Happy birthday Robert Smith – 51 today.
You can’t stay if you can’t go – again
21/04/2010The Hawea Community Association was so frustrated by rubbish and human waste left behind by visitors members blocked vehicle access to some areas.
Who can blame them?
As freedom campers increase in numbers so do problems with too few loos.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean met the association and was impressed that they had come up with possible solutions:
Mrs Dean said suggestions from the meeting included more signage, maps of the North and South Islands, showing public toilets, dump stations and the different types of camping areas, a requirement to have porta potties in all camper vans without holding tanks and the progressive development of freedom camping areas with toilets provided.
The larger camper cans and caravans usually have their own loos. But smaller ones don’t and are often hired by people travelling on the cheap who don’t want to pay camping fees.
The provision of more public loos would help so that people have somewhere to go where they’re likely to stay but that comes at a cost.
Companies renting vehicles to tourists have a responsibility to educate them about the long distance between loos and give a very strong message that they can’t stay in places if there’s nowhere to go.
Drought’s official
21/04/2010It’s official: we’re not just dry we’re suffering from drought and the government has recognised that by extending drought relief to the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and parts of South Canterbury and Otago.
Agriculture Minister David Carter said:
“As soil temperatures fall, rain will come too late for some, forcing the sell-off of capital stock. As a farmer who has weathered difficult droughts, I know how demoralising this is for farmers and rural communities” says Mr Carter.
“The measures approved today will mobilise local Rural Support Trusts to provide support for farmers coping with financial, social or farm management concerns.”
The declaration of a medium-level drought triggers an assistance package that covers farm management advice, welfare support and funding for Rural Support Trusts. In addition Inland Revenue will offer some flexibility within its Income Equalisation Scheme.
Mr Carter says that good planning is critical for farmers heading into winter.
“Experience of previous droughts shows that farmers who have contingency plans in place and make timely decisions are the ones who get through in the best shape.”
We’re experiencing unusually warm weather so still getting growth where there’s water.
Last week’s rain freshened irrigated pastures but it did little more than lay the dust on dry land.
It’s been a long time since it’s been this dry for this long in North Otago. But we remember what we learned from previous droughts and the Minister’s advice is right – have a plan and make decisions.
Now that drought’s official, Rural Support Trusts will be available for advice and practical assistance.