Council spends $2.55m on 'historically important' Akaroa property
Hey neighbours,
Are you a ratepayer? What are your thoughts on this?
Christchurch ratepayers have paid $2.55 million for a culturally significant Akaroa home – more than twice its rateable value.
The Red House, which has a rating valuation of $1.2m, is surrounded by the Takapūneke Reserve, an area of huge importance to Ngāi Tahu and classed as wāhi tapu (a sacred place) by Heritage New Zealand.
The privately-owned home and its surrounding 2864-square-metre garden was due to go to auction on Thursday, but the Christchurch City Council decided in a publicly excluded meeting last week to put in an offer. The auction has since been cancelled.
Do you support this as a good use of ratepayer money?
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
-
89% Yes, it's fair
-
10.3% No, it's unreasonable
-
0.6% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.
Loading…
