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We’re here to remind you about what to do when you see, or hear, an emergency services vehicle responding under lights and sirens. When seconds count, it can save lives.
We’ve had recent examples where drivers completely ignore the Police vehicle behind them. Other drivers slow right down … View moreWe’re here to remind you about what to do when you see, or hear, an emergency services vehicle responding under lights and sirens. When seconds count, it can save lives.
We’ve had recent examples where drivers completely ignore the Police vehicle behind them. Other drivers slow right down without safely pulling over, and delay Police from responding to emergency situations. Please help us by allowing our team to get to those in need, so we can save lives.
Top tips when an emergency services vehicle approaches with lights and sirens:
🚑 You are required by law to pull to the side of the road and stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
🚔 If the lights and siren of the Police vehicle continue past you, you can resume your journey.
🚒 Make sure you check the road is clear before moving on.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton has no plans to ditch its membership to Local Government NZ after a councillor raised questions about its benefits.
Local Government NZ represents councils around New Zealand, but some major regions have cut their membership including … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton has no plans to ditch its membership to Local Government NZ after a councillor raised questions about its benefits.
Local Government NZ represents councils around New Zealand, but some major regions have cut their membership including Christchurch and Auckland councils.
Following reports on attending the recent Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference in Wellington from councillors Carolyn Cameron and Richard Wilson, councillor Tony Todd (pictured) put it to his fellow councillors if Ashburton needed to remain a member of LGNZ.
“In my experience is that LGNZ seems to be a rather left-leaning organisation,” Todd said last week.
“I start thinking to myself with Auckland pulling out, Christchurch pulling out, and one or two other councils, do we get benefit in belonging to this organisation?”
In his report, Wilson said the conferences are an “opportunity to understand other councils’ issues and learn how they are solving them”.
He also noted that “LGNZ appears to have political views which are at odds with the coalition Government” – which is the statement that triggered Todd’s question.
In response to Todd's question on membership, Wilson said his only concern was that LGNZ was missing the voice of about 2 million people after Auckland and Christchurch pulled out.
The conference provided an opportunity to talk to other councillors and to speak to the decision-makers from various Government organisations and ministries that attend.
“It is quite a lot to us, as a small council, because we can be one voice talking to the biggest brains in the land.”
Mayor Neil Brown said the annual conferences were “enlightening” as the interaction and conversations with other councils are beneficial.
“I find it very valuable.”
Chief executive Hamish Riach said you risk becoming quite insular by not being a member of an industry organisation.
“You don’t see anyone to challenge you or give you new ideas.
“There is certainly value in conversations with colleagues to help you think about things a little differently.”
The annual conference is one part of the paid membership, with quarterly zone meetings, training opportunities, and updates on central and local government changes, Riach said.
“If we weren’t a member, I think we would have less information and less understanding of where [central] Government and local government is placed.”
Todd was “more than happy with the answers” provided in response to his question.
“I just had to ask the question,” he said.
These items have been recalled this month. If you have one of these items at home, click on the title to see the details to ensure it is not a risk to your household.
Food recalls:
All Good Oat Milk (Possible presence of Bacillus cereus)
… View moreThese items have been recalled this month. If you have one of these items at home, click on the title to see the details to ensure it is not a risk to your household.
Food recalls:
All Good Oat Milk (Possible presence of Bacillus cereus)
Pies and sausage roll products - Good Time, Hub Gourmet and No.8 Premium brands
Value range Natural Almonds
South African shop Safari Meats - Biltong, Cabanossi, Droëwors and cured meats
Te Matuku oyster products (Risk of norovirus)
Product recalls:
Olimpia Splendid fan heaters
Euroblade Suntower Infared heater
Bobcat mower with recalled engines
Kids MGA Miniverse Make-it sets
Fisher Price baby gift set
Vehicle recalls can be found here.
We hope this message was helpful in keeping you and your family safe.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A prominent farmer is calling on the Ashburton District Council to breakaway from Canterbury's regional council.
Allan Andrews, who is among a growing chorus of people calling for shakeup of councils in the wider Canterbury region, presented … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A prominent farmer is calling on the Ashburton District Council to breakaway from Canterbury's regional council.
Allan Andrews, who is among a growing chorus of people calling for shakeup of councils in the wider Canterbury region, presented his concerns to Ashburton councillors last week.
Originally from Glenavy, Andrews is a former Timaru District councillor and South Canterbury Federated Farmers president who has farmed just out of Ashburton for the past 10 years.
He said he worried about Environment Canterbury's (ECan) impact "on the whole of our province”. The community also couldn’t deal with continued heavy rate rises.
The solution was to shake up the existing three tiers of governance, Andrews told councillors.
Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, and Waimate rely on the farming industry and need better governance to allow the industry to operate, he said.
Andrews said his preferred model would be to retain the district councils and have a new regional council covering everything south of the Rakaia River to the Waitaki River.
There was a lot of nodding from councillors to some of what Andrews was saying, but there was little vocal support around the table.
During his presentation, he also has raised concerns about the future of irrigation for the region, which he believes a new regional council could help with.
