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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“It’s too late to pull out now.”
Ashburton Market Day organiser Carol Johns is poised to still go ahead on what is now the one-off public holiday on September 26 to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The market will also coincide … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“It’s too late to pull out now.”
Ashburton Market Day organiser Carol Johns is poised to still go ahead on what is now the one-off public holiday on September 26 to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The market will also coincide with the opening day of the annual week-long Bookarama at the Ashburton Sports Hall.
The decision on the one-off public holiday has come too late for Johns to change her plans after investing considerable time and resources into holding the event.
“At this stage, everything is so well underway and this [public holiday] has happened so quickly we are too far through now to call it off,” Johns said.
“It’s not out of any disrespect.”
The event needed council approval after the road closure request for the event met opposition from CBD retailers, mainly citing further disruption after two years of Covid-19 restrictions and the CBD upgrade.
As it turns out, they will be closed now anyway.
The council approved the closure as long as Johns can submit adequate documentation by Friday.
The council has also placed conditions on the event, mainly focused on protecting the new CBD green and paved areas.
Johns, who is standing for a seat on the council in the upcoming elections, has submitted her insurance and traffic management plan and was finalising the health and safety plan to be submitted by the Friday deadline.
She is also wading through a long list of conditions imposed on the event, mainly focused on protecting the recently upgrade CBD landscape.
Johns said she can understand the council restricting the use of the East Street green and the new pavers to limit the damage.
“Nobody wants to see the new CDB ruined.
“I’m trying to work through [the conditions] with them.”
The restrictions have raised questions as to why the council upgraded the area – including widening the space and narrowing the road – if it isn’t to be used.
At the hearing last week Councillor Angus McKay highlighted that the council had consistently been told the pavers were “bulletproof” and the grass has been well laid, leaving him to question why the market couldn’t utilise the space.
The market day is taking place instead of the annual Boulevard Day, which has always been scheduled to coincide with South Canterbury Anniversary Day.
Now that it clashes with the one-off public holiday, the three South Canterbury councils will be voting on Tuesday on whether to move its Anniversary Day holiday.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Pot holes, second bridge, and rates.
There were no surprises in what the big three topics for discussion were at the Ashburton Citizens Association’s meet the candidates on Sunday.
The Mayoral, Ashburton ward and Environment Canterbury … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Pot holes, second bridge, and rates.
There were no surprises in what the big three topics for discussion were at the Ashburton Citizens Association’s meet the candidates on Sunday.
The Mayoral, Ashburton ward and Environment Canterbury candidates all had three minutes to pitch their case to the crowd of over 200 before the floor was opened to question time.
At times it felt less like a job interview for the candidates than a complaints session, with sitting mayor Neil Brown having to front up with answers and explanations, with his opponent, Jeff Swindley, unable to attend.
Most candidates touched on pot holes and the state of the roads being a key concern, but few solutions were put forward.
Carol Johns said an option of deferring non-essential projects, such as the Baring Square East upgrade, could free up money for roading repairs.
Former councillor Russell Ellis said the state of the roads were something every candidate would strive to get better “but it is a very difficult task and one that frustrates us all”.
Keeping rates rises in check was also a common thread but was often followed with potential new projects.
Not surprisingly, the need for a second urban bridge was also a hot topic.
Council candidate Bev Skates didn’t hold back, saying the council was “pussy footing” around the second bridge issue and we shouldn’t be “begging for money” to build it.
Skates also railed against rate rises but later reeled off a list of projects she believed the council should undertake, including a trampoline arena. But none of her ideas included more funding for our roads, to which a member of the crowd questioned “where does this fit with your rates reduction?”.
David Stewart asked the candidates to pronounce the new name for the council’s new library and civic centre - Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.
“Wouldn’t Ashburton be a lot simpler than the name you have got now, which is about 50 letters long?,” Stewart asked.
The question received laughter and applause and was handled with aplomb by existing councillor Leen Braam, saying the name was a gift from Arowhenua and if people don’t like it they could just call it the library and civic centre.
The fireworks were set off by retiring councillor Stuart Wilson, a member of the audience, calling out ECan candidate Peter Trolove’s claims around nitrates as “rubbish”, with the two verbally sparring over the issue.
Other questions included what candidates plan to do to increase accessibility, how the UN agenda 2030 impacted candidates' decision making, and Māori wards.
The only time Tony Todd spoke after his introduction was to criticise co-governance, which he said was “totally undemocratic”.
Co-governance is the Crown meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and giving Māori seats around the decision-making table, and is about governance not ownership.
