NoticesMossburn Rugby Club AGMChristmas Hamper AppealTe Waipounamu Riders Against Domestic Abuse Trust Murihiku Southland VisitEventsWinton Open Day

Otautau born Brittany Smith has won the Senior woolhanding title while Amy Ferguson has taken out the Open woolhanding title, on the first day (14 Nov) of the Canterbury Shears’ national Corriedale shearing and woolhandling championships held in Christchurch.This is just the second competition Smith has entered. Her first competition was 12-months ago when she won junior national title at the same event.Smith started life on a family sheep and deer farm around Otautau before moving to Christchurch - where she is now based and studying for a Masters in Landscape Architecture.However she has never lost her interest in wool and continues to work part-time as a woolhandler for Christchurch contractor Pullin Shearing.Smith said she had been encouraged by many woolhandlers who have taken the time to teach me well.“I would like to travel to more shows this season.""I'd like to try another show at some point. Depends on the season here,” she said.Fellow Southland woolhandler Amy Ferguson's Open section win now gives the experienced woolhander - whose career spans 25 finals over 14 years - three national titles to her name.She previously won the junior national title in 2008 before going on to win the senior title in 2009.The championships finish today (15 Nov) with the national Open, Senior, Intermediate and Junior Corriedale shearing championships, with the Open heats attracting a strong field as the third leg in the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit.Day One Results of the Canterbury Shears in Christchurch (Nov 14)Shearing - Donaghys Canterbury Circuit final (14 sheep)Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 16m 28.5s, 59.71pts, 1Willy McSkimming (Kurow) 16m17.91s, 63.4pts, 2Shaun Burgess (Rakaia) 18m 27.72s, 67.53pts, 3Thomas Lambert (Christchurch) 18m 53s, 68.44pts, 4Dave Brooker (Cust) 19m 8.78s, 69.08pts, 5Alex Smith (Rakaia) 20m 48.78s, 73.51pts, 6New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Open finalAmy Ferguson (Invercargill/Alexandra) 130.106pts, 1Joel Henare (Gisborne/Motueka) 134.024pts, 2Cushla Abraham (Masterton) 139.418pts, 3Charis Morrell (Alexandra) 4New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Senior finalBrittany Smith (Christchurch) 104.626pts, 1Nadine Smith (Christchurch) 156.58pts, 2Hemi Paniora (Christchurch) 238.124pts, 3.New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Junior finalJayda Malanta (Te Kaha) 72.844pts, 1Richanna Clarke (Seddon) 77.268pts, 2Tessa Kirdy (Ashburton) 88.782pts, 3Miriama Thompson (-) 4

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche HazardNo delays expected for the next few days. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Patchy showers.Tomorrow: Fine, morning showers south of Lake Gunn.Sunday: Fine.Monday: Cloud.Tuesday: Showers / rain.

