Thank you for using Neighbourly
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Spending an extra $1 million on roading is a possibility but the Ashburton District Council is keeping a close on the rate rise for 2023-24.
The full-day budget workshop on Thursday had councillors and staff work through the budgets line-by-line … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Spending an extra $1 million on roading is a possibility but the Ashburton District Council is keeping a close on the rate rise for 2023-24.
The full-day budget workshop on Thursday had councillors and staff work through the budgets line-by-line for the 2023-24 year, looking to keep to the average 5.5% rate rise outlined in the long-term plan (LTP).
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the focus is trying to keep the rates as low as possible while still delivering services.
Sticking to 5.5%, lower than the current level of inflation, Brown said the council was “sending the signal there are no increased levels of service”.
“We have even pruned some things off it.”
Roading remains the biggest concern in the community and in response, Brown proposed possibly adding $1m in additional funding.
“That could alter things, depending on how it’s funded.
“It would be an increased level of service over and above and if that’s what people want, we will do.”
A presentation from roading contractors HEB at Wednesday's council meeting provided an overview of the situation to the councillors ahead of the budget meeting.
HEB general manager of roading Harry Alderson said the ideal amount of renewals annually would be about 60km a year if funding and resources were available, but with the current funding available they are managing just under 10km.
What the council do on the roads is driven by Waka Kotahi’s subsidised funding, which is set on a three-year cycle.
An additional $1.7m, redistributed from the forestry reserves, was put into roading in the last 12 months.
Now the council is considering another $1m of unsubsidised roading in 2023-24.
Whether the community has an appetite for the additional funding for the road repairs they have beckoned for, and the additional rate increase of around 2 per cent that comes with it, would be answered through the consultation process.
It is also the last time three waters will form part of the council budget planning, with the assets planned to transfer to the water entity at the end of the 2023-24 financial year.
Work on any budget errors and how an additional $1m of roading will impact the budgets will be discussed at the next budget workshop.
“We will try and get it balanced the best we can to make it all work,” Brown said.
If the extra $1m for roading is included, or any other significant changes from the LTP, the 2023-24 draft annual plan will go out for public consultation in April.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.
Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February … View moreTo celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.
Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February 2023, white stocks last. For full terms and conditions click here.
The team at Mags4Gifts.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The opening of Ashburton's new $56.75 million library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has been pushed back again.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said the building “remains… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The opening of Ashburton's new $56.75 million library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has been pushed back again.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said the building “remains on schedule to be completed this year, with the opening planned for the fourth quarter of 2023”.
The original completion date had been the end of 2022, but the council announced in February 2022 that delays in the construction industry caused by supply chain issues meant it wouldn’t be completed until the second quarter of 2023.
The delays had put the budget under significant pressure, Riach said.
“The $20 million from the Government's 'shovel ready' project funding has reduced the original financial input from ratepayers, but significant pressure remains on the timeline and budget due to the ongoing uncertainty of the construction market,” he said.
“Supplies have been secured for all major elements of the project and so supply chain risks have been reduced.”
There has been visible progress recently with exterior cladding and windows being installed.
“The seismic frames for the windows and the glass arrived in December,” Riach said.
“The installation of the seismic frames occurred over the summer break and windows are going up currently.
“The facade materials and cladding system arrived in early January and installation is progressing well.”
Work on the interior was progressing steadily as planned, he said.
“Plasterboard is becoming a dominant feature internally and it's pleasing to see the community meeting and activity spaces taking shape.”
As the windows go up, the external wrap will be removed piece by piece revealing the face of the building he said.
“The community can expect to see visible signs of the cladding going up in February.
“Expect to see workers tackling the roof installation next, while less visible, the internal lifts are due for April.”
The fate of the old council and library buildings had yet to be finalised.
Staff were working on options to present to the council, which included the sale of the old buildings, Riach said.
“Other future plans are afoot such as the decommissioning of the current buildings, relocation of equipment and books, and installation of technology and furniture.”
With the Baring Square East upgrade also set to begin soon, Riach said the council was working with contractors to coordinate the sequencing of multiple projects in the area and “a timeline will be known soon”.
