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Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for … View moreLower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.
We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
A common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your … View moreA common neighbourhood quandary is the shared fence and we wonder what you would do... Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Your fence needs a paint but it's a fence that is shared with your neighbour's property. Do you...
Wondering about your power, broadband and mobile providers? It's time to have your say!
Voting for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories is now open. Click below to VOTE NOW!
Share your voice and VOTE for who you think deserves to WIN … View moreWondering about your power, broadband and mobile providers? It's time to have your say!
Voting for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in the Power, Broadband and Mobile categories is now open. Click below to VOTE NOW!
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Voting ends on November 17th, 2023.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Three waters reform isn’t dead and buried with a change in Government, Ashburton’s mayor Neil Brown says.
“Three waters reform is not dead, it is just going to be done differently.”
As politicians begin wheeling and dealing to seal the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Three waters reform isn’t dead and buried with a change in Government, Ashburton’s mayor Neil Brown says.
“Three waters reform is not dead, it is just going to be done differently.”
As politicians begin wheeling and dealing to seal the balance of power after the election, it’s business as usual for local government.
At least while they await the new direction from the incoming National-led Government.
“There will be a few things set to change, and Three Waters is probably the biggest one,” Brown said.
“National have said they would repeal it as soon as they could and start work on what the reforms should look like in conjunction with councils."
National has a 100-day action plan that includes scrapping Labour’s affordable water reforms, featuring a co-governed mega-entities model.
Under National's plan, councils will retain the ownership of water assets under stronger government oversight, including requiring councils to put aside money for water infrastructure.
Another big piece of legislation in National’s sights is the Resource Management Act reforms.
“What’s drafted is not what most people want and work needs to be done on that to make it more acceptable,” Brown said.
Following the election results, Brown contacted new Rangitata MP James Meager to congratulate him and thanked outgoing MP Jo Luxton for her support. Luxton is in line to remain in Parliament as a Labour list MP.
He also sent messages to incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon and the likely new Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
The two Browns will be set to discuss the plans for Ashburton’s second bridge, a project National has committed to starting in its first term.
The Labour Government included the bridge in the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport.
National will issue its own revised draft to incorporate its roads of national significance and public transport projects.
Given National's election pledge to build the second bridge, mayor Brown was confident it will stay there.
“The existing draft GPS lines up with what National promised so there shouldn’t be any tinkering there.”
All the work has been done for the second bridge project to hopefully start next year, he said.
“All that needs to be done is the detailed design and go out for tender.
“It shouldn’t take too much time but it won’t start until after July 1 next year when the new GPS comes in.”
National has also promised to work on replacing the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022.
That could result in a change to the rules that forced the council to impose 30kph permanent speed areas outside of urban schools.
National could introduce 30kph limits within specific timeframes, which isn’t currently an option, Brown said.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A funding boost is helping an Ashburton rugby club get a new half marathon event up and running.
The Allenton Rugby Club is holding the inaugural Ashburton River Trail half marathon event on March 2, 2024.
Event organiser Ryan Jameson said a group… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A funding boost is helping an Ashburton rugby club get a new half marathon event up and running.
The Allenton Rugby Club is holding the inaugural Ashburton River Trail half marathon event on March 2, 2024.
Event organiser Ryan Jameson said a group came up with the idea for a running event along the river trail and quickly partnered with the rugby club.
“The location, facilities, and accessibility to the track made it the perfect place.”
Entrants will run along the established track by the Ashburton/Hakatere River, starting and finishing at the club’s adjoining grounds.
There will be a 5km event on the Friday night and the 10km and 21km events on the Saturday, followed by a social function at the clubrooms.
Organisers will look to add a full marathon in the future, taking runners from the rugby club all the way to the coast and back, Jameson said.
“The aim is to make it an annual event and entice runners from all over the country to Ashburton for a weekend to compete.
“To our knowledge, it’s the only sort of running event of its type in Ashburton.
“The river track is a hidden gem and this is an opportunity to showcase that.”
Many consider it a bike trail, but it's also a great running track, he said.
