Blog - Local News
Hokitika Gorge more popular than DOC thought
The Department of Conservation will reassess the way it counts visitor numbers to the Hokitika Gorge because the attraction may be even more popular than previously thought.
Over the Christmas period local residents observed that the car park at the gorge — which has space for two bus parks and 16 car parks —had become congested due to the number of cars and campervans.
Franz Josef not dry
Franz Josef Township is open for business and fully watered in one of the West Coast’s best ever summers. A hiccup with the water supply system last week resulted in water services being cut for 1½ hours, but the town is now being supplied fresh water direct from the side of a
mountain in the adjoining national park and all services are back in operation. Not all the residents and businesses of Franz Josef are affected as places on either side of the main settlement have their own water supplies.
Hokitika Rimu Treetop Walk progress
Fairfax reports that construction of New Zealand’s first treetop walk could begin in March. Australian eco-tourism company Canopy01 is planning on a DEC12 opening of the 450m Hokitika Rimu Treetop Walk after consents were granted late last year. The $7.7 million aerial walkway would be suspended about 25m above the forest floor, offering visitors views of native bush and Lake Mahinapua.
Read the full postTourism West Coast recruits Jim Little
Tourism West Coast Chairman, Phillip Barnett, has announced the appointment of Jim Little as Chief Executive for TWC. “Jim comes to us with an in-depth knowledge of tourism having worked in the industry for over 20 years and also knows the West Coast having travelled here for the last 5 years looking after tourism based clients for an internet marketing company.”
Read the full postWest Coast Shuttle back in Christchurch CBD
Since the February Christchurch earthquake, West Coast Shuttle has operated to and from Riccarton Mall as well as Christchurch International Airport. Cedric Trounson reports that, with the inner city slowly being reopened with the Containerised Shopping Complex and the new Temporary Bus Exchange, the shuttle service to Greymouth has now begun
operating from the Tuam Street bus stop by the hospital car park, opposite the Bus Exchange.
Medical staff stranded with Coast floods
At least one GP and one nurse were stranded in Greymouth last night, unable to travel home as torrential rain pushed West Coast rivers to record high levels.
Read the full postPike River cop promoted
The man who led the police response to the Pike River Mine disaster has been promoted. Superintendent Gary Knowles was head of the West Coast-Tasman police district when the mine claimed 29 lives in a series of explosions, the first last November 19. His handling of the rescue effort was both praised and condemned, and he has now been appointed Canterbury police district commander.
Read the full post