Invercargill City Council has decided to financially support a Waitangi Day event outside of the region — but there’s a catch.Its contribution will depend on other southern councils coming to the party and lending a hand too.Queenstown Lakes District Council will host the event next February in lieu of there being no marae in the area to do so.Ahead of the big day, Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers has requested the four Southland councils give a total $40,000 to match the contribution of Otago councils.A report prepared for an Invercargill City Council committee meeting on Tuesday said there was “shared concern” amongst southern mayors that their councils were not in a position to make a financial contribution.With questions raised at the meeting about whether Queenstown was hosting an official Waitangi Day event, mana whenua representative Panie Coote provided some clarity.Coote said the Treaty had been signed in four places in the South Island, and two of those sat within the local catchment — Ruapuke and Otago Heads.Queenstown was now being treated as a shared area between Southland and Otago, she said.“Just to be clear, a koha is a gift. It’s what people can afford, it’s not a set amount.“And knowing that this is outside our area, I think it would be generous to provide any kind of contribution, but I still think that ten (thousand) is a bit high.”Councillor Alex Crackett said Waitangi Day was important for all New Zealanders and people would still make the trip to Queenstown.For councillor Darren Ludlow, priority needed to go to local events, although he supported an offer that matched neighbouring councils.Mayor Nobby Clark said he had already given tentative support for making a contribution, but pointed out Otago was home to more councils than Southland, which spread their costs out.Ultimately, it was decided that a lesser amount of $5000 would be given, so long as it was matched by the other Southland councils. Clark would be given authority to confirm the amount.The money would be used to help with traffic management, catering, performance, transport and waste management.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southland aquaculture has just received a major boost after it was announced today (14 Nov) that Bluff based company Ocean Beach NZ is to receive a $2.2 million loan from the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).Ocean Beach NZ has established itself as a centre of excellence and innovation, fostering economic growth and sustainable industry practices that benefit the entire community.Managing Director of Ocean Beach, Blair Wolfgram said the investment would allow Ocean Beach to enhance its site with key infrastructure developments, including expanded land-based farming pods, robust biosecurity facilities, essential electrical network upgrades, and repairs to the historic site’s buildings.The expansion of the site would also help Southland tap into global demand while preserving its rich, unspoiled marine environment, creating an aquaculture site that stands for both excellence and sustainability.Wolfgram also expressed excitement for what this development would mean to Southland’s communities and industries.“This is a remarkable opportunity for Southland to lead the way in land-based aquaculture excellence.”“With the RIF support, we’ll be able to reinforce Ocean Beach’s position as a centre where emerging aquaculture businesses can grow, learn, and sell their product from the heart of Bluff.""This site’s expansion means creating more local jobs, attracting further investment, and generating a platform for future-proofing aquaculture in the region."Great South CEO Chami Abeysinghe said the expansion of Ocean Beach represented a critical step forward in positioning Southland as a leader in aquaculture and aligns with our vision of a thriving, sustainable regional economy."The investment by Ocean Beach, supported by central government, lays a strong foundation for Southland’s goal to make aquaculture a $1 billion industry by 2035.""There will be innovation, new jobs and new business opportunities.""We’re optimistic about the positive ripple effects this growth will have on our region, creating a pathway to sustained economic development,” Abeysinghe said.

Repertory Invercargill is heralding the festive season yet again with its Annual Christmas Pantomime - oh yes it is!Thirteen cast members are hard at work rehearsing for the classic pantomime Cinderella and her Ugly Sisters, by Ben Crocker.Directed by Repertory past president Nigel Edwards and Peter Thwaites, Cinderella tells the story of a waif, bullied by her stepmother and two incredibly ugly stepsisters, who is loved by two men and befriended by her Fairy Godmother, Buttons and a Mouse.Seasons sell out every year for these funny, silly and endearing plays, Edwards says.“We put Pantomimes on for the sheer joy they bring to families, cast and crew,” he says.“Pantos are for all the family, young and old, and audiences are part of the show with interaction with the cast, booing the baddies and cheering for the goodies.”Performed by city theatre stalwarts Lyndal and Darren Ludlow and Sebastien Fabre along with many familiar faces, Repertory’s annual Panto is held at a time of year when families are ready for a break and to have some fun, Edwards says.“We keep ticket prices low so all families can come and enjoy the show and then have pictures taken with the cast afterwards. It’s heaps of very silly fun.”Cinderella and her Ugly StepsistersBy Ben CrockerRepertory House, InvercargillWednesday 27 November to Sunday 1 December, evening and matinee shows.Adults $18, Children $8, Two adults and 3 children $45Tickets via Repertory website www.invercargillrepertory.co.nz

