Eighteen years on, Wheels to Dunstan is still helping locals get to medical appointments around Otago.The long-running, volunteer-run service has changed little in all those years, and last year 261 people took a trip with Wheels to Dunstan.Most passengers take the Cromwell route, where they connect with the St John Health Shuttle to travel on to Dunedin Hospital, Wheels to Dunstan Trust chair Gordon Girvan told the Wānaka App.Others travel to Dunstan Hospital or to Alexandra for ophthalmology services.When Wheels to Dunstan was created almost two decades ago, its primary purpose was to get elderly people to Dunstan Hospital who would otherwise struggle to find a way to get there.Now, with changing demographics, health services and health needs, the Dunedin Hospital link is much more common and the number of people using the service to get there is “increasing all the time”.“It’s a very good service for people who can’t drive themselves,” Gordon said.Gordon has been involved with Wheels to Dunstan since the beginning, when the Rotary Club first floated the idea, and the Masonic Lodge provided the funds for its first shuttle.The organisation is now on its third vehicle - and for all those years Upper Clutha Transport has provided the diesel.“If it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t be able to operate,” Gordon said.Other costs incurred by Wheels to Dunstan are covered by donations from private individuals and local trusts, and the voluntary donations passengers give - usually of around $10 per ride.A team of 52 volunteers take turns driving the Wheels to Dunstan vehicle and Community LINK coordinates all bookings and pick-ups.Gordon said the service runs “very smoothly” thanks to its supporters, volunteers and the help of Community LINK.To book a trip with Wheels to Dunstan or learn about ways to help support the service, contact Community LINK on 03 443 7799.PHOTO: Supplied

A proposed 80km walking and cycling loop-track along the shorelines of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea has the potential to become an iconic New Zealand track, believes the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT).The track - a feature of the UCTT’s strategic plan - would traverse the precipitous East Wānaka faces between Wānaka, Hāwea, and The Neck (near the head of the two lakes).While it is no more than an orange line on a map at present, and labelled "long term aspirational", trust chair Dave Howard believes the track proposal demonstrates what "could be possible and be of high value to the region": a multi-day hut-to-hut trip around Lake Wānaka.''It is a great thing to do in the school holidays and it could become a rite-of-passage for local kids, like hiking the Treble Cone summit for the first time,” Dave said.Veteran track builder David Howard PHOTO: Supplied''The track would serve multiple users, whether it's a short stroll along the lake or a quick marathon in the rain before breakfast (you know the type). Everything starts with some crazy concept.”Dave said within the next two years it will be possible to bike 300km off-road from Wānaka and Queenstown to Dunedin, so the 80km Lake Wānaka/Hāwea loop proposal “is entirely achievable”.He says the concept “has all the elements to make it one of New Zealand's iconic tracks”, most more importantly it would be for residents to enjoy accessing the outdoors.Dave, a track-building veteran, knows the amount of work required before construction can begin on any new track. Negotiating access is even more crucial and difficult than raising money, and proposed tracks the strategic plan would require access to Department of Conservation and private land, which has not yet been secured.Dave said the track would have to work for everyone, particularly the landowners.''We work hard to create benefits for landowners and mitigate any potential downside through careful planning and track design,” he said. ''Every landowner has their own specific interests and we must invest in the time to understand these.''We have had great success with developing ecological restoration sites right through to creating new business opportunities for landowners.''Another "aspirational" project in the strategic plan would extend the Minaret Burn track, which begins at the mouth of the Matukituki River on the west side of Lake Wānaka.The 80km track has the potential to become one of New Zealand's iconic tracks, says the UCTT. IMAGE: SuppliedDave said the route has “a few challenges” from the distance and isolation.''A successful long-term concept to make this track viable would likely include multi-day trips, boat transfers, mixed adventures of bike/boat/walk,” he said. “'It is the sort of track that would evolve over time and requires several businesses to offer services to track users.''The trust's more immediate plans are for improvements to the connection between Wānaka and Hāwea, with upgrades to the commuter route and a new trail on the true right bank of the Hāwea River, about which Dave expects to announce more detail soon.A 50 year visionThe strategic plan is intended to be a 50-year vision of what could be possible, acknowledging the trust’s heavy reliance “on the good will and collaboration of landowners".The charitable trust, founded in 2006, is run by volunteers and has invested $2.4M in its 95km track network so far.Dave said tracks are not only a valuable recreational resource for residents but also bring economic benefits. Businesses benefit by providing services to track users, such as accommodation, hospitality, shuttle and rental, he said.''The New Zealand Cycle Trail impact assessment (2021) shows that track users stay longer and spend more than the average visitor. The 23 Great Ride trails returned $950M of direct economic benefit to their communities in 2021,” he said.''Tracks are the perfect infrastructure to support regenerative tourism activities and enhance our natural environment. 'Our future trail network would return tens of millions dollars to our community annually.''The strategic plan, including a map showing the existing and proposed tracks, is attached to the trust's website.

