Five more countries have come out in support of a pause on seabed mining at the recent meeting of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica.
Phil McCabe who is on his way back from the gathering says there are now a total of 32 countries and good momentum - but also a few more countries like Australia that need to get off the fence. There is also one company that said they would submit the first-ever application to exploit minerals from the deep sea after the meeting.
Phil also noted the discovery of Dark Oxygen on the abyssal seafloor has raised new questions about the risks mining might pose to life at the bottom of the ocean. Evidence of the mysterious dark oxygen was published in a prestigious journal just last month with scientists still trying to understand what it is.
Pre-consultation for Council’s Neighbourhood Parks Reserve Management Plan, Sports Park Reserve Management Plan, and Community Facilities Strategy has begun and it’s the ideal time for the community to have its say as the draft plans have yet to be written.
Head to the council website if you want to make suggestions about sports and neighbourhood parks, reserves, playgrounds, and public spaces. These include community halls, aquatic facilities, community hubs, libraries and public toilets, as well as sport facilities.
There is a handy interactive map that makes it easy to share your views.
You can also drop into the council council office to learn more.
The Raglan Club is introducing a new Saturday morning market to the community with plans to hold events on the first and last Saturday of the month in September.
The kaupapa of the market is about giving local talent another chance to shine and potential stall holders can apply now at info@raglanclub.co.nz for the winter special of $30 per stall.
In local sport it’s been all downhill for Raglan Roosters Football team over the last couple of weeks. They were top of the Division 1 Sunday League table but two big losses over the last few weeks including Sunday’s 6-1 loss to The Azizams, have seen them drop into the bottom half of the table. They’ve had several key players away so hopefully a return to form is on the cards.
Meanwhile the Whaingaroa Whai Wahine had a good weekend beating the Ngaruawahia Panthers by 28 to 6 in Te Awamutu on Sunday. The result leaves them second on the Waikato Championship table.