Taranaki aquifer contaminated 50 times more than acceptable
12 May, 2021 09:30 PM
5 minutes to read
By Robin Martin of RNZ.
An aquifer in coastal Taranaki cannot be used to boost water supplies at Ōkato because it has been contaminated with an agricultural chemical and could be considered a risk to human health.
Testing of a bore at Oxford Rd found levels of the fungicide difenoconazole at 50 times that permitted in the European Union.
As part of its draft long-term plan, the New Plymouth Council is looking to shore up water supplies and wants to sink bores and establish micro treatment plants near towns and villages in the district.
Taranaki aquifer contaminated 50 times more than acceptable
12 May, 2021 09:30 PM
5 minutes to read
By Robin Martin of RNZ.
An aquifer in coastal Taranaki cannot be used to boost water supplies at Ōkato because it has been contaminated with an agricultural chemical and could be considered a risk to human health.
Testing of a bore at Oxford Rd found levels of the fungicide difenoconazole at 50 times that permitted in the European Union.
As part of its draft long-term plan, the New Plymouth Council is looking to shore up water supplies and wants to sink bores and establish micro treatment plants near towns and villages in the district.
Report from RNZ by Robin Martin
After the indignity of being labelled a ‘zombie town,’ Whanganui is now experiencing a growth spurt that has seen it fall victim to that most metropolitan of scourges – traffic congestion.
And one pinch-point raises the heckles more than most – the more than 100-year-old Dublin Street Bridge. Opened to trams, vehicles and pedestrians in 1914, the historic two-lane steel bridge connects State Highways 3 and 4 via central Whanganui.
It cost $75,000, took two-and-a-half years to build and contains 1000 tonnes of steel, and 30 tonnes of rivets.
But controlled via roundabouts at each end, the Dublin Street bridge is struggling with the 5000 new residents Whanganui has attracted over the past few years.
Whanganui s Dublin St bridge causing bottlenecks . and headaches
10 May, 2021 08:29 PM
4 minutes to read
Traffic congestion at the Dublin Street bridge. Photo / Bevan Conley NZME
RNZ
By Robin Martin of RNZ
After the indignity of being labelled a zombie town Whanganui is now experiencing a growth spurt that has seen it fall victim to that most metropolitan of scourges - traffic congestion.
And one pinch-point raises the heckles more than most - the more than 100-year-old Dublin Street Bridge.
Opened to trams, vehicles and pedestrians in 1914 the historic two-lane steel bridge connects State Highways 3 and 4 via central Whanganui.
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It cost the princely sum of $75,000, took two and a half years to build and contains 1000 tonnes of steel, and 30 tonnes of rivets.
Police believe social media challenge behind teens stealing 100 Mazdas
(Photo / Getty)
By Robin Martin for RNZ
Police suspect social media challenges are driving a spate of Mazda thefts in Taranaki.
A group of 30 teenagers - some as young as 13 - are believed to be responsible for stealing more than 100 cars of this brand since January.
The Mazda theft phenomenon first appeared in Taranaki in November and December, when up to 30 were stolen.
Since the start of the year, a total of 200 vehicles have been taken in the province - 108 of them Mazdas, many of the type usually referred to as nana cars .