Thank you for using Neighbourly
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Pilots are opting for paddocks over Ashburton Airport after the council made it one of the "most expensive small provincial airfields" to train and fly at, users say.
The Ashburton District Council, which owns the recreational, … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Pilots are opting for paddocks over Ashburton Airport after the council made it one of the "most expensive small provincial airfields" to train and fly at, users say.
The Ashburton District Council, which owns the recreational, grass-runway airport, hiked and changed the fees for pilots in a bid to increase profits.
It was part of a 30-year plan to reduce the burden on ratepayers having to subsidise the airfield.
However, the council has been told it has had the opposite effect, with a drop in planes using the airport since the fees were introduced at the start of the 2023-24 financial year.
Several submitters to the long-term plan said the airport lost 1700 aircraft movements in the last year because of the higher fees and reputational damage.
Pilot Michael Oakley said bad management decisions and poor communication from the council had caused the marked reduction in landings, and something needed to change before it’s too late.
“The decisions that are being made by this council are being talked about all over New Zealand and it is having a rippling effect across airfield users.”
Another submitter, Michael Thomas, described a “toxic situation” developing at the airport and suggested the management of the airfield be taken over by a user-group committee – like the boards that run some of the district’s halls and reserves.
“There are empty hangers in Ashburton right now because people are going.”
Pilots were landing in private strips in paddocks instead, he said.
Submitter Neville Bailey said that last year the fees were raised significantly, the bulk annual landing fee was abolished, and a touch-and-go fee was introduced.
The changes made Ashburton "one of the most expensive small provincial airfields to train and fly at in New Zealand”.
The result had been a significant drop off in landings and the fee structure needed to be reassessed, he said.
Mid Canterbury Aero Club Graham Closey said the council inadvertently decreased the revenue from aircraft and is concerned the proposed changes would make things worse.
“It needs to be fair for everybody and reasonable because there is only a certain price point you can go to before people start turning their nose up.”
Club secretary and treasurer David Wright argued the community benefit from the airfield made it “reasonable to ask the community to contribute”.
Ashburton Aviation Museum’s Owen Moore did not want the museum based at the airport to be seen as a cash cow.
The museum was concerned the council’s pursuit of making the airport operate at no cost to the ratepayers “could see the museum as a cash cow and up the rent and rates to levels that make the museum unsustainable”.
Their storage hangar was facing a rental increase of 75%, he said.
As one of the premier tourist attractions in the district and in recognition of what they do for the community, Moore wants acceptable rates locked into the long-term plan to provide certainty.
Business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the council “don’t feel it is a toxic environment”.
“Our aim has always been to balance the needs of a small user group against the amount of general rates required to top up and operate the airport.
“We all want a vibrant airport that can grow in an orderly way, without relying too much on ratepayers.”
The council will address the claims made in the hearings and any changes to the fee structure during its long-term plan deliberations this week.
Our Tuesday prize draw is here and the following members have won a $50 movie voucher:
Nazim Molla from Te Atatu South
Cassie Stirling from Napier
Jacob Ferris from Saint Martins
… View moreOur Tuesday prize draw is here and the following members have won a $50 movie voucher:
Nazim Molla from Te Atatu South
Cassie Stirling from Napier
Jacob Ferris from Saint Martins
Shania Kenny from Woolston
Are you a winner? Get in touch with our Neighbourly team here to claim your prize.
Not a winner this time? Come back each Tuesday and we will have ongoing prize draws and more winners!
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury Rugby wants to shift across town to a “premium facility”.
And it wants the Ashburton District Council to help it do it.
Mid Canterbury Rugby Union chairperson Gerard Rushton (pictured) presented a personal submission to the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury Rugby wants to shift across town to a “premium facility”.
And it wants the Ashburton District Council to help it do it.
Mid Canterbury Rugby Union chairperson Gerard Rushton (pictured) presented a personal submission to the council’s long-term plan last week and spoke of the union's desire to establish a new base at the EA Networks Centre.
