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It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 March if you sign up … View moreIt could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list — until 31 March if you sign up for one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*.
There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Looking around the country, the Ashburton District's proposed 9.9% rate rise next year is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) collated the planned rate rises of 48 of the country's 78 councils to determine… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Looking around the country, the Ashburton District's proposed 9.9% rate rise next year is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) collated the planned rate rises of 48 of the country's 78 councils to determine Kiwi homeowners are facing an average rate rise of 15% over the coming year - and there is no sign of relief in sight.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the 2024-25 budget focused on core infrastructure.
“We are spending a lot more money on roads and water but what we are getting caught up on is the three I’s – inflation, interest and insurance.
“We are spending more and more on roading, but we are not getting any better level of service for it because of the inflation.
“People will see the same when they go to the supermarket and are paying a lot more to get the same.”
The draft long-term plan goes before the council for adoption on Wednesday, opening consultation with the community and starting the conversation with if the plan is right, should there be cuts, or do they want more, Brown said.
While Ashburton is proposing a 9.9% increase, Buller District Council is looking at a whopping 31.8% rise.
Hamilton is proposing a 19.9% rise, Dunedin City Council 17.5% and Whangārei 17.2%.
In Canterbury, Environment Canterbury is consulting on a hefty 24.2% average rate rise.
LGNZ commissioned a report from Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen to show why rates were rising so much.
The report showed that between 2002-22, the average rate rise was only 5.7% per year, but averaged 9.8% in 2023.
It found over the past three years, roads and water supply systems are 27% more expensive to build.
The increases are larger than inflation has been in recent years, Olsen said.
There was a difference of up to 20% between what projects were expected to cost when planned and what they cost now.
"To put that in perspective, if a council had five $20 million projects [in its] last long-term plan, they would now have to cut one of those entirely to pay for the cost escalation on the other four."
LGNZ vice-president and Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry said councils were having to grapple with what projects to prioritise.
“Councils are acutely aware they need to balance the need for investment with affordable increases but the pressure has reached tipping point.”
It is time to get serious about ways to pay for local infrastructure that does not involve going deeper into ratepayers' pockets, Barry said.
He said a share of GST on housing growth, which had been put forward by the government, would also help - but by itself it was not enough.
Locals are vowing to fight for Ashburton's outdoor community pool as its future hangs in the balance.
LDR r eporter JONATHAN LEASK examines the scale of Tinwald Pool's problems, and asks an avid supporter why it should be saved.
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It’s going to take more than a lick of … View moreLocals are vowing to fight for Ashburton's outdoor community pool as its future hangs in the balance.
LDR r eporter JONATHAN LEASK examines the scale of Tinwald Pool's problems, and asks an avid supporter why it should be saved.
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It’s going to take more than a lick of paint to repair Ashburton's only council-run outdoor community pool, but resident Myshell Box says it’s worth it.
The Tinwald Community Pool was closed over the summer after it was found to be leaking 17,000 litres a day, had low pool users and staffing issues.
Its future is up for debate in the draft long-term plan, where the Ashburton District Council has $3 million to spend on a pool.
Building a new outdoor pool at the EA Networks Centre in the Canterbury town is the preferred option up for consultation.
But other options are on the table - hydroslides at EA Networks Centre, upgrading the waterplay area at the Ashburton Domain, repairing the Tinwald pool or doing nothing.
The Tinwald community is rallying support to retain and repair the pool.
Myshell Box said the pool's potential closure “really infuriates me”.
Box has lived in Tinwald for over 35 years and was involved with the pool’s committee in the past.
“I’ve brought up four kids, have 13 grandchildren and have been a regular user of the pool.
“We need an outdoor pool so why can’t it be in Tinwald?
“It doesn’t always have to be at the EA Networks Centre. You don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket."
She couldn’t understand how the repairs could be $3m.
“It doesn’t need to be anything flash, we just want to be able to sit outside, have a picnic and swim.
