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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Methven community will be celebrating a win with Waka Kotahi set to reduce the speed in the northern entrance to the town.
The speed reduction, and other proposed safety improvements along State Highway 77, were reported to the Methven … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Methven community will be celebrating a win with Waka Kotahi set to reduce the speed in the northern entrance to the town.
The speed reduction, and other proposed safety improvements along State Highway 77, were reported to the Methven Community Board by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional senior safety engineer James Long this week.
Lowering the speed past Ōpuke hot pools has been hot on the community’s agenda, pushing for a reduction from 100kph along the stretch of SH77 on the northern entrance to the township.
Waka Kotahi consulted on a reduction to 80kph, which was “unsurprisingly” deemed inappropriate in the feedback, Long said.
It has instead resulted in a reduction to 60kph, but he was unable to confirm when it would be changed.
Deputy mayor and Methven resident Liz McMillan is delighted at the decision.
“I walk along that area often and see how much the new footpath is used and when the speed is finally reduced to 60km it will be so much safer and a big win for our community."
Long also covered the school variable speed zones and possible improvements to the pedestrian crossing and the SH77/Forest Drive/Methven-Chertsey Rd intersection.
McMillan and school principals had met with Long at the pedestrian crossing that services all three schools in the town earlier this year to discuss safety issues.
The result will be the removal of some car parks to increase visibility as well as a recommendation to raise the crossing, which reduces speeds to avoid a “catastrophic outcome”, Long said.
The pedestrian crossing will also benefit from a variable 30kph speed zone that will be introduced in the next 12 months.
The speed will reduce to 30kph, from 50kph, for a small period at the start and end of the school day, with the zone stretching from around Dolma St to just north of the pedestrian crossing, Long said.
The other area being considered for safety improvements in the future is the town’s main intersection.
Rather than the current cross roads, it will be recommended a small roundabout may function better, Long said. A potential new pedestrian crossing in the centre of town is also being proposed.
The roundabout and pedestrian crossing have been added to the list to be considered for the next National Land Transport Programme.
Methven Community Board member Richie Owen supported looking at the safety initiatives as the increasing road usage as the town develops means some of the road layouts may be out of date.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Naming meeting rooms in the new library and civic centre after primary schools better represents the district than “overused” rivers and lakes, councillor Richard Wilson says.
The Ashburton District Council was considering options for naming … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Naming meeting rooms in the new library and civic centre after primary schools better represents the district than “overused” rivers and lakes, councillor Richard Wilson says.
The Ashburton District Council was considering options for naming the 27 meeting spaces in the new library Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and civic centre Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.
The rooms will have an alpha-numeric naming system – signifying the floor level and room number – as well as a name, with both English and te reo Māori names wherever possible.
The recommendation was that the ground floor meeting rooms be named after the district’s rivers and lakes, the only meeting room on level one be named after the largest mountain, Mt Hutt/Ōpuke, and the level two meeting room theme be local flora and or fauna.
Wilson proposed an alternative option of naming rooms after local primary schools rather than the “common” usage of rivers and lakes.
“That would be a way of acknowledging all of the district.”
Assigning the names could be arranged by roll size and room size, he said, and would be “a great way to engage every school in the district” into the new library.
Mayor Neil Brown also wanted something reflecting the smaller areas of the district “which don’t get a mention anywhere” and as the schools are scattered across the district, he supported the suggestion.
There are 19 primary schools which would leave eight rooms requiring other names – with Mt Hutt/Opuke still an option for the level one room.
Councillor Lynette Lovett disagreed, believing the waterways run through district, providing the connection to all the communities.
The council moved to consider names of rivers, lakes, flora and fauna, mountains, and primary schools and will now engage with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua for a final list of names for approval- a conversation that will occur alongside approval for other internal signage in te reo.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A snapshot of present-day Ashburton District will be preserved inside the new library and civic centre.
The contents of a time capsule to go in the new library, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi, and civic centre, Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, have been … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A snapshot of present-day Ashburton District will be preserved inside the new library and civic centre.
The contents of a time capsule to go in the new library, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi, and civic centre, Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, have been decided, with items detailing life in the Ashburton District in 2023.
A Heritage Mid Canterbury Working Group produced a final selection of items for the Ashburton District Council to sign off on Wednesday.
The group was praised for a tremendous job compiling the items that “fit the bill for the criteria”, Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said.
The focus was for the items to be district-specific, people and facilities, general manager Sarah Mosley said
“We have got a good representative sample of items and objects that will stand the test of time.”
The items cover the formal background of the building, the built and natural environment, the people, and various time-specific objects.
The list of items had the support of the councillors with councillor Lynnette Lovett requesting the addition of a copy of the Rural Women’s recipe book.
The working group had discussed the book and as the recipes were “unlikely to be Ashburton specific”, they were not included, Mosley said.
The limitations of the size of the box were also considered in the decision-making process councillor Carolyn Cameron, who was on the working group, said.
“If we want to put the recipe book in, what are we going to take out,” Cameron said.
The working group considered items that may not exist in 50 years’ time which had Brown asking if a pack of cigarettes should be included.
It had been considered but “having a tobacco product or a vape inside of the time capsule would probably not be good for long term preservation”, museum archivist Connor Lysaght said.
Lysaght described the capsule as “almost like a Russian nesting doll”, with a stainless steel inner box and wooden outer box that will be placed in the wall cavity.
The capsule will be placed for the official opening but will not be sealed until items relating to the opening are added.
The councillors decided opening date set for the time capsule will be in 2078, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton County Council, which is two years after the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton Borough Council.
