Tractor protest against emissions plan
Farmers from around the district are expected to gather today for Groundswell NZ's nationwide tractor protest in response to the Government's new agriculture emissions plan. The world-first scheme - which would see farmers paying for agricultural emissions in some form by 2025 - has drawn strong criticism from some farming lobby groups, who believe it would push emissions offshore, while environmental groups say it does not go far enough. Concerned locals have been invited to Te Ahu Centre at 12pm, with signs, tractors and farming vehicles encouraged.
Precarious bridge crucial link to Far North
Work has begun to strengthen a bridge on State Highway 10, which would virtually cut off the Far North if it failed. The Waitangi River Bridge, north of Puketona, was closed to overweight trucks earlier this year when a routine inspection found the concrete was cracking. However, when State Highway 1 - the only alternative - was closed due to slips at Mangamuka Gorge, highway authority Waka Kotahi reopened the bridge to even the heaviest trucks, provided they stuck to the middle and drove at 10km/h. Scaffolding was set up around the bridge last week, and strengthening work is expected to be completed in early 2023. A Waka Kotahi spokeswoman said most of the work could be carried out from off the highway, so the bridge would remain open but with a speed restriction of 50km/h.
