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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
New traffic lights at Ashburton's Walnut Ave intersections will go live this week.
The upgrade will officially open on Friday - ahead of schedule according to the big transport organisations but not before time say some locals.
Work began … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
New traffic lights at Ashburton's Walnut Ave intersections will go live this week.
The upgrade will officially open on Friday - ahead of schedule according to the big transport organisations but not before time say some locals.
Work began on the $15 million project in August 2021 and had an 18-month timeline.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency had completed the intersection upgrades and lights installation, both at Walnut Ave and State Highway 1, and Walnut Ave and West St, back in May.
Then KiwiRail had to upgrade the rail crossing between the two intersections which is almost completed.
As there was a gap between the two Government organisations being on site the project has been maligned in the community for the perceived prolonged timeframe.
The Ashburton District Council aired those frustration but both Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail maintained it was always scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.
They have now delivered the project on time and the temporary road cone roundabouts are soon to become just a memory.
Hi neighbours, Quinn and the team here from Delivereasy. We're stoked to finally arrive in Ashburton and deliver your favourite flavours from the neighbourhood! The best part? We're not just delivering to Ashburton Central - Allenton, Dromore, Elgin, Fairton, Hampstead, Huntingdon, … View moreHi neighbours, Quinn and the team here from Delivereasy. We're stoked to finally arrive in Ashburton and deliver your favourite flavours from the neighbourhood! The best part? We're not just delivering to Ashburton Central - Allenton, Dromore, Elgin, Fairton, Hampstead, Huntingdon, Netherby, Newland, Tinwald and Willowby are all included in our delivery area. Yahoo!
Download the Delivereasy app on apple or android to find your favourite local Ashburton restaurants, choose your items and use the code ASHVEGAS to get free delivery on your first two orders over $30. Then sit back, track your order (and driver) and get ready to tuck in. The discount finishes soon so give us a try now while it's still going. Skip the dishes and the discussion around who's going to collect the takeaways today because spoiler alert: it's us.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stuart Wilson has a little red book detailing his council tenure, every meeting over the 12 years.
He used it like a diary to document the details and his thoughts on every big decision and who voted on what over his 12 years at the council … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stuart Wilson has a little red book detailing his council tenure, every meeting over the 12 years.
He used it like a diary to document the details and his thoughts on every big decision and who voted on what over his 12 years at the council table.
“It is just my own record of what we did.
“There’s nothing personnel in there or any names of staff, just council business.”
Wilson’s book has now had its last entry and he is settling into life after the council.
It could be quite easy to picture him, the avid roading campaigner, wandering the district with a wheelbarrow of hot mix in tow fixing potholes.
He is a man of his word though and is leaving council business behind him, but will be keeping an eye on the progress of a few unfinished projects.
Wilson attended the opening meeting of the new term, where for the first time in 12 years he wasn’t at the table but was in the public gallery to watch another Wilson, his son Richard, being sworn in as a new councillor.
“I miss it. I miss the council for sure.
“You miss the relationships with the fellow councillors and the staff.
“It becomes a big part of your life.”
Stepping down from council at the ripe age of 81 means he can now enjoy his retirement.
After three weeks off the job, his lawn couldn’t be in better shape and there isn’t a weed to be seen in the gardens.
He has run out of things to do around the house but he’s keeping himself busy enough not to drive his wife Betty too crazy, and she is adjusting to having him at home more.
“It would be very easy to sit around and do nothing,” he said.
But Wilson isn’t the type to sit still for too long.
“I’ve got the two boys with farms at Hinds, I won’t be milking cows or anything like that but I can go out and give them a hand.”
He has no plans to take on any major project but has been invited to join the Mid Canterbury Historical Society.
World travel isn’t high on his priority list but “going around the North Island” is and clocking up some kilometres in his Morris Eight Sport.
Wilson was born in Kirwee where his parents farmed before they shifted to Hinds in 1945.
He went to Linford School for three years before it closed in 1949, as he was one of only six pupils, and went to Hinds School.
He then attended Timaru Boys’ High School and after getting school cert returned to the farm to help his father.
