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A wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go… View moreA wee while back we asked you, our awesome Neighbourly members to share the ways you save money!
We received a truck load of great suggestions, tips and methods!
More importantly, we saw how it helped other Kiwis discover new ways to help their households cut down on costs and make things go further. It made us so happy to see neighbours supporting neighbours.
Read 10 of the tips that we saw you sharing!
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is immense pressure on the budget for Ashburton’s new library and civic centre, but it remains within its $56.75 million limit, the town’s mayor says.
The claim of a budget blowout in a submission on the annual plan drew the attention of … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is immense pressure on the budget for Ashburton’s new library and civic centre, but it remains within its $56.75 million limit, the town’s mayor says.
The claim of a budget blowout in a submission on the annual plan drew the attention of district councillors at the hearings last week, prompting mayor Neil Brown to refute the claim.
As a member of the project control group, Brown said there had been no mention of a budget blowout.
“We mentioned we have lost some time and there is certainly pressure on the budget, but there has been no budget blow out.”
The project’s completion has been pushed back from the end of this year into 2023.
What those delays will cost is still to be determined.
Council chief executive Hamish Riach said Covid restrictions and now supply chain issues are “impacting pressure on costs and the forecast completion date, which is now expected to be in the first half of 2023”.
“The project is still within budget, which includes the sum previously set for contingencies, though it is fair to say there are real financial pressures, and costs are being very closely monitored.
The project had an amended budget of $51.6m in the council’s 2018-28 long-term plan, but that was then increased to $56.75m to allow for contingency, due to the uncertainty around the impacts of Covid.
The budget includes $20m from the Government’s ‘shovel ready’ project funding.
Brown said that funding was not paid in a lump sum but was paid in instalments as milestones were reached in the construction.
The construction timeline is the project's overbearing issue due to industry’s widespread supply chain issues, with materials like timber and plasterboard in hot demand.
Riach said that was a major pressure on the project’s timeframe but “where possible, we are trying to minimise those issues by ordering well ahead of time”.
Several submissions called for cutbacks on the Library and Civic Centre, but Brown said consultation on the project was completed three years ago and construction was already halfway through.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“I’ve never heard such a pathetic lot of drivel.”
Councillor Stuart Wilson pulled no punches in his critique of a joint Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail update on the Walnut Ave upgrade project.
Waka Kotahi director regional … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“I’ve never heard such a pathetic lot of drivel.”
Councillor Stuart Wilson pulled no punches in his critique of a joint Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail update on the Walnut Ave upgrade project.
Waka Kotahi director regional relationships James Caygill said the project remained on track as planned.
“I can understand community frustration at what looks like delays between the road component of the project and the level crossing of the project.
“This is the way the project was always planned to roll out. It hasn’t been delayed.
“But being in the middle of it is like being in the eye of the storm.”
KiwiRail’s southern network services manager, Mark Heissenbuttel, said they had been aligned with Waka Kotahi on the project all the way through and its design was progressing.
He said to prepare the crossing, the complex design required a specialist skill set and they “need to understand the design of the actual roading network and have that fully locked down before we can start our design”.
Heissenbuttel said while the design was progressing, the concrete slab installation was booked in for August 26 and needed a month to cure. As soon as that was complete “we can start the process of upgrading that track”.
“We are confident and committed in the November time period of having that work completed,” Heissenbuttel said.
That didn’t fly with Wilson.
“It’s like putting the walls of a house up and then saying we’ll start designing the roof,” he said.
“It looks to me like NZTA is finished and [KiwiRail] should have been ready to go to pour your concrete.”
He said Waka Kotahi’s plans must have been finished months ago as it had finished its physical work, but KiwiRail “haven’t even started physical work, let alone finished your planning”.
Caygill and Heissenbuttel both reiterated that the two parts of the project could not be completed safely at the same time, and rail was always scheduled to follow the road works in the project, with a completion date in November.
“To complete the planning work at the KiwiRail end is not a quick process,” Caygill said.
The complexities in its design takes time from when the roading plan was completed, he said.
However, he conceded the timing of the two parts of the project could have been better communicated.
As for the temporary intersection, Caygill said the upgrade to the water filled barrier forming the temporary roundabout, had made a substantial improvement.
He reassured the council that Waka Kotahi would continue to monitor the traffic management and safety aspects at the site.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron suggested looking at moving the temporary road crossing further north of the roundabout, as it was causing safety issues, which Caygill said he would look into.
The councillors also expressed their hope that the concerns and issues being experienced during the Walnut Ave project would serve as a lesson, as Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail ramp up planning for a similar project in Tinwald due to start next year.
Caygill said as the project was still in detailed design he was unable to confirm any proposed timeline on the Tinwald project.
Mayor Neil Brown quipped it may be better to start with the rail component first.
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Find out how to create your own.
Fa’afetai mo le agalelei fa’atua’oi literally translates to "thank you for your neighbourly kindness". We think that's a pretty special way to show your appreciation for a neighbour. Happy Samoan Language Week!
Vision College’s NZ Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) is the perfect way to retrain for modern office systems. If you’re looking to work in an administration role, run the admin side of your own business, or upskill, this is the programme for you!
This hands-on … View moreVision College’s NZ Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) is the perfect way to retrain for modern office systems. If you’re looking to work in an administration role, run the admin side of your own business, or upskill, this is the programme for you!
This hands-on programme will help you to grow your knowledge, understanding and skills using the Microsoft Office Suite. It covers Microsoft computer applications, business report writing communication skills and document creation.
We are enrolling now for our June intake! Visit our website to enrol or to find out more.