Rugby and the council needed to start to plan for the EA Networks Centre greenspace development as rugby’s “present tenure at the showgrounds is unstable with the financial viability of the A&P association”, Rushton said.
“Rugby has funds ready to go and invest now, but council seems reluctant to future-proof the community by providing this facility.
“We are probably the only sport in Mid Canterbury that has concentrated on building a balance sheet to ensure we have got a future and that is probably to our detriment.
“The sports that haven’t concentrated to strengthen their balance sheet to ensure their future just get looked after by the council.”
He called for the “equitable development” of the EA Networks Centre for all sports.
Rugby was the biggest sport in the district “but the council won’t actually help them out”.
“We have other sports they are prepared to fund a whole new building for. Is that equitable?
“We just have to give everyone the same deal”.
In building the EA Networks Centre, Rushton said the council set a precedent of building facilities for sports without the sports contributing capital.
Extending the EA Networks Centre sets that precedent again while the rugby union has been told it would have to contribute 50% of the capital to fund developing a facility in the green space, he said.
Rugby involved 25% of the community on any given Saturday and was the only Heartland union that did not have a council-provided facility, he said.
The council will hold a separate hearing on the EA Networks 30-year master plan in June.
Rugby wasn’t the only sport to make a plea to the council in the long-term plan.
Basketball Mid Canterbury’s Mark Douglas submitted in support of the proposed stadium court extension, although he would prefer it sooner than construction in 2029.
Basketball has no problems finding players but struggles finding court space, he said.
The growth of basketball has wider impacts, as the recent hosting of the under 14 tournament was estimated to have contributed $750,000 to the local economy, Douglas said.
More courts means bigger tournaments and a bigger input into the economy, he said.
It was a similar message from Netball Mid Canterbury.
President Angela Mitchell said netball was thriving, but operating at capacity with the available court space, turning away players and teams this year.
Netball committed to being based at EA Networks Centre when it opened, moving all netball indoors. It has no plans to go back outside, and has benefitted with a growth in numbers that has now hit a ceiling.
Additional courts would allow them to continue to grow but would also benefit other indoor sports, she said.
“We don’t want to dominate all of those courts.
“It’s not just about netball, we want to be able to play alongside other sports.”
Former Sport Mid Canterbury boss Jan Cochrane presented her plea to extend EA Networks Stadium with concerns about demand and cost escalations by 2029.
“As time moves on the dollars move up. We’ve seen it on the bridge.
“There would be a [rates] increase but to delay would be a massive increase.”
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A proposed $200m equine stud and equestrian training centre at Lake Hood near Ashburton has the go-ahead.
Commissioner Graham Taylor granted Southern Parallel Equine Centre Limited (SPEC) land use consent, subject to conditions, on Thursday.
It … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A proposed $200m equine stud and equestrian training centre at Lake Hood near Ashburton has the go-ahead.
Commissioner Graham Taylor granted Southern Parallel Equine Centre Limited (SPEC) land use consent, subject to conditions, on Thursday.
It had already received resource consent approval from Environment Canterbury in March.
Project director Catherine Stuart could not be reached last week, but on social media said her team’s long-term focus, strength of purpose, commitment and enduring patience have been rewarded.
“Other than a few conditions placed on SPEC, we have approval to move forward with our ground-breaking plans to bring growth, opportunity, and revenues to the Ashburton region.
“The SPEC team looks forward to supporting and further developing the equestrian sector in the region and wider realms.
“The team looks forward to the work ahead to establish SPEC, ensuring future successes towards confirming Ashburton as an equestrian sports horse destination.”
After “‘jumping’ the hurdles” to get resource consent, the next step is getting building consent.
The plan is to develop the 65ha of land next to Lake Hood and SPEC wants to start construction later this year for an expected opening before the end of 2025.