He then married Betty in 1964.
“My father bought one of the railway houses at Windermere, picked it up on the truck and put it on the farm.
“We were only there for a year and in 1965 we shifted up to Hinds Arundel Road and were there until seven years ago so we didn’t quite make 50 years on the farm.”
Wilson was always interested in politics and it was after he joined the Hinds Lions in 1984 that was the start of his political journey.
“I was encouraged to go a little bit further in Lions and I wasn’t sure but a friend of mine was an office holder in Federated Farmers and asked me to come along and become junior vice president.
He worked his way up to president and then past president which exposed him to the workings of the district council.
“You submitted to the council on annual plans and long-term plans and you thought it ‘blight it, they wouldn’t listen'.”
He recalls attending a public meeting in Hinds where then councillor Ken Lowe, “an ardent Methven Councillor”, was speaking about spending money on something in Methven when Wilson decided to pipe up.
“I said ‘Methven, they’re a pack of parasites up there on the district’ and boy did that get a reaction.”
It’s a comment that may not have helped when he then stood for election in 2007 as the old ward system had him at the mercy of the Methven voters and he was unsuccessful.
Under the new ward system in the 2010 elections, the current eastern and western ward split, he was elected to the council.
Four terms later he decided it was time to step aside while he was still at the top of his game.
“It wasn’t because I wasn’t enjoying it or I wasn’t keeping up.
“It was just time.”
As a councillor, Wilson was a straight-shooter, often firing a sharp-ended question, strongly worded statement, or infamously calling for a point of order.
He was unapologetically honest in his opinions, direct in his approach, and almost unwavering in his convictions.
Wilson could be persuaded by a strong argument but he was never afraid to call a spade a spade and question “why on earth” someone would say it’s a shovel.
“People can be swayed by an argument of course.
“Sometimes you think that for the betterment of the district my opinion might be better this way or that way.”
But that’s the kind of person needed at the council table, he said.
“Not someone who shares an opinion in the tearoom and is then a yes man at the meeting that doesn’t stick to their guns.
“Even if it’s [a vote] 8 to 1, you may as well lose saying what you think and that’s what makes democracy work.”
He said he learnt early on that a councillor should avoid at all costs to abstain from a decision.
“If you sit on the fence, what’s the point of you being there?”
He wasn’t afraid to ask the question or say what he thought – even if got him in hot water occasionally because that’s the role of an elected councillor he said.
When Wilson flicked his microphone on, staff would bristle in their seat in case they were in his sights.
It could be a short, sharp serve, a pointed question, or seeking clarity.
Earlier this year a KiwiRail manager was left startled after he bore the brunt of one such tirade, with Wilson telling him of his incompetence over the prolonged timeframes completing the Walnut Ave upgrade.
He said councillors need to ask questions to know how the cogs move to ensure they have things moving in the right direction, that’s why there are no stupid questions but there can be stupid answers.
Wilson would speak his mind, straight to the point and then sit back in his chair to hear an answer, but never one to let an unacceptable excuse slide by, and then listen to the other councillor’s views.
He said he was always conscious of only speaking when it was necessary.
“Experienced councillors can have too much to say.
“When I first got on, there was a group of very experienced councillors and they always had an opinion on every single thing.
“It took a brave new councillor to contradict them at times.
“In the last term, I had to be conscious I didn’t use my opinion to influence everybody else.”
He was at his best when it came to roading.
Wilson was driven to improve the district's roads, continually campaigning for better outcomes, more funding and answers from contractors.
“I tried really hard on our roading network. I really did.”
He fought Waka Kotahi for more funding at every opportunity often focusing on the “bane of his existence” Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd, almost considered a swear word in his house, that gobbles up far too much ratepayer funding.
Wilson, try as he might, battled through the pronunciation of Waka Kotahi, a phrase he uttered countless times but seemingly never the same way.
“I look at Liz [McMillan] every time I say it and she’d say I got it wrong.”
His pronunciation may have been off, often because he was too caught up in railing against the Government agency, but he was trying as he adapted to the increasing use of te reo.
In his valedictory speech, he admitted the only blight on his council tenure was the condition of the roads.