If farmers don't get sufficient irrigation, the land will return to "broom, blackberry, gorse" and be at greater risk of fires, Andrews said.
It’s the second time in recent weeks the council has received a presentation calling for a new council arrangement.
A group presented a proposal to the councils from Selwyn down to Waitaki to break away from ECan and have some form of unitary council.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown confirmed the proposal was discussed at the recent Canterbury Mayoral Forum without any real enthusiasm by the region's mayors to investigate forming an unitary authority.
“There was no clear directive from all the mayors, but they are aware of the concerns in the community about representation especially from Ashburton to the Waitaki.”
A unitary council – a combination of district and regional council - wasn’t what most councils were after as there is no appetite for council mergers, Brown said.
There remains concern from the southern councils about ECan’s representation review proposal.
An ECan spokesman said the regional council is aware of the discussions around forming a new unitary council, but it is not in scope for the representation review and would be a matter for central government to consider.
When it come sto irrigation, ECan, as the regulator, is responsible for making sure the community’s aspirations are implemented with regard to keeping a minimum flow in the natural waterways.
Winter’s almost over, and while many of us are shaking off the chilly months spent indoors, Wendy and John from Keith Park Village have been making the most of every moment. For this couple, winter isn’t a time to hunker down – it’s the perfect season to jet off to warmer climates and … View moreWinter’s almost over, and while many of us are shaking off the chilly months spent indoors, Wendy and John from Keith Park Village have been making the most of every moment. For this couple, winter isn’t a time to hunker down – it’s the perfect season to jet off to warmer climates and explore hidden corners of the world.
Click read more for the full story.
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Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s all good to go but who’s going to pay for it?
That still remains the big unknown for the second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge after the Government confirmed it would be part of its $32.9 billion plan for New Zealand’s transport network … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s all good to go but who’s going to pay for it?
That still remains the big unknown for the second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge after the Government confirmed it would be part of its $32.9 billion plan for New Zealand’s transport network over the next three years.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which focuses on more state highways, road maintenance, and greater public transport in the country's main cities with a 35% increase in funding compared to the last three years.
He said it includes plans to work with Ashburton District Council to progress the second Ashburton Bridge as a road of regional significance.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said having it included in the transport plan "cements that the project will go ahead”.
"We will be getting our second bridge.
"It’s a tremendous achievement for all that have been involved in it over the last 15 years.
"Hopefully we’ll have it (funding and timeline) sorted in the next few months.”
But the big question remains on how constructing the 360-metre-long bridge across the Ashburton/Hakatere River, and associated new road infrastructure to link it to the existing network, will be funded.
That in a cheeky way was put to Rangitata MP James Meager when he presented an update to the council on the Government’s work programme.
Mayor Brown welcomed him with a tongue-in-cheek quip that Meager is "a busy man no doubt, getting funding for bridges etc”.
The commitment to get the bridge started in this term of Government is unchanged, Meager said.
Whether it comes from tax, rates, or user pays, someone ends up paying for it, he said.
"It sits with the council and NZTA now to have those conversations and discussions about what the funding mix is.”
What being a road of regional significance means for the NZTA contribution also remains to be seen but Meager suggested it could result in "an uplift” of the Government’s contribution from the minimum 51%.
Council chief executive Hamish Riach confirmed that they had already applied to the Government’s regional infrastructure fund, while Mayor Brown said they have put in for a fast-track consent for the project.
The council included $7.5m for the second bridge in its long-term plan and was aware that figure may not be enough.
Being included in the plan guarantees at least the minimum 51% funding from NZTA as costing of $113m, based on the 2022 business case, but that estimate is now closer to $130m.
At the $113m price tag, NZTA’s 51% contribution ($56.6m) and the council’s $7.5m (6.7% of the total cost) leaves a shortfall of $48.9m.
How that funding gap is bridged has been a focus for some time and will need to be finalised soon.
"We have been working with NZTA for a while now around how that might work, and those discussions are well advanced,” Brown said.
***More than a bridge
The bridge was the big Mid Canterbury project in the Government’s transport plan but wasn’t the only one.
There is a planned asphalt upgrade for the SH1 Ashburton – SH77 junction to the Ashburton Bridge.
The section of the road will be dug out and re-asphalted to cater for heavy traffic use.
Safety improvements will be designed for the Selwyn River to Ashburton stretch of SH1.
There will also be a rockfall fence in the Rakaia Gorge along SH77 on the south side of the river to protect motorists and the highway, and to give reliable journey times.
Second hand Husqvarna petrol, 4 stroke
Motor mower.going well.
Selling as don't need.
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works … View moreToday (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is growing frustration that a project with proven environmental gains is being stalled by red tape.
It is nearly two years since the Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) lodged resource consent applications to expand its project to … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is growing frustration that a project with proven environmental gains is being stalled by red tape.
It is nearly two years since the Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) lodged resource consent applications to expand its project to improve the quality of river and groundwater.
It is already New Zealand’s largest managed groundwater rehabilitation project but further expansion has now stalled with the consent process heading to a hearing in October.
“We know what we are doing is working,” executive director Brett Painter said.
The Trust started with just one Managed Aquifer Recharge(MAR) pond in 2016 and has expanded its site numbers to 15.
