increase font size
The Southland District Council is advising drivers in central Southland against unnecessary travel, due to widespread icy conditions.
Snow overnight has caused treacherous conditions on roads around the district, with many areas of black ice. A number of vehicles have already slid off the roads, say council officials.
The Edendale and Wyndham areas are also badly hit, with ice covered roads throughout the area. Te Anau escaped the snow, but had a very heavy frost, which has also left ice on the roads.
Roading asset management engineer Hartley Hare says people need to be extremely cautious, as the conditions could be very dangerous.
“The roads are very icy in places that have had snow. Our contractors are monitoring the situation but we are advising that people take extreme care and if they can, delay non-essential travel in worst hit areas.”
Heavy snow has closed the Southern Scenic Route detour via Tahakopa Valley Road. Anyone intending to travel via the Catlins is advised to instead use State Highway 1.
Colac Foreshore Rd also remains closed due to stretched resources caused by the weather.
The conditions have affected state highways in the district as well, State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound is closed and NZTA have closed the Edendale Hill section of State Highway 1, and advised caution in other areas.
Conditions are also expected to be dangerous tomorrow, with the possibility of freezing temperatures causing black ice on the roads.
Council staff and contractors will continue monitoring the roads.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left them wishing they had kept their mouth firmly closed.
While opening the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site, Fonterra has announced a $70 million investment in two further new electrode boilers.
OPINION: Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrick and colleagues who continue the good fight against bureaucratic madness on behalf of farmers, have had another win - for now, at least - getting a court decision granting a 'stay' on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until changes can be made to section 70 of the RMA by central goverment, somtheing they clearly signaled after the election.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?