But it’s safe to say they would be in a worse state without Wilson's dogged determination for better outcomes. Determination and dedication were keys to Wilson's 12-year stint but that's how he reckons it should be anyway. He is a firm believer that being a councillor is about dedicating yourself to serving the community.
That’s why you can count the number of meetings he missed in 12 years on one hand.
“I might have missed one as I had a funeral to go to.”
He was there to do the job to the best of his ability.
“I wasn’t there to personally achieve anything, just do the job as best I could.
“The opportunities in a democracy are so great, making decisions on behalf of everybody.”
He did all the reading and attended every meeting and committee he could so that when it came time to make a decision he had all the information.
“If you are going to go on council you have to be prepared to give it your best.”
It’s a big commitment and no one could question Wilson's commitment to the role. The straight shooter with his community always on his mind.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A storm has proved the catalyst for an extension of the Methven cemetery and an upgrade to the walkway.
It is just over a year since strong winds decimated the treeline at the cemetery and the area has been reestablished including the section of … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A storm has proved the catalyst for an extension of the Methven cemetery and an upgrade to the walkway.
It is just over a year since strong winds decimated the treeline at the cemetery and the area has been reestablished including the section of the town’s popular walkway.
Methven Lions spokesman Mac McElwain said they had just completed a reseal of the shingle walkway along the cemetery edge only for it to be “completely wrecked”.
“All the trees came down and the roots ripped up so what we had laid 10 days earlier just disappeared,” he said.
The council cleared away the debris and the roots, a repair job estimated to cost about $70,000, enabling it to extend the cemetery area, future-proofing the site.
The Lions had to reinstate a new walkway path along the eastern edge of the cemetery which forms part of a loop track around the town that the Lions spent the last year reshingling.
What remained of the tree line has been transformed into a bund and the Lions also chipped in with a council-run planting day at the end of October.
“The whole thing has been a collaborative venture between lions and the council,” McElwain said.
About 2500 native species were planted on the newly created bund made from the rubble of the damaged tree extraction, while several Sequoiadendron giganteum (Wellingtonia) have been planted alongside the walkway.
A strip of native planting is planned for the inside of the reinstated track to separate it from the cemetery.
McElwain said the council and Lions plan to install a new track linkage from the bridge to the domain, along the rodeo arena fence line, and plant a new coniferous hedge adjacent to it.
The Lions also launched a special clean-up project for the headstones in the cemetery last year
“Since that storm and the necessary thinning out of all the trees, it's allowed a lot more light and wind through the cemetery itself, and with a bit of spray from us the effect on the headstones has been extraordinary.”
A memorial seat that was recovered from under the fallen trees has been repositioned in a new location and further seating is planned to be added once more planting is completed next winter where the council hopes to work with local schools.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Ashburton District Council’s 'Light Up the Night' Christmas event will go ahead as planned on December 2 after the road closure application was granted on Wednesday.
Support for the decision was underpinned by a belief among some … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Ashburton District Council’s 'Light Up the Night' Christmas event will go ahead as planned on December 2 after the road closure application was granted on Wednesday.
Support for the decision was underpinned by a belief among some councillors that businesses would benefit.
The council’s economic development team applied for a temporary road closure of East St (from Havelock St to Moore St and Burnett St/Tancred St) to hold the Light Up the Night ceremony that includes lighting the Christmas tree on East Street opposite the intersection with Burnett St.
The one objection was placed by Gareth and Jamie Cadogan who operate the Print Room night club and one ninety nine café within the CBD that are affected by the closure.
They said the timing and location of the event “will directly affect our trade” and they have bookings for Christmas functions on the day.
The councillors disagreed believing the event will bring people in to the town centre and boost business.
New councillor Tony Todd supported the closure.
“We need to look at the broader picture that this event is going to bring people into town anyway and those in the hospitality industry are all going to benefit from this event so I think we should be approving it.”
Mayor Neil Brown said the event “is something we should be doing”.
“It’s a great event and will bring people into town and businesses will do well out of it.”
Councillor Lynette Lovett said that after two years of disruption the community is looking for events.
