Latest news with #GoreDistrictCouncil
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Campaign to improve aviary continues
A Southland woman, whose tireless campaigning to the Gore District Council resulted in the rehoming of peafowl, is still unhappy with the conditions of the town's aviary. Nikki Broad said it took 18 months of letter-writing to the council to get Gore aviary's popular peacock and peahen re-homed last April. Now, council members were again ignoring her pleas to add greenery to the remaining birds' "sunless and barren" enclosures, she said. A couple of months ago, the council said in a statement numerous complaints led to a veterinarian's assessment of the distinctive birds' 1.5sq m enclosure, which found it was too small, needing more natural light and green grass. Last week, Ms Broad launched a "Give Them Green" campaign on social media, asking for permanent plantings, leafy branches, plants in containers and ground cover for the remaining animals. "Birds need greenery, it's good for their health," she said. In response to her latest campaign, council parks and recreation manager Keith McRobie said it was supporting the birds' caretaker Bob Smith, who had looked after the aviary for 27 years. To support the caretaker and owner of the birds, it was providing fruit and vegetables for the creatures alongside their usual feed, and had offered green branches as natural perches. Ms Broad discovered the aviary conditions were not to her liking when visiting Gore for the 2023 Rhododendron Festival and had been in communication with councillors to have it improved ever since. The aviary itself needed renovation, but she did not see that happening due to the financial constraints of the district council and the wider world, Ms Broad said. Communications with Gore District Mayor Ben Bell informed her that upgrades to the aviary were part of the council's long-term plan but, again, she did not see that happening any time soon. "It does say 'budget allowing', and the way the world is going we're not looking at anything short of a miracle for money for a new aviary." Her focus instead was on adding a constant supply of green to improve the birds' quality of life. While the Queen's Park aviary had been improved over 10 years ago and was now up to standard, the Oamaru aviary had been closed due to similar problems, she said. Mr Smith said he had re-homed the peafowl but did not want to disclose details of their location as he did not want the birds to receive the unwanted attention he was already receiving. He declined to comment further. Ms Broad hoped the campaign would reach those who felt similarly about the Gore aviary, and with 200 of those people's signatures on a petition, she would be able to speak at a Gore District Council meeting about the cause. "And in that one there, I'll be quite plain about this lack of reply to correspondence," she said.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Chill no deterrent to school buskers
Schools in Gore, including St Mary's School (pictured), gathered up their very best songbirds and hit the streets, singing and performing for the hundreds of people who came out to support them or just found themselves in the middle of a bit of musical wonder last Thursday. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG Thursday's weather at the "Freeze Ya Bits Off" busking competition in Gore helped the annual event live up to its name, with chilly temperatures making it a real test for the buskers. But that did not prevent the event attracting a big turnout of people to watch the local schools perform. The buskers' festival is a four-day extravaganza, as musicians spill on to the streets of Gore for honour, glory, and, of course, coins. On Thursday, the event began with local high school and primary school choirs leading the way with their performances and choreography. Gore District Council events co-ordinator Florine Potts called it a fantastic start. "It went really, really well. We had such a great turnout today with both students and supporters." She said over 500 people came out to watch the various schoolchildren sing along to hit classics. "Quite a few people who were walking stopped and listened, too. It was really great." Last year, the schools portion of the buskers' event was canned due to a teachers only day, but this year everything was in harmony, including the weather, even if it was a bit cool. Waikaka School took the big win, $500, a trophy for its efforts and a spot to perform in the final busking auditions on Sunday. Mataura Primary won $250 for second place. Ms Potts said it was a tough competition, the schools having brought their very best to the streets of Gore. Other busking winners Winners in other categories were: Upcoming artist 21 and over: Joven Palomares. Runner-up: Cameron Dixon Upcoming artist 15-20: The Connor Boys. Runner-up: Sometimes Never Upcoming artist under 14: Liam Keating. Runner-up: Lexia Virtuoso unplugged: Rufous Whistler. Runner-up: Jon Collins Virtuoso plugged: Father & Son. Runner-up: James Stent
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Amendments discussed
Changes are coming for the way the country handles waste, but will the potential changes leave smaller councils in a tough spot? Central government is asking councils for feedback regarding proposed amendments to the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979. These amendments would cover changes to the way the water levy is allocated to territorial authorities and what they can spend money on, clarification of roles, improved tools for compliance and other controls for littering and other waste. WasteNet Southland, a joint initiative between Southland District Council, Gore District Council and Invercargill City Council, compiled a list of submissions put forth to the Gore assets and infrastructure meeting last night. The submission was noted as generally supportive of the proposed amendments. However, it asked for a few changes — for example, an adjustment of the method of allocation in funds for the Waste Levy, to account for and reduce discrepancy between councils. Cr Hovell put his hand up in support, stating traditionally the 50% the government had taken, it had put back in to the waste sector. Discussion between councillors ensued. Cr Hovell explained the 50% was similar to recycling schemes, where businesses could apply for funds when applicable due to the minimisation of waste. Cr Hovell also mentioned the importance of a local voice being heard in Wellington, and said there was a distinct way Southland did things. "I think it's important to reinforce to government we do things slightly different here and that needs to be recognised," he said. Cr Fraser seconded this, and said it was important to be vocal despite being a minority compared to larger councils. "When you're fighting numbers, we need to be quite the best we can be," he said. Cr Phillips put a recommendation WasteNet speak to its submissions, which was seconded by Cr Fraser, and the call to approve the submission was carried unanimously.
