Ashburton Courier: March 26, 2020

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Page 2, Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday March 26, 2020 Local news at www.starnews.co.nz BUSINESS OWNERS Build customers, sales and profits with us ... Over 16,065 copies delivered to EVERYhome,farm, RD and lifestyle blocks in MidCanterbury news Linda Clarke Editor 308 7664 linda.clarke@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Reporters Mick Jensen mick.jensen@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Toni Williams toni.williams@alliedpress.co.nz advertising Jann Thompson Sales Manager 308 7664 027 587 6351 jann.thompson@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Roselle Fuaso Sales Account Manager 308 7664 021 197 8297 roselle@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Karen Gane Sales Account Manager 308 7664 021 510 804 karen.gane@ashburtoncourier.co.nz getintouch Editorial linda.clarke@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Advertising info@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Production murray.thompson@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Accounts accounts@alliedpress.co.nz Distribution/Deliveries leonie.marsden@ashburtoncourier.co.nz Office office@ashburtoncourier.co.nz 03 308 7664 199 Burnett Street,Ashburton www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz 2253088 Tech keeps family united Ashburton nurse Linda George is using Skype to keep in touch with her 84yearold dad. Linda helped him set up the audiovisual communication last week when she decided to stop visiting in person, to eliminate the chance of passing on Covid19 to him or her mother, who has memory problems. Her parents live in Dunedin, but even if they lived around the corner in Ashburton, she would have done the same. ‘‘Because Iamafrontline health worker, Idecided not to visit them.’’ The elderly are most at risk of serious complications if they contract the virus and Linda says families need to find safe ways of staying in touch. She and her dad tested the Skype arrangement last week and have been using it ever since. ‘‘They worry about what is coming. They are very aware and have their own way of dealing with the effect of the protocols to stay inside.’’ Linda said it was difficult sometimes for her dad, who needed to repeat messages about handwashing because of her mother’s memory problems. But Skype has allowed them to all see each other’s faces and chat. ‘‘Seeing aface really adds to the conversation.’’ Linda’s nursing takes her into the Ashburton community where she works with older people. Some said they missed not seeing their families. Very rarely do Luxaflex blinds go on sale – youdon’t want to missthis. Foralimited time only,you canexperience the world’smostadmired windowcoveringsata discountwith 15%off Roller Blinds, Sunscreensand Venetian Blinds. Beautyis in thedetails, find them here luxaflex.co.nz Linda George keeps in touch with her elderly parents via Skype. Some families were using their creativity to stay together, but with asafe physical distance. ‘‘One family bought tea up and they ate it 15 % off * Offer available 1stMarch -31stApril. Redmonds Furnishing &FlooringLtd 174Burnett Street, Ashburton Phone (03) 3085269 furnishing@redmonds.co.nz www.redmonds.co.nz on the balcony, while the parents sat inside behind glass and ate.’’ Linda said it was important to look out for older people and to see if they needed help. Amessage from Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown We will getthroughthis, we must These past few weeks and especially in the last 24 hours, our nation has been coming to terms with Covid19 and what needs to be done to protect our people. Alevel four alert is in effect right across the country and during this unprecedented time, Iwish to impress upon every resident the severity of this situation and the necessity of following the Government's instructions. This lockdown on nonessential services and activities has never before happened in our lifetimes and Ihope that it will never need to be revived again in the future. But, in this time of immediate risk to our people and communities, it is anecessary measure to save lives, potentially thousands of lives. Ifully support the Government's actions to reduce the spread of Covid19. Covid19 is aserious disease, Mayor Neil Brown which carries severe risks particularly for the elderly, those with underlying health issues and compromised immune systems. Please take this level four alert seriously and play your part to protect not only your own health but that of our whole community. As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said, the Government is doing everything in its power to protect us and now it is up to all of us to do what we can to protect each other. Treat yourself as if you were infected and distance yourself from everyone you are not in isolation with. You may not be worried about the affects of being infected, but think about your loved ones who may be at more risk of the disease's symptoms. Let's also ensure we are being kind and looking out for one another. We may be restricting physical contact, but there are still ways to keep in touch, whether that be aphone call, email, text message or Skype. Keeping in touch with our families, friends and neighbours will be hugely important to our mental health over the coming weeks. The affect on our local * economy will be very tough and my thoughts are with those who may be out of work and businesses who may seriously struggle. Financial assistance is available through the Government's economic package and you can find details about this on the covid19.govt.nz website. Iwould also stress that essential services are continuing to operate through this time, and this includes supermarkets. Please do not stockpile items. There is plenty for everyone if we continue to shop as we would usually do. Panic buying only causes distress for those who are vulnerable and who are then unable to buy essential items for themselves. As the Prime Minister has made clear, we will get through this together, and we must. Let's work together every single one of us, to do right by our country and our people. 2263108
Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday March 26, 2020, Page 3 Drivethrough flu vaccines From Page 1 Flu vaccines have arrived and doctors have been calling up elderly and other vulnerable patients to arrange vaccinations. The Tinwald Medical Centre is operating adrivethrough vaccination clinic and on Tuesday vaccinated 80 people in two and ahalf hours. People drove through acar park at their instructed appointment time, sleeves rolled up and ready to be vaccinated. Dr Emma Andrew said people receiving flu vaccinations would be contacted by their medical centres and they should follow instructions. At Tinwald, patients could have a support person in the car, preferrably someone in their selfisolating contact bubble. The lockdown announced by Prime Your dream laundryis easiertoachievethan you think! Our highlyexperienced teamishappytowork withyou on your renovation or new build. The Renovation Experts Minister Jacinda Ardern will last four weeks. Only essential businesses, including supermarkets, pharmacies and farming, will continue. Police will continue to patrol streets and respond to crime. Ashburton District Council will continue to pick up red rubbish bins and yellow recycling bins from the kerbside as per normal collection days. If you are sick, call your GP if you have afever, cough, shortness of breath, sneezing or runny nose. If you do not have a GP, call Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453. If you are well, stay home. If you are outside your home bubble, keep 2metres away from others. Use trusted sources of information in the lockdown period: www.covid19.govt.nz and www.moh.govt.nz Laundry Dreams 9am-5pm Mon-Fri9.30am-12.30pm Sat Useyour outdoor living areas all year round • Warm &dry in winter • Stylish &permanent • UV protection forsummer • 5year warranty Call your local installer BrentPatterson based in Geraldine Talk to us now! Free Quote BOOK NOW 606 East St, Ashburton P: 307 7131 www.kitchenexpress.co.nz CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE MID &SOUTH CANTERBURY Freephone 0800 777 855 l www.archgola.co.nz >> 2269232 Anew route to Sharplin Falls is being planned and environmentally assessed. Sharplin Falls on funding radar By Linda Clarke Advance Ashburton has given the Mt Somers Walkway Society just over $20,000 to complete an environmental effects assessment of aproposed alternative walking track to Sharplin Falls. The original and popular family walking track has been closed since 2015 because of the danger of falling rocks after earthquakes. Society chairman Charles Ross said the study could take a couple of months. The engineer undertaking it would be looking for any adverse effects that could result from aproposed new track that would skirt around the rockfall area. The new track should not disrupt existing bush too much, Stay home. Save lives. 2128195 he said. Society members, trackbuilders and engineers will head into the area soon for a preliminary look. Mr Ross said the society would apply for grants from other funding organisations to build the new track, if the environmental report was positive. He said the walkway society was very grateful to have received $21,700 via the Advance Ashburton Charitable Foundation, from the trust fund of the late Ian Glassey. The environmental affects study is necessary to progress the proposed new track. Mr Ross said the society believed that reopening the new track to the falls would return a valuable recreational opportunity to the district, and enhance the wellbeing and health of local people and visitors to the area. Following an earlier positive geotechnical report, and after much deliberation, the society had chosen anew route to the fall, he said. It would include substantial bridges. Society members had been liaising with excellent preferred contractors for the engineering and design of the bridges and track, and awellrespected construction company who would install the bridges. ‘‘The Department of Conservation (DOC) has not given final approval but they are supportive of the walkway society’s work to reopen the walk to the falls. ‘‘Although the society has received some small donations and the proceeds from arecent 4x4 safari, the Advance Ashburton contribution is the first substantial grant for which an application has been made, and received. Once the report from the assessment of environmental effects is received it allows the project to be submitted to DOC for final approval. After that approval of substantial funds will need to be raised to complete the project.’’ The Sharplin Falls track is part of anetwork of tracks maintained and developed by the society and Department of Conservation. Since it has been out of commission, the society has created asubstitute walk and picnic area, but members are keen to have the falls back in public walking distance. ADC chief executive Hamish Riach Servicesinunprecedented times The events unfolding around the country, especially in this past week, have been rapid and confronting. We are now in unprecedented times that require us –more than ever, to be united as acommunity and country to work through the challenges of Covid19. With alevel four alert now in place for at least the next four weeks, we must all be doing our part to slow the spread of this disease. While this is under way, the council is doing everything it can to follow the Government’s new measures while also ensuring crucial local services are maintained for you. Very shortly after the Prime Minister announced the country was moving into alevel three and then four alert, the council made the call to close our community facilities –the EA Networks Centre, Ashburton Public Library and Museum as well as the Ashburton Trust Event Centre. Reserves, camping grounds (unless for essential service personnel) and community halls are likewise, closed. Our staff from these centres are now being redeployed to support not only other essential council functions, but also communityled support activities. Council’s administration building on Baring Square West is Hamish Riach closed in line with the Government’s directive to reduce physical contact with others. We have many of our staff working from home so that essential services can continue. Our drinking, storm, stock and waste water services are being delivered as normal. We will continue to pick up your red rubbish bin and yellow recycling bin from the kerbside as per your normal collection days. We are working through the potential to have limited opening hours for the Resource Recovery Park and will give further advice as soon as we can. Rural recycling dropoff sites will remain open. Unfortunately, glass recycling is suspended until further notice. We ask that you store your empties at home in the meantime. We will let you know when this changes. Our customer service team are working from home, but are set up to take calls and emails to assist you with your inquiries. Regulatory services such as building and resource consents remain operational. The speed of change to level four has been understandably very swift, and the situation may well continue to change over the coming four weeks and potentially beyond. We will continue to adapt and respond as necessary, and will continue to stay in touch with the community throughout. We understand these are very challenging times for everyone. The council will continue to communicate with you about any potential change to our services or activities. Follow our Facebook page (@AshburtonDC), sign up to our free text/SMS alert service (by texting your postcode to 4196) or head to our website ashburtondc. govt.nz to stay informed.
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Ashburton Courier: March 26, 2020

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