“This is a great example for the town to come out, get together and start the festive season.”
The application was approved by majority.
The Ashburton Santa Parade has applied for a road closure for December 3, the day after Light Up the Night, which is being processed.
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This is the filling from used pillows, but is in a good clean condition(has always been inside pillow covers plus pillow slips) I am sure anyone making soft toys would find this useful, rather than throwing away, FREE TO GOOD HOME
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Minor changes in revised tsunami evacuation zones mainly impact 10 rural properties.
The Ashburton District Council released its updated tsunami evacuation zones after scientific modelling showed new areas that could be flooded in some worst-case … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Minor changes in revised tsunami evacuation zones mainly impact 10 rural properties.
The Ashburton District Council released its updated tsunami evacuation zones after scientific modelling showed new areas that could be flooded in some worst-case tsunami scenarios.
Council strategy and compliance group manager, Jane Donaldson, said most of the newly included area is rural land rather than homes, but people who live or spend time near the coast are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated zones.
“These events are rare, so people don’t need to be alarmed, however they should have a plan for what to do if they need to evacuate.”
Based on the new modelling, that was commissioned by Environment Canterbury, the changes in the Ashburton District are relatively minor, with around 10 new properties included in the revised zones.
Settlements such as the South Rakaia Huts, Lower Hakatere Huts, and North Rangitata Huts were already located within existing tsunami evacuation zones.
The district has two tsunami evacuation zones, red and orange.
The red zone is most likely to be affected by a tsunami and includes estuaries, river mouths, and beaches where a tsunami of any size could cause strong currents and surges in the water.
The orange zone is less likely to be affected by a tsunami than the red zone and includes areas of land that could be flooded in a large tsunami.
Donaldson said that people in the red and orange zones need to evacuate immediately if they feel a long or strong earthquake, or receive an official tsunami warning.
“There may not be time for an official warning, so once the shaking stops, head immediately inland until you’re outside of the evacuation zones.”
Donaldson said coastal residents should search their address on the council website (ashburtondc.govt.nz/tsunami) and see if any of their property is within a tsunami evacuation zone.
ECan senior scientist - natural hazards, Helen Jack, said the likelihood of a tsunami being created close to Ashburton’s coast is small, and the biggest tsunami threats for the district are those created by large earthquakes on the Hikurangi or Kermadec subduction zones (to the east and north of the North Island), the Puysegur subduction zone (to the south of Fiordland), or by large earthquakes off the coasts of Central or South America.
A map of the new evacuation zones and further information can be found at: Ashburtondc.govt.nz/tsunami
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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We are honoured to present our latest brand campaign that explores our residents lives through their eyes. From the poignant moments of life in care, to our residents continuing to push the boundaries of what they want to achieve.
Howdy neighbours
I have a whole lot of pet and rescued ducks who are laying lots of yummy eggs. Unfortunately I am too busy with work and with general duck care to have the time right now to collect, grade, check, market and sell these eggs, so they are piling up until I get time to cook them … View moreHowdy neighbours
I have a whole lot of pet and rescued ducks who are laying lots of yummy eggs. Unfortunately I am too busy with work and with general duck care to have the time right now to collect, grade, check, market and sell these eggs, so they are piling up until I get time to cook them and feed back to the ducks or they go to waste.
Duck eggs can be used the same way you would use chicken eggs and are considered richer and more gourmet than chicken eggs. They are usually preferred by chefs for baking. And most people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs. They are larger than chicken eggs and due to a thicker shell usually keep longer. They are also used by a lot of people to create salted eggs (which apparently keep for a long time) or cultural delicacies such as century eggs.
This feels wasteful to me as they are a good nutritious form of food and we are in a situation right now where food is expensive.
I also have another problem which is that my ducks could so with some fresh vegetables or vegetable scraps, and since moving out to Oxford, I cannot find any vegetable markets nearby which offer scraps that I can feed to my ducks.
So I am hoping I can solve both these problems at once, by offering free nutritious duck eggs to anyone out there who has excess vegetables from their garden, or excess vegetable scraps to offer my ducks (and make their day) in return.