“If councils have assets they should be maintaining them and shouldn’t let them get to the state of disrepair.”
Other community feedback has baulked at the hefty price tag to repair the pool, with plenty pointing at a $213,000 upgrade of Waimate’s Norman Kirk Memorial Swimming Pool, a Waimate District Council project is to upgrade the pool with a PVC membrane to stop water leaking.
The council’s people and facilities group manager, Sarah Mosley, said the Tinwald pool needed a lot more work than a reseal.
“The Tinwald Pool would be repaired and relined with a full replacement of piping and plant.
“The exact status of the current pipework is unknown due to being underground, but significant earthworks would be required to remove and replace all pipes to link the rebuilt pools to the new water treatment plant.”
A rural pools report in 2021 identified that the operational plant had reached the end of its useful life, Mosley said.
The council then used $36,100 of its better-off Government funding for surveying, concepts, and design works in 2022-23 for a potential rebuild.
“The funding from the government allowed the council to engage experts to complete an in-depth analysis of the issues and determine what we would need to do to bring this pool up to NZ standards.
“Once experts were involved it became clear that not only did the filter, chlorinator, pump and pipes all need replacing, they also need to be larger commercial units to meet the standards and a new plant shed to be built.
"To meet NZ standards, the pool design needed to change to accommodate entry ramps, make the main and children’s pool two separate bodies of water, install overflow channelling and balance tanks were also required.”
The estimated cost of all that work was $3m, based on the Rawlinsons QS Estimate, Mosley said.
It also doesn’t solve the other major issues facing the pool.
“The parallel issue for the Tinwald Pool is the challenges and costs associated with lifeguarding and operating a satellite pool.”
Mosely said a council decision in September to close the pool over summer was caused by several issues.
The pool had been plagued by ongoing lifeguard shortages - a nationwide issue.
It had also reached its end of life with a plant failure imminent, had variable summer weather, and received low swimmer visitors, Mosely said.
In its best season, 3050 people visited in 2020-21. The Tinwald Pool recorded a $66,000 loss, costing ratepayers about $18 per swim.
The arguments over declining patronage also anger Box.
“How can you go when it’s never open because the council didn’t have lifeguards to open it?
“It was hardly ever open and it was frustrating because you didn’t know if it was until you turned up.”
The Tinwald community is coming out in support of retaining the pool, she said.
“It will be for everybody.”
The whole district is paying for it.
The uniform annual general charge, a flat rate ($717 in 2023/24) charged to properties in the district, contributes to running the EA Networks Centre which ran the Tinwald Pool.
And it would also fund its rebuild – or whichever option was decided up.
Other community pools under council control were funded in a completely different way to Tinwald Pool, Mosley said.
“The council supports each pool on reserve land with a grant up to $6k per year to address any health and safety matters, and then there is a $15,000 contestable fund for capital improvements.”
The other community pools also fundraised or received financial support from their reserve board’s operation, she said.
Community pools not on reserve land, such as Lauriston, Willowby, Hampstead, Dorie, Fairton, Wakanui, could receive a share of $5000 per year to assist with their pool costs.
Methven Community Pool was also not on reserve land, however, the community requested $15,000 per year for funding towards their swimming pool, funded through a targeted rate on the Methven community, Mosley said.
The long-term plan will be out for community feedback on March 27 and people can get a first-hand look at the state of the pool at drop-in session on April 6 from 10am to 2pm.
Councillors and staff will be walking groups through the pool facility, explaining what needs to be repaired.
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Pool ownership
The Tinwald Community Pool was constructed in 1968 and was initially owned and operated by the Tinwald Swimming Club. Before the clubs closure, it was gifted to the Tinwald Reserve Board who either directly managed or contracted its management out to the Ashburton Community Pool.
In 2012 the reserve board and community organisations funded a cosmetic upgrade and significantly improved the pool’s heating.
The Ashburton Community Pool closed in 2014 when the EA Networks Centre opened, coinciding with the council taking over the operational management of the pools.
