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French daybed for sale. It is 194 cm long, and 90 cm deep. Sides are 80 cm high and back is 90 cm high. It can be dismantled into a flatpack.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Splashing the cash on swimming pools is considered to be money down the drain.
But the council is still proposing spending millions on an outdoor pool.
A new outdoor pool at the EA Networks Centre, at an estimated cost of $3m, will be the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Splashing the cash on swimming pools is considered to be money down the drain.
But the council is still proposing spending millions on an outdoor pool.
A new outdoor pool at the EA Networks Centre, at an estimated cost of $3m, will be the preferred option in the long-term plan over repairing the Tinwald Pool ($3m), installing hydro-slides at EA Networks Centre ($3.5m) or upgrading the paddling pool and water play area at the Ashburton Domain ($3m).
The council's people and facilities group manager, Sarah Mosley, told councillors at a recent workshop that outdoor pools simply don’t make money.
In its best season, 3050 people in 2020-21, the Tinwald Pool recorded a $66,000 loss, costing ratepayers around $18 per swim.
Councillor Leen Braam wanted to know how that compared to the EA Networks aquatic centre.
“The challenge is all aquatic facilities lose money,” Mosley said.
“The costs are high and they provide a service that no other people generally want to provide.
“The comparison in cost is: Do you want to lose more than you need to lose?”
It was difficult to make a comparison between Tinwald Pool and EA Networks as the aquatic centre is an annual operation with multiple indoor pools, Mosley said.
An outdoor pool built at the EA Network Centre would lose less money than the Tinwald Pool if was fixed, “due to the operational efficiencies”.
The $3m figure for the Tinwald Pool is for the scope of work believed to be required, but as with any restoration “you don’t know what you are going to find”, Mosley said.
“When we find something that is out of scope, that could skyrocket the cost and we wouldn’t know that until we find it.
“That’s one of the risks of the Tinwald Pool project versus a greenfield new pool project, which also has a risk of cost escalations but not as many unknowns.”
The $3m would cover repairing the Tinwald Pool but would not include any other upgrades and wouldn’t solve the lifeguard shortage that hampered its operation last summer.
While the outdoor pool options would lose money, hydroslides would be a year-round income stream.
Hydroslides at EA Networks Centre caused plenty of debate back in 2015 but the council of the day opted not to install them.
The proposal is a joint venture operation, partnering with an outside party providing the slides that share the costs and the income.
The Domain Paddling Pool project was included in the Ashburton Domain Development Plan. The project would relocate the paddling pool next to the children’s playground and add a water play area.
It is free to use but doesn’t require lifeguards.
The long-term plan will also have a fifth option – do nothing, saving the community from funding the $3m.
If another option is chosen it will signal the long-term closure of the Tinwald Pool and alternative uses of the site will be investigated.
Councillor Phill Hooper proposed handing the Tinwald Pool back to the community to crowd-fund the necessary repairs and then run it as a community pool with a key subscription system.
It could be an option for the future but it comes with complications, Mosley said.
“It is on council land so the council does not relinquish its overriding health and safety obligations.”
As well as the health and safety factor, pools on council land still need to reach water treatment and water quality standards, Mosley said.
Councillor Lynette Lovett said Tinwald Pool needed community ownership.
“If people raise funds and put money into it they will take ownership. If council just goes and puts a [new] pool in there it will keep running the same and be closed more than it
Make your own portable gardening tool organiser in your favourite Resene colour.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Hunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to … View moreHunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to bring in canned pet food, we can accept that also and will donate it to the SPCA and local community animal shelters.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market garden settlement finally opens as a community heritage park on Sunday.
The official opening is an invite-only affair and the site will then be open to the public from Monday.
… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market garden settlement finally opens as a community heritage park on Sunday.
The official opening is an invite-only affair and the site will then be open to the public from Monday.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown has described the site as an “outdoor museum” where the community can learn more about the history of Chinese pioneers in Ashburton.
