Thank you for using Neighbourly
Christmas is on its way and for those of us with family across the country this means posting gifts from afar. Unfortunately, with the rise of mail theft in our communities, this can be risky business. Have you had a parcel stolen in your neighbourhood? Vote in our poll and share below whether this… View moreChristmas is on its way and for those of us with family across the country this means posting gifts from afar. Unfortunately, with the rise of mail theft in our communities, this can be risky business. Have you had a parcel stolen in your neighbourhood? Vote in our poll and share below whether this influences how you're gifting nowadays.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Hold on a sec, mind-blowing deals are on the way! But before you rush in, take a moment to read our latest article for shopping tips that'll help you save hundreds of dollars this Black Friday.
Also, don't miss our Black Friday deals on broadband and power plans, plus PriceMe to … View moreHold on a sec, mind-blowing deals are on the way! But before you rush in, take a moment to read our latest article for shopping tips that'll help you save hundreds of dollars this Black Friday.
Also, don't miss our Black Friday deals on broadband and power plans, plus PriceMe to compare retailers like The Warehouse, Noel Leeming, Farmers, and more!
Let's make this Black Friday the best one yet!
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A short, sharp downpour flooded Ashburton businesses, ruined 200 library books and caused sewage to overflow.
Up to 30mm of rain fell in 15 minutes on Saturday afternoon, causing havoc for local businesses and surface flooding on some Ashburton … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A short, sharp downpour flooded Ashburton businesses, ruined 200 library books and caused sewage to overflow.
Up to 30mm of rain fell in 15 minutes on Saturday afternoon, causing havoc for local businesses and surface flooding on some Ashburton streets.
Ashburton Public Library manager Jill Watson said it was the worst flooding in the building she had seen in her 48 years of working there.
However, she hoped it would be the last.
The library is set to close on November 26 to start its shift to the new Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, which is set to open on December 18.
Council people and facilities general manager Sarah Mosley said that at least 200 books would not make the trip after being damaged by the leaky roof.
It made for a different kind of hum at the library on Monday.
“We have dehumidifiers working flat out to dry out wet carpet tiles,” Mosley said.
The old library, which opened in 1967, wasn’t alone in suffering from the storm's rapid downpour.
Across town at the River Crossing retail precinct, which opened just over a year ago, the Kmart had to close after water began leaking near the entrance.
“The guttering got overwhelmed and it flooded into the building,” Tricroft general manager Tony Gilbert said.
“That amount of water in a short space of time, it got overwhelmed.
“The fact there were so many other buildings with similar issues shows that it was quite a volume of water.”
Formosa Restaurant's roof leak was so damaging the business remained closed on Monday for repairs.
Nearby Cleavers Corner Gastro Pub had the surface flooding breach its doors requiring a clean-up to open on Sunday, and around the corner, the F45 gym was completely flooded and remained closed on Monday.
Several roads resembled rivers from the deluge on Saturday.
Ashburton resident Margaret Anderson said it “was like a river with water flowing along the road" at the intersection of SH1/West St and SH77/Moore St.
Surface flooding led to raw sewerage flowing along William Str.
Council infrastructure and open space general manager Neil McCann said the problem occurred where council contractors were putting in new wastewater pipes.
“The site was inundated with stormwater that infiltrated the wastewater system and caused an overflow.
“The site has been cleaned up and disinfected by the contractor.
“Events like these have no impact on council’s drinking water network in Ashburton, and tap water remains safe to drink.”
The roading and stormwater networks have been checked and there was no major damage to report, he said.
“We had a few isolated spots where water pooled, as you would expect with a sudden heavy downpour.”
For as little as $61, unwrap thought-provoking articles, entertainment and adventure every Sunday!
Purchase a subscription to Sunday Star-Times via mags4gifts.co.nz before December 25 and receive a free Linden Leaves diffuser worth $40.
For more information visit mags4gifts.co.nz/sstchristmas… View moreFor as little as $61, unwrap thought-provoking articles, entertainment and adventure every Sunday!
Purchase a subscription to Sunday Star-Times via mags4gifts.co.nz before December 25 and receive a free Linden Leaves diffuser worth $40.