The ducks are laying around 2 dozen eggs a day, and they would love to swap them for the following types of vegetables and vegetable scraps:
Cauliflower and broccoli leaves (they will eat the cauli and broccoli too but they actually prefer the leaves)
Carrot tops and carrots (again I think they prefer the tops lol)
Cabbage in small amounts, lettuce in large amounts
Green peas in any amounts
Beetroot
Corn/sweet corn
Kale
Tomatoes
Strawberries grapes. Raspberries
Silverbeet
Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
Cucumber, courgettes
Duck weed if anyone has any on their pond etc
Celery
Any of the above that has gone to seed is also fine
Probably other things that are not coming to mind right now, feel free to text and ask.
They can’t eat the following or any other vegetables which have been contaminated with any significant amount of these vegetables as they are toxic to ducks.
Beans (toxic to ducks unless cooked which I just don’t have time to be doing right now)
Onions (toxic)
Egg plant (toxic)
Avocados
Alternatively if any food banks are willing to collect from View Hill, Oxford please get in touch.
Please text me on 020 406 41485 if interested. Pickup from view hill Oxford, or can maybe meet you in Oxford or Rangiora when I am going to either if you are happy to meet up at short notice.
If there is anyone else who has an excess of some type of food they wish to exchange, even if it is not what I need or you don’t need duck eggs, pls post a comment on this post, maybe we can do a three way exchange or someone else might have something useful or a need. It would be good to have a forum to exchange excess food with summer coming up. I know a lot of people will end up with more of certain vegetables in the vegetable garden than they need, and it seems silly for food to be wasted when we can maybe all help each other out.
Also if there is anyone out there who is just genuinely struggling at the moment with the constantly skyrocketing food costs who would find some eggs helpful for their own fridge, get in touch with me as I have plenty.
Admin: I put this under free stuff as it was closer to that than buy or sell and there is no exchange option, I hope that is not breaching any terms.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mt Hutt users are waging war on the pest population in the hope of restoring an endangered kea population.
Bike Methven, having recently added new predator traps to an established setup by Mt Hutt Ski Area, has started its trapping programme after… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mt Hutt users are waging war on the pest population in the hope of restoring an endangered kea population.
Bike Methven, having recently added new predator traps to an established setup by Mt Hutt Ski Area, has started its trapping programme after receiving a $6000 grant from the Ashburton District Council.
Secretary Claire Harden said the club had purchased five small rat and stoat traps and two state-of-the-art possum traps that were proving quite effective, with one taking down six possums in its first five days.
“We had a lot of reports of stoats, ferrets, and possums last year so thought we would help try and get on top of it, Harden said.
The club would look to seek further funding to get more traps to help restore the native wildlife.
As well as removing pests, the club was working to eradicate wilding sycamores from the area.
Bike Methven’s efforts would work alongside Mt Hutt Ski Area’s established trapping and planting programmes.
Mt Hutt spokesman Richie Owen, who is also the Methven Community Board deputy chairman, said they now had 70 traps and have had over 800 successful kills in four years.
He said regular checking and baiting of the lines would commence by Mt Hutt staff during the summer months.
The ski area has also planted around 6500 native trees in the Mt Hutt forest area adjacent to the access road and a corridor running down the dry creek riverbed.
The trapping and planting have meant that bird life was increasing, which Owen said was a good sign.
“There has been a steady increase in Kereru and Kārearea NZ Falcon sightings.”
The hope is to see the endangered kea population return to the mountain because there used to be about 25 birds in the area until four years ago.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Hey Neighbours, did you know that Arthritis affects more than 700,000 New Zealanders and is a leading cause of disability?
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Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop… View moreHey Neighbours, did you know that Arthritis affects more than 700,000 New Zealanders and is a leading cause of disability?
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Every week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love… View moreEvery week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love to hear about them.
If your neighbour is picked as this week's Nice Neighbour, you’ll both receive a $25 Prezzy® card plus your special neighbour will feature in community newspapers around New Zealand as an inspiration to us all.
Let us know who should be recognised for their good deeds by nominating now.
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