We Say, You Say: Swimming Spots
Hi Canterbury,
Would you be put off by a health warning at your local swimming spot?
Around 100 popular swimming locations across the country have been slapped with health warnings for the summer season this year.
Local councils reported long-term poor water quality due to the presence of algal blooms and high concentrations of sediment in popular swimming spots like Lake Rotorua, Waikanae Beach and Paraparaumu Beach. Some of these sites have had consistently low scoring that local councils have stopped monitoring them and have instead posted long-term warning signs against swimming.
Swimmers that ignore signs risk gastrointestinal illnesses and respiratory diseases from water made hazardous by farm runoff, sewage contamination and high bacteria counts.
Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in the conversations section of your local paper.
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.
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89% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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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.
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