Jameson said the Hakatere River Trail users group deserved a lot of credit for the state of it.
The Ashburton District Council helped organisers by directing them to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Regional Event Fund.
The river trail marathon was one of nine Mid Canterbury events to receive a grant from the fund, which was set up to kickstart local events that support cross-regional tourism recovery.
A $30,600 grant for the event would help attract visitors from outside the district.
Hemsworth Estate, an Edwardian Villa just out of Ashburton, received a $4000 grant to hold a Bridgerton Ball, for fans of the Netflix series Bridgerton.
Bridgerton Balls have been held in Auckland and Hamilton but this is the first for the South Island.
Council compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said there were 17 applications and the successful ones were decided by a panel including council and community representatives.
“There were some great events seeking grants, so it was a hard job.
“It was clear though, that local groups and businesses are back in the event business and that is great to see.
The Regional Event Fund aims to help events that will boost visitors to local businesses.
"These visitors stay on and shop, eat at local restaurants and explore the district," Donaldson said.
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Regional Event Fund grants:
Ashburton Rowing Club: $4000 for rowing regattas
Hemsworth Estate: $4000 to run Bridgerton Ball
Allenton Rugby Football Club: $4000 for Ashburton River Trail Marathon
Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club: $3000 for Wheat and Wheels Rally
Dynamic Gymnastics Sports: $4000 for three events
Ashburton Aviation Museum and Society: $7000 for Militaria and Aviation Extravaganza
Methven and Foothills Walking Festival: $1000
Mid Canterbury Netball: $2400 for senior tournament
Multicultural Bite: $1200 for annual event on Waitangi Day
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Five landowners have already been contacted as Significant Natural Areas (SNA) are identified in Mid Canterbury.
The SNA process has been contentious in other parts of the country, particularly in Northland and the West Coast, as greater … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Five landowners have already been contacted as Significant Natural Areas (SNA) are identified in Mid Canterbury.
The SNA process has been contentious in other parts of the country, particularly in Northland and the West Coast, as greater restrictions can be placed on designated land.
In Mid Canterbury the process is in its infancy, but is building on previous environmental provisions.
It is not known how many private properties could be affected, but five letters have already gone out to landowners in the region, the Ashburton District Council confirmed.
The council started a survey earlier this year of existing areas of significant nature conservation value (ASCV) that could be deemed SNAs.
Council compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said the move came in anticipation of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB), which has recently come into force.
This policy statement directed councils to have consistent approaches in their policies, plans and strategies to maintain indigenous biodiversity.
"The survey is currently an audit of existing SNAs, referred to as ASCV’s, but it also has crossover with council’s responsibilities under the NPSIB, and also council’s draft biodiversity strategy.”
The process of identifying SNAs was still under development, with the council required to identify SNAs by 2028, Donaldson said.
It was unknown how many landowners in Mid Canterbury are likely to be affected, she said.
“It is expected that affected owners will initially be contacted individually”.
So far five letters had been sent out, Donaldson said, noting that some additional land was within the conservation estate.
A copy of a letter to affected property owners provided by the council outlined how it was undertaking an initial assessment of the existing ASCVs and “has discovered some areas where further investigation is needed”.
“In some cases, this might be because of vegetation change, but in others, it might be because of errors in the initial creation of the overlay maps.
“There is the possibility that these might be creating unnecessary regulatory hurdles or risks for farming operations,” the letter stated.
The letter also explained that due to the NPSIB, the council “may have to take a district-wide look at biodiversity” to ensure its existing mapping is correct and accurate.
The preference is “for this to be a collaborative project between council and landowners.”
Eventually, a Resource Management Act process would need to be followed to seek any changes in the District Plan, Donaldson said.
The District Plan, adopted in 2014, has provisions regarding ASCVs – listing 67 sites across the district, but the current project and related work may result in changes, Donaldson said.
“But these are yet to be developed and would also require a Resource Management Act process to be considered”.
Local iwi have been briefed and approached for discussion about involvement in the process, but those discussions are yet to occur, Donaldson said.
-------------------------------------
EXPLAINER: What is an SNA?