According to the consent documents, the equine centre would feature an indoor horse sale centre, veterinary clinic, stables with 650 stalls and training arenas as well as fields for show jumping, dressage, eventing, polo training, and grazing pastures.
It was estimated the project would create 850 jobs during construction, and once fully operational would employ 160 people.
Stage two would be an SPC Life Skills and Education Centre, the foundation of the project, built on a separate site.
The consent came with 30 conditions, including that the conditions can be reviewed annually by the Ashburton District Council.
Taylor was satisfied with the proposed 25 calendar day limit for events, with events classified as having over 50 visitors and each event requires a traffic management plan.
All horse manure needs to be cleaned out from the stable areas and disposed of off-site daily and cannot be stored outside the stables.
A proposed condition limiting residential activity on site was requested by submitters but as no consent was sought for any other residential use, Taylor was unable to place further conditions on residential use that has not been applied for.
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by … View moreDon’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today.
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing … View morePeople associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Building framed bunk beds and finishing with curtains, Resene Indian Ink and Resene Colorwood Bark elevates the bach classic. Kids also love them at home. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly. This week we have the amazing Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ) who will be answering your questions about your renting rights.
A little bit about Sacha:
She has been working for CABNZ for 10 years and is … View moreWe are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly. This week we have the amazing Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ) who will be answering your questions about your renting rights.
A little bit about Sacha:
She has been working for CABNZ for 10 years and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge of their rights as well as ensuring access to justice.
She helps support the team of over 2,000 trained volunteers who deliver the CAB service in 80 neighbourhoods around Aotearoa by providing advice and support at a national level on a wide range of issues. One of Sacha’s work areas is leading the CAB’s social justice work on housing and tenancy issues.
Whether you're a flatmate, landlord, boarder or flatmate, you can leave a comment below and Sacha will share an answer on Wednesday from 9.30am. You may want to ask about notice periods, bond fulfillment, reasonable rent increases, or even whose responsibility it is to deal with mould in the home.
Join Sacha here on Wednesday at 9.30am. See you then!.
⇩ Share your question below ⇩
Moving to a retirement village marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities waiting to be explored. Naturally, you want to share this journey with your beloved furry companion, and at Ryman, you are welcome to bring your pet along, provided they are suitable for the village … View moreMoving to a retirement village marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities waiting to be explored. Naturally, you want to share this journey with your beloved furry companion, and at Ryman, you are welcome to bring your pet along, provided they are suitable for the village environment.
Once your pet is approved for the village, the focus shifts to ensuring a smooth transition for them. Dogs and cats, being creatures of habit, may find relocating stressful. However, with patience and a thoughtful approach, we can mitigate their anxiety and help them settle into their new surroundings seamlessly.
For more tips click read more.
Sharing their love of Bluegrass, Old Time and Americana Music, The Port Hillbillies return to Oxford with a fund raising concert in support of the Oxford Cancer Support Group (Cancer Society of NZ) and Oxford Food Bank (Oxford Community Trust), Tickets $20. Group Bio and Booking details attached.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Local property developers have purchased the old Ashburton Public Library.
CBR Properties Limited completed the purchase of the old library site for $1.1 million from the Ashburton District Council on Friday.
The company's directors, Barry … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Local property developers have purchased the old Ashburton Public Library.
CBR Properties Limited completed the purchase of the old library site for $1.1 million from the Ashburton District Council on Friday.
The company's directors, Barry and Chris Redmond, could not be reached for comment on Monday.
The building, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Havelock St, was home to the Ashburton library for nearly 60 years and it’s unclear what plans the Redmonds have for the building.
The council had deemed it was not economical to strengthen and upgrade the building, opting instead to incorporate a new modern library with a new administration building.
Te Whare Whakatere, the new library and civic centre, opened earlier this year.
The decision was made to put the old library site up for sale at the end of last year.
Three offers were made but the property was snapped up by the Redmonds.
The developers own the property next door - 241 West St Ashburton – which they had planned to redevelop in 2017 but were halted by the Peter Cates grain store being a heritage-listed building.