Phill Hooper was asked about the increasing use of te reo and said it is a beautiful language. He also agreed with Act leader David Seymour that it was a shame it was being “forced’’ upon some people and should happen organically.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Take the money while resisting the source.
The Ashburton District Council plans to seek $4.2 million in the first tranche of the government’s Three Waters Better Off funding but it remains committed to its opposition to the planned reform.
… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Take the money while resisting the source.
The Ashburton District Council plans to seek $4.2 million in the first tranche of the government’s Three Waters Better Off funding but it remains committed to its opposition to the planned reform.
It’s a conflicting situation and councillors asked for clarification that accepting the funding was not Three Waters support.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said accepting the money didn’t detract from the council’s opposition to the reforms but the council will be required to continue to cooperate.
The council is proposing a clause in its application, ensuring any opposition to the reforms was not a cause for termination of the funding, but Riach was not confident the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) would accept it.
It’s not what the council plans to spend the money on but the terms of the agreement will likely require further negotiation he said.
What the council planned to spend the money on was questioned by councillor Stuart Wilson, who suggested it was a prime opportunity to solve some roading issues rather than a slush fund for “something extra that is not that important”.
He asked if a further $200,000 for the new library was “the most pressing need for $200,000 on the approval rating we have got for roads and footpaths”.
Riach said the council had to comply with the conditions set out by the DIA in which the council can only seek funding for projects there are not in its long-term plan and it can’t be used for three waters projects.
The timing of the Fairfield Freight Hub meant it is not part of the LTP providing the opportunity to seek the council’s $2.3m loan funding contribution towards the $14m project- which is being led by the Wareing Group.
There are seven projects in total, including $150,000 to assist in the potential relocation of the South African War Memorial from Baring square East over to Baring Square West.
The council is eligible for a total of $16.8m of Better Off funding, with $4.2m available now and the second payment of $12.6m earmarked for 2024 - after next year's central government elections.
The council will also receive $437,000 of transition support funding to assist with the three waters transition work it is required to do.
Better off Funding projects
- Fairfield Freight Hub $2.3m
- Additional footpaths $900,000
- District playgrounds $200,000
- Ashburton Library & Civic Centre (equipment in specialist spaces) $200,000
- Water treatment & changing rooms at district swimming pools $200,000
- Digby Park Toilets $250,000
- South African War Memorial relocation $150,000
Flags across the city are being lowered to half-mast as Christchurch joins the rest of the Commonwealth in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen, the world’s longest serving monarch, died on Friday morning at Balmoral, Scotland, at the age of 96.
In Christchurch, which the … View moreFlags across the city are being lowered to half-mast as Christchurch joins the rest of the Commonwealth in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen, the world’s longest serving monarch, died on Friday morning at Balmoral, Scotland, at the age of 96.
In Christchurch, which the Queen visited nine times during her reign, flags are being flown at half-mast and condolence books are being opened at civic centres.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the Royal Family had been ardent supporters of the city, for which its residents would “always be grateful”.
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Take your senses on a trip around the world! Enjoy performances, games, international stalls and food at Lincoln Domain this Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
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The CultureFest celebrations continue at our two-week series of events. From dance classes, sport sessions, displays and art activities, there’s plenty of events to keep you entertained.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
New Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty admits we’re now “seeing the impacts’’ of roading funding cuts in Mid Canterbury.
The Wairarapa-based McAnulty, who also has emergency management, racing and transport in his … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
New Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty admits we’re now “seeing the impacts’’ of roading funding cuts in Mid Canterbury.
The Wairarapa-based McAnulty, who also has emergency management, racing and transport in his ministerial and associate minister portfolio, let his roading feelings known while in Mid Canterbury on Tuesday.
He knew roading was a hot topic, as it was in any other region, but especially in Ashburton and wider Canterbury.
“It’s an issue facing many rural councils in that they have a large geographical area, a lot of roads and a small population from which to fund it,” said McAnulty, who is completing a tour of all 55 rural and provincial councils.
Ashburton was stop number 41 for the Labour MP.
He had closed-door discussions with the Ashburton District Council in which he said they covered a lot of issues from emergency management, the future of local government, three waters, roading and transport, and the proposed second bridge.
But roading maintenance and funding was top of mind, with McAnulty admitting councils had been left in the lurch from a period of underfunding and it wasn’t good enough.
As a small roading financial booster, he said there was an additional almost $15 million of funding heading the Ashburton District’s way in the next three years to help.
He was also pleased to see progress being made with Ashburton’s proposed second urban bridge.