The Snow Sports NZ annual awards were announced at a ceremony at Coronet Peak last evening (Friday October 11) with four awards going to local athletes.Wānaka’s Nico Porteus was awarded Freeskier of the Year, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott won Snowboarder of the Year and Ben Richards won Freeride Athlete of the Year. Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harold won the Breakthrough Season award.Nico finished in second place at the 2024 Aspen X Games, putting down a unique run combining the most technical tricks in the game with his trademark style and creativity.Zoi’s gold medal performance at the Edmonton FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup was enough to secure her Snowboarder of the Year. Ben had an exceptional rookie season on the Freeride World Tour, winning the Fieberbrunn Pro stop, coming third overall on the 2024 Freeride World Tour and was named the Freeride World Tour Rookie of the Year.Luke finished second at his debut FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup and brought home a gold and bronze medal from the 2024 Gangown Youth Olympic Winter Games.Alpine ski racer Alice Robinson (Queenstown, 22) was crowned the 2024 Snow Sports NZ Overall Athlete of the Year.Alice claimed five Giant Slalom World Cup podiums and an additional five World Cup Giant Slalom and Super G top 10 finishes. Alice is also the 2024 Giant Slalom New Zealand National Champion and won the Winter Games NZ FIS ANC Giant Slalom earlier this season. Snow Sports NZ Awards winners:Instructor of the Year sponsored by NZSIA – Frank Wylie (Coronet Peak)Masters of the Year sponsored by Arrowtown Lifestyle Village – Kerry Trevella-Hall and Geoff HuntCoach of the Year sponsored by SITE Trampoline – Nils Coberger and Tim Cafe (Queenstown)Breakthrough Season sponsored by Winter Games NZ – Luke Harrold (Lake Hāwea)Freeskier of the Year sponsored by Mons Royale – Nico Porteous (Wānaka)Alpine Ski Racer of the Year sponsored by Coronet Peak – Alice Robinson (Queenstown)Snowboarder of the Year sponsored by Dick Schulze – Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Wānaka)Adaptive Athlete of the Year sponsored by Cardrona / Treble Cone – Adam Hall (Dunedin)Freeride Athlete of the Year sponsored by The Remarkables – Ben Richards (Wānaka)Snow Sports NZ Overall Athlete of the Year – Alice Robinson (Queenstown)The Snow Sports NZ Annual Awards presented by Sidekick celebrates the year in Snow Sports recognising outstanding achievements in the sport. PHOTO: Ross Mackay

A fire at Relishes Cafe this morning has not caused any damage according to a spokesperson for the restaurant.The fire started at about 7.30am in the cafe’s flue. A bystander said smoke and fat were spurting onto the roof of the building.Tourists from St Louis in the United States were among seven people dining in the cafe for breakfast. They said the fire was burning out the chimney and they were calmly evacuated from the building.No one was injured and the cafe is expected to reopen this morning.One fire appliance from Wānaka Fire Service attended the incident.Relishes Cafe is on Ardmore St between the BNZ and Racers Edge.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Otago Regional Council (ORC) has released its first-ever stocktake of the bird population in the Otago region, shedding light on the current conservation status of its avian inhabitants. The landmark study provides insights into the conservation needs of Otago birds and the pressing challenges they face, ORC senior terrestrial ecologist Dr Scott Jarvie said. “In order to protect and restore our threatened species, we need to understand which species are living in our region and how they are doing,” he said. The report assesses 283 bird species in the region, with 32 native species deemed ‘regionally threatened’ and four others are classified as ‘regionally at risk’. Among the other birds included 43 species which have gone ‘regionally extinct’; 22 are ‘regionally not threatened’, and three were identified as ‘conservation translocations’ (which means they have been deliberately moved to Otago for conservation benefit and currently have populations). Scott said the key threats to birds in Otago are habitat loss and degradation, introduced mammalian predators, human disturbance, and climate change.“The data from this report will be instrumental in shaping future conservation efforts,” he said.“We need everyone — residents, businesses, and local groups — to pitch in and help protect Otago’s unique birdlife. “This isn’t just a council effort – it’s a community effort. Every action counts.” Otago serves as a national stronghold for eight bird species, meaning more than 20 percent of the national population is within the region. They include migratory shorebirds and domestic migrants, emphasising the region's critical role in preserving these species.ORC science and resilience general manager Tom Dyer said Otago wouldn’t be the same without the melody of birdsong. “This report is an important reminder of the incredible avian diversity that graces our region.This regional assessment is a crucial step in understanding and mitigating the impacts of environmental changes and other activities on bird populations.” “The findings will guide ORC in achieving its biodiversity management objectives, ensuring our native bird species continue to thrive.”Read the full report here.PHOTO: Oscar Thomas

