Carterton seeks ministry internet cash

Carterton district councillors have voted to bid for Government ultra-fast broadband funding.

Carterton District Council has agreed to pursue government funding to improve internet access in the district.

Last year the government announced the ultra-fast broadband plan was to be extended to give coverage to at least 80 per cent of the population.

Which towns receive the ultra-fast broadband and the order of rollout will be determined following a competitive bid process, where councils are required to submit a digital enablement plan to apply for the funding.

Council voted to pursue the funding and noted money was available in the budget to do so.

As part of the government's rural broadband initiative, a new Vodafone tower has already received consent from the council and is to be built in the industrial zone near Brooklyn and Lincoln Rds.

A spokeswoman from Vodafone said the cell and broadband tower would be activated in the next six to 12 months.

It was expected the tower would make high-speed wireless broadband available to a number of addresses in the area for the first time.

The tower would be designed so other companies such as 2degrees and Telecom could also use it if they chose to do so, the spokeswoman said.

Wetland is go Carterton District Council has approved the development of 2.4ha of Daleton Farm for a wetland. The land is located on the southeast corner of the farm, at the lowest part of the property, where the council irrigator discharges treated wastewater, and has been flagged as suited to naturally treating surface and stormwater.

It was hoped designating the land as a wetland would provide surety to those wishing to contribute to funding the project.

Mangatarere Restoration Society has put forward a proposal for the development for the site, which includes establishing flowering trees for a possible bee colony, growing plants for traditional cultural purposes such as weaving and growing commercial crops.