COUNCIL NEWS

From The Acting Mayor – April 2024

By Melissa Sadler-Futter

I’m thrilled to connect with you through The Star as your Acting Mayor this month, during

Martin’s leave of absence. 

If we haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet, “hi”, my name is Melissa, and I live in Featherston with my family. I’m here to address any questions or concerns you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at melissa.sadlerfutter@swdc.govt.nz

Throughout the summer months, Martinborough has witnessed some good progress on several key

projects. Among these advancements, the enhancement of lighting at the square’s crossings stands

out as a positive step in the right direction.  … Continue Reading

Protecting and preserving the International Dark Sky

International Dark Sky Week, April 2 – 8, is upon us worldwide. It is a week of world-wide celebration of the dark and natural night, co-ordinated by DarkSky International. 

Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is the volunteer group accredited by DarkSky International to help  preserve, protect, enhance and promote the region’s beautiful dark night sky. 

Wairarapa reserve is one of about a dozen groups working across the nation to protect and preserve the night sky from light pollution.

The week-long global celebration of the night began on April 2 and culminates on April 8, to coincide with 2024’s total solar eclipse.

DarkSky International notes:

“For many, the dark night is often misunderstood, unfamiliar and even frightening. But the natural night is filled with wonder and awe, and is critical to the heal;th and wellbeing of the planet and its many creautres and life-forms.

“Join DarkSky International to discover the night together, learn about the harmful effects of light pollution and what we can do to embrace the dark and save the night.

“Check out the official International Dark Sky Week website to learn more about this one-of-a-kind celebration and actions you can take to fight light pollution – such as taking the DarkSky Pledge to protect the night!”

For more information, visit idsw.darksky.org

ends

Vineyard gas gun disturbs neighbours, but not the council

A vineyard gas gun bird scarer is exercising, annoying and upsetting a vineyard’s neighbours on Ferry Road – with one council official recommending they consider private legal action in the absence of council enforcing its gas gun rules.

“Her (Council CEO Janice Smith) officers seem to be shielding the growers around Martinborough,” an exasperated Hilton Doherty told The Star, responding to an article (OK Boomer: it’s bird scarer time) in the March edition. 

That item noted: “the clincher: how to lodge a noise complaint so council’s environmental health and noise control staffers can be alerted.”

Doherty has been doing that for two years, while another neighbour wrote to the council to raise “the issue of excessive gas gun use back in January 2022 with Rick (Mead, manager environmental services), and agree with Hilton about the disappointing response from SWDC about this on-going issue.”  … Continue Reading

UPDATER: Wairarapa Moana mussels in deep trouble – survey

By Martin Freeth

Trees of Martinborough

Kākahi/ freshwater mussel populations in Lake Wairarapa are in deep trouble due to water pollution and the effects of climate change – a condition confirmed again in preliminary results from recent monitoring by NIWA  ecologist Mark Fenwick and his band of “citizen scientists.”  

Mark was joined by about 30 Wairarapa locals and a group of environmental specialists from Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Department of Conservation for the 10^th annual ‘kākahi count’ at Western Lake Reserve on Saturday, 10 February. Ten teams of three people waded into the shallows and collected mussel samples for measurement and visual assessment of their shells. … Continue Reading