Rotary Clubs across Southland and Otago have collaborated to fund vital medical equipment for Te Waka Wahine Hauora, The Woman’s Health Bus.The clubs have contributed more than $40,000 to purchase a point-of-care machine that will expand the testing capability of the Woman’s Health Bus and reduce wait times for patients.Woman’s Health Bus co-director Dr Helen Paterson said the support of the Rotary Clubs has been extraordinary.“We were amazed,” Helen said.“It is absolutely fabulous that the community has got on board with this project and our hope is that we will be able to give back to the community equivalently in care.”  Helen said the new equipment is a game-changer for the mobile service enabling testing, diagnostic, and treatment on the same day.“What we are hoping to achieve is a service where more people will get more access to testing and treatment if required,” she said.The Woman’s Health Bus provides a mobile health service across Southland and Otago focused on rural areas where access to medical care often involves significant inconvenience (day off work) and expense to the patient.The Cepheid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine can perform up to four tests at the same time.The new ‘mini-lab’ will make it easier for rural women to access preventative medical testing with results available immediately and, where required, a colposcopy can be performed on the same day. Helen says this will remove known barriers to health care and ensure women are not ‘lost’ due to long delays.The Rotary Club of Wānaka initiated the funding after it learned that 28 percent of women in the Southern district had never had a smear test, partly due to expense and inconvenience.Club president Alan Richardson said Rotary clubs across the southern region quickly supported the project.“We all live in rural communities and we know how hard it can be to get the medical care needed,” Alan said.“We invited regional Rotary clubs to make this purchase a reality and within days we had the funds needed to purchase this vital medical equipment.“It makes us all proud to be Rotarians when we see this type of collaboration and know that we are making a real difference in people's lives.”The new Cepheid PCR machine has been installed and is now used by the Woman’s Health Bus service.Funders include the Rotary Clubs of Wānaka, Alexandra, Cromwell, Balclutha, Invercargill North, Mosgiel, Milton, Queenstown, and Fiordland, with a matching grant from Rotary District #9999.

Wānaka ballerina Isabel (Izzy) Martin made the finals at a prestigious competition in Sydney, the Youth Grand Prix Senior Classical Division, last weekend.Izzy was one of 24 selected from approximately 150 young dancers around Australia and New Zealand to dance in the final round, as well as receiving a call back for the scholarship class.“Taking part in YGP Sydney was amazing,” Izzy told the Wānaka App.“There was such a positive atmosphere even though it was really nerve wracking and I made lots of new friends. It has made me even more determined to train harder with my dancing.”Izzy’s mother, Wānaka dance teacher Briony Martin, said Izzy did a great job competing in her first big international competition among talented dancers from Australia and New Zealand. “It was a huge achievement to have been selected for both the senior women’s final round (24 dancers) as well as the scholarship call back class,” Briony said.“It has been a huge year of travel and training for her to increase her ballet training from home in Wānaka where she is a Year 10 student at Mount Aspiring College.”Izzy by Sydney Harbour.Isabel took part in ballet and contemporary masterclasses which were judged as well as performing a Classical solo (La Esmerelda) and a contemporary solo choreographed by Nina Fischer. “It was a huge and quite terrifying experience at times… but was helped along by the support of her friends and family cheering her on from home in Wānaka,” Briony said. Isabel studies ballet, contemporary and jazz at Centralpoint Dance Studios, recently receiving Distinction for her final Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance Examination. She often travels to Wellington to train at the NZ School Of Dance as a National Scholar and Intermediate Classical Associate. She was also selected to take part in the Royal New Zealand Ballet National Mentor Programme and is currently in Wellington for a two-day intensive with her mentor and the company, taking classes in the St James Theatre.PHOTOS: Supplied

