Nearly $19 million worth of building consents have been issued in the Tararua District in the current financial year.
The high level of demand has seen the Tararua District Council out-source some of its consents processing to a contractor.
In February this year the value of consents was $3.5 million, with a year to date total of $18,986,390.00.
Council spokesperson Russell Palmer says demand on the Building Team is greater than ever.
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The Government has introduced a new module to assist farmers with intensive winter grazing.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced the development of the online module yesterday to help farmers achieve immediate improvements in intensive winter grazing practices.
The online tool has been developed by MPI, the Ministry for the Environment, councils and industry representatives to help improve practices to benefit freshwater quality and animal welfare.
Mr O’Connor said the 2021/22 Intensive Winter Grazing Module highlights practical solutions farmers can take to mitigate the effects of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter months.
He said they include leaving a buffer of at least five metres next to waterways, grazing crops top down where they grow on a slope, and using portable water troughs to limit livestock movements.
The module is available on the MPI website.
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A local Police officer was allegedly assaulted following a random traffic stop earlier this month.
Constable Andy Walker said the incident happened on the 18th of April where two local officers stopped a vehicle near Kaimotu Road, north of Waipukurau.
He said the driver was on bail conditions for a number of fairly serious offences, with one of the conditions not to consume alcohol.
The man was placed under arrest after a breath test confirmed he had been drinking alcohol, and he attempted to drive-off.
Mr Walker said one of the officers lent in the vehicle to attempt to remove the keys when the driver assaulted him and drove off.
He said the officer was able to pepper spray the driver and get free.
The driver was from out of town.
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