Crimeline
Fire ban – Blazes threaten houses and cycle bridge
All outdoor fires are banned in the Wakatipu and entire Lakes Fire Zone from today (Thursday, 12 March) amid serious concerns about the fire risks in the current dry conditions with three significant vegetation fires in the Wakatipu alone in the last fortnight.
Conditions have been much drier lately and significant fires alongside the Gibbston Cycle Trail at Morven Ferry on Friday, 6 March, and another at Arthur’s Point on Tuesday evening, 10 March, that threatened homes were testament to these conditions, FENZ says.
Local fire crews also attempted to get to a multiple hectare, night-time fire on public conservation land near Kingston two weeks ago, forced back due to accessibility with DOC and a helicopter called in.
The Arthur’s Point fire, which Police say was thought to have been started by hot ashes from a fireplace placed on a garden compost area, came dangerously close to homes up Moonlight Track at Arthur’s Point on Tuesday evening, 10 March.
FENZ Otago Lakes group assistant commander Nic McQuillan says in some areas the flames were burning within 2m of the nearby houses.
Police were called and people were moved to safety up above the road while firefighters from Queenstown, Frankton Arrowtown and Glenorchy fought hard to contain the blaze from about 4.20pm.
Sergeant Tracy Haggart says Police were called in to assist FENZ with the safety of residents near the large-scale fire that was threatening properties.
No property was damaged thanks to the skills of some 50 local volunteer firefighters, and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket.
McQuillan says the fire was probably less than 1ha in size, but its location put multiple houses at risk.
It’s been a huge few weeks for local volunteer crews, who McQuillan says have been “working very hard for a long time”. “People have been lucky that we’ve been able to get these under control as the houses were very close.”
Blaze threatened Gibbston Trail and bridge
Friday’s Morven Ferry blaze in warm, windy conditions came dangerously close to the Gibbston Cycle Trail and Edgar Bridge, but fortunately volunteer fire crews from Queenstown, Arrowtown, Frankton and Kingston managed to prevent any damage, although some of the handrails were damaged, McQuillan says. “That fire, which covered up to 1ha, was extremely difficult to contain as it was along the edge of the Kawarau River on very steep terrain,” he says. “However, we’re very lucky that the terrain slowed it down too, otherwise we’d still be fighting it up The Remarkables by now.”
The fire was started by a flare-up of an old burn-off and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket also assisted with crews there for several hours.
Jack’s Point house fire
Fire crews also responded to a house fire in Muster Road, Jack’s Point, mid-afternoon on Tuesday, 10 March, with Police called in to assist. McQuillan says the fire was out on arrival and Police say all occupants were out and there were no suspicious circumstances.
Vehicles stolen and damaged – Police want footage
Police are seeking CCTV or dashcam footage of any suspicious behaviour in Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country overnight on Saturday, 7 March, into the early hours of Sunday after two vehicles were stolen and two others damaged.
Area response manager Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says they need the public’s help in identifying the suspects involved and he’s urging residents to lock up and remove any valuables from vehicles overnight.
A Lake Hayes Estate resident reported hearing two cars speeding and what sounded like a crash about 1.40am on Sunday, he says.
Upon arrival Police signalled a silver Subaru Legacy station wagon on Hope Avenue to stop, but the vehicle allegedly sped off, Wilkinson says. They didn’t pursue due to its dangerous speed.
A short time later the vehicle, which had allegedly been stolen from Toni’s Terrace in neighbouring Shotover Country, was found abandoned in Ada Place, Lake Hayes Estate, he says.
A second vehicle - a Nissan Tiida allegedly stolen from Orbell Drive, Lake Hayes Estate, was located abandoned in a park.
On the same night Wilkinson says two vehicles were allegedly broken into and damaged on Tonis Terrace in Shotover Country and Castalia Drive, Lake Hayes Estate.
Police want to hear from anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage of these vehicles in Lakes Hayes Estate and Lower Shotover between 10pm Saturday, 7 March, and 4am Sunday, 8 March.
Call 105 using file number 260309/9008 as a reference.
People can also give information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Elderly tourist confronted aggressively
A 66-year-old Australian male tourist, who allegedly aggressively confronted an elderly man from a tour group at a Sainsbury Road hotel just after 6pm on Monday, 9 March, was arrested for assault and released with a formal warning. Sergeant Tracy Haggart says when others stepped in to intervene the man had allegedly also pushed and slapped a woman in the group.
Man flown to Dunedin - Malaghans Road crash
Enquiries are continuing after a crash at the Malaghans Road-Dalefield Road intersection just after 7am on Monday, 9 March, with the 40-year-old Queenstown driver of an oncoming Mitsubishi flown to Dunedin Hospital with lower leg injuries, Haggart says.
The 62-year-old Queenstown driver of a Hino truck heading towards Arrowtown allegedly braked for another vehicle that had stopped to turn right into Dalefield Road. The Hino allegedly crossed the centreline and collided head on with the Mitsubishi vehicle, Haggart says.
Car flips onto roof at Jack’s Point
A 47-year-old local man and his young son escaped injury after he allegedly swerved, colliding with a parked vehicle causing his Toyota to flip onto its roof before coming to rest on Jack Hanley Drive at 4.40pm on Sunday, 8 March, Haggart says. The parked vehicle was unoccupied.
Speeding BMW
Enquiries are continuing after complaints to Police about a BMW vehicle allegedly travelling at high speeds along Frankton Road just before 5.45am on Sunday, 8 March. Haggart says the vehicle was stopped on Melbourne Street and had a blown front tyre and rim damage. The 32-year-old Queenstown male driver allegedly blew 400mcg and was issued with an infringement notice. Cannabis pipes and a small amount of cannabis were allegedly located in the vehicle, she says.
Drink driving
22-year-old Balclutha man, 538mcg, Marine Parade, 1.26am, 7 March. Court 20 March.
Elected blood tests – awaiting results:
18-year-old Queenstown man, Lucas Place, 1.45am.
29-year-old Queenstown man, Frankton Road, 10.13pm.
Speeding past school buses
Complaints about speed when motorists are passing school buses has Police urging people to adhere to the 20km/hr speed limit when passing school buses that have stopped to pick up or drop off children. Haggart says it’s particularly a problem in rural areas and they’ve had complaints about the speed at which some motorists are driving past. She says it’s a legal requirement to slow to no more than 20km/hr when passing, and until you’re well clear of, a stationary school bus, when travelling in either direction. This ensures the safety of children crossing the road.