In a narrow 4-3 vote, the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) has opted to retrospectively approve the removal of a right-hand turn into Ardmore Street, which means the signalised crossing point on SH84 will be retained.The traffic lights and new crossing point are already completed and operational - part of the Schools to Pool project designed to provide a safe route from local schools to the Wānaka Recreation Centre - and would cost more than half a million dollars to remediate.The project was a joint initiative of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).WUCCB members were divided into two groups at yesterday’s meeting, with one group preferring to approve the retrospective removal of the right-hand turn.A smaller group wanted to remove the new signalised crossing and reinstate the previous refuge island crossing 50m east.The right-hand turn which was removed during the traffic lights project means instead of taking a right into Ardmore Street immediately after the roundabout, drivers must take a right onto Ballantyne Road slightly further up, and another right shortly afterwards to reach the Bottle-O and vape shop.Staff and board members estimated the delay to cost drivers no more than a minute.Board member Chris Hadfield said “a number of people” had approached him about removal of the right-hand turn.Board member John Wellington said this was “a minor inconvenience at best”.“I really struggle to comprehend how… a one minute detour can possibly justify removing the installation of traffic lights as part of a project that has been talked about and developed over years.”Councillor Cody Tucker said the prospect of backpedalling and reinstating the previous refuge island was “crazy” and to spend more than half a million dollars to remedy it was “reckless”.The crossing had been installed in the wrong location and if it was going to cost a lot to remedy it, that wasn’t the community board’s fault, board member Linda Joll said.Councillor Lyal Cocks said he “couldn’t support spending that much money removing what has been done, rightly or wrongly”. Chris said it was “a bigger issue than just a right hand turn”.Concerns about the traffic lights and their location - less than 100m from a busy roundabout - first cropped up in June, with locals worried they would cause traffic jams.Earlier this week, the Wānaka Fire Brigade said the lights would cause delays in emergency responses, saying a fire truck had been delayed once already.Read more: ‘Every second counts’: Concerns over traffic light delaysA QLDC staffer said yesterday that emergency services had not been consulted on the change as “it wasn’t envisaged that there would be a material impact on their ability to respond to an emergency event”. Ultimately the location of the crossing was NZTA’s decision, they added.Opinions on whether the effects of the traffic lights on the roundabout had been significant enough to warrant the costly reinstatement of the previous refuge island were mixed among board members.WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said there was an “armageddon forecast” before the lights turned on, which “hasn’t happened”.Board chair Simon Telfer said there will be congestion in the roundabout area during summer “whether there’s lights or not”. PHOTO: Jeannine Tuffin“The lights have been turned on and I haven’t seen major challenges. Over summer there will be greater use, but we have congestion around that anyway, whether there’s lights or not.”Councillor Barry Bruce, who owns a nearby car rental, said he had noticed “serious congestion” at busy times. Board members discussed the possibility of turning off the traffic lights, at Lyal’s suggestion, but John said that was “putting the cart before the horse”.John said the traffic lights hadn’t been operational long enough to gauge their impacts.It was also “not within our domain”, Simon said, as the signalised crossing is on a state highway managed by NZTA.“There are other things we are conflating here that are linked but are not within our control.”In the end the item was approved with support from John, Simon, Cody and Lyal, while Barry, Chris and Linda voted against it.The Wānaka App approached NZTA for a comment on the concerns raised by the Wānaka Fire Brigade.“QLDC is leading this project so please talk to them,” was the response.

The district’s seventh annual Quality of Life survey - which will provide insight into residents’ views on issues such as housing, health services, the environment, transport, employment, and sense of community - has now opened. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) acting chief executive Ken Bailey said data collected by previous years’ surveys provided council, and other organisations, with strong evidence to address the district’s issues, challenges and opportunities. “Past findings helped shape QLDC’s Long Term Plan, supported our advocacy with government agencies, and guided projects such as the Climate and Biodiversity Plan and the Welcoming Communities Programme,” he said. “This year’s survey will give us broader insight into what’s currently going well in people’s lives and what they would like to change. It’ll help us and other organisations identify priority issues, pain points, and opportunities to improve the quality of life for our communities.”Last year’s survey indicated that 72 percent of residents rate their quality of life as good or better; 21 percent said they had a place to live today but were worried about losing it in the future; 18 percent indicated they needed to move in the last 12 months; and 21 percent had no disposable income or couldn't cover their expenses.Read more: Housing a major challenge for residents, survey findsKen said a new dedicated annual survey on trust and satisfaction in council services and decision-making would take place in the new year, rather than these subjects being included in the Quality of Life survey as they traditionally have. “At QLDC, we really value locals’ views on the trust they hold in council to deliver and make good decisions and understanding your level of satisfaction with our services and facilities,” he said. “To give that the focus it deserves and ensure we can turn the results into meaningful improvements, we will be running a stand-alone annual survey on these subjects early in 2025.” Ken said he encouraged everyone in the district to take part in the Quality of Life survey - which will put them in the draw for a $250 prezzy card and weekly $50 prezzy spot prizes. Anyone can access the survey here until November 10. PHOTO: Wānaka App

