Latest news with #NeilMcCann
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Resident has to travel to cemetery for safe drinking water
Ashburton's Lal Mulligan makes a weekly trip to the Ashburton Cemetery to fill up water containers as her private bore supply is at risk from high nitrate levels and E coli. Photo: LDR / Jonathan Leask Lal Mulligan wants water she can drink from her tap. At the moment she travels from her home on Keenans Road in north-east Ashburton to the cemetery with plastic containers to source water from the treated town supply. Mulligan, who is concerned around high nitrates and E coli in her private bore supply, has been calling on the Ashburton District Council to extend drinking and wastewater pipes to the north-east - home to about 100 households - for years. Mulligan accused the council of turning their backs on the North-East community, asking "where's our water" when she presented her submission on the 2024-34 long-term plan submission. Now the council has come knocking. Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the detailed design for a drinking water network in the whole of the northeast area had been done. Extensions will be carried out in increments, and only if there is landowner support, he said. The council would start with consulting the landowners in the Keenans Road-Company Road-Seafield Road block on connecting to the town supply. The letter to residents showed the cost to get the water piped to the property boundary is $12,518 - it is then up to each property to pay to connect from the boundary to their house. The north east drinking water project is at the point of consulting with properties in the proposed extension area - the triangle of land comprising Seafield Road, Company Road, and Keenans Road. Photo: LDR / Jonathan Leask It is a price Mulligan is willing to pay, and she hopes it gets enough support to convince the council to proceed with the extension. Her only criticism was the council's consultation letter fails to explain the reason for the extension which is to "give residents safe potable water". "The water quality is so bad that we need to connect." The north-east of Ashburton has historic water quality issues, being high in nitrates and E coli, Mulligan said. "It's been contaminated from a long way back." Her water is tested monthly, paid for by AMP, and the results "are appalling", she said. The nitrate levels fluctuate from around 8 to 10.8mg/L and have been as high as 15mg/L - the maximum acceptable value for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3mg/L. E coli is a constant presence as well, she said. "You can boil the water to get rid of E coli but then you concentrate the nitrates. "Five years ago, I put in a deeper bore thinking my water would improve - nope. "I don't drink it ever." Ashburton's Celtic Rugby Club, the largest rugby club in the town, would "be silly not to" connect to the town supply president Pete Gowans says. Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Leask Up the road from Mulligan is probably one of the biggest landholders in the area - the Celtic Rugby Club. President Pete Gowans said the club had received the council letter offering the opportunity to connect to the town supply. "We'd be silly not to," he said. "We have systems in place for drinking water, so we don't have any issues." He said the club had a filtration system on the pump from its private bore supply, while most visiting teams brought their own filled water bottles. If the club has to stump up the cash to connect to the town supply it would be worth it, he said. "It will be to the benefit of everyone out there. "The area is growing with a lot of lifestyle blocks all subdivided up so there are a lot more people out here than there were 15 years ago." Lal Mulligan filling her water containers at the Ashburton Cemetery. Photo: LDR / Jonathan Leask The council consulted on a reticulated water scheme for the North East area in late 2000, with the cost of the scheme estimated at that time at $1.7 million. The was insufficient support, around 12 percent, to justify proceeding with the project. As part of that consultation, the council had also asked about investigating a reticulated wastewater service. It faired better with 28 percent support, but still too low to justify progressing. In 2022/23, the council budgeted for an investigation into extending wastewater service to Residential D zoned land around Ashburton and to carry out detailed design for water supply in the north east. That work has been completed up to the design phase. Now the first tranche of north east landowners have the opportunity to convince the council to proceed with the extension. If the extension goes ahead and a property owner does not wish to connect, those properties may still incur a water supply charge through their rates (set at $409 in 2025/26). After paying the estimated $12,518 to connect, and the additional cost of connecting it from the boundary, the properties will receive the targeted water rate for a connected property ($817 in 2025/26). McCann said the council was also looking into a wastewater servicing project for the north-east area but "is only in its initial concept stage and council has made no commitment at this point to providing the service". At the council's Three Waters Services Committee meeting last month, the two projects were discussed and assets manager Andy Guthrie said the wastewater extension would "certainly open up opportunity for development that doesn't currently exist". McCann said ECan's position on new discharge consents in the area has "likely stalled some development". LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Did 'players fail Ferguson' or was he 'not manager material'?
Following the confirmation that Barry Ferguson is leaving Rangers, we asked for your views on his brief what some of you said:John: Ferguson was put in a difficult position and did well with what he had to play with. Unfortunately we all know this squad just isn't good enough. Although he's leaving the manager's role, I hope they make some space for him in a coaching capacity as he has a lot to offer and is a potential Gers manager in the Lots of people are saying Ferguson did well with the tools he had, which I agree with, but so did Philippe Clement. They had the same set of players and got the same inconsistent play and results. The team is good at counter-attacking but not good at trying to break down a low block. That is the conundrum for the new manager, to be able to do Ferguson plugged the holes in a sinking ship, but that's all. His press conferences were both refreshing and alarming when he kept saying "my team" and seemed to be a "me" instead of "we". He also refused to give fringe players a try and was more interested in looking good himself with mediocre wins than trying out players for next season. I'm glad he didn't get the job I thought Barry, Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor did a decent job given the tools he had to work with. These players in a number of cases have been responsible for a number of managers losing their jobs. The highlights were Fenerbahce away and the penalties at Ibrox and the win at Parkhead. I felt Barry and the boys answered the call from Rangers in difficult circumstances and showed what the club means to each of them. Alan: Not manager material at such a big club but room for improvement, could be a good The right decision in the end. Ferguson's chances of getting the job permanently were already slim. He didn't get a reaction out of the players who served up the same dross under Clement. His time as manager will be forgotten about I feel for Barry. He wanted the job so badly and was let down so many times by a group of players who have been inconsistent all season. Barry didn't fail, the players did. He showed enough in his gameplan and team selections, plus the ability to change things during a game, to convince me at least he could have done the job permanently. However, the decision has been made and I will get behind the new manager. I personally would have Stevie Gerrard or Gio van Bronckhorst back.