A southern council has taken a step towards freeing up land for development despite pushback from the community.Thirty-seven hectares of Invercargill’s Donovan Park have been earmarked for potential alternate use, but there are a number of hoops to jump through before it gets the green light.That includes creation of a proposal for revocation and sale, consultation with mana whenua and DOC, approval from full council, public consultation, a hearing, as well as a ministerial sign-off.On Tuesday, the council’s community wellbeing and regulatory committee agreed a revocation process - which would remove the reserve status- could begin after the area’s reserve management plan is approved in May.A number of issues were raised about the land in question during debate, including where funds from a potential sale would end up and whether it was suitable to build on.Mayor Nobby Clark said he had been approached by about 15 developers in the past 18 months who were interested in farmland at the park.Donovan Park is a 79-hectare area located at the northern end of Invercargill. It includes farmland, a rugby field and even a restaurant. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRThat included interest from aged care and retirement developers who said they would be willing to pay $1 million a hectare, he said.“We should be brave enough to take the chance that we get turned back on this, because the alternative is we just graze a few sheep on it at the moment, which is hardly productive use of such high value land.”But a report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting noted a decision to not progress the revocation would show the council was listening to the community because people had voiced opposition during consultation on the park's masterplan and management plan.It also noted the matter had not been specifically addressed and another public notification would be required if the council decided to push on.Donovan Park is a 79-hectare area at the northern end of Invercargill home to farmland and a number of groups including a rugby club, nursery and organic garden.The council has identified the agriculture and events areas of the park as those with the most potential for alternate land use, which includes housing.If a portion of the land is sold, funds would likely be put aside by the council for the purpose of other reserves in the city.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Experienced cyclists will soon find it easier to travel between Central Otago and Southland's Great Rides, with the formal opening on Friday (15 Nov) of the new 77km Nevis Valley Heartland Ride.The ride follows an existing 4-wheel-drive track and links Central Otago's Lake Dunstan cycle trail - at Bannockburn - with Northland Southland's Around the Mountain cycle trail - at Garston.While the route promises spectacular views and a chance to see relics of the gold-mining era, its gravel tracks, multiple fords and challenging 1275 metre elevations justify its advanced grade-4 status.Southland District Council's Around the Mountain Cycle Trail manager Susan Mackenzie said the new ride was really exciting because it linked the two regions and showed people that there was also cycle trails in Southland that they could enjoy."We're always trying to draw those people who have completed those cycle trails in Otago, down to Southland, and we see it as a good link between the two."Heartland Rides are seen as links between New Zealand's Great Rides, which included both the Lake Dunstan and Around the Mountain cycle trails, Mackenzie said.Climb to Duffers. Photo: J KennettHowever the new Nevis cycle trail would be challenging and may not suit the average cycle trail rider."I guess you need to be quite sort of courageous and ready to go through fords and over big mountains and be really fit," Mackenzie said.The Nevis route is already used by participants in the annual Sound to Sound bikepacking ride, a 1500km cycle journey involving up to 25 riders who travel from Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound to Milford Sound, she said.It is hoped his addition to the existing Otago and Southland cycle trails network will encouraging longer visits and economic benefits for local communities.The trail has had new signage erected but limited cell phone coverage. It will also be subject to seasonal closures due to weather or farming activities.

Surrey Park's 60-year-old grandstand is in line for a facelift with earthquake strengthening scheduled to begin this month (Nov).The grandstand is regularly used by a various sporting organisations including Athletics Southland and the Waihōpai AFC Football Club.The facility was originally to demolished and replaced with a new $1.5 million building, as per Invercargill City Council’s 2021 Long-term Plan, however the project was adapted to keep the project within budget.The amended project will bring the existing grandstand up to 34 percent of earthquake standards.Council Manager for Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said the upgrade would ensure the grandstand met user safety requirements, and was retained as a regional asset for thecommunity.“The grandstand at Surrey Park is an important asset, not just for our city’s athletics and football communities, but for the people of Invercargill and Southland,” she said.“Southland has a rich sporting history, which has been rightly celebrated by our province numerous times in the past.The upgrade of the Surrey Park grandstand will ensure this asset continues to be enjoyed by future generations – and, no doubt, will be the place where members of our community can cheer on Southland’s sporting talents of tomorrow.”Site establishment was scheduled to begin in mid-November, with work to strengthen the grandstand to building code requirements set to commence soon after.Work would also include a new roof, and other improvements, Rain said.Work will be undertaken by by Amalgamated Builders Ltd with the redevelopment expected to be completed by May 2025.The grandstand would be closed during construction, Rain said.“It’s a really positive outcome, and we are looking forward to seeing the Surrey Park Grandstand continued to be enjoyed in the future.”