‘Wanason’ has finished the inaugural Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta in sixth place.The week-long intensive, held in Auckland between September 28 and October 4, brought together ten youth teams from across the country, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS).The ‘Wanason’ team was created after the Wānaka Yacht Club needed some extra numbers to make up its team and it joined forces with members of the Nelson Yacht Club.RNZYS general manager Sarah Wiblin said the Kiwi Cup provided an opportunity to strengthen connections between clubs from around the country at the start of the sailing season.“It’s a chance to give the students a taste of high-end competitive racing while getting them better connected with the Auckland marine industry that co-exists with so much of our sailing success,” she said. The week long intensive ended with the two-day regatta and some fierce competition.In the end it was down to the two Auckland teams, proving the local edge - Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) beat Murrays Bay Sailing Club by just one point. Team ‘Wanason’ with (from left) Erica Hudson and Maddie Smith (both Wānaka) and Ash Cole, Bruno Page and Jay Brixton (Nelson).Wanason came in ahead of Plimmerton Boating Club, Napier Sailing Club, Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, and Kerikeri Cruising Club.To top off the week, the sailors experienced a formal dinner with RNZYS Life Members, Past Commodores and supporters of youth sailing.Wānaka Yacht Club is entering the new season on the back of a standout last season for its growing youth contingent.Read more: Season ends on high for young sailorsThe small club has had a surge in youth numbers in the last couple of years and in the last season, WYC sailors competed at national championships, competed in the Sail GP programme, joined the National AON Youth Sailing Squad and competed at NZ Youth Champs, with strong results at many competitions.Learn more about WYC here.PHOTOS: Supplied

Wānaka Fire Brigade is the latest group to raise concerns over the placement of a crossing and traffic lights on Ardmore Street, between the Ballantyne Road/SH84 intersection and the Caltex roundabout.The traffic lights were installed in August to provide a safe crossing for school students as part of the Schools to Pools route connecting schools to the Wānaka Recreation Centre at Three Parks. The project was a joint initiative of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.Some locals raised concerns in June that the lights and traffic crossing - which are about 100m from the busy roundabout - are too close, questioning their practicality and safety.Wānaka fire chief Tony Wellman told the Wānaka App this week that the brigade is monitoring the impact of the signalled crossing, which has already delayed a fire truck.“Within five minutes a house fire is getting to the stage where it’s not survivable. Every minute counts,” he said.Wānaka Fire chief Tony Wellman; Councillor Barry Bruce PHOTOS: SuppliedThe fire brigade also does a lot of medical call outs, he said, providing backup to Hato Hone St John Ambulance.“Every second counts in those sorts of calls.”Community board faced with choice this weekThe issue of the traffic lights is going to the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) on Thursday (October 10) to retrospectively approve removal of the right turn movement from State Highway 84 into Ardmore Street (where the Alpine Motel, Bottle-O and a vape shop are situated).The council report said the primary considerations were “a safe and efficient transport system”, and the effect of the proposed change on members of the public, including users of the Schools to Pool project. It said the changes were proposed to ensure the continued safety of cyclists and pedestrians using the traffic network, and the only “likely inconvenience” was for residents and businesses located on Ardmore Street who would need to take a one minute detour via Ballantyne Road.The board has been presented with two options: to leave the new layout and retrospectively approve the removal of the right hand turn; or “remove the new safe signalised crossing point and reinstate the previous refuge island crossing 50m east”.Two members of the WUCCB have confirmed to the Wānaka App that they will vote to remove the new road crossing.Council’s report to the community board said there would be “minor inconvenience” for business owners, but did not reference emergency services. PHOTO: Wānaka AppCouncillor Barry Bruce said the new layout was “a disaster waiting to happen and we need to get rid of it, plain and simple”. Community board member Chris Hadfield agreed with Barry.Barry, who owns rental company Inland Autos just off the Caltex roundabout on Brownston Street, said he has looked out on the intersection for 24 years, and believed there was potential for “a log-jam” during busy times of the year.Barry has already expressed his frustration that elected members had not been consulted on the change, saying there had been “no discussion within council”.Read more: Confusion, frustration over traffic signalsThe issue will go to the WUCCB meeting, which will be held in Cardrona, on Thursday morning at 10am.Fire response could be compromisedWānaka’s fire station is situated on Ballantyne Road, not far from the new crossing on Ardmore Street. Tony Wellman said the fire brigade was not consulted about the new road layout, and he first heard about it when contractors Fulton Hogan left a flyer warning about delays while the traffic lights were being installed. Tony immediately contacted his group manager in Queenstown, who contacted Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). Council’s response was along the lines of ‘let’s see what happens’, Tony said.Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) standards expect fire trucks to be out on the road within five minutes, Tony said. “That’s the standard we try to meet.”With the new lights, there is potential for “a three minute delay just sitting there”, he said.“Coming out of Ballantyne Road, there is no parking zone there, so cars can block straight across there if they’re waiting at the lights. They could block that whole road off.”And this is not the brigade’s busy time of year, Tony said. “Christmas is going to be the big test. I think we’re going to see massive backlogs.”Not only is the delay a concern for fire appliances making it quickly to incidents, Tony said a big issue was volunteers (most of whom live on the north side of town) getting to the station quickly.“It’s an experiment for everyone, really. We’re going to see if it works or not.”The Wānaka App approached St John for comment, and was told a response was expected from the area’s operation managers before the WUCCB meeting this week.QLDC was also approached for comment.

