Latest news with #CalderStewart
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Project claims national awards
Receiving two awards for Balclutha's new TPOMA hub at the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards in Auckland recently are project members, from left, Richard Kerr, Ross Pringle, Richard Johnson, Natasha Munro, Amber Buxton and Dale Anderson. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A major South Otago project has been recognised with a brace of national building awards, thanks to "innovation and community spirit". Te Pou O Mata-Au Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre (TPOMA) took top honours at the 2025 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards in Auckland recently, winning gold and being crowned the national overall winner in the civic category. The awards, which celebrate excellence in commercial construction across New Zealand, recognised the Balclutha hub for its "outstanding design, sustainability, and community impact". Judges praised the project for its thoughtful integration of public needs, architectural innovation and collaborative execution. The $25 million facility was completed in 2023 by Milton-based firm Calder Stewart, making it a whole-community project, Calder Stewart Otago regional manager Richard Johnson said. "This award is not just a win for the project team, it's a win for the entire community. "It shows what's possible when we come together with a shared purpose and a commitment to excellence." Designed as a "vibrant" gathering place for residents of all ages, the hub brought together essential services, flexible event spaces, and sustainable design features under one roof, Mr Johnson said. "Its success is a testament to the vision of the project team, including architects, engineers, contractors, and community stakeholders who worked closely to deliver a space that truly reflects the values and aspirations of the local community. "This recognition places Calder Stewart firmly on the map as a leader in community-focused development and sets a new benchmark for civic projects nationwide." The civic category award celebrates projects that demonstrate "exceptional public value". Judges said TPOMA stood out among a competitive field for its values of long-term adaptability, environmental responsibility, and inclusive design.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Inland port competition fears
Port Otago competing with Calder Stewart to establish an inland port could have a "serious impact" on the Otago Regional Council's financial position, a regional councillor says. Calder Stewart last week proposed what it called a "$3 billion" inland port at its 200ha Milburn site, near Milton. The Clutha-based construction giant's announcement came days before a proposed Port Otago-Dynes Transport inland port at Mosgiel got a major boost from Regional Development Minister Shane Jones in the form of an up to $8.2 million loan from the government's Regional Infrastructure Fund. The back-to-back announcements prompted debate and uncertainty, which was picked up on at a full council meeting yesterday. Port Otago is 100% owned by the regional council and Cr Gary Kelliher raised concerns about what would be a "a very sizable, very substantial investment" if the two projects went head to head. "It could have a very serious impact on our balance sheet if both of these projects go together. "And there are obvious issues appearing with the Mosgiel one already." After the meeting, he said the main issue he was concerned about was transport related "and the heavy traffic" that would be added to the local roading network if or when the Mosgiel port was established. "Also, that the Milton port has kind of appeared out of the blue — but these are possibly both billion-dollar projects and the Port Otago balance sheet will be carrying the development proposed by Port Otago," Cr Kelliher said. "As ORC owns Port Otago I am immediately concerned that there are now two proposals advancing, both saying they are proceeding with knowledge of each other, and really there's only need for one. "I think an inland port is a really good idea, but surely both proposals need to be aligned into one that meets the total needs and allays the concerns of Mosgiel residents about increased heavy traffic." At the meeting, Cr Michael Laws said Otago was but "one region with limited resources" and asked whether the two proposed facilities would be in competition. "Is Shane Jones right when he says it's frustrating that there wasn't some coalescing of minds in the region before what seems to be two competitive proposals are placed against each other?" Cr Kate Wilson, who is chairwoman of the Otago regional transport committee, said she wanted to assure people "that regional planning is going well in Otago and Southland". "And the idea that inland ports aren't planned for is incorrect. "The place to find that stuff is in the regional transport plan. "And while companies can compete, well and truly outlined in there is an option that businesses will in the end, or the market, will fix the solutions." Council chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson said the council was regularly briefed by Port Otago on its programme of works and another briefing was due "reasonably soon". There was also a process through the port company's issuing of a statement of corporate intent where councillors could tell the company how they expected it to operate, she said. "There's always competition in any business — that's healthy — and it's not our place to dictate that, I don't think," Cr Robertson said.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Hillside memorial impresses
