new west Rangiora sub-division, development around Rangiora Airfield, and the expanding Bellgrove sub-division to the east. In Kaiapoi, land has been opened up to the south near Hellers and the Beach Grove sub-division is expanding. At Woodend, there will be a new development at Gressons Road, while Oxford has a new residential development in the town and a new large lot residential development on Ashley Gorge Road. But the commissioners recommended a proposed development by Carter Group at Ohoka be declined. It is the second time independent commissioners have rejected the development, after a private plan change was declined in November 2023. The proposed Ohoka housing development is still subject to an Environment Court appeal and was included for consideration in the Government's Fast-track Approvals Act. The west Rangiora and Gressons Road, Woodend developments were also included in the Fast-track Approvals Act for consideration. Work on the new District Plan began in 2016 and it was first notified in September 2021. But it has not been helped by changing Government legislation. The new medium density residential housing standards (MDRS), announced in November 2021, forced the council to do a separate consultation process to consider a variation to the District Plan. It allows for three units and up to three storeys, subject to conditions, and has been applied to Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood, meaning there is potential for up to 80,000 new houses. ''We could have stopped this process because change was coming, but we needed to create a plan for our district now, regardless of what might change in the future,'' Mr Gordon said. ''This plan brings us as up to date as we can be.'' The council's development planning manager Matt Bacon said how many new houses are built will depend on housing density. ''We need to make some assumptions around housing density. Technically it would give us capacity for 80,000 properties. ''But practically we know that is not going to happen.'' There are new categories to comply with national planning standards, with rural residential being replaced by large lot residential (4ha) and rural lifestyle (1ha). New business zones include town centres, neighbourhood centres, local centres and industrial zones. The council plans to notify the new District Plan on July 14 and there will be a 30-day appeal period for submitters. The District Plan received strong support from councillors, with just councillor Paul Williams abstaining. He was one of several councillors to raise concerns about the inclusion of the MDRS rules. Drop-in sessions are planned to update residents on the new plan. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
'We are not a shop': Council hits back at critics
The Waimakariri District Council adopted its 2025/26 plan on Tuesday. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News Waimakariri councillors have taken aim at online critics, as they locked in an average rates rise of 4.98%. ''We are not a shop,'' councillor Tim Fulton said. ''We can turn down the lights, but the obligation to our community doesn't change.'' The Waimakariri District Council adopted its annual plan at a meeting today, with the backing of Mayor Dan Gordon and nine councillors. During the meeting, councillors took aim at comments online that said the council needed to rein in its spending and be run more like a business. Cr Joan Ward said the council provides a variety of services, including roading, infrastructure, pools and libraries. ''We are not a business. When you compare what we offer with your power bill, so much is received for the community for much the same expense.'' The Waimakariri district is continuing to support growth. Photo: Waimakariri District Council In moving the motion to adopt the annual plan, Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said transparency has become ''a buzz word''. Power bills have gone up an average 11% this year and insurance an average 22%, compared to the council's 4.98% rate rise, he said. ''I don't know any business which is as transparent as a government agency like us.'' Councillor Paul Williams, who has been critical of council spending, abstained from the annual plan vote and didn't comment during the debate. The annual plan consultation received 787 submissions, with the bulk on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation. A water services delivery plan has since been prepared for a beefed-up internal business unit to manage water services, after 97% of submissions backed the proposal. The council plans to spend nearly $90m on capital projects over the next 12 months to support the ongoing growth. During the meeting, Mayor Dan Gordon paid tribute to Mr Atkinson, who plans to retire at the election. ''I could not have asked for a more loyal deputy behind me. I've had someone who gives extraordinary advice and support.'' ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
