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Hanmer flyride attraction considered behind closed doors
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The fate of a proposed flyride in Hanmer Springs is being considered behind closed doors in the Canterbury tourist town this week.
An Environment Court hearing got under way on Monday afternoon (March 18) in the Hanmer Springs Hotel ballroom, but local … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The fate of a proposed flyride in Hanmer Springs is being considered behind closed doors in the Canterbury tourist town this week.
An Environment Court hearing got under way on Monday afternoon (March 18) in the Hanmer Springs Hotel ballroom, but local residents are unable to attend.
Community leaders spoken to by Local Democracy Reporting on Monday said they were just hoping to get a final decision ‘‘one way or the other’’, after a drawn-out process.
The hearing was first held in February last year and was adjourned until November, when it was postponed due to illness.
It was transferred to Hanmer Springs due to a lack of capacity in Christchurch, with the closed door hearing getting under way this week before Judge Lauren Semple.
A consent was granted to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa by a Hurunui District Council appointed commissioner nearly two years ago.
The resource consent application was to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity at Conical Hill Reserve.
But it was appealed to the Environment Court by The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated.
The hearing is expected to run throughout the week, hearing submissions from the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, the council and the Friends of Conical Hill.
If successful, it would be the latest adrenaline venture for the Canterbury tourist town.
During the consent process, submitters opposed to the flyride said it would have a visual impact on the recreation character, biodiversity and horse trails in the area.
Concerns were also raised about parking, traffic congestion, noise, along with the risk of fire, and devaluation of properties.
Supporters believed the venture would bring value and benefits to the Hanmer Springs community and the wider district, and promote the village as a fun, healthy and interactive place to visit.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should Waimakariri contribute to Christchurch's new stadium?
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council boss is not amused with a belated request to contribute to the running costs of Christchurch’s new stadium.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger has formally written to his Waimakariri and Selwyn counterparts and to Environment … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council boss is not amused with a belated request to contribute to the running costs of Christchurch’s new stadium.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger has formally written to his Waimakariri and Selwyn counterparts and to Environment Canterbury chairperson Peter Scott asking the three councils if they would be willing to contribute to the operating costs of Te Kaha, Christchurch Stadium.
Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said the council would consider the matter in the coming weeks, but any contribution would be subject to full consultation with ratepayers.
‘‘From the designs, it looks like a fantastic facility, but we were never consulted and we haven’t been included in coming up with the design features.’’
It was unclear whether ratepayers would be asked for a fixed charge, or whether it would be based on distance or on capital value.
‘‘We can’t go out to the community until we understand what that looks like,’’ Millward said.
He acknowledged Waimakariri ratepayers contributed to the Canterbury Museum, but that was subject to Government legislation, so any stadium contribution would likely be voluntary.
In the letter, Mauger acknowledged the Christchurch City Council had decided to build the stadium and would fund its construction.
But he stressed the stadium would provide benefits to the wider region.
A 2019 report suggested Te Kaha’s operating costs were likely to exceed its income by $4.2 million a year, which would cost Christchurch ratepayers an average of $144 a year without outside support.
The $683 million Te Kaha project will have a seating capacity of 30,000 for sports events and is due to be completed in 2026.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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24.5% Yes
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75.5% No
Waimak may have lowest rates rise in Canterbury
By reporter Keiller MacDuff:
Waimakariri District Council has proposed the lowest rates rise in Canterbury, but it will mean deferring $120 million of projects.
The council reviewed all its current projects to find the savings in its draft 10-year plan, which is out for consultation from … View moreBy reporter Keiller MacDuff:
Waimakariri District Council has proposed the lowest rates rise in Canterbury, but it will mean deferring $120 million of projects.
The council reviewed all its current projects to find the savings in its draft 10-year plan, which is out for consultation from Friday to April 15. This plan sees an originally-proposed 19% rates rise more than halved to 8.94%.
Projects slated to be pushed back, or scaled back, include:
- The aquatics strategy, which would have included a hydrotherapy pool for Kaiapoi and a hydroslide at Rangiora at a cost of $15m.
- Environmental projects, such as better physical access, more toilets and walking tracks in parks and reserves, and rangers to work with community groups and tackle weeds and pest control.
- Decisions on sports facilities such as the Southbrook Sports Club upgrade and development of the cricket oval.
- A permanent infrastructure resilience team and flood recovery fund.
Upgrades of the Trevor Inch Memorial Rangiora Library and Civic building.
The council is asking if the community is prepared to pay for two major roading projects, which could result in an average rate increase of $56.62 per household per year if the government does not provide an anticipated $15.5m.
The draft LTP warns of a high level of uncertainty around NZTA’s funding for the Rangiora Eastern Link, which is intended to reduce congestion through Southbrook, provide an alternate link to State Highway 1 and allow for housing and business growth to the east of Rangiora; and to replace the narrow Skew Bridge in West Kaiapoi.
Mayor Dan Gordon said it had been a challenging budget, but the council’s proposal was “prudent and responsible”.
He said cost pressures were inevitable given rising inflation and the impact of increased insurance, labour and construction costs.
Even with the deferrals of “non essential projects”, the council proposes spending $693m over the next decade, between replacing assets, increasing services and accommodating anticipated growth, Gordon said.
The district’s population of about 71,000 is projected to reach 100,000 by 2050.