A Dunedin group dedicated to preserving the city's military history is delighted with a major aspect of the refurbished KiwiRail Hillside Workshops site in South Dunedin. The refurbished site, which was officially reopened last week by deputy prime minister Winston Peters, includes an impressive war memorial and memorial park. The war memorial wall holds large historic brass plaques listing the names of Hillside Workshop workers who were killed in World Wars 1 and 2. The park provides ample room for the public to attend commemorative services and includes a carved Māori sculpture and information panels detailing the site's long history and development. Members of the Otago Military History Group (OMHG), who visited the war memorial and park recently, were impressed by both the design and prominence of the memorial. OMHG co-chairman Peter Trevathan said it was great to see such an important element of Hillside Workshop's long history given prominent and dignified acknowledgement. "Everyone is very impressed with it," he said. During construction of the war memorial and park, KiwiRail operations lead Mike Beaufort and KiwiRail bridge inspector and OMHG member Bernie Flaherty liaised with lead contractor Calder Stewart on the project. Mr Beaufort said Calder Stewart had been good to work with and "very responsive" to design suggestions from the pair. "The memorial wall and the plaques look great, and we have had a lot of positive feedback from members of the public whose attention has been caught by it passing by," he said. "The intention of the memorial and park is to be a peaceful place that also highlights the history of this area and the development of Hillside Workshops from the early days." The free-standing information panels highlight Māori history, settler history, the workshops and local people. Mr Trevathan said the site had hosted its first full Anzac Day service that year, which had been a great success. OMHG member Charlie Boyes, whose great uncle Andrew Colquhoun Boyes is among the names listed on the war memorial, is thrilled with the site. A.C. Boyes was working at KiwiRail when he joined up to go and fight in World War 1 — first at Gallipoli in 1915, where he was wounded by a shell, and later in France, where he was killed by a sniper. "Having his service acknowledged here, on this impressive memorial, is very special," Mr Boyes said. Mr Trevathan said the OMHG was planning a rededication service for the Hillside Workshops war memorial, to be held at 2pm on Armistice Day, November 11. The event would include representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and KiwiRail management. It was hoped it would involve the descendants of those named on the memorial as well, he said. "We are asking families and descendants to get in touch with us, to share any information they have about the men listed on the memorial, and perhaps any memorabilia," he said. "The more family members we can involve in the rededication service, the better — and KiwiRail staff as well." • Families and descendants interested in attending the rededication service, or who would like more information, are invited to contact Mr Trevathan by emailing petebond058@ Mr Beaufort by emailing or Mr Flaherty by emailing
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Competing Otago Port proposals 'frustrating', says Associate Regional Development Minister
The Associate Regional Development Minister says local leaders should have created a coordinated regional plan. Photo: 123RF Clutha's mayor says newly announced funding for an inland port proposal came out of the blue, despite his efforts to be transparent about a similar project just down the road. Calder Stewart debuted plans to develop a privately-funded inland port in Milburn just days before the government announced a multi-million dollar loan to develop a rail connection between Port Chalmers and a proposed Southern Link Logistics Park in Mosgiel last week. The Associate Regional Development Minister said local leaders should have created a coordinated regional plan instead of having two nearby competing inland port proposals - Mosgiel and Milburn are less than 50 kilometres away from each other. Dunedin mayor Jules Radich said he had repeatedly discussed the Mosgiel plan when Clutha's mayor was present. But Clutha district mayor Bryan Cadogan said he was caught off guard by Friday's Port Otago funding announcement, which was frustrating as his district had been upfront and transparent about the Milburn proposal. Photo: Supplied by Calder Stewart The Calder Stewart proposal was the district's "once in a lifetime project" and had been in the pipeline for at least a decade. Local leaders including Dunedin's mayor had discussed the project last year, he said. The Regional Development Minister hadn't been briefed about the Milburn proposal which could have impacted the government's funding decision as it didn't have the whole picture for the region, he said. Cadogan didn't have any issue with the Port Otago project and didn't believe Calder Stewart intended to seek government funding, instead he was concerned that those local leaders didn't disclose a competing proposal despite his efforts to keep them informed. He wanted the South to start working in unison. "If there is