A new 4-day adventure race - set in Southland and Otago - promises to attract up to 40 teams from Aotearoa and all over the world.Andy Magness. Photo: SuppliedThe grueling event, scheduled for January 2025, is the brainchild of Te Anau's Andy Magness - an experienced adventure racer and organiser.Magness' aim is to not only put New Zealand firmly back on the international adventure racing circuit but also showcase just how beautiful the Otago/Southland region is.CLICK HERE to listen to Magnificent Adventure Race organiser Andy Magness

NoticesMossburn Rugby Club AGMChristmas Hamper AppealEventsWaikaka Art and Craft Exhibition

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche Hazard The Milford Road avalanche season has ended, road reports will continue over summer every Tuesday & Friday.No delays expected for the next few days.Heavy rain is forecast for Friday with possible snow near the tunnel over the weekendWeather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Fine apart from a few cloudy periods.Tomorrow: Showers developing late. Northerlies developing.Thursday: Showers turning to rain.Friday: Heavy rain easing to showers. Late snow possible near the Tunnel. Strong southerlies.Saturday: Showers, possible snow near the Tunnel, clearing early

A recent spate of copper wire thefts around Invercargill urban sites is putting lives at risk according to local network management company PowerNet.Thieves risk electrocuting themselves and endangering the public through electrocution and fire by tampering with electricity network equipment in their search of copper earth wire, PowerNet said.Earth equipment provides electrical protection, without which it exposes people and property to unnecessary risk.PowerNet's HSE and Field Training Manager, Brett Coradine, says several equipment sites have been identified over the past week. "We have had several sites on the Electricity Invercargill Ltd’s network where earth wire from active worksites and a zone substation had been removed, leaving electricity equipment extremely unsafe." "We have dispatched our PowerNet inspection teams based in Invercargill to check all network equipment in the area."The faults teams will urgently repair any faults found. "It is concerning that people are willing to risk their lives and the lives of those in our community for scrap metal that is worth very little in dollar terms," Coradine said.PowerNet is appealing to the public for any information.

Winning a second SBS Bank Tour of Southland in the space of three years is something that will take some time to sink in for Josh Burnett.The 24-year-old produced a strong final day in the 68th edition of the Southland tour to add his name to an elite list of riders who have won the fabled event multiple times.Burnett was third in the morning’s individual time trial in Winton, before his Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling teammates delivered him safely to Invercargill’s Queens Park over the final 77km stage in gale winds to collect the title.The win sees him join the likes of Warwick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Stephen Cox, Jack Swart, Brian Fowler, Gordon McCauley, Hayden Roulston and Aaron Gate.“I definitely don’t hold my name up there with those guys in my own head so it feels surreal when you put me on that list,” Burnett said.“I was just so focused on the one goal today, I’m going to enjoy this and I’m sure a few more stats and comparisons will come up but those guys had some pretty good careers and I’ve got a bit more to show for myself.”Locals show their support for Southland rider Josh Burnett. Photo: Studio Jubb/Tour of SouthlandBurnett’s winning margin was 1min 57sec from Hamilton’s Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel), with Samuel Jenner (Central Benchmakers-Willbike) third at 3min 24sec.Just as it was in 2022 when Burnett became the first Southlander to win their home tour since Doug Bath in 1994, locals turned out to support him over the final stage, with signs and strategically placed hay bales lining the route from Winton to Invercargill.“I’m just so grateful for all the support. Everyone here in Queens Park and all the signs and everything. You kind of realise what being a Southlander means, it’s such a tight-knit community and just how passionate everyone is about sport.“It was weird. It was almost less pressure from 2022 with the drought and the Doug Bath thing and a bit more pressure because a lot of people expected the same thing. A lot more riders were watching me so I had to be a lot more selective with when I went and what I did, but I had such a strong team and I basically sat on the back and climbed when I needed to and followed when I needed to.”Burnett, who will join Spanish Pro Continental team Burgos BH next year, thanked his team for supporting him throughout the year as he looked to regain a professional contract after the demise of Black Spoke.“They all sacrificed so much for me this week but there’s been plenty of times this year when we’ve ridden for different guys and a big part of this team is everyone getting their opportunities because it’s a development team.”Celebrations aplenty.Photo: Studio Judd/Tour of SouthlandAustralian rider Graeme Frislie (Quality Foods Southland) won the bunch sprint in Gala St to claim the stage eight victory after Southlander Tom Sexton had earlier looked to go solo as the tour lapped Queens Park.“It’s been a really fun week out here racing, the weather has thrown out a few challenges but it’s really nice to come out here and repay the boys for their efforts during the week with a win,” Frislie said.Fellow Australian Declan Trezise (Transport Engineering Southland-Deep South) came home safely in the bunch to claim the under 23 classification, finishing fourth overall.Burnett also won the King of the Mountain jersey, while Bailey O’Donnell (Holmes Solutions) took out the Sprint Ace classification and PowerNet won the teams classification.Southland’s Luke Macpherson won the over 35 classification, which was dedicated to the late Ken Lasenby, a beloved figure in New Zealand cycling.

