Community chairs appointed

Richard Clarkson has been reappointed chair of the Ardlussa Community Board, which covers an area including Balfour, Riversdale and Waikaia. Clarkson, a mechanic in Riversdale, was also chairman last term. He said two of the big projects to be progressed this term are the Waikaia Trails Trust mountain park in the Waikaia Forest, and Balfour Lions-led pump track in Balfour, both due to start construction in coming months. The board would continue to support those projects which would bring entertainment to locals and, in the case of the mountain bike tracks, attract tourists to the area, he said. ‘‘Cycling is a massive growth area and it’s about tapping into that.’’ The board currently has five members, with a by-election to be held for the sixth person. Nominations open on November 22 and close on December 24. Meanwhile, Greg Tither has been appointed chair of the Northern Community Board, which covers an area including Athol, Five Rivers, Garston, Lumsden and Mossburn. Tither was also chairman last term.