Councillor vents at 'toothless' bylaw: 'There is going to be carnage'
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Bylaws are ‘‘toothless’’ without enforcement, a Waimakariri district councillor says.
Al Blackie, a retired dentist and volunteer maritime safety officer, has vented his frustrations at boat users who he says are exceeding the 5-knot speed limit on the Kaiapoi River, in violation of a local bylaw.
He said he recently photographed a jet ski doing repeated passes at speed.
“To be fair she slowed down when she got to the marina, and turned around, but she was beating it by the time she got to the coastguard building.
“We are between a rock and hard place because it is a navigation issue, which is Environment Canterbury’s responsibility, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour for them to get here and get a boat on the water, and by then they’re gone.
“One of these days there is going to be carnage.”
Local rowing clubs trained on the river from young children to adults, and it also had an impact on the Kaiapoi River Queen, Blackie said.
The problem was the council had no way of enforcing its bylaws, he said.
Signs were put up to warn of speed limits, but these were often removed, vandalised or used for target practice.
He wanted councils to be given the ability to issue fines.
Blackie said the council faced similar issues when trying to enforce the Pegasus Bay Bylaw.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group faced challenges from cats, dogs and vehicles, as well as rats and black-backed gulls, as it sought to protect native birds
“Often it is locals, and their fellow locals, who can be quick to moan about it, but they don’t report it,” Blackie said.
“It is going to take the good locals dobbing in the bad locals to get to the bottom of this.”
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Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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