For more information visit mags4gifts.co.nz/sstchristmas
Happy Shopping!
The team at Sunday Star-Times
Hi neighbour's,
Looking for a Gardner that will be able to help us with weeding and putting down weed mat, we are West Eyreton, please PM me
Choose retreat or residence as the winner of this brand-new, fully furnished home in beautiful Whitianga.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen,… View moreChoose retreat or residence as the winner of this brand-new, fully furnished home in beautiful Whitianga.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and loved by its new owners.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Recycling habits are improving but can still get better in the Ashburton District.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said there were still plenty of yellow bins “in bin jail” in Methven, and questioned whether the situation required another round of … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Recycling habits are improving but can still get better in the Ashburton District.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said there were still plenty of yellow bins “in bin jail” in Methven, and questioned whether the situation required another round of education for the community as to what could be recycled.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the number of bin confiscations had halved in the district and issues in Methven were a seasonal anomaly.
During the ski season there was a much higher number of bins not collected and removed, he said.
“Ashburton District’s recycling behaviour is currently holding quite steady.”
The council introduced kerbside monitoring in 2020, with numbers showing a gradual improvement.
The current watch list has 211 on a first strike pullback - when a bin is not collected and a tag is placed on the bin to explain why.
Thirty-nine are on a second strike and 74 have had a third strike and been confiscated.
“Having 74 confiscated [indicates] that things are improving as we were closer to 150 at one stage," McCann said.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Illegal dumping continues to hit ratepayers in the pocket, with volunteers sending a message to the culprits: "Don't be a tosser."
Ashburton District Council paid $13,000 to clean up illegal dumping in 2022-23, and from June to … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Illegal dumping continues to hit ratepayers in the pocket, with volunteers sending a message to the culprits: "Don't be a tosser."
Ashburton District Council paid $13,000 to clean up illegal dumping in 2022-23, and from June to September the bill has tallied $1700, infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said.
“The first three months are trending slightly lower than usual. Annually the cost usually falls somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000."
The cost of disposal and council staff investigation time is not included in the price.
One offender was found and issued a fine of $400, he said.
The cost for the council did not take into account the work of Litter-Free Ashburton, McCann said.
The local volunteering group did monthly litter pickups around Ashburton, and most of what they picked up was illegally dumped material, McCann said.
The volunteers, a group of about 16 mostly retired people, meet on the second Thursday of every month and target trouble spots around Ashburton.
Litter-Free Ashburton spokesperson Bev Skates said the group usually collected about 20 bags of rubbish, ranging from common household rubbish to the bedding, tyres, pallets, carpet, furniture and other large items.
“People are just too lazy to go to the dump,” Skates said.
Once the litter is bagged and piled up at a location, the council organises its collection.
The council supplied hi-vis vests and tools to help the group, Skates said, and it also cut back tree branches to reduce illegal dumping.
One of the worst hit areas was North Park Reserve, the strip of land along State Highway 1 at the northern end of town, Skates said.
Rubbish was found all along the stretch of the highway from people throwing items out of their vehicles on their way out of town, she said.
“We don’t want tossers.”
Rather than adding more rubbish bins, people needed to use the available one and have some social responsibility, she said.
A recent council report highlighted that illegal dumping is prevalent around Melrose Rd, which leads to the Ashburton/Hakatere River, and Alford Forest Rd on the western edge of Ashburton.
Elizabeth Ave is the trouble spot in Rakaia, with illegal dumping occurring at the edge of town near the Rakaia Domain.
Methven had no reports of illegal dumping in September, but the report stated there had been an increase in dumping at the Methven recycling facility.
Give your bedroom a fresh look with this creative bedhead project and Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Glow in the Park will move to a bigger venue from next year, raising concerns it will come with a heftier price tag.
The decision was made on Tuesday to shift the free admission light festival from the Tinwald Domain to the Ashburton Domain from … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Glow in the Park will move to a bigger venue from next year, raising concerns it will come with a heftier price tag.
The decision was made on Tuesday to shift the free admission light festival from the Tinwald Domain to the Ashburton Domain from 2024.
But that move could come with a $100,000 price tag.
The move was aimed at allowing the event to expand, and alleviating the congestion issues created by its popularity.