They applied to ECan for resource consent to operate MAR sites at 34 locations, 14 existing and 20 new sites, in 2022.
Painter presented an annual update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee last week and said the delays in the consent process have put the Trust two years behind.
He says delays mean “the clock is ticking towards 2035” – the date that ECan’s Canterbury land and water regional plan requires median annual shallow groundwater concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen be less than 6.9 mg/l.
“We are behind in getting up to speed and being able to get the sites in the ground, water in the ground, and measure the results,” Painter said.
“The evidence very clearly shows where these targeted enhancements are happening, that they are having the benefit across the whole ecosystem health spectrum.”
Zone committee chairperson Bill Thomas said the hold up in the consent process and associated costs is a shame “when we are looking for tools to try and help the nitrate problems”.
“One is staring us in the face and it's run into a brick wall.”
Ashburton District councillor Richard Wilson said it is a big investment for the community and there is “a lot of money going around in a circle”.
He said the community is paying targeted rates to ECan towards HHWET’s operations to improve water quality and the environment, but a lot of money appears to be going towards consents rather than actions.
“Sure you need consents, but it’s spending a lot of money to do something that ECan said we want you to do.
“I understand there are people against it, but you hope they will see the outcome at the end is better than not doing anything at all.”
ECan consents manager Aurora Grant said the five resource consent applications are for a large-scale activity and will significantly increase the scale – proposing to use more than six times the current amount of water.
“The scale and complexity of the proposal, and additional information which the applicant has needed to provide has meant that the processing of these applications has taken some time.”
As ECan had a facilitatory role in the investigation stages of the project, the application process has been independently contracted out.
An independent commissioner decided that the applications required public notification, with 79 submissions received and a hearing being organised for October.
****What the project does
MAR sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater.
This enhances ground and surface water quality and quantity. Near river recharge (NRR) is the same but is located in a river’s flood plain, so that river flow and quality are enhanced.
Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust Limited (HHWET) and Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) are seeking resource consents for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and near river recharge at 37 locations in the Hekeao/Hinds catchment.
These sites require up to 3,200 l/s of surface water in addition to HHWET's already consented 500 l/s. RDRML has applied to use some of its consented take from the Rangitata River to support HHWET operations.
Make your own wall art from leftover MDF and Resene testpots. Nikki Kettle’s abstract piece was inspired by her local environment.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Put an empty wine bottle to good use with this feeder finished in Resene Clover that can cater for a range of garden birds.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Have you been using Neighbourly Groups? You may have joined some gardening groups or general chat groups over the years.
Members have told us that this part of the site isn't working as it should, so we are going to remove it for now.
So, in a few weeks Neighbourly Groups will no longer … View moreHave you been using Neighbourly Groups? You may have joined some gardening groups or general chat groups over the years.
Members have told us that this part of the site isn't working as it should, so we are going to remove it for now.
So, in a few weeks Neighbourly Groups will no longer be there. Don't worry, you can post on the noticeboard as usual!
Get in contact with our team if you have any concerns or need any help!
Are you planning your next getaway? Organising a holiday is exciting, but the journey itself can sometimes be a little overwhelming. To ensure your trip is smooth from start to finish, here are some top tips from the travel experts at You, Me and Friends to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and… View moreAre you planning your next getaway? Organising a holiday is exciting, but the journey itself can sometimes be a little overwhelming. To ensure your trip is smooth from start to finish, here are some top tips from the travel experts at You, Me and Friends to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and enjoy a carefree vacation.
Click read more for the full story.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stronger laws that encourage landlords to maintain the upkeep of commercial buildings have the support of Ashburton’s mayor.
Councils want stronger laws to allow them to take action on unoccupied buildings plaguing many cities and towns in New … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stronger laws that encourage landlords to maintain the upkeep of commercial buildings have the support of Ashburton’s mayor.
Councils want stronger laws to allow them to take action on unoccupied buildings plaguing many cities and towns in New Zealand.
The push has been led by the Gisborne District Council and gained support from the Local Government NZ membership – including the Ashburton District Council.
Mayor Neil Brown said that support doesn’t guarantee changes will be made but that LGNZ will put pressure on the Government to take a look at it.
The Building Act 2004 allows a council to step in only once a building has become unsanitary or dangerous.
Councils want to be able to take proactive action on unoccupied or deteriorating buildings.
“There are those buildings all over the country, including here,” Brown said.
Gisborne had submitted images of its derelict buildings, including the Masonic Hotel which hosted the Queen in 1954.
“They are not as bad as one in Ashburton.
“It’s an eyesore in the middle of town. It’s not a good look.”
That building is likely the Bruce Printing building on Burnett St, which has been in a progressive state of demolition since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The building owner was granted consent for the demolition in 2012 but it carries no enforceable deadline.
LGNZ president and Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton said the councils are collectively asking the minister for building and construction to investigate the issue and give councils more powers to do something about the buildings on behalf of the community.
“This isn’t the first time we have asked a government to take action on unoccupied buildings, but we hope this Government will take it seriously and make the necessary changes,” Broughton said.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
© Neighbourly 2024
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