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From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work is finally under way on Oxford Area School’s rebuild, more than four years after funding was first announced.
Excitement is building now the board of trustees has approved the detailed design of a new administration, library and science block … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work is finally under way on Oxford Area School’s rebuild, more than four years after funding was first announced.
Excitement is building now the board of trustees has approved the detailed design of a new administration, library and science block and a new arts, drama and music block for the North Canterbury school.
As fences went up late last month, principal Mike Hart and the senior leadership team were busy moving out of the old administration building, ahead of planned demolition.
“The students are getting really excited. They’ve seen the 3-D renders of the new build and they’re saying ‘it looks really flash and modern’."
The site is set to be cleared by the end of January, before the new build begins.
Hart anticipated a 2024 opening for the new block.
While the $10 million funding announcement in September 2018 caught Hart completely by surprise, he admitted it had been a slow process to get to the building phase.
“It has ended up being more [than $10m] because of the increase in costs.
“It is funded through the ministry and at this point there is no additional funds required from the school.”
The T-shaped building will house offices, a library and community space, and specialist science, food technology and hospitality teaching spaces.
The school will continue with its space theme, in naming the new building Te Waka O Tamarēreti, which encapsulated significant constellations in the night sky including Orion and the Southern Cross.
“We already have the Orion constellation named in our school so we want to see how can get all of those constellations included in our new building,” Hart said.
The reception area will have LED lighting in the ceiling to represent constellations, while the walls will feature a purapura whetu (stars) pattern.
The middle school (years 4 to 8), which opened in 2017, was named Aotahi (Orion), with the different learning hubs named for the different stars.
Once the new block is complete, attention will turn to demolishing the old science block and building a new arts, music and drama block.
A courtyard will be left between the Te Waka O Tamarēreti block and the school’s observatory, which will make the observatory more of a central focus for the school.
“When we have open days we need to take groups over to the observatory, because they can’t see it, so this will make it more visible,” Hart said.
“It is still a strong and significant building within our school and it aligns really strongly with our connection to the night sky.”
The school has received professional development funding from the Ministry of Education and planned to engage Wellington science educators Haritina Mogosanu and Sam Leske next year to help integrate astronomy more into the curriculum, in a joint initiative with View Hill School.
The pair visited the school in September 2018, the same week the $10 million funding was announced, to offer a learning programme for Mars Week with Nasa scientists.
Transform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own… View moreTransform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own.
Calling all house and garden lovers!
This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ … View moreCalling all house and garden lovers!
This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours location of your choice
- Tickets for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours
- Two nights accommodation
- Rental car
By reporter Keiller MacDuff
Residents of a North Canterbury town say a proposed landfill will bring a spike in heavy traffic, impact conservation land and pose a threat to waterways.
Woodstock Quarries Ltd have five resource consent applications before the regional council and one with … View moreBy reporter Keiller MacDuff
Residents of a North Canterbury town say a proposed landfill will bring a spike in heavy traffic, impact conservation land and pose a threat to waterways.
Woodstock Quarries Ltd have five resource consent applications before the regional council and one with Waimakariri District Council (WDC) to expand an existing hard rock quarry and construct a landfill on their site at View Hill.
The landfill, which would have a depth between 5 and 50m up to 14 hectares in total, would accept about 100,000 cubic metres a year of construction and demolition waste including hazardous materials, asbestos, industrial waste and contaminated soil.
The location, about 16km west of Oxford, is an area identified by the district council as an Outstanding Landscape Buffer Area, while other parts of the site are mapped as Land of National Significance and a Site of Special Wildlife Significance by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The applications, which were first lodged in April last year, were publicly notified on November 12. The submission period closes on Friday.
On Wednesday, the Oxford-Ohoka community board “confirmed their decision to submit in opposition”.
“The Oxford Ohoka area is pristine land close to the foothills of the Southern Alps and the wrong place entirely for a landfill,” board chairperson Thomas Robson said.
He said there had been “significant community opposition” since the resource consents were lodged, but the deadline had caught the community board “off guard”.
“The communication wasn't great between Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri council, and it’sonly just come to our attention at the start of last week.”
The board’s concerns included the possibility of leaching into groundwater, sediment runoff, the risk of the landfill liner failing, the potential for heavy rainfall, the risk of high winds spreading dust as well as legacy and after care issues, he said.
“What's going to happen after the 100 years, how is the leachate going to be managed once it does start leaching out of the liner and into the aquifers which feed most of the Waimakariri and Christchurch water schemes?”
Oxford resident Lindsay Edwards, who found out about the proposal via a social media post on Sunday, said it was “completely nonsensical” to have a site with “toxic waste, soil contaminants, demolition and refuse” at the Trig Rd location.
He said there were safety and maintenance issues with the increase in heavy traffic, especially with increasing numbers of subdivisions and young families in the area.
The proposed 40 extra truck movements – 20 trucks a day – are on top of the quarry’s existing consent, which allows for 125 heavy vehicle movements and six light vehicle movements each weekday, and 34 heavy vehicle movements and four light vehicles movements on Saturdays.
Edwards was also concerned increasingly severe weather posed further risks citing the Fox River dump disaster in 2018.
“They'll say, we'll meet all the regulatory requirements, but sometimes those regulatory requirements are not good enough any more because the environment is changing. There's potential for disaster further down the track.”
Quarry owner Darryn Shepherd said it was “unfortunate” if people had missed the notification, but those with concerns should read the publicly available documentation.
“All the stuff’s available on the ECan website that will tell you more than I can tell you, in a massive amount of detail.”