More than 17,000 attended across two nights this year, with the third night rained off. That was a 70% increase in attendance, which caused gridlock traffic in town.
The cost was also a key talking point around shifting the Ashburton District Council-run event.
In her report to council, events advisor Sarah Davidson said the event required funding well over the council’s budget of $15,000 to be successful.
The event cost a minimum of $60,000 and could “go as high as $100,000 depending on the design and offering of the event”.
The original event was funded by EA Networks to celebrate its centenary, but the council was left to foot the bill this year. It was helped by local business sponsorship funding of $47,000.
As admission is free, mayor Neil Brown and councillor Tony Todd supported the possibility of creating a temporary car parking area in the domain.
The carpark could charge a fee to create revenue while also encouraging more people to walk, Brown said.
Councillor Russell Ellis suggested going a step further by introducing an admission fee for the council’s “flagship event”.
“[If] this event is going to cost over $100,000 to run, maybe there needs to be an admission fee. It doesn’t have to be high.
“How you then police that in the domain becomes very difficult as well.”
Councillor Richard Wilson wanted it made clear it was not a free event.
“We call it a free event but it’s paid for by the ratepayers.
“To put it in context, the grading of the district's shingle roads costs $377,000 a year and we could end up spending $100,000 on this.”
Wilson and councillors Phill Hooper and Rob Mackle opposed the event's move, believing it should remain in Tinwald.
The first Glow event planned for 2021 was to be held at the Ashburton Domain but was cancelled due to covid restrictions.
The event was held in 2022 at the Tinwald Domain as it offered easier control of entry points to ensure compliance with covid rules, which were eased before the event.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said it was time to move to a bigger venue due to the growing attendance.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron said the move to central Ashburton would provide more walking opportunities for Glow-goers.
“The traffic presumably would be more manageable in town even though the car parking may be more difficult to get.
“I’m sure people will be tolerant of streets clogged up for a few hours a day.”
Councillor Lynette Lovett suggested putting on buses to ease the congestion.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said a bus service could be an option, but it could “need an entire fleet” to take the pressure off.
“We have been very mindful of the costs for this event.
“Putting on buses requires cost and you have got 17,000 [people]. Even a big bus carrying 40 people has to make an awful lot of trips to make a difference.”
Ashburton Domain celebrates 160 years next year and the event would be held at King's Birthday weekend. This factor was also considered in the move.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
They have the views and now just need the loos.
A Matariki observation deck has been installed next to what will be a new toilet block at the Rakaia Gorge Campground, with the $450,000 project on track to be completed by the end of the year.
… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
They have the views and now just need the loos.
A Matariki observation deck has been installed next to what will be a new toilet block at the Rakaia Gorge Campground, with the $450,000 project on track to be completed by the end of the year.
Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said while the platform has been constructed, it is “not ready for opening as it still requires some finishing work and signoff”.
“There is no public access at this stage and is still a secured work site.”
The old public toilets at the Rakaia Gorge Campground, which were built in the 1970s, are being demolished and replaced with a new prefabricated dry-vault toilet block.
“The new toilets are arriving at the end of November and will be operational a couple of weeks later.”
For the Matariki viewing platform, there will be interpretive signage and a Matariki narrative, which the council is working with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, McCann said.
There is also some lighting, deck and picnic furniture, new carparks and path, and landscaping to complete around the area.
The site is tracking towards being open to the public in December, with the details of an official opening and site blessing still to be confirmed.
The project is running under budget, McCann said, with the $451,000 project receiving $277,000 from the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).
Council open spaces manager Ian Soper explained in March that round six of TIF applications last year had a directive to incorporate a focus on the Matariki public holiday, which was why the council’s toilet replacement had included the star viewing deck.
------------------------------
TIF fund finished
The Tourism Infrastructure Fund has come to an end.
MBIE manager of investment management performance David Talbot said budget allocations for the fund have now been exhausted, with round seven the final planned round.
“Decisions for the future of a TIF is for the incoming government.”
It was introduced in 2017 to provide up to $25 million annually to develop tourism-related infrastructure in regions facing pressure from tourism growth.
Over the seven rounds since 2017, the Ashburton District Council received $1,175,273 for three projects.
