Regional Council notes

“Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink”.  This well-known line from ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ could have easily applied to the Wairarapa recently.  Unlike the Ancient Mariner though, we weren’t becalmed near the equator but rather inundated by persistent rain, courtesy of a turbulent weather system, causing localised flooding and high lake levels.

It wasn’t the worst storm we had experienced by any stretch of the imagination but it did serve to remind us that we have little control over what nature delivers.  It also reminded us of the fragility of many of the region’s infrastructure assets as roads succumbed to slips and bridges were closed due to high river levels.

The wild weather affected many people in various ways and at a recent meeting around the governance of Wairarapa Moana, Greater Wellington was challenged around its management of the lake levels which are dictated by, amongst other things, a Water Conservation Order.

When I enquired as to the actual water levels Graeme Campbell, Manager of Flood Protection, provided the following comment.

“We will have to check the recorded lake levels to be able to confirm what they were during the period being commented on but there is never any reason for us to elevate those levels unless those in Lake Onoke are elevated due to the closing of the mouth to the sea. The only time we open the gates to elevate levels in Wairarapa Moana is when we are unable to open Lake Onoke and the levels there are so high they are causing problems to those around the Lake. The levels may have been high but it would not be because we kept them high, more it would be as a result of high seas stopping us from opening the mouth and high river flows.” … Continue Reading

Recycling collections

Wednesday 11th August Glass 

Wednesday 18th August Wheelie bins

Wednesday 25th  August Glass 

News from First Church

Through winter cold, through bitter wind and biting frost

the silent seeds of spring wll grow

and buried dreams will not be lost

  Shirley Murray

During these wintery months we continue to meet each Sunday at 10am in the hall on Weld Street, but instead of sitting at tables cafe style as usual, we are gathered round one long table down the middle, with boxes and piles of books all round us – because organising and sorting for the delayed but eagerly anticipated book fair is now well in hand! 

Anyone is welcome to join us – our cafe opens at 10am with morning tea and friendly chat to start – so different from “church” of earlier times, which so many no longer find attractive or helpful. If you might enjoy a refreshing, thoughtful kind of service come and join us!

The 13^th Annual Midwinter Monster Book Fair will be held from Friday 20^th to Sunday 22^nd August at the Waihenga Centre Martinborough Town Hall. … Continue Reading

Maree’s musings

FROM OUT THERE …

Space travel’s been in the news lately. Of course, it’s nothing new, but just now when any sort of travel is out of bounds for most mortals [thanks, Co-vid], the thought of going very far away appeals. Way back in 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first person to orbit the earth and just eight years later, walking on the moon became A Thing. 

And as I write, less than a month has passed since Jeff Bezos with his guests flew his very own rocket 106km above the earth, following Richard Branson nine days before. ‘Best day ever!’ was Bezos’ comment when he landed. In fact the trip lasted only ten minutes, give or take; which was not really much time to reflect on the mess the ‘blue marble’ they temporarily left behind is in.

I’m sure it would have been impossible to see forests on fire or the odd flood [gosh, we had one or two at the time] even if they had been looking instead of enjoying zero gravity and focussing on avoiding orbiting space junk. Our own little islands would have been hard to spot, especially under those rain clouds. And what about the vast areas of land destroyed and not capable of sustaining life? The war zones. Places ravaged by Co-vid. Sad.

Future jaunts are inevitable. There are already space stations with crews on board planned to keep the ISS one, launched 22 years ago, company. All in the name of scientific research, or possibly with a military purpose. That’s worrying. You’d think we have enough strife going on down here without adding ‘space squabbles’ to the mix!  … Continue Reading