Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 20 November 2024
Bricks on show
Tigers roar again
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$200k achieving ‘almost nothing’ MAX FRETHEY
Local Democracy Reporter
An atmosphere of anger and disappointment hung over the Tasman District Council chamber last Thursday after it estimates it spent around $200k achieving “almost nothing”.
Councillors made clear they were “extremely frustrated” with the Government’s new rule that dictates how councils set speed limits and plan to push back on Transport Minister Simeon Brown. The rule, signed off by the Minister, blocks the district from low-
ering more than 100 speed limits despite the changes being consulted on and complying with the limits contained within the rule. As a result, councillors grudgingly supported re-consulting the community on the changes that they already agreed to in July. While the cost of re-consulting
has not yet been calculated, it’s estimated that the council’s prior work on its now-ineffective speed management plan was about $200,000. Councillor Chris Hill said the Government was being “disingenuous” by demanding councils cut back on spending while
requiring the council to spend more money on re-consulting residents. “I just find it really disrespectful and an immature approach, actually.” Councillor Christeen Mackenzie
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Creating a menagerie of crochet animals ANNE HARDIE Jill Holland’s first success with crochet was a teal-blue mini dress that she made to wear to the hospital to perk up her ill mother. It was another half century before she took up serious crochet and today she is surrounded by crocheted giraffes, dinosaurs and ponies with multi-coloured tack. The 84-year-old had a table laden with crocheted toys at the Arvida Oakwoods’ village Christmas mini market last week, including her favourite, a bright blue giraffe with a yellow bow tie. She lives in a serviced apartment in the village these days, but for three years lived in the hospital unit, recovering from a stroke and various illnesses that followed the loss of her husband. It was crochet that literally got her back on her feet. “My husband had died and there was just too
SEE PAGE 5
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Jill Holland churns out a new crocheted toy every two to three days. Photo: Anne Hardie.
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