Latest news with #GoreDistrictCouncil
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Extension on district plan delivery sought
The Gore District Council wishes to extend the time it has to deliver its annual plan but it is well past the period when it would be forced to stop the whole process by a new government policy. The council is seeking to shift the deadline on delivering the plan to late-January next year from the planned August 29 this year. It is seeking an extension request from Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds. Plans changes came under the spotlight on Wednesday when Minister Responsible for Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Chris Bishop said a halt would be made for councils reviewing plans. He said councils were spending too much time on plan processes which would be "largely wasted" under new government RMA reforms. Council operations general manager David Bainbridge-Zafar said the council was in a good position. "The government intends the 'plan stop policy' will be enacted by the end of August. "Once enacted, councils will be required to stop progressing plan changes and plan reviews that are not yet at the hearings stage," he said. "Gore District Council is in a good position in that our proposed district plan is already well past that stage — our last hearing was in April. "Therefore, the minister's comments do not affect our work programme and we still intend to notify decisions on the proposed district plan by January, on the presumption that Ms Simmonds grants our recent extension request." The proposed plan, publicly notified on August 31, 2023, represents the first full-scale review of the district's planning rules since the current operative district plan came into effect in 2006. District plans act as blueprints for how land use, development and environmental protection will be managed in the years ahead. Mr Bainbridge-Zafar said the council needed more time due to a combination of factors that had slowed the decision-making process. There were more than 130 submissions and nearly 7000 individual submission points, more time was needed to deliver decisions which were "well-considered and legally sound", he said. Hearings for the proposed plan only began after a nearly four-month delay caused by submission period extensions and issues summarising submissions. Mr Bainbridge-Zafar said the extra time was essential to complete a thorough and fair review. Another key benefit of the extension is the opportunity to publish the new plan in an "ePlan" format, which will enhance accessibility and usability for residents, developers and planners alike. — APL
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Gore water now safe to drink
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Gore District Council has lifted the do not drink notice on the township's water supply following a third day of testing beneath the national limit. The municipal water supply has been off limits since Friday after a monthly sample breached the drinking water standards on Friday. Spokesperson Jason Domigan says levels in one well are still higher than normal, and the council would work with Environment Southland and water regulator Taumata Arowai to find out where the spike is coming from. Elevated nitrate levels pose a particular risk to pregnant women and formula-fed babies, but even relatively low levels have been linked to bowel cancer in some international research. The council says if people are unsure if their tap water is ready to drink, if they've already used the taps for showers, baths or toilets it was likely good to go. "Otherwise, just run the tap for a few minutes before drinking or brushing your teeth." A water tanker would remain at Eccles Street Playground for the next few days for anyone who wanted to access water there.
1News
6 days ago
- Health
- 1News
Water woes: Gore told to avoid tap water, Havelock on boil notice
Gore township residents have been told to stop consuming tap water, including drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth. The Gore District Council said it has detected a nitrate level "slightly above" the maximum acceptable value for drinking water, as set out in the drinking water standards for New Zealand. Elevated nitrate levels could affect infants under six months and pregnant women. Boiling water does not remove nitrates, and may increase concentrations. A maximum level of nitrates in drinking-water was set to prevent Blue Baby Syndrome — a serious condition in infants that could lead to reduced oxygen availability. Council general manager of critical services Jason Domigan said the health risk to the general population was "low" but the council advised all households to "avoid using tap water" for drinking purposes "until further notice. ADVERTISEMENT "This includes for drinking, food preparation, and brushing teeth." Water could still be used for washing, toilets, showers and baths, although care should be taken when bathing young children. Animals have a higher tolerance to nitrate so owners could decide whether they wantedt o give their pets water from the tap, he added. Domigan said the elevated levels were detected after a monthly sample showed an increase of nitrate in the water supply above usual levels. "This prompted us to take an additional sample from the treatment plant this morning, which detected a nitrate level of 11.4 mg/L. The Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) is 11.3 mg/L." The council said it has notified the southern district of Te Whatu Ora and Taumata Arowai, the country's water regulator, as required. Four water tankers would be available to supply free drinking water: ADVERTISEMENT Eccles Street playground Hokonui Drive by the Fire Station Hamilton Street opposite Oxford St playground Wentworth Street by Talbot Street Havelock issued three-year boil water notice Due to rule changes, the settlement at the head of Pelorus Sound has been told tap water is off limits. (Source: 1News) Earlier this week, Havelock was issued a boil water notice with a three-year timeline. The small town in the Marlborough region is located on the main route between Blenheim and Nelson. In a statement, Taumata Arowai said the notice was in place because Havelock's water supply couldn't inactivate protozoa, a type of parasite which can make people sick. Some business owners in the town feared the situation would put tourists off visiting the area. ADVERTISEMENT Havelock Garden Motel co-owner Kirsa Sowman told 1News: 'How are we supposed to provide water to our guests here at the motel … are we meant to provide [it]?' Kelly, who runs a guesthouse in the town, said the lengthy wait could kill her business. 'If I had a choice of going to a place which had a boiled water notice or going to a place which didn't have a boiled water notice, I know what direction I'd be going in.'
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Gore residents told not to drink tap water due to high nitrate levels
Gore residents are being advised not to drink their tap water. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Residents in the Southland district of Gore are being told not drink tap water, after high levels of nitrate were found in the water supply. Gore District Council said testing at Cooper's Well had revealed elevated levels of nitrate and while the health risk was low, people should avoid using tap water for drinking and food preparation as a precaution. It said Mataura's water was unaffected. The councils said boiling water did not remove nitrates and free drinking water would be available at the Eccles Street playground, Hokonui Drive by the fire station, Grace Church on Hamilton Street, and Wentworth Street by Talbot Street. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Election meeting to be held
PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Gore District Council is encouraging people to put their hands up for the local body elections and is holding a public meeting to explain what they are all about. Whether you are a potential candidate or just want to understand the process, the council will be hosting an evening tomorrow to answer all your burning questions. Starting at 5.30pm, it will aim to arm prospective candidates with information such as who is eligible to stand, nomination rules, what being a councillor involves and campaign basics. In general, Gore District Māori engagement lead Vanessa Whangapirita (left) and deputy electoral officer Frances Shepherd are also available for any questions regarding October's elections. The council wants to remind the people of Gore: "Don't forget, it's your place. Your vote. Your future."