Fresh cut n shed stored completely dry 100 available,
Pick up West Eyreton
Phone 0220106482
All too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan … View moreAll too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan and talk through what warning signs to look out for should something be wrong. It could just save your life.
For more information, and tips to help you make a plan go to thehelloproject.nz
👋Happy Waitangi Weekend everyone! 🤩Are you doing anything exciting? Ashburton has so much to offer for celebrating this weekend!
🚂The plains Railway & Museum is having a fun day with activities that suits the whole family this Sunday.
🗺😋On Monday The Ashburton Multicultural … View more👋Happy Waitangi Weekend everyone! 🤩Are you doing anything exciting? Ashburton has so much to offer for celebrating this weekend!
🚂The plains Railway & Museum is having a fun day with activities that suits the whole family this Sunday.
🗺😋On Monday The Ashburton Multicultural Bite will showcase at Ashburton Domain with our diverse culture groups, performing arts and delicious food experience. A great opportunity for everyone to come and explore our district. 💚💙
#waitangiweekend #culturediversity #canterburynz
Needless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a … View moreNeedless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a psycho-social expert in disaster and disruption. In this short podcast interview, Jolie shares her expert advice on what you, or the people you want to support, may need right now.
Whether you're currently involved, or you want to help others, it's worth a quick listen!
The Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!
There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to … View moreThe Canon Summer Snap competition has garnered some stunning photos from across Aotearoa. Once again, Neighbourly is the judge of their People and Communities photograph category so we need you!
There's a camera up for grabs for these talented photographers, and it's up to you to choose who takes the crown...and the Canon EOS!
Cast your vote in the poll below before 4pm, 14 February.
With torrential rain and flooding caused by an 'atmospheric river', should this event convince us all that climate change is real and we need to be taking action?
*Add NFP if you don't wish for your comments to be used for We Say You Say in the local papers.*
Sir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include … View moreSir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include being based at the World Health Organization in Geneva, working on non-communicable disease prevention and control with a global focus.
Join us for a morning with Sir Ashley Bloomfield as he shares insight into his career and the challenges he faced during uncertain times.
Time: Wednesday 8 February, 10.30am
Location: Online.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There was bound to be a feeling of relief for the Mt Somers Walkways Society last week, not that they would easily admit it.
Society president Charles Ross said the crucial part of the new Sharplin Falls Walkway was completed with the two almost … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There was bound to be a feeling of relief for the Mt Somers Walkways Society last week, not that they would easily admit it.
Society president Charles Ross said the crucial part of the new Sharplin Falls Walkway was completed with the two almost 30m-long steel bridges installed by helicopter over the last two weeks.
“We are relieved to get through this stage,” Ross said.
“It’s been over five years to get to this stage and there is plenty of work still to be done before the track can open.
“The scaffolding will go out soon and the timber steps and lookout will be constructed, as well as finishing the track shingling.”
The complex bridge installation was led by Fulton Hogan and Ross said they have done an outstanding job in difficult conditions.
“They spent the last six weeks walking in and out most days.”
The society is eager to get people back visiting the “local treasure destination” but until the track is completed and receives DOC sign off it remains closed to the public he said.
Rockfalls on the track during and after the 2011 earthquakes meant that DOC permanently closed the track due to safety concerns in 2017.
Following extensive consultation with DOC and geologists, the society has undertaken to build the new track itself.
The cost of the two steel bridges has made up the bulk of the cost of the project, which is estimated to be around $470,000, which has all been raised by the society.
That is why there was likely a few nerves ahead of bridge installation, the “crux of the project”, and some relief they are in place, and the Society is closing in on completion.
Along the journey the Society received $5000 as a Community Projects Grant from the Ashburton District Council in 2020-21 to help cover resource and building consent costs for the new walkway, and a further $7500 from the council in 2022-23.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
Is your fridge looking dated and dull? Turn an eyesore into a conversation starter with this clever chalkboard transformation using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.
Follow out easy instructions.
Many schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community … View moreMany schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community paper's We Say You Say column.
Get back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got … View moreGet back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got everything you need to set up for an epic comeback.
Want to give back when you go back? Donate $1 to KidsCan in store to make sure more Kiwi kids get the essentials they need in 2023.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