Significant Natural Areas are considered to be areas of New Zealand’s most important remnants of native habitat that must be protected to ensure the ongoing biodiversity of the country.
The Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 requires that they are protected.
It refers to "the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna" - or SNAs.
The term 'significant' is not defined by the Resource Management Act, and its ambiguity has resulted in confusion among resource managers and users, as well as national disparity in approach to the identification of SNAs.
Councils around the country are responsible for identifying SNAs in their territory, and because of that issue around "significant", each council can apply different standards when assessing SNAs.
Part of the public concern about SNAs is that most are on private land, and those who own that land are worried about losing it, or the land itself losing its value and adding complications for owners.
Existing practices in or near SNAs will generally be able to continue, but restrictions will apply if a landowner wants to use the land for a new activity, and therefore need to apply for consent.
looking for some one that can repair a wind damaged, mine and Neighbours's side boundary fence that ,the corrugated iron has been blowen off of the broken (rotten wood) fence railings so , requires new rails supplied and fitted ,small amount of the iron sheets need straighten. Maybe half … View morelooking for some one that can repair a wind damaged, mine and Neighbours's side boundary fence that ,the corrugated iron has been blowen off of the broken (rotten wood) fence railings so , requires new rails supplied and fitted ,small amount of the iron sheets need straighten. Maybe half adays work cash if required ,need done a.s.a.p to keep our dog on in our section
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Right now, kiwi families are facing some really big challenges and many find themselves struggling to make ends meet. For some, this will mean Christmas won't be a time to celebrate.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope. With a $40 donation, you have an opportunity to help those who need … View moreRight now, kiwi families are facing some really big challenges and many find themselves struggling to make ends meet. For some, this will mean Christmas won't be a time to celebrate.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope. With a $40 donation, you have an opportunity to help those who need it most. With Christmas Box, 100% of donations go to not only feeding a family with food essentials and treats but will also provide much-needed hope. Only together, can we bring hope to those in need all across Aotearoa. We can't do it alone.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A secondary school in Mid Canterbury is trialling sensors in a bid to smoke out vapers in the loos.
Mount Hutt College Methven principal Jack Saxon said the school is trialling a vape sensor in one of its toilet blocks.
The sensor, placed inside … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A secondary school in Mid Canterbury is trialling sensors in a bid to smoke out vapers in the loos.
Mount Hutt College Methven principal Jack Saxon said the school is trialling a vape sensor in one of its toilet blocks.
The sensor, placed inside the toilet block, triggers a camera at the hallway access to the toilet.
It allowed the school to identify students who may need support with vape cessation programmes, Saxon said.
“We don't have a significant issue with vaping in our school, which stands in stark contrast to our inner-city cousins, but we are trying to stay ahead of the game around this.
“Bullying in toilets has not been identified as a significant issue in student wellbeing surveys so at this stage the camera trial is targeting vaping at school.”
The trial was tabled with the school's Board of Trustees before going ahead and the results of the trial will go back to the board to determine if the sensors are rolled out across the campus, Saxon said.
The growing youth vaping epidemic has left schools around the country grappling with ways to manage it.
Earlier this year, Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said vaping had led to anti-social gatherings around bathrooms and the school was determined to stamp it out by introducing cameras and sensors across the school.
Other schools have been calling the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) asking about their options for using Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in toilet blocks to deter negative behaviour such as vaping and bullying.
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster said that bathrooms are highly sensitive zones for privacy and there are some clear points that schools need to consider first.
“Everyone, regardless of their age, has privacy rights,” he said.
Schools need to be open with their communities about using CCTV and have clear signage and notices of it, and focus cameras away from intimate activity.
Schools can't use audio recordings to pick up conversations without additional privacy assessments, he said.
Ashburton Intermediate principal, Brent Gray, said CCTV in or around the school's bathrooms was not something they are considering.
Ashburton College principal Ross Preece said the school’s new classroom blocks, as part of its $60m rebuild, will be fitted with cameras outside of toilet blocks.
“We are not looking at vape sensors but it is something the radar,” Preece said.