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Discover the different types of sustainable energy sources and how they combat climate change.
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The feel-good factor around a sumptuous meal served up professionally in the village dining room can help Ryman residents’ overall sense of wellbeing. Eating well and with pleasure will also help their health.
That is the view of Ryman’s Food Team and village Senior Lead Chefs who have been… View moreThe feel-good factor around a sumptuous meal served up professionally in the village dining room can help Ryman residents’ overall sense of wellbeing. Eating well and with pleasure will also help their health.
That is the view of Ryman’s Food Team and village Senior Lead Chefs who have been planning mouth-watering recipes and food selections that will make up autumn, winter, spring, and summer menus for 2024.
Menu Development Chef Matt Orr alongside the Chefs Panel are working tirelessly to create a menu for all seasons.
Click read more for the full article.
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“My name’s Crocky... the nickname I've had my whole life. When I was six I had a possum skin hat like the American folklore hero Davy Crockett. I never wanted to take off the hat.
Where I feel most at home is the Southern Lakes where I was born, but I had my school years in Christchurch … View more“My name’s Crocky... the nickname I've had my whole life. When I was six I had a possum skin hat like the American folklore hero Davy Crockett. I never wanted to take off the hat.
Where I feel most at home is the Southern Lakes where I was born, but I had my school years in Christchurch after my mum moved here when my parents divorced.
I buggered off overseas in the 2000’s, at one point I lived in New York. In the last 10 years I lived in Wellington, it had everything of a big city but like a small village, everything is accessible. Now I'm back again in Christchurch.
I squirrelled and saved and saved and just brought my first home. It's a new build with a vintage feel. I try and get around on my electric motorbike or my push bike, makes me feel like I'm on a mission. It's the best way to see the city. I feel bad using a car when I'm the only one in it. I like going tramping and nature is really good for me.
My biggest thing at the moment; I have an addiction to thrift shopping. I think thrifting is so cool - there's a real market for it, you know what you're looking for and it's great for reselling stuff that's already been created. I have a full time job that's stable so it’s kinda become a bit of a side hustle.
I'm currently collecting digital cameras. I have about 15, op shops think they are no good as everyone is using their phones. I source the chargers and clean the cameras up and sell them on and give them new life. Everyone's going back to the Y2K era for nostalgic reasons, the noise of them clicking a photo - very cool.”
- Crocky
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org...
Refresh your interior, get wallpapering, finish your floor, do your deck, fancy up your fence or re-stain your exterior… or you can do them all!
Bring out the best in your home with 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops! Come in and … View moreRefresh your interior, get wallpapering, finish your floor, do your deck, fancy up your fence or re-stain your exterior… or you can do them all!
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Stuff is on the hunt for the biggest potholes in New Zealand and the list is growing. Got a local pothole doing your head in? Share it on Stuff!
Hop into Easter with our Gift Guide 2024! Whether you're spoiling the grandkids or surprising your closest pals, we've gathered delightful gifts to make this Easter memorable.
Explore now and find the perfect treasures to cherish the season with those you love. Don't leave it to … View moreHop into Easter with our Gift Guide 2024! Whether you're spoiling the grandkids or surprising your closest pals, we've gathered delightful gifts to make this Easter memorable.
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It is 160 years since the Ashburton Domain was established and it remains a central part to the town, with plans to keep it that way into the future. Local Democracy Reporter JONATHAN LEASK reports.
The Ashburton Domain is 160 years old this year and remains the premier open space, botanical, … View moreIt is 160 years since the Ashburton Domain was established and it remains a central part to the town, with plans to keep it that way into the future. Local Democracy Reporter JONATHAN LEASK reports.
The Ashburton Domain is 160 years old this year and remains the premier open space, botanical, and sports venue facility of the district.
The domain was planned when the Ashburton township was first laid out in 1864, with the land designated a domain reserve and was known as ‘The Grange’.