It received $739,945 for the upgrade of the Rakaia Salmon site in 2019, $158,328 for enhancing the rest areas at Taylors Stream and Awa Awa Rata Reserve in 2021, and then $277,000 for the redevelopment of Rakaia Gorge toilets and Matariki observation deck in 2022.
Neighbouring Selwyn District Council has cashed in almost $2m of funding across all seven rounds of the TIF to upgrade its public toilet network.
They have received a total of $1,954,450 with the majority of the projects related to upgrades or installation of new public toilets.
The Southland District Council received the most from the TIF, receiving $10,518,535 – which included $6.5m towards the Te Anau wastewater project.
The Westland District Council received $6,828,115, followed by Thames-Coromandel ($6,554,857), Queenstown Lakes ($5,336,781) and the Far North District Council $5,002,371.
How much do you know about the heart? Try our Heart Myths and Facts Quiz. Some of the answers might shock you!
Take the quiz here: www.heartfoundation.org.nz...
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A roading expert has explained why Ashburton district's potholes are repeatedly patched up rather than properly fixed.
It all comes down to funding.
During a recent meeting, councillor Lynette Lovett questioned why the process was to … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A roading expert has explained why Ashburton district's potholes are repeatedly patched up rather than properly fixed.
It all comes down to funding.
During a recent meeting, councillor Lynette Lovett questioned why the process was to repeatedly patch up potholes rather than just fix the section of road.
Lovett asked if any analysis was done on the cost of repeat pothole patches.
“Is it cheaper to do the darn things properly and clear them, than coming back each week and putting up jolly signs and putting black stuff in the potholes?
“It must balance out somewhere along the line for coming out and filling them all the time to actually digging it up and fixing it properly.”
Roading manager Mark Chamberlain said it comes down to funding.
“Ideally, if there is a bit of pavement getting potholes in it and needs to be dug out, that we would be able to just go ahead and dig out it out and do the repair.
“It’s to do with funding we have got available.
“Some of them have to keep getting patched to try and hold them until we have that money available.”
It had been noted before that the contractor is only paid for the first pothole patch repair. The contract is for $6000 per year, and any subsequent repatching is at their own expense.
The road funding conversation may have given many in the room déjà vu.
Potholes are the perennial number one complaint the council receives.
Funding, and specifically the lack of it, has been a regular discussion around the table, making it a big gripe for council and ratepayers.
Mayor Neil Brown reminded councillors the district has a sealed network of 1500km in the district.
“Last year we replaced 8 to 10km of new road.
“Do the equation and it's 150 years to go around and renew all our roads.”
The new roads are built to last 25 years and “even if they last 40 years we need to be doing 37km a year, but we are doing 8 to 10km, he said.
“Money is the problem and we are going backwards."
In the lead-up to the election, National announced it would establish a Pothole Repair Fund.
The pledge was to establish a $500m fund for state highway and local roading repairs, set a new directive to Waka Kotahi to double the current rate of roading renewals and halve the standard response rate for pothole repair from 48 to 24 hours.
Incoming Rangitata MP James Meager said the funding would be included in the new Government’s revised draft government policy statement that is in its 100-Day Action Plan.
Right now, kiwi families are facing some really big challenges, and many find themselves struggling to make ends meet. This means not everyone is looking forward to Christmas.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope. By donating $40, you have the opportunity to feed a family in need through a … View moreRight now, kiwi families are facing some really big challenges, and many find themselves struggling to make ends meet. This means not everyone is looking forward to Christmas.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope. By donating $40, you have the opportunity to feed a family in need through a Christmas Box filled with food basics and treats. 100% of your donation goes directly to filling the box, which provides not only food essentials but much-needed hope.
Only together, can we bring hope to the table across Aotearoa.
It's that spooky time of year and while there are some streets that welcome Halloween and set themselves up for trick or treating, there are other houses where you're more likely to get an earful than Halloween lollies. Do you think there's a place for Halloween in NZ?
Type … View moreIt's that spooky time of year and while there are some streets that welcome Halloween and set themselves up for trick or treating, there are other houses where you're more likely to get an earful than Halloween lollies. Do you think there's a place for Halloween in NZ?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