The landfill was a logical extension of the quarrying operation, he said.
“It’s the only way to put it back to be how we want it, back to nature.”
He dismissed concerns about increased truck movements, as there was already increased heavy traffic in the area “so I think our 20 trucks ... is not really a lot”.
Shepherd said he was not prepared to attend a public meeting if one was organised.
“Too many people get carried away and heated up. It's not a place for us.”
ECan consents manager Aurora Grant confirmed they had received a request for an extension, which was under consideration.
ECan’s notification recommendation report outlined their concerns with the proposal, she said.
“The applicant now has the opportunity to address these concerns and any others raised in the submissions.”
All RMA notification procedures had been followed, and seven affected parties had been personally notified – mana whenua Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, and the owners and occupiers of six nearby properties.
She understood the applicant had been in contact with the Department of Conservation, but no submission has been received from them, she said.
Have you read our December Seniors Newsletter? Do you have a Community Services Card or know someone who does? From 1 February 2023 Community Services Card holders are eligible for a continued 50% discount on public transport. You can read more in this issue.
This newsletter also includes some … View moreHave you read our December Seniors Newsletter? Do you have a Community Services Card or know someone who does? From 1 February 2023 Community Services Card holders are eligible for a continued 50% discount on public transport. You can read more in this issue.
This newsletter also includes some good advice on how to keep up your hydration and stay safe and cool this summer.
Respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.
A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.
We offer respite care … View moreRespite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.
A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.
We offer respite care at resthome-level and in most villages' hospital and specialist dementia-level care.
What you can expect
- Customised care via our award-winning myRyman Care app
- Bespoke seasonal menu, that's prepared fresh on site
- A variety of activities and outings, making it easy to stay connected with others.
We've been caring for people for over 35 years, it's what we do best.
This 023 Stihl is in excellent condition with great compression, has not done very much work just pruning treez around the home.
The bar size is 18inch with simi chisel chain, also included is a Stihl hard hat with ear muffz & a bar cover. Has been in for a service and chain sharpened. what … View moreThis 023 Stihl is in excellent condition with great compression, has not done very much work just pruning treez around the home.
The bar size is 18inch with simi chisel chain, also included is a Stihl hard hat with ear muffz & a bar cover. Has been in for a service and chain sharpened. what you see in the picturez is what you get. For more photoz you can E-mail me at sooty1200@hotmail.com. With out the hard hat the chainsaw price is $365.00
Phone/Text 0220956381
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View moreMeeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.
For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
Macrocarpa Bird Feeder
Stained ready for a new home BUT NEEDS A CLEAN. We attached the feeder to a fence post in back yard which worked well as we didn't have any trees. The WOODEN arms are easy to remove if you didn't want them
Pickup Rangiora
A small deposit will be require to … View moreMacrocarpa Bird Feeder
Stained ready for a new home BUT NEEDS A CLEAN. We attached the feeder to a fence post in back yard which worked well as we didn't have any trees. The WOODEN arms are easy to remove if you didn't want them
Pickup Rangiora
A small deposit will be require to hold the feeder for you until collected
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View moreA report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.
Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?
Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.
Cushion + Back Rest x 4. Some fading but all in good condition, no rips.
Cushion size 450mm wide x 400mm deep
Back Rest Size 450mm wide x 250 deep
$25 the Lot
Pickup in Rangiora
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Some Hurunui property owners fear a rates rise, after the latest valuations saw their property’s value double.
But Hurunui District Council chief financial officer Jason Beck says the increases have been consistent across the district, with a 35% … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Some Hurunui property owners fear a rates rise, after the latest valuations saw their property’s value double.
But Hurunui District Council chief financial officer Jason Beck says the increases have been consistent across the district, with a 35% average rise in capital values.
‘‘We don’t collect any extra rates because of valuation increases, so if every property went up by 35% then rates rises would be the same for everybody.’’
By law councils are required to update property values every three years and Quotable Value New Zealand has recently completed the latest rating valuations for the Hurunui district.
Rating valuations are based on market values, Beck said. Urban areas are leading the charge with an average 56% increase, followed by lifestyle blocks at 46%.
‘‘It seems that residential properties have increased across the board and it doesn’t seem to matter where you are. If anything there might be a slightly higher proportion of rates for residential properties compared to rural properties.
‘‘But when you consider there is a lot of fixed charges in the rates bill, I wouldn’t expect there to be much movement.’’
Some ratepayers may even see a decrease in next year’s rates bill, if their property value has increased less than the average increase across the district.
‘‘For most ratepayers these changes are not significant unless their value change is significantly different than the average change,’’ he said.
‘‘A valuation allows us to make sure the rates paid are accurate and shared fairly across the district.’’
Rates rises are driven up by the increasing costs the council faces to provide services such as libraries, parks, emergency management, street cleaning, three waters and roads.
He said capital value does not consider ‘‘emotional factors’’ like sea views, waterfront access and building appeal, which can boost a sale price. Beck urges property owners to keep their property record up to date with the council, including any renovations or improvements.
Property owners who are unhappy with their new valuation have the right to appeal, which can be lodged online on the Quotable Value website, qv.co.nz/services/ - or in writing.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Paul and Lesley Askin hold their next family-friendly monthly service on Sunday, 5 February at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to go before you come… View morePaul and Lesley Askin hold their next family-friendly monthly service on Sunday, 5 February at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to go before you come as there are no toilet facilities.
Is a deciduous thorny shrub or small tree bearing lemon like fruits which is very sour. Do you have one of this tree in your garden or have seen one some where in the neighbourly . I have after some seeds or cutting. TIA
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