“The proposal is pretty strong,” said McAnulty, who knows the district well as his parents lived in Fairton for eight years.
“We know that from a resilience point of view, the recent weather event put that at the forefront of everybody’s mind.”
He was also aware of Environment Canterbury’s plea for $150m of Government funding over the next 10 years for nationwide flood protection funding. While that wasn’t something that has come across his desk, it is linked to work he has in progress.
“There is a need for a consideration around longer-term funding of flood protection,’’ he said.
“If you can invest in flood protection, it lessens the impact when there is a severe weather event. And we are kidding ourselves if we don’t recognise that these weather events aren’t going to become more frequent and severe.”
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Key Ashburton retailers are opposed to a new CBD market day, saying further “restricted trading’’ is not what they need.
The proposed Ashburton Market Day would replace the now defunct Boulevard Day, but the application from organiser Carol … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Key Ashburton retailers are opposed to a new CBD market day, saying further “restricted trading’’ is not what they need.
The proposed Ashburton Market Day would replace the now defunct Boulevard Day, but the application from organiser Carol Johns would mean the temporary closure of East St, Burnett St, and Tancred St on Monday, September 26.
Her proposal has received three objections, which will now go before the Ashburton District Council, with Johns to front Wednesday's hearing.
Ashburton Paper Plus owner Terry McNabb said he doesn’t have a problem with a market day, but “I do have a problem with holding it on the street”.
“For a few years now, we have had these days where the roads in the CBD get closed off but all we are doing is inviting out-of-town stall holders to park up outside our doors for the day.
“That does not help any of the locally owned and operated businesses in that area.”
McNabb said his business has had nothing but disruption for two years from Covid, the CBD redevelopment, and now a new demolition next door.
He said he operated two essential service businesses inside Paper Plus, those being NZ Post and AA Driver & Vehicle licensing, which served a lot of elderly customers whose access would be impacted.
Bob McDonald, from Health 2000 in the arcade, has submitted an objection on behalf of 15 CBD businesses that, like McNabb, “believe another day with restricted trading is not beneficial for the CBD”.
Because of the CBD’s new one-way system, McDonald said closing East St would “effectively shut down the whole CBD”.
McDonald and Sue Cooper used to run the popular Boulevard Day, which was unable to be held in 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions. It then had to be held in Ashburton Domain last year due to the CBD being a construction zone, which was the first time in 45 years it was held outside of the inner-city location.
He and Cooper hoped to find someone new to take over the running of Boulevard Day this year but that had not happened.
That’s why Johns, who has previously run events on the same day as Boulevard Day and who is standing for a seat on the council in the local election, has stepped up to fill the void.
Her Ashburton Market Day proposal now falls to the council, with the hearing taking place at 9am on Wednesday.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton Domain's popular playground may have to be rebuilt because it’s been described as an adhoc setup - and its raised wooden edging may be dangerous.
Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, have completed an … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton Domain's popular playground may have to be rebuilt because it’s been described as an adhoc setup - and its raised wooden edging may be dangerous.
Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, have completed an audit of the Ashburton District Council’s playgrounds and they’ve recommended the entire Ashburton Domain playground be “reviewed and an overall plan/design is put in place”.
The report states that various playground items and equipment “have been added into the play space in an adhoc manner” and “the surfaces are scattered through the area without any cohesion”.
Its raised wooden edging was an accessibility issue, while the use of bark chip mulch was not a modern children’s landing option.
The Ashburton District Council’s 30-year Ashburton Domain redevelopment, signed off in 2020, already lays out plans for an overhaul.
“Staff are in discussions with the playground inspector and designers,” council community services group manager, Steve Fabish, said.
There’s no timeframe or budget because that would be part of the upcoming activity management plan and long-term plan processes, he said.
The audit would factor that planning into any changes, which could see the upgrade brought forward, he said.
“Possibly, but the overall priority status of general district-wide requirements in playgrounds shall influence the timeline.”
The Ashburton Domain was joined by nine other locations recommended for a full renewal, including the Methven, Rakaia, and Tinwald Domains.
The report assessed 229 individual play assets at 28 district sites, excluding the Lake Clearwater playground, which was unable to be accessed due to bad weather at the time.
The council’s playground assets were valued at $4,001,800 and all equipment was measured against various standards depending on when it was installed, with 93 items being non-compliant.
There were 139 maintenance issues requiring attention at an estimated cost of $40,710, which Fabish said would be addressed this year.
He also said that improving accessibility in all playgrounds was a work in progress.
“Staff will implement changes when and where possible and in conjunction with other site works.”
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