The first two southern New Zealand dotterel/pukunui chicks of the season have hatched on Stewart Island/Rakiura earlier this week and are being well guarded by both parents, according to DOC Senior Biodiversity Ranger Kev Carter.Only found in Southern Southland, the dotterel population is estimated to only number around 101 individual birds, making it one of the most critically endangered birds in New Zealand.“It takes 30 days for pukunui eggs to hatch. The female sits on the nest by day and the male at night. Once chicks are hatched both parents feed them throughout their fledgling stage for about six weeks, until they can fly," Carter said.“Sadly, the lifespan of pukunui is often cut short as they’re killed by predators.""The males are at particular risk as they sit on nests at night when feral cats are most active.”Pukunui only breed on the mountain tops of Rakiura, from September until January, and feed on some estuaries/beaches in Southland and on Rakiura during the winter.A Southern New Zealand Dotterel nest. Photo: Dotterel Dan“The past five years have seen a worrying decline in pukunui numbers from 170 to the current 101,” said Carter.“Rakiura is the final refuge of Pukunui but they are under threat from feral cats, rats, possums, white tailed deer, spur wing plover, black backed gulls and Australasian harriers.“Seven nests have been found so far this season, which is a good start, and we expect to find more throughout November. We are working hard to give pukunui the best breeding season we can.”So far, a total of 38 feral cats have been trapped across mountain breeding sites and nearby forested areas. This is a record number for the team.Two Australasian harriers and a white-tailed deer have also been removed and many rats and possums have been caught in traps.DOC has hired two new rangers for full-time pukunui recovery work for six months, to intensify trapping efforts over the breeding season.“We are throwing everything at this,” Carter said, “and we are so grateful to the many New Zealanders who are helping our efforts by donating to the Southern Dotterel/ Pukunui Recovery Project through the New Zealand Nature Fund.”Around $430,000 has been raised by donations to NZ Nature Fund so far, boosting pest control efforts in remote pukunui breeding habitats and funding species monitoring and research.“Seeing the two new pukunui chicks hatched this week has made our team very happy and along with all those who support this special species, we look forward to seeing many more.”

Southland's new $87 million museum - Te Unua Museum of Southland - moved to the next stage with a special sod-turning ceremony held onsite on Wednesday (6 Oct).Present were city councillors, key stakeholders including funding partners and contractor Naylor Love, mana whenua, various community organisations from throughout Southland, and those within the region’s culture and heritage sector. Invercargill City Council’s Lead Councillor for the museum redevelopment, Grant Dermody, said the event signalled a shift into an exciting new phase of the project with early foundational works getting under way in the coming weeks. “We have been on a long road, but now we are getting into the physical – the project’s getting off the ground and the pieces of the puzzle are all coming together,” he said. “Being able to bring such a significant community asset to life is not an everyday occurrence, and we know how much the people of Southland are looking forward to being able to see the taoka and stories of their region once more.""It was a great opportunity to celebrate the progress of Te Unua Museum of Southland, with so many of those whose support has been vital in getting to the point we are at today.” Te Unua Museum of Southland Director Eloise Wallace said the sod-turning was an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and celebrate an important milestone in the project. “Our region is home to such a wealth of fascinating history, fascinating stories, and Te Unua Museum of Southland is going to serve as the anchor for these.""Being able to celebrate the sod-turning at the site of Murihiku’s new museum with our funding partners, our contractor, mana whenua, and others within the sector was a great insight into what this project means to the wider community and its people,” she said. “Breathing life into Te Unua Museum of Southland is one step closer, and that is hugely exciting.” Te Unua Museum of Southland is scheduled to be opened to the public in late 2026.