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Chill no deterrent to busking songbirds from schools
Schools in Gore gathered up their very best songbirds and hit the streets, singing and performing for the hundreds of people who came out to support them or just found themselves in the middle of a bit of musical wonder yesterday. Pictured: Singers from St Mary's School. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG Yesterday's weather at the "Freeze Ya Bits Off" busking competition in Gore helped the annual event live up to its name, with chilly temperatures making it a real test for the buskers. But that did not prevent the event attracting a big turnout of people to watch the local schools perform. The buskers' festival is a four-day extravaganza, with musicians piling on to the streets of Gore for honour, glory, and, of course, coins. Yesterday, the event began with local high school and primary school choirs leading the way with their performances and choreography. Gore District Council events co-ordinator Florine Potts called it a fantastic start. "It went really, really well. We had such a great turnout today with both students and supporters." She said over 500 people came out to watch the various schoolchildren sing along to hit classics. "Quite a few people who were walking stopped and listened, too. It was really great." Last year, the schools portion of the buskers' event was canned due to a teachers only day, but this year everything was in harmony, including the weather, even if it was a bit cool. Waikaka School took the big win, $500, a trophy for its efforts and a spot to perform in the final busking auditions on Sunday. Mataura Primary won $250 for second place. Ms Potts said it was a tough competition, the schools having brought their very best to the streets of Gore. "It all sounded really good. I loved how much effort the schools put into learning dances. "I saw a lot of country hats — they absolutely brought out their best," she said. Next for the busking competition are the audition rounds, for top local and national street musicians, who flock on to the streets to perform. The event wraps up on Sunday with the finale, where the top performers compete for cash prizes while being judged by professionals and the public. Performances are judged on musical talent, stage presence and audience engagement.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Gold mine submissions open
A planned gold-mining operation north of Gore has taken another step forward, submissions having been called for on the project which aims to mine $170 million of gold and employ up to 30 people. Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd is seeking consent from the Gore District Council and Environment Southland to a operate a mine near Waikaka, and about 20km north of Gore. The company has also applied for the mine to be approved under the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The site was previously mined in the early 1900s, and an operator also mined to its south briefly in 2001. Results of site investigations indicate commercial feasibility. The project is looking to mine 95ha of land over eight years, at depths of 20m-40m below ground. a Production is estimated at 6000 ounces of gold per year. Four sections of the Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek would be diverted for a year, before being returned to their current alignment. Waikaia Gold Mines Ltd would also work to enhance the stream channels by restoring river banks with a higher proportion of native species and cobble substrate. Following the eight-year life of the mine, the company would undertake full rehabilitation of the mine site, returning it to a ''similar or improved state''. As a part of the application process, community submissions have been called for due to resource management regulations regarding land disturbance and change of use. Land-use consent is required for the construction of a mine pit and diversion of water in the region, alongside water and discharge permits for various processing and byproducts such as dust and treated water. Submissions, to both the Gore District Council and Environment Southland, have a deadline of June 16.