The market garden settlement on Allens Road operated from the early 1920s until 1964, and was the largest Chinese community in the South Island during that time.
The 2.3-hectare site remains home to a group of historic buildings and facilities that have been stabilised to stop further deterioration.
The project was born in 2008 when one of the group of owners, Yep Ng, worked with other family members to have the settlement come under council management.
Representatives of the descendants of the Ng King settlers, the Ashburton District Council and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will be at the opening, with around 300 people expected to attend.
Upoko o Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua Te Wera King will bless the site during the opening.
Landscaping has been completed and the fencing around the site will be removed just before the formal opening.
To coincide with the opening, the Ashburton Museum is set to unveil a new exhibition on Monday, February 26.
The exhibition A New Era: Ng King Bros. Chinese Market Garden Settlement celebrates the history of the site and the restoration project that worked over 15 years towards the site re-opening as a public reserve this month.
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Check out these 10 simple tips to keep cool and save money on your power bills this season.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won’t fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.
The NZ Herald reported a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) document prepared in November included … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won’t fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.
The NZ Herald reported a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) document prepared in November included updated cost
estimates for various transport projects and shows a potential fiscal hole of up to $24 billion.
NZTA estimated 17 major projects, including Ashburton’s second bridge, could collectively cost between $30.9b and $46.6b, but National had budgeted only $22.2b for the same projects.
NZTA outlined in the document the costings were preliminary and based on the “latest known project scope”.
The business case for Ashburton’s second bridge came in at $113m but NZTA’s estimates place the project between $100m and $200m.
There is bound to be some variance to the business case prepared in 2022 due to inflation, but Brown couldn’t understand the estimate being as high as $200m.
“This bridge is needed and if those prices are escalating as NZTA says, they need to look at their costs that are way higher than inflation.
“Traffic management may be one place to start.”
When now Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was on the election campaign trail last year, he stood in the Ashburton Events Centre in April and pledged construction on the second bridge would start in his party's first term in government.
The possibility of a cash shortfall casts some doubt on delivering on that pledge, but the mayor remains very confident they will.
“They just need to sort the funding.
“There is always a possibility it could fall into a fiscal hole but the bridge is ready to go, why delay it and have those costs further increase.”
It is all conjecture until the Government releases its revised policy, Brown said.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is finalising the revised draft of the Government Policy Statement on land transport as part of the coalition Government’s 100-day plan.
“The GPS will outline the Government’s priorities across transport, including how projects will be funded.”
The minister declined to comment further on project details, funding, and what projects may be prioritised, deprioritised or even cancelled ahead of the draft policy announcement.
Rangitata MP James Meager said Ashburton’s second bridge remains a high priority.
“Escalating construction and project costs are a concern, which is why it's so important we get started on key infrastructure projects as soon as possible.
“I have complete confidence that we will meet our commitment to start construction on the new bridge in our first term and continue to work closely with the Minister's office to ensure that happens."
Labour’s transport spokesperson, Tangi Utikere, said it was "only a matter of time before the Government would be caught out by the numbers they used during the election".
"NZTA’s figure not only proves Christopher Luxon was not honest about the books in his State of the Nation speech, it also shows the lengths they are going to save face over tax cuts.
"I implore Simeon Brown to uphold his promises to Ashburton."
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
The Christchurch Art Show is back at Te Pae Convention Centre March 8 – 10!
Expect amazing artwork of all types, artist demonstrations, and award- winning artists at New Zealand’s largest art show. The Christchurch Art Show’s new VIP Preview event opens 8 March 5pm, the ever-popular … View moreThe Christchurch Art Show is back at Te Pae Convention Centre March 8 – 10!
Expect amazing artwork of all types, artist demonstrations, and award- winning artists at New Zealand’s largest art show. The Christchurch Art Show’s new VIP Preview event opens 8 March 5pm, the ever-popular opening night follows this at 7:30pm. Both are pre- sale catered events and opening night will sell out!
