Mayor calls for Civil Defence levy to help with ‘huge cost’ of disasters
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury Mayor is calling for a Civil Defence levy to help councils respond to severe weather and natural disasters.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon raised the idea of a levy based on the Earthquake Commission model with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, during his visit to Rangiora last week.
The levy would likely be charged with insurance premiums, but nothing has been resolved at this stage.
Gordon was joined by fellow mayors Marie Black (Hurunui) and Craig Mackle (Kaikōura) and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.
The Government is preparing new legislation to update the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act (2002).
The Waimakariri District Council has spent $10 million of unbudgeted expenditure over the last years due to severe weather events hitting the district.
‘‘I outlined to Minister Brown my desire to see a levy in place for Civil Defence emergencies, similar to that of the Earthquake Commission model,’’ Gordon said.
‘‘This would help alleviate some of the huge costs faced by local authorities in the wake of extreme weather events and natural disasters.’’
Gordon said the idea had previously been raised with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.
A recent Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management committee meeting found the region’s mayors were wary of new legislation introducing centralised control in an emergency.
‘‘We have a very good system in Canterbury,’’ Gordon said.
‘‘The system we operate isn’t broken, but there are things which may be beneficial to other parts of the country.’’
He said Canterbury had shown resilience in its response to earthquakes, weather events, fire and drought.
Black said the latest flood events in Hawke’s Bay showed the importance of good communication between councils.
‘‘Often it is the district council which bares the brunt of support for its community in a natural disaster, as we are more in touch with our community.
‘‘Your own neighbourhood is the cavalry coming to support you, it is not about waiting for the cavalry to arrive.’’
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 reinforced how important local systems were in an emergency, Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.
While there was good support from Christchurch and Waimakariri following the earthquake, it was local people who stood up and organised stuff.
‘‘When people talk about large-scale events, like if the alpine faultline goes off, you know support is going to go to Christchurch, but it may not come out to the rural areas.
‘‘So it is all very well having centralised systems. We all need to be masters of our own destiny.’’
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said the Government was open to new ideas on how local government "can better deliver for the communities they serve, and I have passed their views onto officials".
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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49.5% Yes
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48.6% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Rangiora school pushes for performing arts centre
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury school is pressing on with plans to establish a performing arts centre for the community.
Rangiora High School approached the Waimakariri District Council late last year to asked for help to build a $10-12 million, 800-seat performing arts centre to serve the growing community.
Since then, the school has established a sub-committee to advance the project with input from the council and the wider community.
Board of trustees presiding member Simon Green said the school was keen to work with the council to align with the Waimakariri arts strategy.
‘‘We have one opportunity to get it right, so we want to make sure we create a great community resource.’’
The Waimakariri arts strategy, which was adopted by the council last year, identified a need for additional arts spaces.
A performing arts centre was identified in the school’s master plan, which was developed alongside the Ministry of Education.
It would replace the old school hall, which seats 350 people - barely big enough to seat a single year level at the growing school.
This year’s school roll is 1750 students, including 390 year 9s.
The new facility would have state-of-the-art equipment and would be managed by the school, but available to the 19 contributing schools and local performing arts schools and organisations.
‘‘We are lucky we have lots of space and with any new buildings we need to make sure they are future proofed,’’ Green said.
Acting principal Remihana Emery said a large performing arts centre was badly needed for the Waimakariri district.
‘‘There is a real need out here and what better place for a performing arts centre than our kura.
‘‘It will give people a reason to come back and visit the school and see how much it has changed.
‘‘It is something we hope can get off the ground sooner rather than later.’’
The largest performing arts facilities in the district included the auditoriums in the Rangiora Town Hall and at Kaiapoi High School, which have seating for around 350 people.
Mainpower Stadium can also be retrofitted for concerts.
The lack of size meant local dance schools and drama groups often looked to Christchurch to find a larger venue, Emery said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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