Rhyl Journal
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Barry Ferguson leaves role as Rangers interim head coach
The Gers have confirmed the 47-year-old, who was asked to take over until the end of the season in February following Philippe Clement's exit, has departed along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor following Saturday's 2-2 final-day draw at Hibernian. A statement on the club's official website said: 'Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 💙 Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 👉 Read More | — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 18, 2025 'Club legend Ferguson answered the call in the club's hour of need back in February and has overseen several memorable moments during his time in charge, not least progression to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and a terrific victory at Parkhead. 'A Hall of Fame member, Ferguson will now leave this role along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, with enormous gratitude and best wishes of everyone at Ibrox for their efforts in these last few months.' Ferguson took charge of 15 games in all, winning six and drawing five as the club he represented with such distinction as a player finished second behind champions Celtic, but 17 points adrift. He said: 'I've already lived the dream as a player and as captain of Rangers and to do so as head coach in these last three months has been an enormous honour for me. 'There have been some ups and downs, but I have loved this experience and given it my all throughout. 'I want to thank Neil, Billy and Allan, the three staff members who came in with me, and all the other staff who have supported me during my time in charge. Indeed from everyone at the training centre and at Ibrox, the backing I have received has been phenomenal. 'Above all, I want to thank our supporters. There is no doubt this has been a difficult season, but the backing the team and I have continued to receive in spite of that has been incredible. 'I have said, no matter how this period panned out, I would always remain a committed supporter of the club and I look forward to remaining a Rangers ambassador. 'I wish whomever becomes the new manager, every success in the job.' Chief executive Patrick Stewart thanked Ferguson and his staff for their work and revealed the hunt for a permanent replacement for Clement was 'progressing well'. Stewart said: 'Barry, Neil, Billy and Allan all had distinguished playing careers with Rangers and they have all enhanced their standing with the club for their work since February. The reception they received at Ibrox on Wednesday night was fully merited and I know meant so much to Barry and his team. 'The search for our new head coach is progressing well, and we look forward to concluding our process in the coming period.'
Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Barry Ferguson and his staff depart Rangers
Barry Ferguson's hopes of staying at Rangers as permanent manager have been dashed after it was revealed that he had left Ibrox following the final game of the season, a 2-2 draw with Hibernian. The former club captain was handed the reins for the remainder of the campaign in the wake of Philippe Clement's sacking back in February, and right up until his post-match press conference at Easter Road, he was insistent that he still wished to be considered for the role full-time. However, some 24 hours after that game brought down the curtain on another largely disappointing season for the Govan outfit, it was confirmed that Ferguson had left the club alongside his assistants Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor. The 47-year-old former
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Barry Ferguson leaves role as Rangers interim head coach
The Gers have confirmed the 47-year-old, who was asked to take over until the end of the season in February following Philippe Clement's exit, has departed along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor following Saturday's 2-2 final-day draw at Hibernian. A statement on the club's official website said: 'Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 💙 Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 👉 Read More | — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 18, 2025 'Club legend Ferguson answered the call in the club's hour of need back in February and has overseen several memorable moments during his time in charge, not least progression to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and a terrific victory at Parkhead. 'A Hall of Fame member, Ferguson will now leave this role along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, with enormous gratitude and best wishes of everyone at Ibrox for their efforts in these last few months.' Ferguson took charge of 15 games in all, winning six and drawing five as the club he represented with such distinction as a player finished second behind champions Celtic, but 17 points adrift. He said: 'I've already lived the dream as a player and as captain of Rangers and to do so as head coach in these last three months has been an enormous honour for me. 'There have been some ups and downs, but I have loved this experience and given it my all throughout. 'I want to thank Neil, Billy and Allan, the three staff members who came in with me, and all the other staff who have supported me during my time in charge. Indeed from everyone at the training centre and at Ibrox, the backing I have received has been phenomenal. 'Above all, I want to thank our supporters. There is no doubt this has been a difficult season, but the backing the team and I have continued to receive in spite of that has been incredible. 'I have said, no matter how this period panned out, I would always remain a committed supporter of the club and I look forward to remaining a Rangers ambassador. 'I wish whomever becomes the new manager, every success in the job.' Chief executive Patrick Stewart thanked Ferguson and his staff for their work and revealed the hunt for a permanent replacement for Clement was 'progressing well'. Stewart said: 'Barry, Neil, Billy and Allan all had distinguished playing careers with Rangers and they have all enhanced their standing with the club for their work since February. The reception they received at Ibrox on Wednesday night was fully merited and I know meant so much to Barry and his team. 'The search for our new head coach is progressing well, and we look forward to concluding our process in the coming period.'