Early records describe the area as around 100 acres of ‘miserable wilderness’ that was a jungle of scrubby broom, spear grass, and tussock.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said it’s a pretty special place that has served the district since “our forefathers had the vision to set aside the land”.
It was seen as an integral part in developing the town and five generations later it retains pride of place in the centre of Ashburton, he said.
It has changed and adapted over the years but retained its status as a sacred place, he said.
“The community has been very protective of what goes on there.”
The 37 hectares of open space, lawns, gardens and recreational facilities, the domain has seen plenty of changes over the years.
PAST
After being included in the town plans in 1864, a Domain Board was eventually established in 1874 to administer the land.
Under the guidance of the board, water was brought from a local waterway into a water race which then traversed the domain, with two dams built to form a lake.
Early records indicate that a donation from the council in 1878 allowed a local cricket club to sow a cricket field in the southeast corner of the area, heralding the start of domain’s use for community sport and recreation.
In 1879 the Ashburton Hospital was built on land that had been part of the west end of the domain.
In 1889 the domain was vested in the Ashburton Borough Council.
Swimming baths were also opened in 1889 in a dammed area of the domain, which provided separate bathing opportunities for males and females.
The first swimming race was held two years later in 1891.
When winter conditions permitted, the baths were used as an ice skating rink.
Water sampled from the swimming pool in 1948 showed high bacteria levels and the pool was then closed at the end of the season, ending an era.
Over the years other sporting codes began using the domain.
Cricket and football shared a ground in the alternate seasons, tennis laid down an acre of courts, the cycling clubs maintained a clay track, outdoor bowls and croquet clubs set up, and hockey had a field in front of the hospital – with most of those in the same spot to this day.
The domain has been a venue for landmark community occasions, but one of the biggest was when Queen Elizabeth II visited it in 1953 as part of her New Zealand coronation visit.
In the 1950s, a sports hall was proposed to be built in the domain but public outcry opposed it due to the sanctity of the domain and it was built on Tancred St.
It was a situation repeated 60 years later when the stadium and aquatic centre were considered to be built in the domain, but the EA Networks Centre ended up being built in the riverside industrial area.
The existing paddling pool was built in 1978 as a Centennial Project for the Ashburton Rotary Club.
The domain celebrated its 150th birthday in 2014 and had a month of programmed activities which were held in the domain.
PRESENT
The Ashburton Domain has been a constant feature on the district landscape for 160 years but an ever-changing one.
The domain is undergoing a gradual redevelopment as part of a 30-year plan adopted by the council in 2020, and there has been plenty going on in the current 2023/24 year.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager, Neil McCann said the pond edging has been replaced, a new bridge replaced the an old wooden one, the new flying fox has opened, new main gates have been installed, and two accessible basket swings have been added to the playground.
Renewal of the sports park irrigation and a lighting upgrade along the asphalt pathway from Walnut Ave to West and Wills streets have also been completed, McCann said.
A herb garden has been replanted based on a design from the 1980s that was unearthed by open spaces staff with a refresh of the nearby rose garden planned for next year.
Community organisations are working with the council on a draft concept plan for a new Bike Skills Park next to the existing pump track.
The domain remains home to multiple sporting codes with Mid Canterbury Cricket, the Waireka Croquet Club, Ashburton Bowls Club, Mid Canterbury Tennis Centre, the Mid Canterbury Hockey turf, athletics and football all utilising the site.
The cross-code usage is managed by a domain user group that meets twice a year, McCann said.
Croquet and bowls maintain their assets, cricket maintains the wicket blocks, and the council mows the outfields and domain oval in the athletics area, McCann said.
The third annual Glow in the Park light festival on King’s Birthday weekend is to be held in the Ashburton Domain for the first time and is seen as an ideal way to celebrate the domain’s 160 years McCann said.
FUTURE
The Ashburton District Council’s 30-year domain development plan is an aspirational vision for the future of the Domain.
What will be progressed from it over the next 10 years is set to be determined in the 2024-34 long-term plan process as “funding is integral to any of the projects proceeding”, McCann said.
