Community plan
Public consultation is now open on the Riversdale Beach Community Plan. Masterton District Council, who will support the final long-term plan, said it had been 10 years since the needs and aspirations of the coastal community had been looked at. It said over the past decade, lifestyles had changed, and there were different threats and opportunities to consider. “The Working Group wants to hear from anyone who has a connection with Riversdale Beach.” A dropbox survey is available at the Riversdale Beach dairy, golf club, and surf lifesaving club. Links to an online survey can be found on the council’s website. The consultation closes on Friday, February 3, 2023.
Green list
Carterton’s aged care provider, Carter Court, has welcomed the nurses’ fast-tracked residency, not just for them but the wider health sector. The Government announced on Monday a raft of additions to the green list for fast-tracked residency, including nurses, midwives, and bus drivers. Carter Court manager Jo McDonald said the announcement had been a long time coming. “The pool of nurses has been quite slim this year. Rest homes in big areas like Wellington have been doing it tough. We’re lucky to have a full staff of nurses, but with covid, anything can tip you over the edge.” She said changes would give employers more options. “Hopefully, when overseas nurses come, they will see Wairarapa as a good place to come and work.”
Staff shortages
Increasing staff absences has forced Metlink to either suspend, reduce or replace train services with buses for the next month and a half. Metlink advised rail passengers yesterday that the measures would be in place until January 29 due to a shortage of available staff. General manager Samantha Gain said the rail network was currently experiencing a high level of staff unavailability due to sickness and leave, which was leading to unplanned cancellations. “To alleviate the issue, Metlink is introducing targeted suspensions to create a more stable timetable. Suspended services will be shown struck out on the Metlink website and detailed in service alerts. Metlink said the bus replacements on the Wairarapa line due to return to train services on Friday for the next two weeks would go ahead as planned. “The staff shortages are not currently affecting the Wairarapa line.”