The Redmonds also own the arcade in central Ashburton as well as several other sites.
Last year they completed the redevelopment of what had been a two-storey building on East St that was once home to Ashburton's oldest café, Reflections.
It was demolished to make way for a modern single-storey building.
New Zealand Bed Company has moved to one side of the new building.
The council planned to use the funds from the sale of the old library to be put towards paying off the construction of Te Whare Whakatere, the new library and civic centre, offsetting the impact on ratepayers.
Initially budgeted at $56.7m, before its completion the council signaled an overrun in the region of 10%. The final tally is yet to be confirmed.
The project also received $20m from the government’s shovel-ready infrastructure fund.
The council also planned to sell the old administration building site, but council chief executive Hamish Riach said a decision on that had not yet been made.
There's strength in community, especially when times are hard. Victim Support is here to ensure that nobody faces the aftermath of crime, suicide or traumatic events alone. But we need you! Bring your unique life experiences to the table and join us in meaningful work that changes lives.
… View moreThere's strength in community, especially when times are hard. Victim Support is here to ensure that nobody faces the aftermath of crime, suicide or traumatic events alone. But we need you! Bring your unique life experiences to the table and join us in meaningful work that changes lives.
By volunteering with us, you can make a real difference, helping victims stay informed, safe, and empowered. Volunteer today and do good in the dark times.
With heartfelt thanks,
The Victim Support Team
Some kiwis think hearing devices are big and ugly.
What if we told you technology has advanced substantially and they’re available in all shapes, colours, and sizes?
Go in the draw to win* a $40 MTA voucher when you share your answer to the
question below. Give it a go!
… View moreSome kiwis think hearing devices are big and ugly.
What if we told you technology has advanced substantially and they’re available in all shapes, colours, and sizes?
Go in the draw to win* a $40 MTA voucher when you share your answer to the
question below. Give it a go!
*T&C’s apply – must be over 18.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Developer Justin Skilling (pictured) and fellow developer Robert Grice
are proposing the Ashburton District Council considers closing part of Victoria St off to vehicles to make a laneway.
The pair have been restoring the old buildings along … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Developer Justin Skilling (pictured) and fellow developer Robert Grice
are proposing the Ashburton District Council considers closing part of Victoria St off to vehicles to make a laneway.
The pair have been restoring the old buildings along Victoria St - the Triangle precinct - and have big plans for continued major redevelopment.
Skilling formally presented his proposal at the first of four submission hearings for the council's long-term plan on Monday.
He presented his idea for the council to extend its CBD rejuvenation project into the Triangle Precinct and develop the streetscape from where Wills St and Victoria St divide by the Devon Hotel, all the way down to Baring Square East.
Looking at closing the section of Victoria St off now was “the perfect opportunity” given the conversations around the future of the Balmoral Hall site and the possibility of creating an arts and hospitality precinct, extending to the Events Centre, Skilling said.
There was also the opportunity to redevelop the old polytech land next to the Balmoral Hall into a car park that could cater to long-term parking, he said.
His submission was the last of the day. Earlier, DanceWorx dance studio teachers Charmaine Quaid and Jessie Thompson presented their case to councillors to retain Balmoral Hall.
They both want the council to consider a “modest upgrade” of the building to retain its affordability, both for ratepayers and potential users.
Quaid spoke of her grave concerns that the hall's fate would be decided by the $1.3m price tag to fix it up and she didn’t want to see the building “levelled down to a piece of tarmac”.
The future of stockwater was one of the main themes on Monday, with the hearing kicking off with submissions from Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd, Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Limited, and Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Ltd.
The hearings continue with a full day today, a half-day on Wednesday and the final day on Thursday.
Councillors will then make decisions on the long-term plan during deliberations on May 20-23.
The final plan is scheduled to be adopted in June.
Looking for a Dyson foot from an older Dyson Vaccum that someone may have lying around!!
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