a conflict like this, just be transparent. If I put my cards on the table, could you put cards on the table the same way," Cadogan said Dunedin mayor Jules Radich agreed that it was important for regions to work together, but said he had talked about the Port Otago-Mosgiel plan repeatedly in the Clutha mayor's presence including at the Otago mayoral forum in Queenstown last year. "I asked for government support of a heavy traffic bypass for Mosgiel to complement the project," Radich said. "I also think the Mosgiel logistics hub would be a great asset to the meatworks in Balclutha and Ōamaru." The up to $8.2 million loan for the Port Otago rail connection was earmarked from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which is run by the government's Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, Kānoa. Associate Regional Development Minister and local List MP Mark Patterson said only one project was formally proposed to the government in the end. It was frustrating there were two competing proposals when they could have worked together to create a cohesive proposal, he said. He described collaboration in the regions as "absolutely critical", and said the government was expecting that regions would coalesce around an agreed set of projects and priorities. The Port Otago option also had backing from Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms and KiwiRail so they were confident in their processes and in making the investment, he said. He believed they could be complementary projects, and said last week's funding announcement wouldn't prevent Calder Stewart from making a funding application in the future if it chose to. The Regional Development Minister has been contacted for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Competing Otago Port proposals 'frustrating', Minister says
The Associate Regional Development Minister says local leaders should have created a coordinated regional plan. Photo: 123RF Clutha's mayor says newly announced funding for an inland port proposal came out of the blue, despite his efforts to be transparent about a similar project just down the road. Calder Stewart debuted plans to develop a privately-funded inland port in Milburn just days before the government announced a multi-million dollar loan to develop a rail connection between Port Chalmers and a proposed Southern Link Logistics Park in Mosgiel last week. The Associate Regional Development Minister said local leaders should have created a coordinated regional plan instead of having two nearby competing inland port proposals - Mosgiel and Milburn are less than 50 kilometres away from each other. Dunedin mayor Jules Radich said he had repeatedly discussed the Mosgiel plan when Clutha's mayor was present. But Clutha district mayor Bryan Cadogan said he was caught off guard by Friday's Port Otago funding announcement, which was frustrating as his district had been upfront and transparent about the Milburn proposal. Photo: Supplied by Calder Stewart The Calder Stewart proposal was the district's "once in a lifetime project" and had been in the pipeline for at least a decade. Local leaders including Dunedin's mayor had discussed the project last year, he said. The Regional Development Minister hadn't been briefed about the Milburn proposal which could have impacted the government's funding decision as it didn't have the whole picture for the region, he said. Cadogan didn't have any issue with the Port Otago project and didn't believe Calder Stewart intended to seek government funding, instead he was concerned that those local leaders didn't disclose a competing proposal despite his efforts to keep them informed. He wanted the South to start working in unison. "If there is a conflict like this, just be transparent. If I put my cards on the table, could you put cards on the table the same way," Cadogan said Dunedin mayor Jules Radich agreed that it was important for regions to work together, but said he had talked about the Port Otago-Mosgiel plan repeatedly in the Clutha mayor's presence including at the Otago mayoral forum in Queenstown last year. "I asked for government support of a heavy traffic bypass for Mosgiel to complement the project," Radich said. "I also think the Mosgiel logistics hub would be a great asset to the meatworks in Balclutha and Ōamaru." The up to $8.2 million loan for the Port Otago rail connection was earmarked from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which is run by the government's Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, Kānoa. Associate Regional Development Minister and local List MP Mark Patterson said only one project was formally proposed to the government in the end. It was frustrating there were two competing proposals when they could have worked together to create a cohesive proposal, he said. He described collaboration in the regions as "absolutely critical", and said the government was expecting that regions would coalesce around an agreed set of projects and priorities. The Port Otago option also had backing from Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms and KiwiRail so they were confident in their processes and in making the investment, he said. He believed they could be complementary projects, and said last week's funding announcement wouldn't prevent Calder Stewart from making a funding application in the future if it chose to. The Regional Development Minister has been contacted for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