The Christchurch City Council’s draft long-term plan (LTP) proposes an average rates increase of 13.24% from July, Hurunui District Council has proposed a rates rise of 12.37%, Selwyn residents face a proposed average 16% rates rise, while regional council Environment Canterbury has floated an average rates rise of 24%.
Amberley Beach golf course access investigated amid coastal erosion threat
By local democracy reporter David Hill:
Slow progress is being made in efforts to secure access to the Amberley Beach golf course in Canterbury (see attached map), which is under threat from coastal erosion.
About 50 golfers attended a Hurunui District Council meeting in August calling on the… View moreBy local democracy reporter David Hill:
Slow progress is being made in efforts to secure access to the Amberley Beach golf course in Canterbury (see attached map), which is under threat from coastal erosion.
About 50 golfers attended a Hurunui District Council meeting in August calling on the council to extend Griersons Ave to secure access to the Amberley Beach Golf Club’s clubhouse.
The golf course faces the threat of coastal erosion, along with access to mahinga kai (natural resources) areas in the Waimaiaia Reserve and the Waipara River mouth.
The council agreed to investigate extending Griersons Ave through the narrowest part of a wetland, against the advice in a report to the August meeting, written by council chief executive Hamish Dobbie.
He proposed linking Webbs and Hursley Terrace roads with Golf Links Rd from the northern end, which would secure access to the golf course but not the clubhouse.
Council staff have been working with Environment Canterbury to consider the available consenting options.
‘‘Some progress is being made, but it is slow,’’ he said.
Both options would secure access to the golf course for the next 30 years.
Environment Canterbury consents planning manager Aurora Grant confirmed pre-consent application discussions were continuing.
Amberley Beach is one of several North Canterbury beach communities facing threats from erosion, coastal flooding and sea level rise.
No solution is in sight for Motunau Beach residents facing the threat of erosion.
The council has been working with two property owners at Motunau Beach, with homes perched precariously close to the cliff edge.
Dobbie said there was a long legal process under the Building Act to follow before a resolution could be found.
A geotech report was completed last year and discussions were continuing to ensure lives were not being put at risk, he said.
Efforts to restore a coastal road north of Cheviot, which was claimed by the sea last year, are progressing.
The council agreed to a KiwiRail plan in August to co-fund the rebuild of Claverley Rd in the Hundalees, north of the Conway River, which is 40km south of Kaikōura.
Dobbie said council staff had further conversations with KiwiRail last week about the reinforcement of the road.
The project is expected to cost up to $520,000 and will restore access to three households, which have been relying on four-wheel-drive access.
The road also provides access to archaeological sites of importance to local mana whenua, while the rail network is also under threat from erosion.
Nape Nape Rd at Blythe River, south of the Hurunui River, has been subject to slips following heavy rain events and coastal erosion over the last five years.
Councillors called on staff in September to prepare a strategy to provide guidance on how to respond to these situations.
It is expected to be considered as part of the long-term plan process in the coming weeks.
The council has also been working on coastal adaptation plans with five beach communities over the last four years.
Three plans have been adopted for Amberley Beach, Leithfield Beach and Motunau Beach.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Hurunui council backs community board concept, but split on representation
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A community board is being proposed for Hurunui’s south ward, including Amberley.
The Hurunui District Council accepted a proposal to create a South Ward Community Board as part of its representation review at a meeting on Tuesday, March 12.
It … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A community board is being proposed for Hurunui’s south ward, including Amberley.
The Hurunui District Council accepted a proposal to create a South Ward Community Board as part of its representation review at a meeting on Tuesday, March 12.
It will now go out for public consultation on Monday, March 25.
The concept of a South Ward Community Board received unanimous support, but the late addition of splitting the south ward into two subdivisions created division and was supported by six councillors, with five opposed.
Governance team leader Michelle Stanley proposed community board membership comprising two members from the Amberley subdivision and three from the Kowai subdivision (the rest of the ward), as well as four councillors.
If successful, the community board would replace the existing south ward community committee, which comprises local appointees, for the 2025 and 2028 local government elections.
Councillor Pauline White, who represents the south ward, said she initially opposed the idea of a community board, but later changed her mind.
‘‘One of my initial fears was it could disempower the different voices we get at the community committee, but having the sub-divisions will help to overcome that.
‘‘If we put this out to our constituents they will submit and tell us whether this is the right thing.’’
Councillors Vanessa McPherson and Gary Jackson, who both serve the south ward, said they could not support splitting the ward.
Jackson said the south ward was ‘‘one community’’ and adding the subdivisions was ‘‘an added complication, which will confuse people’’.
McPherson said having the subdivisions would be ‘‘too limiting’’.
The Hurunui district already has one community board at Hanmer Springs and councillor Tom Davies, who lives in the village, said it worked well.
‘‘We all have slightly different interests and there is very strong debate at the meetings and outside of meetings.
‘‘In a small community differences tend to disappear and you come to a decision of what is best for the village.’’
Council staff estimated a South Ward Community Board would cost ratepayers around $50,000 a year, or about $25 per south ward ratepayer.
Councillors backed retaining the status quo of the mayor and 10 councillors representing the south, west and east wards, and the Hanmer Springs Community Board.
The remaining community committees in Amuri, Hurunui, Cheviot and Glenmark, will also be retained.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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