Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
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Wednesday 16 August 2023
Women in gaming
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New bus interchange could cost $5 million Local Democracy Reporter
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Double the fun for Rockquest finalist
MAX FRETHEY
The planned bus interchange at Millers Acre could cost up to $5 million – more than $3 million higher the price originally estimated in 2022. An expanded scope and rising construction costs are the main drivers of the increase from the original estimate of $1.4 million. “The original eBus hub at Millers Acre, following support from council, has evolved into something bigger and more useful for our city,” says Nelson City Council’s group manager infrastructure, Alec Louverdis. The planned interchange will have space for six eBuses are well as having the ability to cater to intercity buses. “Alongside increases in construction costs, this change in scope means the cost will be more than originally estimated.” Alec adds that while the exact impact on price was unknown, the change in scope is “significant” and so council is anticipating the cost to be between $2 million and $5 million. The $5 million figure is the highest amount that
Three generations of First XV
Kahu Sanson-Burnett is taking the stage twice at the Smokefree Rockquest national finals next month. Photo: Kate Russell.
KATE RUSSELL From playing bass with The Beths to taking on New Zealand’s top young musicians, it’s been an industrious year for Nayland College’s Kahu Sanson-Burnett. The Year 13 student has made the Smokefree Rockquest national finals next month for his duo JOLA BURNS
with his cousin Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis. But also, his other band Parallel Park has been invited to play as the guest band for the event on 16 September in Auckland, which means he will be taking the stage twice on the night. “It’s pretty crazy,” he says. “There are over 800 acts who enter around the country,
but to be one of the top acts and also get to play with Parallel Park is pretty amazing.” Although he says the nerves have started to kick in, he’s looking forward to the event at Q Theatre. “It will be awesome meeting all the other musicians.” To add to his success this year, Kahu also got to play bass for Kiwi indie rock band
The Beths in Wanaka at the YAMI SouNZ Summit in May, and in the same month travelled to Auckland for an APRA AMCOS mentorship at Parachute Studios. Kahu started learning the guitar when he was around seven years old, and hasn’t looked back.
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