Show Days are: Sat 9th March 10am-8pm and Sun 10th March 10am - 5pm.
Come and view thousands of original quality artworks, meet the artists and view live art demonstrations. Make it a day out and enjoy The Christchurch Art Show!
Buy Christchurch Tickets (New) – ART SHOW TICKETING
Peter is helping us out with something that nearly everyone can relate to – dealing with the unsorted photos taking up space on your phone or languishing in boxes in your home.
“Without fail, when I give a talk about getting organised, I’m always asked how to deal with photos,” says … View morePeter is helping us out with something that nearly everyone can relate to – dealing with the unsorted photos taking up space on your phone or languishing in boxes in your home.
“Without fail, when I give a talk about getting organised, I’m always asked how to deal with photos,” says Peter.
Boxes of unsorted photos can feel overwhelming to organise so they often get left for many years to clutter up our houses. In addition to this, most of us have smartphones that make it easy to take photos anywhere, so pretty soon our digital photo life becomes cluttered too.
Click read more for the full article.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.
Make this property … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it!
Don’t miss out! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
There have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.
- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- … View moreThere have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.
- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- A reassuring pharmacy team? Nominate them today.
Make a small business' day today by nominating them as your Prospa Local Business Hero - and you could make their whole year (our national winner picks up an incredible $10,000 prize package!)
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A programme aimed at getting young people into jobs is proving successful in Mid Canterbury, despite youth unemployment rising in the wider Canterbury region.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 young people employment in the… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A programme aimed at getting young people into jobs is proving successful in Mid Canterbury, despite youth unemployment rising in the wider Canterbury region.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 young people employment in the Ashburton District since July - one of the highest rates in the South Island.
The success in Mid Canterbury comes as youth unemployment rose to its highest December quarter in Canterbury since 2018, according to figures from Stats NZ.
The Ashburton District Council ran a pilot of the Government-funded scheme to get youth into employment in February 2022, with a target of 12 youth employed by the end of June 2023.
It easily surpassed that figure and extended the programme for two years.
Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said the contract aimed to deliver 38 people into jobs in the 2023-24 year.
With 47 already achieved, “it is likely that we will achieve far more than this”, Donaldson said.
An employment positive outcome is someone in permanent employment for more than 30 hours per week, she said.
There are 34 people in sustainable employment (longer than 90 days) and 13 haven’t reached the 90 days yet.
“We are currently working with 67 clients not in work and providing pastoral care for a further 60 in employment or education."
Employment coach Sharon Watson is leading the programme, which has 116 employers registered.
Of the 47 employed youths, 10 have gone into the primary industries, nine into retail, seven into hospitality, five into trades, and four into construction.
The programme is helping youth along the pathway to future employment, Donaldson said.
It assists with first aid certificates, health and safety training, forklift certificates, passenger, wheels, track and roller license endorsements, class 2, 4 and 5 licenses, traffic management training, and supports employers by providing professional development around communication techniques with staff, Donaldson said.
Rangitata MP James Meager said the success of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in Ashburton showed the importance of local solutions for local problems.
“With unemployment starting to trend up as the economic lag starts to bite, it’s important we look to take a social investment approach to support programmes that actually deliver outcomes.”
The number of NEET (youth not in employment, education or training) increased from 9.6% to 12.2% in Canterbury compared to the previous year, and just under the 12.5% recorded in 2018.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston was concerned by the statistics showing the increase in youth unemployment.
“Young people are disproportionately impacted by tightening economic conditions,” she said.
“It is also worrying that 40,000 people under the age of 25 are currently on a Jobseeker benefit, an increase of 66% compared to six years ago.”
PHOTO: Seth Hosken on a building site with Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown after getting a building apprenticeship with JKF Homes through the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs in 2023.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
We're looking for delicious carrot recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's April issue. Send your family's favourite ways to eat this easy-to-grow vege crop to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by February 25, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.
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 - $15,000 back for a limited time*.
… 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 - $15,000 back for a limited time*.
If you sign up to 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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