Santana Minerals’ Bendigo-Ophir gold mine is one of the 149 projects selected for the government’s one-stop-shop Fast Track Approvals Bill.However, not everyone is happy with Sunday’s (October 6) announcement, with one Tarras community group vocal in their opposition.The Bendigo-Ophir project is an open pit and underground mine on Central’s Bendigo and Ardgour Stations, with completion and remediation expected in 2065.Regional development minister Shane Jones said the 11 mining projects on the list would make a major contribution to the government’s resource objective of doubling the value of mineral exports to $2billion by 2035, extracting coal, gold, iron sands and mineral sands. “They will deliver measurable benefits to regional and national [gross domestic product] highly-skilled and highly-paid jobs in the regions, and other associated benefits like the retention of regional infrastructure,” he said. Sustainable Tarras, a small advocacy group of people from Tarras and across New Zealand, has been outspoken in opposition to the project.Spokeswoman Suze Keith said the group was dismayed but not surprised the project was included in the list.“This is a development with a lifespan of 150 years and a perpetual liability in a toxic tailings dam. As a community we have many questions about the mine that we fear will be left unanswered and that the local community will be excluded from any decision-making, despite being those most impacted.”Suze said information presented to date had a long way to go before the local community could be confident the benefits outweighed the mine’s environmental, social and reputational impacts and long-term risks.She said concerns were impacts on the local aquifer system, the tailings dam facility which likely contained significant levels of arsenic, and electricity and diesel use that would generate emissions. Time pressure to meet the fast track approval submission timeline was another factor Sustainable Tarras said “hugely exacerbates potential long term risks”.“This is in a place which New Zealanders prize for its natural beauty, its dark skies and tranquillity. “In return it’s promising a little over $1 per person each year in return in royalties and a toxic tailings dam which will loom over the Tarras Primary School and village for the next 100 years. “No one is marching in the streets demanding a gold mine – how about fast tracking the Dunedin Hospital? Or the remediations needed to protect South Dunedin from the next massive downpour?”The inclusion of mining projects was applauded by industry pundits with mineral and mining industry association Straterra saying mining did belong on the fast track list.Straterra chief executive Josie Vidal said when manufacturing and processing plants were closing in the regions, mining brought much needed jobs and money into regional communities, and exports to boost trade deficit."We urge people with any concerns about mining or the fast-track bill to do their research, talk to experts, and think about life without mining those minerals in New Zealand. We don’t have an economy to sustain importing everything.”The Fast-track Approvals Bill is currently before the Environment Select Committee which will report back to Parliament by October 18; it is expected to go before Parliament for its second reading in November, and be passed into law before the end of the year.Once the Bill is passed the fast track projects can apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess them and apply conditions.The government is recommending to the Environment Select Committee that expert panels (including members with technical expertise relevant to a project) have the ability to decline approval for projects.Santana Minerals is holding community drop in sessions in Tarras and Cromwell during the next few weeks. Find dates and times here.

Wānaka AFC’s premier football team has secured promotion to the Southern League for the 2025 season after defeating Waimak United 9-4 on aggregate in a two-match home-and-away playoff. While the team celebrates its newfound status, the reality of competing in the Southern League has presented numerous challenges to the club.Wānaka AFC director of football Ben Sippola said the pressure is now on the club to expand its operations and find financial support.“Financially it just puts a new … element of pressure on the club because we have to currently maintain our Southern Premier League team, which is the team we play now,” Ben said.“We have to have a youth development league team and then we would have an additional team.“We need to prepare for more coaches, … more travel.”Ben said while the financial requirements present a challenge so too will the facilities available to the club in Wānaka.“Because Wānaka has grown so much in the last decade, we're also kind of on the back foot from a facilities perspective,” he said.Wānaka AFC trains on grass pitches which Ben indicated may not be available for year-round training, and that an artificial turf is needed.A third challenge for the club is player and coach recruitment to ensure a competitive team in the Southern League and that all the club's sides have a full roster.Ben said the opportunity to compete in the Southern League is a huge boost for football locally.“I think it will be huge for football in the region and then for the local Wānaka community,” he said.“I think the tagline for the football club is growing the most beautiful game in the most beautiful place on the planet.”Find out more about Wānaka AFC here.Listen to The Outlet podcast featuring Ben here.PHOTO: Supplied

