Latest news with #Pearce
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Mayor's vote seals decision to go with CCO
Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers. PHOTO: ODT FILES A mayoral casting vote was needed to decide how Three Waters services will be delivered in the Queenstown Lakes district. After nearly three hours' debate at a full council meeting yesterday, Mayor Glyn Lewers used his vote to ensure council staff's recommended option of a council-controlled organisation (CCO) won the day. Councillors were evenly split on the issue, despite 77% of the 118 submissions received during community consultation favouring the retention of Three Waters services in house. In her report for councillors, strategy and reform manager Pennie Pearce said submitters' main concerns about a CCO had either already been addressed by her original analysis, or would be dealt with by amendments to the government's "Local Water Done Well" reforms. Since submissions had opened in June, amendments had been made to the Local Government (Water Services) Bill that strengthened the case for a CCO, Ms Pearce said. Asked by Cr Esther Whitehead whether the council's recommendation showed a disregard for the consultation process, chief executive Mike Theelen said it was not a "game of numbers". He urged councillors to make their decisions "based on the information and evidence before you". The decision means the council will transfer the district's drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets — and associated liabilities — to a CCO, but will be its sole shareholder. Ms Pearce's analysis projects average annual water charges for households to be 10% lower under a CCO in the long term, compared with the in-house model. The CCO will operate independently from the council, with its own specialist board and management, although amendments to the Bill will require CCOs to consult with the community on matters of significance. The council's debt is expected to significantly decrease, giving it more headroom for other capital spending. Property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery told councillors a CCO would be "singular in its purpose", faster to respond to changing circumstances and better placed to secure debt and expertise. Cr Lisa Guy said the small number of submissions — about 100 from a population of more than 50,000 — did not represent a mandate for keeping the status quo. Many submitters had opposed a CCO, but also criticised the existing model for its delivery of Three Waters services. "If we're in agreement the status quo isn't delivering, how can we not be open to a model that might provide us with hope of doing it better?" Cr Niki Gladding said they were making their decision in a "fear and pressure environment" arising from repeated staff warnings of how central government might react if they chose the in-house model. "Neither option is the status quo. Both are an improvement. "I don't see why we can't achieve the benefits of a CCO — bar losing the debt — with an excellent in-house model." Cr Matt Wong said he was wary of basing his decision on cost, because he was sceptical about the accuracy of financial projections over such a long time period. They were under pressure from the government to make a decision based on highly complex information and a great deal of uncertainty, and he joked he would "need a coin" to make his. "I hope the public listening today is not going to judge any one of us on which way we vote."
West Australian
10 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce to miss a fourth consecutive game as former captain Nat Fyfe set for WAFL return
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce will miss a fourth-consecutive game with a shin injury after not being named to take on Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday. It comes as dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe is set to suit up in the WAFL once again this season when Peel Thunder take on Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium as he works his way back from a calf injury. Pearce was listed as a test to take on the Blues, having suited up just once since round 11 because of a hot spot in his shin which has derailed his season. However, the 30-year-old won't return despite training strongly on Wednesday and pushing to play as the Dockers look to cement themselves in the top eight and finals for the first time since 2022. It is believed Pearce is unlikely to play in the WAFL for the Thunder, while Fyfe is set to suit up for Peel for the second time the fifth time this year having played three pre-season games as well as a league game in round two — when he sustained a hamstring strain. Fremantle have so far only added midfielder Will Brodie, defender Brandon Walker and key defender Josh Draper to an extended bench from the side that defeated West Coast by 49 points in the western derby at the weekend. Brodie is a chance to play his first AFL game since round seven, 2023 after racking up 41 touches and a goal in a win against West Coast's WAFL side on Sunday. Walker has been unable to force his way back into Fremantle's side after he injured his shoulder in the round two defeat to Sydney, while Josh Draper last played in round 15 against Essendon. Carlton will be forced to make at least three changes after the club revealed key spearhead Charlie Curnow would miss the rest of the season after he had minor knee surgery to fix a problem which developed after last week's loss to Hawthorn. Former Docker Adam Cerra will also miss with injury, while veteran Sam Docherty has retired. The Blues have named six potential inclusions in Francis Evans, Lewis Young, Flynn Young, Jaxon Binns, Jordan Boyd and Hudson O'Keefe. Fremantle v Carlton Sunday, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm DOCKERS B: L Ryan B Cox O McDonald HB: H Chapman K Worner J Clark C: J O'Meara H Young N O'Driscoll HF: S Switkowski P Voss S Bolton F: M Frederick J Treacy J Amiss FOLL: L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw I/C: S Darcy M Reid W Brodie B Banfield N Erasmus B Walker I Dudley J Draper IN: W Brodie B Walker J Draper BLUES B: A Saad J Weitering M Carroll HB: L Cowan H O'Farrell N Haynes C: B Acres P Cripps C Lord HF: Z Williams J Motlop O Hollands F: L Fogarty H McKay W White FOLL: T De Koning G Hewett A Moir I/C: M Pittonet F Young L Young F Evans C Durdin J Binns J Boyd H O'Keeffe IN: F Young L Young F Evans J Binns J Boyd H O'Keeffe OUT: S Docherty (retired) C Curnow A Cerra (both injured)
West Australian
12 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
AFLW: West Coast Eagles building to full strength ahead of opener