Time capsule items include:
- All resolutions of the council regarding the design and construction of the building.
- Photographs from the official opening
- Floor and elevation plans of the building.
- Large district map containing all road names.
- Aerial photographs of townships
- Photographs with captions of significant facilities and places, district landmarks and significant events, reserves, flora and fauna, lakes and other natural landmarks.
- Environmental reports
- Infographic report profiling the district’s population.
- List of clubs, organisations, churches, health and other facilities and services.
- Yearbooks from Ashburton College, Mt Hutt College
- An item selected by Arowhenua rūnanga
- Objects including facemask and vaccine pass, current monetary tender, council fees and charges list
- The ‘Hakatere Home and Heritage’ book which shows the growing ethnic diversity of Ashburton society
- Examples of district-manufactured goods e.g. socks, spinning wool.
- A test tube sample of seeds grown within the district and quantity facts.
- An edition of the Ashburton Guardian and community newsletters.
- The council is also set to run a promotion where people in the community can fill out a form at each council facility which asks “What’s the best thing about living in the Ashburton District”, their name and age.
Categories out now for our upcoming North Canterbury Wearable Arts Show in September in Rangiora. Entries open to students and adults from anywhere in NZ!
Years 1-6 - Aotearoa - Flora and Fauna
Years 7-9 - Open or Iconic Kiwi Places and Objects
Years 10-13 - Open or NZ Innovators and Innovation… View moreCategories out now for our upcoming North Canterbury Wearable Arts Show in September in Rangiora. Entries open to students and adults from anywhere in NZ!
Years 1-6 - Aotearoa - Flora and Fauna
Years 7-9 - Open or Iconic Kiwi Places and Objects
Years 10-13 - Open or NZ Innovators and Innovation
Adults - Open or Kiwiana - what it means t be Kiwi
For more info on the categories please email northcanterburywearablearts@gmail.com
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Create a mini kitchen garden and add a pop of Resene colour with this fun project.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
The month of May is New Zealand Music Month and it's got us thinking about all the musical talent from our shores throughout the years. We've come up with a few but if your pick isn't on the list, tell us who they are and why you think they are New Zealand's greatest … View moreThe month of May is New Zealand Music Month and it's got us thinking about all the musical talent from our shores throughout the years. We've come up with a few but if your pick isn't on the list, tell us who they are and why you think they are New Zealand's greatest band/artist.
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Treat that special person in your life this Mother’s Day with a TV Guide subscription. We’ve slashed the price of our 1-year subscription. You’ll save $57 off retail and receive a new issue every week delivered right to your home. Discounted price valid until 14 May.
The TV Guide is New … View moreTreat that special person in your life this Mother’s Day with a TV Guide subscription. We’ve slashed the price of our 1-year subscription. You’ll save $57 off retail and receive a new issue every week delivered right to your home. Discounted price valid until 14 May.
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Happy Mother’s Day,
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Make the most of your open shelves with a refresh using Resene paints.
Find out how to bring out the best in your shelves with this easy to follow advice.
When you move into a Ryman village, the last thing you want to think about are your finances. From the day you move in, you’ll know how much you’re paying and what’s guaranteed to be paid back when you move out.
Ryman offers several Peace of Mind Guarantees, each one is designed to help … View moreWhen you move into a Ryman village, the last thing you want to think about are your finances. From the day you move in, you’ll know how much you’re paying and what’s guaranteed to be paid back when you move out.
Ryman offers several Peace of Mind Guarantees, each one is designed to help you feel confident and secure in your decision to move to a Ryman village. With financial certainty you can focus on enjoying the exciting everyday of life.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Asburton’s iconic clock tower may have been the victim of vandalism – but identifying the culprits may take time.
Police have been alerted after a glass panel was smashed on Saturday night.
The Ashburton District Council said CCTV footage … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Asburton’s iconic clock tower may have been the victim of vandalism – but identifying the culprits may take time.
Police have been alerted after a glass panel was smashed on Saturday night.
The Ashburton District Council said CCTV footage is being reviewed.
“Our security contractors have reviewed some footage, and can determine that the glass shattered on Saturday night, about 9pm,” council business support general manager Leanne Macdonald said.
“We have laid a complaint with police and investigations are continuing,”
As the glass was broken at night it may prove difficult to identify the offenders.
Ashburton police declined to comment on the incident.
The council will call in a clock engineer to check the workings as fragments of the shattered safety glass “were all over the place”, Macdonald said.
The glass was tidied on Wednesday by contractors who installed a temporary window until a replacement can be sourced.
“The glazier has ordered the glass and hopes to have it up by the end of next week.
The council has made an insurance claim to cover the repairs.
It is unclear how much the repairs will cost.
The council was unaware of any previous vandalism of the clock tower in at least the last decade.
The clock tower in Baring Square East originally started out in Ashburton's post office clock tower in 1904.
Following the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake and the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake, the tower was removed as ordered by central government and put into storage.
The clock was resurrected in the 1970s by the Ashburton Lions Club while the tower was designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects and built by Bradford Construction Ltd.
It was erected in Baring Square East and at 4pm on November 26, 1976, the clock and chimes sprung back into action as part of the Baring Square East revamp to commemorate 100 years of local government in the Ashburton County
On Tuesday, the 25th of April we commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died for their country. But it's also an opportunity to connect and share stories about your ancestors. What does Anzac Day mean to you?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your … View moreOn Tuesday, the 25th of April we commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died for their country. But it's also an opportunity to connect and share stories about your ancestors. What does Anzac Day mean to you?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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