We're getting some amazing entries from gardeners obsessed with their indoor plants, and we're enjoying their stories too. There's still time to send us your entry for our Houseplant Hero 2022 competition. You could win some great prizes, and (of course) more houseplants!
Get 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is … View moreGet 30% off the normal retail price of Resene wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop until 20 June 2022.
Choose from thousands of wallpaper designs in the Resene Wallpaper Collection – everything from nature and geo inspired designs to textured and plain wallpapers – there really is something to suit all tastes!
Excludes wall decals, WallPrint and clearance items. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
View the full collection at your local Resene ColorShop or get a taste of the latest wallpaper release and trends online.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s mayor is confident the town’s proposed second Ashburton River Bridge will find favour with the Government but “there is no guarantee.”
Neil Brown met with Finance Minister Grant Robertson at a post-budget event in Timaru last week,… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s mayor is confident the town’s proposed second Ashburton River Bridge will find favour with the Government but “there is no guarantee.”
Neil Brown met with Finance Minister Grant Robertson at a post-budget event in Timaru last week, where he was told the bridge was in the budget.
“He said ‘your second bridge is in the budget’ when I asked him about the billion-dollar infrastructure spend,” Brown said.
With the treasury forecasting $61.9 billion of infrastructure investment over the next five years, Brown said that while Robertson’s assurance the bridge was in the Government’s budget plans was good news, it wasn’t a guarantee.
Brown hopes a concrete commitment to the project will hopefully come later this year.
The Ashburton District Council is in the process of finalising the third stage of the business case, a detailed design including costs, which will be presented to the council at the start of August.
“Once that has been approved by council, I’ll head off to Wellington with it to present it to the prime minister and deputy prime minister to see where we stand.”
The case for the bridge is clear, it’s one of connectivity and resilience for not just the town but the entire South Island Brown said.
What is up for discussion is how the bridge will be funded.
The new bridge has been estimated to cost about $40 million and the council has budgeted 20%, about $8m, in its long term plan as its contribution to the project, and will hope to secure the remainder from the Government.
As the Chalmers Ave site is not a state highway, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency would normally only fund up to 51% of the project, leaving 29% of the estimated cost to be determined.
Brown hoped the business case would convince the Government to meet that shortfall and said he would be pushing for the project to start as soon as possible.
In all likelihood it will be included in Waka Kotahi’s next three year work plan – the National Land Transport Programme, starting in 2024.
Retirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site … View moreRetirement is a chapter in life filled with possibility, and at a Ryman village we want to make that chapter the best it can be. That’s why we offer living options to suit everyone, it’s why our terms come with certainty, it’s why we continually innovate, and it’s why we offer care on site so you can plan for the future. The Ryman Guide will help you choose the lifestyle you want to live at a Ryman village, so you can embrace every opportunity.
Click here to get your free copy.
Do you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.
Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the … View moreDo you ever walk past a business affected by Covid and wonder what you could do to help? We created Short Notice to link community members with spare time on their hands to surrounding businesses in need.
Whether you have a week, a day or an hour to volunteer, head to the Short Notice community hub to introduce yourself and share how you can lend a hand.
If you're a business owner sign up for a FREE Premium Business listing to get access to Short Notice and let your community know what help you need.
Together, let's help keep our small businesses thriving!
It's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so … View moreIt's time to unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for yam recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before June 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
Ombre tones help create a gallery-worthy table. Choose tone on tone hues from the Resene Multifinish collection for a quick ombre look.
Find out how to create your own.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Food truck operators are unfazed about no longer being able to regularly trade at Baring Square East.
That’s because of proposed alternative options, or the fact they have already abandoned trading in the CBD.
The Ashburton District Council’s draft… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Food truck operators are unfazed about no longer being able to regularly trade at Baring Square East.
That’s because of proposed alternative options, or the fact they have already abandoned trading in the CBD.
The Ashburton District Council’s draft trading in public places bylaw is proposing that mobile businesses can stay open later and in more places, but scrubbed Baring Square East as a permitted site because of the cafe in the new Library and Civic Centre.
Strategy and compliance group manager Jane Donaldson said part of the bylaw restricts mobile food vendors from operating at least 100 metres away from any premises selling a similar type of food.
While sites around Baring Square East are proposed to be off limits, a new site is being proposed just up East St across from the old post office.
Tu Meke BBQ’s Andrew Poswillo has been operating in the Ashburton CBD since February and said while Havelock St is an ideal site, given the council was providing new alternatives, it wasn’t such a big deal as they are a destination site utilising social media channels.
“We just need somewhere with access to power,” Poswillo said.
He also has plans on finding a suitable permanent site in the future.
Some other food truck operators have already abandoned the Baring Square East site.
Kebizza permanently relocated its food truck to Methven at the start of Ashburton’s CBD revitalisation project and has no plans to return.
Nigendy’s has also abandoned operating in the CBD at the same time.
Nigendy’s Wendy Ranson said due to rising costs and low foot traffic, they now operated a delivery-only service from home. But with a second mobile truck in the works, she welcomed the addition of new sites across the district.
Under the bylaw, mobile traders need a permit from council to operate at specified sites, or they can apply for discretionary sites for one off events.
Charities and community groups are exempt from site restrictions under council discretion.
Mayor Neil Brown said if any of the food trucks or other mobile vendors were unhappy with the proposed changes, or wanted to suggest other possible locations, they should put in a submission to be considered.
The Salmon Site in Rakaia is also being added as a discretionary site and several other sites are being added to the permitted list.
Another key proposed change is in the operating hours.
Currently the mobile businesses are expected to close half an hour after sunset, but that timing is now proposed to be set at 10pm.
The draft bylaw is out for public consultation until June 23.
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