Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Mitch returns for Mako
Page 5
Flying high at 86
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NZTA U-turn over weeds MAX FRETHEY
Local Democracy Reporter
The weeds on overgrown Nelson roundabouts and traffic islands along State Highway 6 will now be trimmed this week. The revelation comes less than
a week after the New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi said that weeding wasn’t scheduled until December. The agency has confirmed that the weed control is, weather permitting, expected to be undetaken on Friday along Whakatū
Drive/SH6. A spokesperson said the work had been brought forward because the vegetation has grown “very quickly” during the onset of spring. “The work needs to be undertaken soon before the vegetation becomes unmanageable for our
contractors to manage with their machines.” Weeding is scheduled to be undertaken on the Whakatu/Annesbrook, Waimea/Beatson, and Whakatu/Salisbury roundabouts, but it is unclear if it will extend to the berms in between.
The impact on traffic at this stage is similarly unknown as the traffic management plan is still being developed. The U-turn comes after public outcry launched the weeds back into local headlines.
SEE PAGE 2
Diwali festival lights up ANNE HARDIE As a young girl growing up in Delhi, the Diwali Festival was the equivalent of Christmas for Garima Datta, with lamps lit, brightly-coloured decorations hung around the home and a time to spread love and happiness. Now with her own young daughter growing up in Nelson, Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is a time to continue that tradition and share it with the wider community. Diwali 2024 is being held on Saturday afternoon at Founders Heritage Park, bringing the community together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is the grand finale of the Indian festival season and the local Indian community have had several smaller festivals in the lead-up to Diwali. Garima, who has the Delhi Supermart in Stoke, says that Diwali, like Christmas, is a time for gifts, decorations, food and celebration, but with
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Garima Datta is ready for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Photo: Tessa Claus.
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