Transmitting more details about tower

The highest point for many miles around. A gobsmacking view of Dunedin and surrounds from halfway...
The highest point for many miles around. A gobsmacking view of Dunedin and surrounds from halfway up the 105m tower on top of 670m-tall Mt Cargill. Photos: Kordia LTD
Never doubt how far and wide the ODT reaches.

This venerable old newspaper, and its fresher-faced website, transmit news and views across not just the South, but the whole South Island and even on to that other island.

Talking about transmitting — and here I’d like to apologise for such a contrived segue — let’s return to the windswept volcanic slopes of Dunedin’s Mt Cargill.

I was very excited last week to receive an email from Esmee O’Brien, head of communications at Kordia Ltd in Auckland. When I wrote about Mt Cargill and its tower a couple of weeks ago, I had tried (obviously not hard enough) to find the company responsible for its operation and maintenance.

I’ll let Esmee take up the story:

"A colleague of mine passed on your article regarding Mt Cargill and the tower that sits on it. I’m hoping the information below may answer some of the questions you posed in your original article.

"The Mt Cargill tower is 105m high and has many transmitter and microwave dish antennas on it.

"It is intended to provide TV and radio signals to the greater Dunedin area which, given the hilly terrain, it does remarkably well. It was recognised at the time it was built as the tallest man-made structure in the Dunedin area and this may still be the case today.

"It was originally opened in 1970 for the NZBC. Initially, only one analogue television channel — DNTV2 — was transmitted from the tower. It was a noticeable improvement in those days from the original pilot signal that was transmitted from the Highcliff radio transmitter site.

Perched atop its volcanic summit, the tower is the tallest structure in Dunedin.
Perched atop its volcanic summit, the tower is the tallest structure in Dunedin.
"Over the years, the channels transmitted increased to include TV2, TV3, TV4, Prime Television and Maori TV, along with the original Sky TV pay television channels.

"During the mid-1980s FM radio was introduced and there are now many FM stations transmitting from the Cargill site too.

"The site was carefully designed for long life, functional flexibility and to withstand the anticipated environmental conditions. The building itself is recessed into the side of the hill with a basement for building services.

"Despite the various major storms experienced in the area, the site continues to operate without significant interruption or structural damage, just as the original designers intended.

Some technical equipment — which means we can watch the telly/listen to the radio — inside the...
Some technical equipment — which means we can watch the telly/listen to the radio — inside the operating station below the tower.
"It’s worth noting the site has its own dedicated power line and a back-up diesel generator, which starts automatically if the mains power fails.  In addition, the roof water is collected in storage tanks to provide water for the fire sprinkler system.

"In May 2007, the first digital TV transmissions began simulcasting. The analogue TV transmitters were switched off at the end of April 2013. The Digital Freeview HD transmissions with stereo sound continue, with many more programmes available than was ever possible in the analogue TV days.

"The staff lunchroom at the front of the building has incredible views over Dunedin city and the Otago Peninsula."

Wow — what a place to eat your egg sandwiches.I asked Esmee if it was possible to have a sleepover in the lunchroom, so I could describe to you all what a night on Mt Cargill (in limited comfort) was like. Unfortunately, health and safety regulations mean that won’t be happening.

Esmee also passed on these stunning photographs taken at various times by Kordia staff.

A big thank-you to Kordia, and Esmee, for sharing all of this with us.

ORC bus debacle

Debacle is a strong word, but highly appropriate when it comes to the Otago Regional Council’s failure to listen to Otago Peninsula people who actually use the buses. If "fiasco" is stronger, then we should be using that instead.

As a reporter I spent more than 15 years covering the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Environment Canterbury and the Christchurch City Council.

And I have to say ORC’s intransigence in the face of public feedback to make a minor detour for the safety of schoolchildren would take some beating.

Dunedin city councillor and former Bayfield High School teacher David Benson-Pope has a few comments to make on the debate, too.

He said a bus stop was built on Shore St, outside the school’s front gate, when he was a teacher there.

The school was charged about $15,000 for the "pull-in bay", which was designed to get pupils on and off buses in a safe environment.

"So the idea of buses not using a stop which was paid for by the school so buses could stop safely is just bloody ridiculous.

"It’s just another part of the loopy bit of decision-making that is not responding to people’s transport needs. It would be so easy for a bus to change the route, to drop kids off at Bayfield, Tahuna and then on to King’s and Queen’s or close to them.

"We’re all a bit bemused by the Otago Regional Council’s reluctance to sort this out.

"It looks to me like it’s really simple and it’s time someone just made a sensible decision, instead of just ignoring what people on the peninsula are saying about the need to get those kids to school safely and road safety in general.

"Having another 30 vehicles a day ferrying kids to and from school is hardly a productive way to go."

Thanks David. It makes you wonder if the regional council has its eyes on this year’s Local Government New Zealand trophy for demonstrated stubbornness.

Add a Comment