The CEO of a ‘healthcare district’ planned for Wānaka’s Three Parks says he remains focused on delivering the hospital and health precinct despite missing out on the government’s ‘fast track’ process.Roa CEO Mike Saegers said he was disappointed to see that no health infrastructure projects were included in the 149 to be listed in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, designed to speed up projects with regional or national significance.Mike said the Roa hospital and health precinct is a “straightforward” consent application which was “never reliant on fast tracking to overcome a consenting hurdle, as is the case with some of those that have been listed”.“We applied to potentially save time through a more efficient consenting process in order to open the doors to the new hospital faster,” he said.Roa CEO Mike Saegers“Roa remains completely focused on achieving an outcome for the Wānaka and Upper Clutha regions that delivers a much-needed hospital and health precinct irrespective of the pathway and timeline to do so.” Read more: Roa plans $300M private hospital in WānakaIn May this year Roa revealed plans for a $300M privately funded project comprising a five-level hospital with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds.  Roa said the hospital would be at the heart of a broader “health precinct” which would include four offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, on-site parking, and ground level retail and hospitality opening out onto public pedestrian spaces.The government’s fast track approvals list, released on Sunday (October 6), included a high-speed electric passenger lift system linking the Cardrona Valley to the Soho ski area, a high density residential development for Mt Iron Junction, and the Bendigo/Ophir Mine.Read more: Cardrona Valley ski gondola among fast-track consenting projectsIMAGES: Supplied

A person drove a rental vehicle on the wrong side of the Crown Range Road for at least eight kilometres on Sunday (October 6).Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fi Roberts said the police responded after members of the public had reported the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.“A patrol car with flashing lights pursued the vehicle for 8km…the driver failed to stop,” Fi said.“The patrol vehicle was able to safely position themselves up alongside and point to the side of the road.”The car was travelling towards Wānaka from Cardrona, Fi said, and “the driver eventually stopped for police near Riverbank Road”.She said infringement notices were issued and the vehicle was returned to the rental car company.The incident was one of many Wānaka Police responded to over the last week, which was busy with school holidays and stormy weather.Fi said it was “disappointing” that approximately 100 drivers intentionally drove around the ‘road closed’ gates during the Lindis Pass closure last Wednesday (October 3). “Drivers who ignore obvious safety gates are not only inviting scrutiny but more importantly are putting other people, least of all themselves, at risk.”Last Sunday (October 6) there was “an armed police presence in Kings Drive Wānaka in relation to an arrest, following an assault involving people known to each other”.A 27-year-old man was charged with two counts of assault and one of possession of an offensive weapon.He appeared in Dunedin District Court on Monday (October 7), Fi said. There were two Wānaka SAR call-outs over the past week at Timaru Creek.Fi said as Timaru Creek has many river crossings, police urge those venturing into that area - or the outdoors in general - to check weather forecasts and be prepared for rain. “Aspiring catchments at this time of year can rise quickly, helped along by snowmelt. Look out for the warning signs of an unsafe river - water flowing faster than walking pace, discoloured water and debris in the water.”Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.PHOTO: Wānaka App 

Two Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) students have been selected for the Highlanders Schools Under 18 Teams squad.Ryan Enoka and Jackson Clark are among 46 players selected by eight local coaches from Otago, Southland and North Otago. The selection is considered the highest level of achievement for regional school boys’ rugby, (under the national teams selection).Otago rugby coach developer Aaron Callaghan said selection was “a great reward for two boys who have shown dedication and commitment to training since last summer”. “These efforts have provided the foundation for on-field performances which have been noted by the selectors for the camp,” he said. “A bonus this year is that Ryan will be returning to MAC next year and will share all the knowledge learnt at camp with the MAC rugby community for 2025."The Highlanders Schools squad will assemble for a five-day camp hosted at John McGlashan College from today (Wednesday October 9) to Sunday (October 13).During the camp players will learn tactical and technical aspects of the game and get a better understanding of high-performance principles. The camp will culminate with an internal game where the players’ new on-field skills and knowledge can be applied (from 1pm at Tahuna Park on Saturday).“These camps are a great culmination of the rugby year for some of our young and talented schoolboy players drawn from all parts of our region,” Highlanders talent development manager Kane Jury said. “It’s a good opportunity for them to test themselves in a different rugby environment away from the Schools First XVs.”PHOTO: Supplied