Some things have already been achieved, starting with the 2022 demolition of the old aviary that had been built in 1965 and the area is being developed into a natural wildflower and butterfly garden.
The draft plan has around $3.5m of development plan projects scattered throughout the 10-year period, McCann said.
There is $30,000 proposed to establish three trails - botanical, heritage, and sculpture – around the domain in 2024/25 as well as other new pathways to improve the connectivity.
A renewal project that was not part of the development plan is the upgrade of the picnic area toilets.
The domain playground has been identified as needing a significant overhaul.
There is $37,000 in the draft plan to enable the scoping work of a partial domain playground upgrade, McCann said.
“This will help determine what aspects can be upgraded in the draft year 2 budget, which is $338,250.
The proposed budget is not likely to cover the cost of upgrading the playground from the bark soft fall and removal of the raised wooden edges to rubber soft fall, McCann said.
A central hub, Walnut Ave promenade, and the secondary entrance to the main carpark are all projects that are “on hold” as they are not in the current 10-year plans, McCann said.
The popular paddling pool area is slated for relocation and redevelopment in the development plan and is being considered as one of the five options in the long-term plan for a $3.1m investment in pool facilities.
The council is also in the process of taking over ownership of the domain pavilion and Walnut Ave pavilion.
If and when the proposed project's progress will be determined in the next few months, and the domain development plan is up for a review next year.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Methven and Rakaia residents wanting speed reductions along stretches of their townships will have to wait a little longer.
The changes were awaiting sign-off at the end of last year but the change of Government put the brakes on any progress.
… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Methven and Rakaia residents wanting speed reductions along stretches of their townships will have to wait a little longer.
The changes were awaiting sign-off at the end of last year but the change of Government put the brakes on any progress.
The Rakaia community has been wanting the reduction for years as traffic volumes have continued to rise, making it increasingly hazardous for locals to get across the highway. In Methven, development has extended to the north and the speed zone hasn’t been moved with it.
Deputy mayor and road safety committee chairperson Liz McMillan said the speed changes were all lined up and ready to go but the “box just hasn’t been ticked”.
New transport minister Simeon Brown contacted all road controlling authorities in December to notify them of his plans to amend the speed limit rules, advising them to stop work on current speed management plans until the new rule was in place.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi updated the Ashburton District road safety co-ordinating committee on Tuesday about how that affected the proposed speed reductions for the Methven and Rakaia townships.
A report submitted to the meeting suggested Rakaia has already been taken off the list for the National Land Transport Plan 21-24 Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan projects due to a recent reprioritisation.
The speed was to be reduced from 100kph down to 60kph past the Ōpuke Thermal Pools, out of Methven on SH77, a reduction from 70kph to 50kph on SH1 through Rakaia, and down to 80kph across the Rakaia River Bridge as well as a 60kph variable zone between the new weigh stations north of the bridge.
The road safety committee plans to contact Minister of Transport Simeon Brown to ask the director of land transport to approve the changes for Methven as soon as possible, McMillan said.
Mayor Neil Brown said the Rakaia speed limits are “more complicated” due to the weigh station, which is scheduled to open later this year.
Rangitata MP James Meager also planned to raise it with the minister’s office “to see what we can do about progressing the speed limit reductions”.
“I’ve always held the view that if local communities want reasonable speed limit changes in their areas, they should be able to do so.”
Methven and Rakaia cases are "sensible changes, supported by the community”, he said.
The introduction of 30kph variable school speed zones on SH77 in Methven and by Ashburton Borough School are also in limbo.
The Government’s planned changes will allow the council to introduce time restrictions to the 30kph school zones that were introduced last year without the need for the expensive electronic variable signs.
Can't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.
As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the … View moreCan't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.
As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the editor of NZ Gardener magazine and has been for 15 years. She is looking forward to answering your gardening questions.
Whether you're dipping your toe in the soil or have seasoned green fingers, we welcome you to...
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