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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's two mayoral candidates faced off for the first time without a shot being fired.
Neil Brown and Jeff Swindley both attended Greypower’s meet the candidates event on Monday and while it was the first time the two candidates … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's two mayoral candidates faced off for the first time without a shot being fired.
Neil Brown and Jeff Swindley both attended Greypower’s meet the candidates event on Monday and while it was the first time the two candidates shared the stage there was no debate or exchange - just two candidates with different approaches.
Incumbent mayor Brown used the platform to outline how he has navigated a tumultuous first term, while Swindley’s first public appearance was an introduction that fell short on policy.
Swindley used his time to shed light on his background and reasons for standing but ran out of time to touch on any policy.
He said his decision to run for mayor was based on his opposition to the government’s “unlawful” traffic light system.
He said he has been a Christian for over 35 years “so my way of life has always been based on the bible”.
“When I see an injustice and things like that, I actually make a stand.”
He said he was “ridiculed by the community” for his open stance on the traffic light system.
“So I started my society and I got ridiculed for that, but all the time it’s about the community and where I stand in my walk as a Christian, as a businessman, as a father, as a husband.
“Integrity is what I stand on.”
Just as Swindley started to ramp up into some policy, talking about the “vast amount of legal acts that are coming down”, his time was up.
When his opponent had his turn, Brown rattled off his successes in what has been a troublesome first term as mayor dealing with the Covid pandemic, historic floods, and three waters reform.
He also touched on some highlights but said he hasn’t achieved anything on his own, leading the council as a team “to achieve prosperity for the district”.
Brown outlined the challenges that lay ahead for the council in the next term as completing the library and civic centre, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, contesting Three Waters reform, lobbying the government to fund the second urban bridge, and to do better with the roading network.
“I’ve proved capable, reliable and ready for challenges – whatever they are,” Brown said.
“Let’s keep going.”
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Dear neighbours,
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Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for new potato recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Sept 25, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A sneak peek inside Ashburton’s new library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has only increased the anticipation.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said the shapes are starting to form after taking a tour of … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A sneak peek inside Ashburton’s new library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has only increased the anticipation.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said the shapes are starting to form after taking a tour of the construction site last week.
Riach said councillors have been visiting the site regularly to monitor progress and with each visit the excitement builds as it takes shape.
“It feels like building your own house and waiting on completion to move in.”
The $56.75 million project remains on track for the revised completion of mid-2023.
Riach said the project was still on budget but it was very tight and there was a lot of pressure due to ongoing supply chain issues.
There would be visible progress for the public soon with the building facade in production to go up in the next few weeks.
Once complete, the library will be a major upgrade, both in size and modernity, from the existing library on Havelock St, which is considered an earthquake risk.
Riach said a library was not all about books anymore and the new site would include a sound studio, wet and dry areas, big screen and event space.
The cafe would be more like an expresso bar, with the lease yet to be taken up, similar to Te Ara Atea, the Selwyn District’s library in Rolleston.
One unique aspect of the build is incorporating the Historic Pioneer Hall into the building.
The new three-storey building will engulf the 106-year-old hall, which will become part of the children’s library.
It will be encapsulated by a large glass atrium spanning between the two main buildings and people walking between the main and secondary building will be able to look down on the space.
A time capsule is also to be placed in the new building.
The council received $20m from the Government’s shovel-ready project scheme for the building.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Students from Longbeach School told councillors in no uncertain terms they need a speed reduction outside their rural Mid Canterbury school.
They will likely finally get their wish.
The student leaders told the councillors their principal, Neil … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Students from Longbeach School told councillors in no uncertain terms they need a speed reduction outside their rural Mid Canterbury school.
They will likely finally get their wish.
The student leaders told the councillors their principal, Neil Simons, had requested a speed reduction back in 2009 and the school was still waiting, which was “not OK”.
“It’s now 2022 and the speed limit past our school remains at 100kph,” Addison Griffiths said.
The students wanted to know why other schools have had speed reductions while their road “remained a significant danger to the children who cross this daily”.
Their presentation was soon followed by the Ashburton District Council approving an interim speed management plan to go out for public consultation that focuses on reductions around schools -including Longbeach School.
Roading manager Mark Chamberlain said as a category 2 rural school, it’s eligible for a 60kph variable speed limit.
“It hasn’t been enabled to have a lower speed limit under previous rules and guides, and getting approval from Waka Kotahi for a reduction,” he said.
“Longbeach, along with other rural schools, have actually got the ability to reduce the speed limit on those [roads] now.”
The rules also extend to more than just the school frontages he said, it’s the route to schools which is why some of the proposed changes extend a bit further.
Chamberlain said the council had about $600,000 to install the variable speed signs.
Once the consultation for the interim speed management plan is completed, the proposed changes will go before the council for final approval.
Chamberlain said the hope was to have the school changes in place for the start of the new school year.
Reducing speeds around schools is an important safety measure Chamberlain said, but it’s not where the fatalities happen.
“The big discussion is what we are going to do with our rural roads.”
“We are doing our schools and everyone says ‘schools that’s great, that’s easy’ but that’s not where we are having our crashes and our fatalities.
“Our fatalities are on rural roads and rural intersections in particular, and yet they seem to be the ones we want to do the least work on and that’s part of the discussion we still have to have.”
That discussion will help form the regional speed management plan for 2024-27.
Proposed School speeds:
Category 1 with 30kph permanent speed limit:
Allenton School, Ashburton Borough School, Ashburton Christian School, Ashburton College, Ashburton Intermediate School, Ashburton Netherby School, Chertsey School, Fairton School, Hampstead School, Hinds School, Lauriston School, Mayfield School, Mt Somers Springburn School, Rakaia School, St Joseph's School, Tinwald School.
Category 2 with 60kph variable speed limit:
Carew Peel Forest School, Dorie School, Lagmhor School, Longbeach School, Wakanui School.
Category 1 with 30kph permanent or variable speed limit treatment:
Methven School, Mt Hutt College, Our Lady of the Snows School.
(Frontage shared with the state highway therefore will be affected by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s speed management plan).
Kia ora Christchurch......or shall I say, Ōtautahi?
You've likely already heard, but this week is Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - and we'd like nothing more than to encourage your kōrero with some kai.
We have some delicious Whittaker's tiakarete (chocolate) … View moreKia ora Christchurch......or shall I say, Ōtautahi?
You've likely already heard, but this week is Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - and we'd like nothing more than to encourage your kōrero with some kai.
We have some delicious Whittaker's tiakarete (chocolate) to give away, so whether it's naming the days of the week, sharing your pepeha, or just a cheery kia ora - it's all about giving it a go.
Share any kōrero or kupu in the comments below to be in to win. Kia kaha, Ōtautahi!
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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PLUS — To celebrate the launch of our new Facebook group, Better Than Ever - each new member will go in the draw to WIN an iPad!
There's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their … View moreThere's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their nationwide delivery. $25 voucher valid from Sept 1-25, 2022.
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.
The CultureFest celebrations continue at our two-week series of events. From dance classes, sport sessions, displays and art activities, there’s… View moreTake your senses on a trip around the world! Enjoy performances, games, international stalls and food at Lincoln Domain this Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
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.
Pick up a brochure from a Selwyn facility or check out the events online.
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Simply enter your details online and you're in the draw.
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