Every secondary school is dealing with the rise of vaping Preece said.
He said health authorities needed to be doing more to limit youth vaping, rather than schools installing preventative measures.
Statistics show a high number of students who have never smoked cigarettes are being introduced to nicotine, the highly addictive substance found in tobacco, via vaping.
The annual ASH Year 10 (15 and 16-year-olds) survey showed 39% of students in Canterbury reported ever vaping in 2022, and 41% in South Canterbury.
Vaping is not just an issue for secondary schools.
Rakaia School principal Mark Ellis said there were undoubtedly children giving vaping a go.
“I’m not seeing vapes often, once a year, maybe. About three times since it became a fad over the last three or four years ago.
“And some will be trying it on the weekends, inspired by their big brothers and sisters.”
In his 17 years teaching primary he had only experienced one incident of cigarettes in school.
Vaping is one of those “attractive things they see other people doing and want to try”, Ellis said.
Knowing how to deal with it at school is a bit of a grey area, he said.
“As school principal, I’ll deal with that with the tools that I have. If that means I have to stand a child down, I will.”
Sir Edmund Hillary was quoted with saying: "I think it all comes down to motivation. If you really want to do something, you will work hard for it"
This statement best applies to some incredible Canterbury village residents who walked the Godley Head Track on a chilly Christchurch … View moreSir Edmund Hillary was quoted with saying: "I think it all comes down to motivation. If you really want to do something, you will work hard for it"
This statement best applies to some incredible Canterbury village residents who walked the Godley Head Track on a chilly Christchurch morning.
The inter-village walk saw residents from Charles Upham and Ngaio Marsh villages walk together up, down and along the peninsula track.
Anthony Wilding residents’ van took a slight detour along Summit Road, so this group of walkers arranged to meet at a point along the track.
Click to read more.
Have you recently observed your broadband expenses creeping up?
According to our recent Neighbourly poll, a staggering 80% of respondents have remained loyal to the same broadband provider for over 5 years, and within that group, a whopping 80% have been with their provider for more than 10 … View moreHave you recently observed your broadband expenses creeping up?
According to our recent Neighbourly poll, a staggering 80% of respondents have remained loyal to the same broadband provider for over 5 years, and within that group, a whopping 80% have been with their provider for more than 10 years!
Staying loyal could be costing you money! By switching providers, you could save over $300 a year.
If you're currently under contract, here's a tip: set a reminder for the 11th month to compare your options. This way, you won't get automatically rolled onto higher pricing. It's your chance to keep more money in your pocket!
Don't let rising costs get the best of you. Explore your options and save big - check out Broadband Compare and Power Compare to compare different plans and providers!
We are Rugby MAD nation! We had an amazing turnout with over 965 entries from rugby fans to back their country for a chance to win a 3-month subscription to Sky Sport Now!
Now, the moment of truth – did you emerge as the lucky winner? CLICK below to find out! But hey, if you missed out on the… View moreWe are Rugby MAD nation! We had an amazing turnout with over 965 entries from rugby fans to back their country for a chance to win a 3-month subscription to Sky Sport Now!
Now, the moment of truth – did you emerge as the lucky winner? CLICK below to find out! But hey, if you missed out on the competition, don't worry! We've got a BONUS rugby family GIVEAWAY just for you. Check out our featured post here: www.facebook.com...
And here's the game plan: Stay connected with NZ Compare for the freshest broadband and power deals, along with exciting competitions. We're your money-saving champions! CLICK HERE to discover more: www.nzcompare.com...
We have about 40 white plastic containers with lids from the retailing side of our business. They are perfect for a range of uses including freezing and storing food, storing dry goods, kids toys, sewing items etc
Pick up from Charing Cross near Darfield or can be delivered by arrangement. … View moreWe have about 40 white plastic containers with lids from the retailing side of our business. They are perfect for a range of uses including freezing and storing food, storing dry goods, kids toys, sewing items etc
Pick up from Charing Cross near Darfield or can be delivered by arrangement. Text Sue on 022 0971 766 for more info
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