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) chief executive officer Glen Sowry has announced he will be retiring from his role in June 2025.Glen joined Queenstown Airport in September 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and has overseen a significant period of recovery for the airport, and the development of a 10-year strategic plan and related masterplan that will shape the future direction of the airport, QAC said in a statement.Queenstown Airport chair Adrienne Young-Cooper acknowledged Glen’s contribution and leadership of the airport over the past three years.“Glen has been an outstanding leader and will continue to lead the team at QAC until the middle of 2025,” she said. “The board has been discussing succession planning with Glen for some months as a normal part of good governance. We have commenced the recruitment process for a new chief executive and expect a smooth transition in mid-2025 to a new leader of QAC.”Read more: Queenstown Airport announces record dividend, big plans for infrastructureGlen said the past three years had been “both a challenging and exciting period to have been leading Queenstown Airport”. “From no flights in my first week in the role, to a full recovery to pre-Covid levels, and a clearly defined strategy and masterplan now approved and in delivery, it has been an exhilarating journey,” he said.He said he was proud of the way Queenstown Airport had “recalibrated its approach to respond to the expectations and needs of the community it serves and its wide customer base through genuine and extensive engagement and consultation”.Glen said he remained “fully committed” to leading Queenstown Airport for the next nine months.PHOTO: Supplied

Much higher intensity housing is a feature of the new Mt Iron Junction development plan, which has been confirmed on the government’s fast-track approvals projects list released on Sunday (October 6).Two hundred and sixty-three “high density units” are part of the Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme project, the government said. High density units include townhouses or apartment buildings.Mt Iron Junction Ltd director and long-time Wānaka resident Steve Schikker told the Wānaka App he was “very pleased with the outcome”.“We look forward to moving through the process,” he said.Read more: Cardrona Valley ski gondola among fast-track consenting projectsAn artist’s impression of the original terraced housing planned for the junction. The plans now include 263 high density units. IMAGE: SuppliedSteve declined to provide details about the latest proposal, which was submitted to the Fast Track process, except to confirm it was “higher density than the original”.The original plan that went through the Environment Court was for a service station, a nine-unit workers’ accommodation village and 13 two-and three-bedroomed terrace houses.Steve and fellow director Peter Greene publicly announced their plans for the mixed-use development (on 6ha of unused land at the base of Wānaka’s Mt Iron, bounded by State Highways 6 and 84) in 2018.Read more: Major development proposed for Wānaka’s entrance“We envisage Mt Iron Junction to be an attractive, thoughtful and functional entrance to Wānaka – one that complements the natural environment, existing urban and commercial development, and community infrastructure, while offering the necessary facilities for future growth,” Steve said at the time.There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then, including Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) declining the original resource consent application. A compromise was reached through the Environment Court for a modified development and conditional consent was granted in April.One of the conditions specified for the development’s go-ahead was an operational roundabout adjacent to the development. Work on the Mt Iron Junction roundabout began in 2023 was officially deemed completed in July this year. Late last year came the controversial news that a McDonald’s restaurant had been proposed for the junction area. The McDonald’s proposal is due to go to a hearing panel next month.Regional development minister Shane Jones said the 149 projects chosen by Cabinet will be listed in the Fast Track Approvals Bill.“Once the bill is passed, [projects] will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess the project and apply relevant conditions," he said.An expert advisory panel of the Environmental Protection Authority will assess each project and apply any relevant environmental protections.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will start installing smart water meters at most residential properties in Hāwea later this month, with all meters set to be installed by Christmas.The district is one of the biggest consumers of water in the country, and historically there is a “massive spike” over the summer months, a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App.“On behalf of residents, council is working to ensure we can supply enough water to meet demand in the long-term as well as short-term peak demand, especially during our hot and dry summers (which evidence shows are likely to become more extreme due to the effects of climate change).”QLDC is also required to install the meters by the central government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), which is designed to support the expansion of new subdivisions and housing, the spokesperson said.The meters will provide better tracking of demand trends, faster finding and fixing of leaks, and residents will be able to see exactly how much water they are using, and when, they said.The spokesperson said the installation of the meters does not mean water charges are coming.“… it’s worth emphasising that all our communications to the community on this topic from the start have stated that council is not currently looking to review how water services are charged.”Hāwea Community Association (HCA) chair Cherilyn Walthew said there hadn’t been much discussion about the meters among HCA members.She said she believed meters were “to be expected” and noted that they were becoming more frequent in many places around the world.The new water meters will be installed within water toby boxes for each property, which are located under blue lids set into the ground within the road reserve on public land, QLDC said in a statement. The majority of the meters will be installed for residential properties located to the north of Cemetery Road.PHOTO: Wānaka App