Charge of the electric car brigade

Hold onto your (driver’s) seats, charging stations for electric cars might finally be coming to Marlborough.

Chargenet NZ wants to expand its nationwide network of car chargers into Marlborough, with plans for charging stations in Blenheim, Spring Creek and Havelock.

Chargenet communications manager Shawn Moodie said charging stations were typically located near shopping centres or supermarkets for ease of access. That’s why they had earmarked Pak ‘n Save, in Blenheim, the Spring Creek Four Square and the Havelock Four Square as possible sites.

Pak ‘n Save owner operator Mark Elkington said electric vehicles were the ‘‘way of the future’’ and he wanted to be a part of that.

Elkington said the charging station would run parallel to State Highway 6, in the corner of the car park and should be able to serve two vehicles at a time.

Moodie said it took about 20 minutes to charge an electric vehicle and the average price to ‘fill’ it was about $12.

A fully charged car could travel a distance of about 400 kilometres, Moodie said.

Public stations were ideal for when drivers needed a quick charge in a hurry.

‘‘Maybe you’re doing a trip for work or you have somewhere you need to be. You come to us when you want the convenience of a rapid charge.’’

Moodie said Marlborough Lines was in charge of connecting the charging stations in the region.

A Marlborough Lines spokesperson said it was ‘‘inappropriate’’ to make a comment on when the charging stations would go live until something official had been decided.

‘‘What I can tell you at the moment is that Marlborough Lines contracting have been asked to put together a design and a price and that’s what we are doing at the moment.’’

AOS callout

The Armed Offenders Squad carried out two search warrants in Seddon, south of Blenheim on Wednesday. The AOS arrested a man on charges of possession of methamphetamine, cultivation of cannabis and possession of drug utensils, a police spokesperson said. The man will appear in the Blenheim District Court on Monday 26.

Speed limits change

The Marlborough District Council has decided to review the speed limit on the eastern end of Flaxmill Dr near Rarangi following complaints from residents. New signs would also be installed giving priority to vehicles travelling east. Marlborough Roads proposed to the council to reduce the speed limit on the eastern end of Flaxmill Dr from 100kmh to 70kmh.

Vehicle break ins

A ‘‘spate’’ of vehicle break-ins in Blenheim has police urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour. Three vehicles parked up driveways in Witherlea were targeted on Sunday evening in an ‘‘unusual’’ cluster. Blenheim police sergeant Michael Porter said the vehicles were broken into on March 18 on Eva Cres and Cedar Gr. Police were asking people to not leave valuables on display as it could motivate opportunists.

Open fire season

Marlburians living in the urban areas are now able to light a fire in the open without a permit. The urban areas of Blenheim, Renwick, Seddon and Ward entered an open fire season on Monday, however no open fires were permitted within the area contained by the Blenheim Airshed. The current restricted fire season will remain in place for Havelock and Picton until further notice, meaning permits were still required to burn rubbish in the open. Permits for burning open fires in Havelock and Picton can be obtained by contacting the council on 520 7400 or by applying online.

Memorial repairs

Repairs on the Ward War Memorial have been completed and the Seddon War Memorial is nearing completion in time for ANZAC Day. The memorials were damaged during the November 2016 earthquake. The Ward memorial suffered dislodged rock-work, tilted walls and damage to the plinth and obelisk. The Seddon war memorial had a cracked concrete base and there was significant damage to the upper retaining walls and the archway at the bottom of the site. The total cost of repairing the two memorials was $50,000, and $20,000 for the repair costs were donated by the Sutherland Self Help Trust.

Pathway project

The council has proposed to fund an additional $220,000 over two years to assist with the completion of the Link Pathway by 2020. The council has already committed $300,000 for the project. The Link Pathway Trust is on schedule to complete the Anakiwa to Picton section by the end of the year and then will turn their attention to completing the Havelock to Linkwater section.