West Coast will unleash young gun Ella Roberts and defender Jessica Rentsch on the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's AFLW scratch match at Mineral Resources Park. Roberts, last season's club champion, will be joined by Rentsch in a new-look midfield, while hard-running midfielder Ali Drennan will also return from a shoulder injury. But Roberts' captaincy partner Bella Lewis is likely to be held back until the Eagles' round one clash with Gold Coast on March 16. Lewis, Roberts and Rentsch were all missing in last weekend's scratch derby against Fremantle. 'Rentschy had gone home for a family matter, but she played in our back line last year. She'll move up into our midfield, she's been training really well,' Eagles coach Daisy Pearce said. 'Those three will come back. Bella Lewis, more likely round one, so she won't play any practice match minutes this week. 'She's been working her way back from an ankle (injury) she got early in the pre-season, but starting to look pretty promising and exciting to have her back out on the track.' Pearce described second-year player Rentsch as a 'young pro'. 'As much as what she does on the field, the way she carries herself off, she's a young pro,' Pearce said. 'She's very diligent with the way she attacks her program, treats herself like a professional athlete. 'She doesn't forget to have fun and bring the energy and have a bit of a laugh as well. So they're crucial to the environment young players like that. 'Then she goes out there and she competes like her life depends on it sometimes in the first few drills of the training session. 'But I'd prefer to see that than to have to bring it out in someone so she really sets the tone.' Draftee defender Charlotte Riggs is another player in the mix after recovering from a broken wrist. 'She's worked on her run, has great speed, her endurance and her ability to keep going through a game has probably been something that she's worked really hard in in the off season, as have a number of our players,' Pearce said. Pearce said the absence of first-choice mids Roberts and Lewis from the derby practice match gave the coach a look at other on-ball combinations. 'We got to see Kayley Kavanagh, who was drafted last year but missed the season with an ACL,' Pearce said. 'Lou painter we drafted with our first pick this year, Abby Bushby and Courtney Rowley, who have been on our list for a couple of years as mids, but to see those four have full opportunity and exposure against the really experienced, mature line-up that Freo put out there was great, and they competed really well and held their own.'
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles building to full strength ahead of AFLW opener
West Coast will unleash young gun Ella Roberts and defender Jessica Rentsch on the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's AFLW scratch match at Mineral Resources Park. Roberts, last season's club champion, will be joined by Rentsch in a new-look midfield, while hard-running midfielder Ali Drennan will also return from a shoulder injury. But Roberts' captaincy partner Bella Lewis is likely to be held back until the Eagles' round one clash with Gold Coast on March 16. Lewis, Roberts and Rentsch were all missing in last weekend's scratch derby against Fremantle. 'Rentschy had gone home for a family matter, but she played in our back line last year. She'll move up into our midfield, she's been training really well,' Eagles coach Daisy Pearce said. 'Those three will come back. Bella Lewis, more likely round one, so she won't play any practice match minutes this week. 'She's been working her way back from an ankle (injury) she got early in the pre-season, but starting to look pretty promising and exciting to have her back out on the track.' Pearce described second-year player Rentsch as a 'young pro'. Jessica Rentsch in action last year. Credit: Will Russell / AFL Photos 'As much as what she does on the field, the way she carries herself off, she's a young pro,' Pearce said. 'She's very diligent with the way she attacks her program, treats herself like a professional athlete. 'She doesn't forget to have fun and bring the energy and have a bit of a laugh as well. So they're crucial to the environment young players like that. 'Then she goes out there and she competes like her life depends on it sometimes in the first few drills of the training session. 'But I'd prefer to see that than to have to bring it out in someone so she really sets the tone.' Draftee defender Charlotte Riggs is another player in the mix after recovering from a broken wrist. 'She's worked on her run, has great speed, her endurance and her ability to keep going through a game has probably been something that she's worked really hard in in the off season, as have a number of our players,' Pearce said. Pearce said the absence of first-choice mids Roberts and Lewis from the derby practice match gave the coach a look at other on-ball combinations. 'We got to see Kayley Kavanagh, who was drafted last year but missed the season with an ACL,' Pearce said. 'Lou painter we drafted with our first pick this year, Abby Bushby and Courtney Rowley, who have been on our list for a couple of years as mids, but to see those four have full opportunity and exposure against the really experienced, mature line-up that Freo put out there was great, and they competed really well and held their own.'
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Suspect in death of retired St. Catharines firefighter arrested
A man wanted in the death of an 82-year-old St. Catharines man who was struck by his own vehicle at a park in Lincoln has been arrested. Niagara Regional Police said Wednesday that Davy Rocchetti is in custody, facing a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Larry Pearce. Rocchetti, 50, of no fixed address, was arrested Tuesday at about 7:30 p.m. outside the region by NRP detectives with the assistance of Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police. Pearce, a retired St. Catharines firefighter, leaves behind his spouse, two children and grandchildren. Police said Pearce arrived at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln on Thursday, July 17, at 9 a.m. and stayed for about 40 minutes. As he was leaving in his grey Honda CRV, he stopped near the park's front entrance and got out. Police said at that point, a man entered the vehicle and took the wheel. Police said Pearce stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent the man from fleeing. During the confrontation, Pearce fell to the ground and the man drove away, leaving Pearce in critical condition. Pearce died from his injuries in hospital the next day. By Sunday, July 20, police had identified a suspect and released a photo. They later obtained a Canada-wide warrant for Rocchetti's arrest. On Thursday, July 24, Pearce's Honda was found in flames in Mississauga. Police said the vehicle was intentionally set on fire by a lone individual seen walking away from the area. After the arrest Tuesday, Rocchetti was returned to Niagara and was scheduled to appear for a bail hearing in St. Catharines Wednesday. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
