Council continuing to seek changes to Three Waters reformsGisborne District Council has not given up trying to bring changes to the Government's Three Waters reforms.Mayor Rehette Stoltz says she is continuing to advocate on behalf of the Tairāwhiti community concerning the Government's controversial reforms.On October 27, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the plan to combine all water services and infrastructure would go ahead, with minor changes to what was proposed.The reform means all 67 councils around the country will have their three waters (drinking, stormwater and wastewater) merged into four regional entities. Tairāwhiti is in Entity C, along with 20 other councils including Wellington.Mayor Stoltz says there are a number of workstreams happening nationally to try to bring about change to the proposed mandate and the council was an active part of those initiatives.“Our community has spoken loud and clear and I'll continue to advocate in their best interests. We have made our position clear to the Government in our submission and suggested other options we could explore together.”Over 650 people responded to a council survey in September in which 93 percent were opposed to the proposal.The council also commissioned an independent report which outlined flaws in the modelling and financial simulations.“While we understand the Government's position that the country's water infrastructure need an upgrade, our position remains unchanged,” the Mayor said.“We need to be assured our local voice won't be lost. I intend to continue to work behind the scenes to bring about change to the mandate and what is proposed.”Between January and June 2022 the Government begins consultation with local authorities.In July 2022 the first $500 million of the “better-off” funding becomes available to councils.Gisborne District Council's funding allocation is $28.8m.Public submissions and hearings will then take place between January and June 2023.By July 1, 2024, the timeline states the four new entities will take responsibility for delivering water services.At the same time, the remaining “better off” and “no worse off” funding will be made available to all councils.■ For more information on the Three Waters reform proposal, go to tinyurl.com/2p9fara9None
Unusual cattle line goes under the hammerA pen of speckled park heifers were sold at the last monthly cattle fair of the year at the Matawhero saleyards yesterday. The unusual line seen at the Gisborne sale were brought into the district for the auction. “They are derived from a Short Horn Angus cross, and are used with Friesians in the dairy industry,” a local stock agent said. “They are renowned for being well muscled and for their temperament.None
Eastland Port's electric water truck a New Zealand firstEastland Port is the proud owner of New Zealand's first electric water truck, one of the largest road-legal electric trucks in the country.The water truck is deployed daily to depress dust on the log yard and is an essential part of port operations. “Using an electric water truck in its operations is helping Eastland Port reduce carbon emissions and is part of our commitment to sound environmental practices,” said Eastland Group regional infrastructure chief operating officer Andrew Gaddum.“Other benefits include lower maintenance costs than a normal combustion diesel vehicle, lower running costs — and it's quiet.“Like a lot of new technology there were a few teething issues to sort out, but these have now been resolved and it's performing beyond our expectations. In terms of run times and delivery of water, it's fantastic. “From a driver's point of view, it's very easy to drive and extremely comfortable. It's just got a drive — an accelerator and a brake. I drove it the other day and it's incredible. It's as easy as driving an automatic car.”The electric truck replaces a Diesel 1996 Mitsubishi Fuso truck with a 13,000 litre water tank fitted to the back. The old water truck consumed 287 litres of diesel over a 35-day period. Using the EECA CO2 emissions calculator, which estimates the amount of CO2 created by burning fossil fuels, the old vehicle produced 0.77 tonnes of CO2 over this same 35-day period.“We've bought it as a trial and there are definitely other areas of our business that we can see the technology being applicable to,” said Mr Gaddum.“We wanted to get this one up and running to see how it performs for a year or so and then figure out whether we could use EVs in other parts of our fleet, like moving logs around or to the port.”A 60kW fast-charging station has also been installed at Eastland Port for the water truck.The electric water truck and charger have been partially funded by a grant from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) administered by EECA (Energy, Efficiency and Conservation Authority).Now the electric truck is in action at Eastland Port, it is expected to attract attention and inspire innovation across many diesel-dominated industries.“Our electric water truck is at the leading edge in transport, so all sorts of companies throughout the country are interested in seeing how it's performing,” Mr Gaddum said.The use of a low emissions EV water truck aligns with the aims of the Climate Leaders Coalition which Eastland Group and its shareholder, Trust Tairāwhiti, joined in 2019.“We believe that we can be a leader in steering Tairāwhiti towards zero carbon through renewable energy and facilitating the transition to electric vehicles,” said Eastland Group chief executive Matt Todd.“We envisage a future where logging trucks, and other heavy vehicles in the logistics and marine sectors, move from internal combustion engines to electric models. “The introduction of this electric water truck at the port is a very positive first step on this journey.”None
BE PREPAREDWhen not if: people need to be ready for Covid in Tairawhiti and be vigilant.With confirmed cases of Covid-19 expected in Tairāwhiti soon, it is important the community knows what to expect and that systems and processes are in place to support each other, Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz says.This includes making sure whānau have everything needed in case a family member contracts Covid-19 and needs to self-isolate.Two positive wastewater samples were confirmed in Gisborne last week and Wairoa confirmed two positive cases of Covid-19 on Friday. Although the cases are low-risk, the news was a reminder people needed to prepared for when the virus emerges in the Tairāwhiti community, she said.“Over the past few weeks the topic of vaccination has been discussed and analysed at length,” Mayor Stoltz said. “It's created lively discussion and debate at work and around the family dinner table.”“We've all had to make some really hard decisions but regardless of what perspective we have, we must support each other through the times ahead.“While we still need to focus on vaccinations, we also need to consider what we do if someone in our community contracts Covid-19.”Anyone in Tairāwhiti who contracts Covid-19 will have their care and support coordinated by the team based at Takatu Hub, located above Te Waharoa in Peel Street.The service is a partnership between Te Kupenga Net Trust, Ngāti Porou Hauora, Tūranga Health, general practices, the Ministry of Social Development, police, Kāinga Ora, Gisborne District Council, Tū Mai Tairāwhiti, Trust Tairāwhiti, community leaders, and Hauora Tairāwhiti.“The new approach is to isolate at home, so I'm urging whānau to work together to think about a plan in case a family member needs to self-isolate,” Mayor Stoltz said.“With Auckland borders opening next week, I want us to be prepared for any possibility.“To prepare for home isolation, families must think about sleeping arrangements, food, water, medicine and any specific needs someone may have.“Our local health providers, hapū and council area liaison staff have been working to prepare for when the time comes and I'm proud of the work that's been done so far to keep whānau safe.Ministry of Health guidelines state that family members can't come within two metres of any infected person, can't sleep in the same bedroom and the house needs to be well ventilated.“Kia kaha whānau,” Mayor Stoltz said. “This is when the strength of our community working together shines through.”• For more information on self-isolating at home, go to tinyurl.com/2p9hjuzxNone
Gisborne Girls’ High School is losing a century worth of teaching experience at the end of the term with three teachers retiring. Jack Marshall caught up with the educating trio.
The ram sales season rolls along in the district tomorrow and Friday when Turiroa from Wairoa put up 125 “big and meaty” Southdowns, Suftex, Tigers and Belsufte...
YEAR'S BEST: As 2021 winds down, Focus on the Land would like to capture the classic images of events that have stood out during what has been another challengi...
Have you heard the river speak?
At a workshop held last week, the Waimatā Catchment Group (WCG), along with the Let the River Speak research team and community ...
It is time to start farming the right way, Waioma farmer Ben Roberts says.
To do their bit to tackle climate change, Mr Roberts and his wife Anna have installed...
