Back
123 days ago

Canterbury council raises concerns over ageing roads, bridges

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A North Canterbury council has raised its concerns over its ageing road network and bridges with the NZ Transport Agency - but so far there is solution.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she and chief executive Hamish Dobbie had a positive meeting recently with NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) director regional relationships James Caygill.

‘‘Many councils don’t have the same dynamics with unsealed roads like we do, so he was interested in how we are managing that,’’ Black said.

The Hurunui District Council recently failed to get a 184% funding increase approved to improve its for roading assets.

While the transport agency increased the council’s funding in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme, it said Hurunui’s funding bid was too costly.

‘‘Our bid was realistic from our perspective,’’ Black said.

‘‘Our community is supporting a much higher level of investment and that didn’t go unnoticed by NZTA.’’

The council estimated it needed about $3 million a year to replace its ageing bridges. Around one-third of the district’s 286 bridges needs to be replaced over the next 30 years.

Dobbie said he was optimistic Caygill had taken on board the council’s concern, but there was "no solutions."

‘‘NZTA is grappling with the same problem. When a bridge comes due for replacement it is considered on a business case basis.’’

Dobbie said there was discussion around the possible impacts on traffic in Amberley when the Woodend Bypass is built.

The council has already raised safety concerns about Carters Rd in Amberley (State Highway 1). There are fears the bypass cause traffic to get from Christchurch to Amberley quicker.

‘‘We haven’t been given a solution, but we put across our perspective that we want people to be able to cross the road safely in Amberley,’’ Dobbie said.

‘‘We are not saying we need to be the owners of the solution, but there needs to be a solution.’’

Possible solutions could include installing traffic lights or a pedestrian underpass, he said.

An NZTA spokesperson said the agency was continuing to work with the council on solutions for Carters Rd.

It is also working with the Amberley Country Estate Retirement Village on the developer’s obligations to provide access to the development off SH1.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.

If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?

Image
Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
  • 61.7% Summer
    61.7% Complete
  • 36.6% Winter
    36.6% Complete
  • 1.7% Other - I'll share below
    1.7% Complete
1287 votes
35 minutes ago

Raspberries Made Easy – Become a Home Raspberry Grower! 🌿 (Get several plants for $30)

Richard from Rangiora

Discover how simple it is to grow your own raspberries, even if you're new to gardening!

Pick up my free ‘How To Grow Raspberries’ guide with your purchase.

Why grow raspberries?
- Prolific fruiters: By following a few simple steps, raspberries will give you a big yield each season.

- Perfect for freezing: Stock up on raspberries for winter—no other fruit freezes as well.

- Effortless growing: They’re surprisingly low-maintenance when you follow a few simple steps (my free guide covers it all).

- Garden-friendly: Wondering if they’ll take over? They won’t! Just follow my free guide.

This sale includes a variety of plant bundles: Choose the best $30 deal for you.

- Get 2x $15 plants (plus 1 small bonus plant)

- Get 1x $20 and 1x $10 plant (plus 1 small bonus plant)

- Get 3x $10 plants (plus 1 small bonus plant)

- Get 7x $5 plants

- Or get a different combination.

Spend more and get a better deal.

All raspberries have been transplanted from existing Clutha, Heritage and Lewis varieties. They produce fantastic raspberries.
All plants are grown in top-quality soil.

Pick up in Rangiora.

With a $60 purchase, I’ll deliver within a 30-minute drive of Rangiora (extra $10).

Get in touch, grab your plants, and the free guide and start your berry-growing journey!

PS I also have thornless blackberries and some pumpkin plants

NOTE-1:
I grow raspberries as well as strawberries, blueberries, thornless blackberries, apples, stone fruit, citrus, tomatoes and more. Raspberries are the easiest by far.

NOTE-2: We will need to exchange mobile numbers before pickup.

38 minutes ago

Unwanted wool packing sheets

Richard from Rangiora

Hi, does anyone have spare wool packing sheets they'd like me to take off their hands? The sheets I'm familiar with are 50-100 cm long, 20-30 cm wide and about 1/2 a cm thick. Bigger sheets will also be fine. I'm happy to pop around and take them off your hands.
Thanks