Josh Burnett has survived a long day in the wet to retain the leader’s orange jersey heading into the final day of the 2024 SBS Bank Tour of Southland.Guns N’ Roses made November Rain famous, but the peloton got to soak in the full Southland experience in one of the wettest stages in recent memory over a 151km beat from Invercargill to Gore.Australian rider Liam Walsh (PowerNet) made a solo break towards the end of the stage to win ahead of Southland’s Hamish Keast (Transport Engineering Southland-Deep South), who won Most Combative honours, and Japanese rider Elya Hashimoto.Brisbane-based Walsh was happy to survive the conditions and claim a stage win in his first Southland tour.“Today was very different, we don’t normally get that much rain over the course of a day but I’ve performed well in the wet before so I was happy to continue that streak,” Walsh said.“You hear so many stories about this race from everyone back home. I think every time you have a long day people always say, ‘Southland’s way harder’. They weren’t wrong. The first day was a baptism of fire and the rest of the week has been stunning, I’ve really enjoyed the scenery and getting to ride in a great tour.”Riders make their way up the Waimumu hill climb on the stage from Invercargill to Bluff. Photo: Photo: Studio Jubb/Tour of SouthlandIt’s been a successful week so far for the PowerNet team, with Nate Hadden wearing orange for a day and Kiaan Watts winning into Lumsden on Monday. Walsh’s win, his first in a solo effort, helped lift the team into the lead in the teams classification.“Kiaan won earlier in the week and he’d been trying for five or six years, so to get it done my first time is very special.”Burnett and his Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project teammates were asked to carry a heavy workload throughout the stage, ensuring what began as a 16-strong break did not extend their advantage into danger territory.At one stage the breakaway got out to close to seven minutes ahead on the road, but a small crash and a lack of cohesion helped to bring the gap down.“It’s one to tick off for us. We wanted a break to go and it wasn’t too threatening for the (general classification). We were happy for it to go through to the line within a reasonable time,” Burnett said.“My teammates did really well so I owe them a lot for today because it was more on their shoulders than mine.”Stage winner Liam Walsh, of Australia. Photo: Studio Jubb/Tour of SouthlandBurnett is now on the cusp of his second Southland win in three years. His 2022 victory broke a drought going back to 1994 when Doug Bath had been the last local to win their home tour.Support for Burnett continues to grow with each kilometre the peloton travels, even if he doesn’t always get a chance to acknowledge it.“It’s special. You are trying to focus on the race but you can’t take that for granted because I don’t think there are too many races where you have so many signs and schools. I’m really appreciative for all the support, even though sometimes I can’t wave but it’s been a great week so far.”Australian Declan Trezise (Transport Engineering Southland-Deep South) has a 10min 47sec lead in the under 23 classification and is placed fourth overall, while Southland’s Luke Macpherson (Macaulay Ford-GoodTech) leads the over 35 category by 2min 28sec.Bailey O’Donnell (Holmes Solutions) has wrapped up the Sprint Ace classification, while Burnett leads the King of the Mountain standings.The final day of the tour includes a 13km individual time trial based at Winton, before the 77km stage from Winton to Invercargill which brings the tour home after a seven day journey.Tour leader Josh Burnett. Photo: Studio Jubb/Tour of Southland Burnett, who leads Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling Team) by 1min 41sec and third placed Samuel Jenner (Central Benchmakers-Willbike) by 2min 52sec, won the individual time trial on the way to his breakthrough victory in 2022, but he is certainly not feeling comfortable heading into the final day.“I’m just taking it one stage at a time. We’ll have a good go in the time trial and then really focus on that last stage because anything can happen.”

Below is a list of planned roadwork sites on Southland state highways next week where you may experience delays.  Also included this week is more information about the programmed asphalt resurfacing work on SH1 Tay St, SH1 Clyde St and SH6 Dee St in the new year – follow this link for more information. If you have any questions, please reach out. ** Reminder that there is a temporary road closure in place tomorrow on SH6 in Winton, Saturday 9th November for the Tour of Southland – SH6 Great North Road in Winton, road closure from Albert St to Bute St between 8.30am and 12.30pm. Detour via Bute/Park/Albert Streets. Heavy detour via Gap Rd West/Winton Substation Rd/Winton Wreys Bush highway.Highways South work with temporary traffic lights and temporary speed limits:SH6, Limehills, pavement renewal SH6 Jollies hill, digoutsSH93 Old Coach Road near Hurst Road, pavement repairsSH93 Old Coach Road near Waikana Road, pavement repairsSH93 Old Coach Road between Waikana Road and Ferndale Road, pavement repairsSH94 at Waimea St Croydon, digoutsSH94 near Balfour, pavement renewalSH94 west of Mossburn, pavement renewal SH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway at Transmission Line Road, pavement repairs & sealingSH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway near Drummond Oreti Road, pavement repairsSH96 Wreys Bush-Nightcaps highway between Opio and Aparima Roads, sealingThird party work and events with traffic management in place this week:SH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for watermain RenewalSH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for replacement of foul sewerSH1 Tay St Invercargill, lane drop for watermain RenewalSH6 Dee St Invercargill, lane drop for open trenchingSH6 Dee St Invercargill, lane drop for watermain RenewalSH6 Dee St Invercargill, lane drop for stormwater renewalSH6 Makarewa, stop/go for tree maintenanceSH6 Winton, road closure and detour (as above) for Tour of Southland SH6 Lochiel, stop/go for tree maintenanceSH95 Manapouri Te Anau Highway, stop/go for tree fellingSH99 Riverton, Stop/go for seal wideningUpcoming work/events16th November – SH6 Winton, northbound closure for eventLate November, SH99 Lorneville overbridge, pavement renewal30th November - Invercargill Santa Parade, SH6 Dee St closure8th December - Gore Christmas Parade, SH1 Main St closure24th December - Riverton Santa Parade, SH99 Palmerston St closureJanuary/February – SH1/SH6 inner city Invercargill asphalt renewalJanuary – SH6 Jollies hill, pavement renewalJanuary – SH96 Glencoe, pavement renewalFebruary – SH1 Bluff highway, pavement renewalFebruary – SH99 Tuatapere, pavement renewal Useful links:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-plannerFreight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.Thanks for following the traffic management on our worksites, both when teams are working and when the sites are unattended, for the safety of our crew, other road users and to protect the road surface. 

Up to 68 closed circuit cameras (CCTV) are being rolled out in Invercargill's CBD, South City and Stirling Point in Bluff, as the Invercargill City Council (ICC) responds to requests from the community and Police plan to make the city safer.Stage one of the council surveillance project, costing $2.3 million, will see CCTV within the Tay St-Gala St-Queens Dr-Leven St boundary, South City, and Stirling Point in Bluff.It is hoped to have the system will be up and running by Christmas, with all cameras directly hardwired to the fibre network.Stage two would involve scoping the wider Invercargill area for further potential CCTV placements.Council Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said South City and Bluff had been incorporated into the first stage at the request of the community.Invercargill City Council Project Manager Daniel Wilkinson, Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark and Southland Police Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman. Photo: ICC“There was an overwhelming want for these two communities to have CCTV along with the CBD. We have heard what they’ve been saying and have adjusted our plans accordingly."“The Bluff community has been asking for CCTV at Stirling Point for some time now after the glass panels were vandalised on several different occasions and we are pleased that we can now provide this for them,” Moogan said.“Having CCTV in our community is to act as a preventative measure. Our community can have peace of mind that their safety is front of mind for us.”While ICC was the owner of the CCTV, Police would be able to access real-time footage. However, they would be required to request past footage if needed.Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark said he was pleased to see the CCTV project under way.“This is something the community has been wanting for some time now. All aspects of the project have been agreed on and we can now get to the next steps in keeping our community safe."“This is designed to support and protect our community.”The first cameras have started being installed but will not be online until fully commissioned.