Thank you for using Neighbourly
Dear neighbours,
NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will… View moreDear neighbours,
NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will feature in the October magazine!
There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for the greater good, nominate them now for Ryman Healthcare 2022 Gardener of the Year!
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councillors had mixed views on if food trucks were welcome attractions or eyesores at a central spot in Ashburton.
Baring Square East was the focal point of debate around where mobile vendors can operate during the hearings for the Trading in Public … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councillors had mixed views on if food trucks were welcome attractions or eyesores at a central spot in Ashburton.
Baring Square East was the focal point of debate around where mobile vendors can operate during the hearings for the Trading in Public Places by-law review.
The square in the centre of Ashburton will get a makeover as part of the new civic centre and library project, and as the building will contain a café it triggered the by-law review being brought forward.
The proposed changes to the by-law had looked to remove Havelock St and East St at Baring Square East as permitted sites.
A proposed alternative site on East St opposite the old post office was considered not a suitable option as it did not have a power supply and would be opposite the newly opened Bel Air Dairy.
The hearing panel, consisting of six councillors, circled around whether to reinstate the sites around Baring Square East.
Councillor Lynette Lovett supported retaining the food trucks as they add flavour to the destination.
“If we are developing this park, we want people to go sit there and spend time in it,” Lovett said.
“If the food vendors are there it adds to the vibrancy of the area."
Councillor Rodger Letham totally opposed having any food trucks parked along East Street by the clock tower and preferred them on Havelock Street.
“To have food wagons dotted down [East Street] I think destroys the image of our town as people come into it,” Letham said.
Councillor Stuart Wilson had concerns as Havelock St will become a “premium parking area” for the new library and civic centre.
The panel landed on having three permitted sites along East St and retaining the three sites on Havelock St but will consider a time limit of after 5:30pm.
The by-law proposes introducing other sites, including two permitted sites at Lake Hood and two in Rakaia but a proposed site on Lochead Cres in Methven was removed.
Ashburton Citizens Association secretary Donna Favel said in her submission there were other options to consider, such as Argyle Park and the Ashburton Airport, but there was nothing on the east side of Ashburton, which “highlights the fact there is a lack of reserves on the east side”.
Another change in the by-law is extending trading hours to 10pm.
A final draft of the by-law will come back to council on July 27.
*********
Why not Baring Square West?
Tu Meke BBQ’s Andrew Poswillo proposed creating a permamnet food truck spot in town.
He said Ashburton needed something like Nelson’s Kirby Lane, an open-air community space frequented by food trucks and stall holders.
In his submission Poswillo opposed the proposed new site on East Street, and if Baring Square East was off the table he had proposed Baring Square West.
“There is ample parking, lighting, and away from CBD businesses,” Poswillo said.
With the simple addition of a power connections at Baring Square West, Poswillo said the site could be transformed into a food truck destination the town needed.
“We believe this is what Ashburton needs to add vibrancy and a point of difference to the CBD.”
Councillor Stuart Wilson put Poswillo’s suggestion to former mayor Donna Favel, who was presenting on behalf of the Ashburton Citizens Association.
In her personal opinion she said the area “demands a certain amount of reverence with the cenotaph”.
Enjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.
Ryman residents say that … View moreEnjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.
Ryman residents say that this financial security helps them plan ahead for large expenses like holidays while still enjoying themselves today. Because fewer responsibilities mean that you can live on your own terms. It’s one of the ways we’re pioneering retirement living – so you can embrace life and blaze a new trail in retirement.
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A study into the districts sport facilities could renew the plans for a sports hub centred around the EA Networks Centre.
Ashburton’s Sport Canterbury regional manager, Jan Cochrane, said with the Ashburton District Council and sporting bodies … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A study into the districts sport facilities could renew the plans for a sports hub centred around the EA Networks Centre.
Ashburton’s Sport Canterbury regional manager, Jan Cochrane, said with the Ashburton District Council and sporting bodies looking at planning ahead, it could be time to revisit the green field development at EA Network Centre but any decisions would depend on the findings in the utilisation study.
“It’s the time for everyone to collaborate, look at what the vision is and how sports are currently situated,” Cochrane said.
Council’s community services group manager, Steve Fabish, said the utilisation study of the EA Networks Centre and district sports fields would take place later this year.
“The utilisation study is about identifying the current usage of the activities within the EA Networks Centre and, where we have issues with peak periods and times of low usage, where there are other opportunities to increase the usage,” Fabish said.
“A similar study will analyse usage of our district’s existing developed sports fields.
“All of the information will be of high value in supporting any council decisions in the upcoming 2024-34 long-term plan, with regards to any expansion or the EA Networks Centre and development of additional sports fields.”
The council owns a large tract of land, about 15 hectares, to the west of the sports centre.
Securing additional land to futureproof the stadium site by providing room for the stadium to be extended and space for a variety of outdoor sports to become part of the sports hub, was critical for the council when it signed off the project.
“When the site was chosen that EA Networks Centre is now built on, the land surrounding it was identified as a vision for it to become a sports hub in the future,” Cochrane said.
Whether that time was now would be determined by the findings of the council study, she said.
Other councils in Canterbury have established sports hubs, such as the Selwyn District’s Foster Park in Rolleston and Waimakariri setting up a sports hub in Rangiora next to Mainpower Oval.
“We have seen in other regions the positive benefits of having a sports hub in one place,” Cochrane said.
Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination
The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including … View morePopular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination
The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including 21.07.2023.
Ethylene Oxide has been found in the vanilla cup. This chemical is normally used as a fumigant for controlling post-harvest insects, moulds, and pathogens in a variety of food however there is low risk from ingesting this amount.
This product is sold in Pak'n Save, New World, Four Square, and Gilmours stores throughout the North Island and can be returned to these stores for a full refund.
Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52. Subscribe now by clicking here!
Terms and conditions apply.
It’s easy to create this simple planter using a couple of terracotta pots and some Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It is going to be an important 60 days for Rakaia, the local rugby club president says.
After receiving Ashburton District Council backing Rakaia rugby president Mark Hanrahan says “the rubber's hit the road” for its planned Rakaia Recreation… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It is going to be an important 60 days for Rakaia, the local rugby club president says.
After receiving Ashburton District Council backing Rakaia rugby president Mark Hanrahan says “the rubber's hit the road” for its planned Rakaia Recreation Centre.
The plans to build a new facility at the Rakaia Domain were only locked in once the council committed to supporting the project in its annual plan last week, but Hanrahan said most of the work had already gone in.
“The next 60 days are us securing our final tranche of funding while signing off the designs and going out for tender to be able to make some final decisions in spring."
The clubs will tear down the out-of-date changing room facility and replace it with a fit-for-purpose building with clubrooms, changing sheds and public toilets.
Hanrahan said while the rugby club was driving the project, it would be a community facility.
Now the council had come on board, funding the public toilets and offering an up to $200,000 commercial loan, Hanrahan said the club had some final processes to go through before construction could hopefully start this year.
“We have the architect going through the final detailed design so we can go out to tender.”
They hoped to have the project designs ready to go out for tender in August and a decision made in September, he said.
The build timeline remained a “bit of an unknown” but they hoped to have things under way by the end of the year.
“We think it will take six months of building so we're still hopeful for completion by the second quarter of next year.”
The club had funds as it had been saving for a new facility for 10 years and recently sold its cross-town clubrooms, Hanrahan said.
After the club asked for a hand up not a hand out, Hanrahan said the fact of the council loan would open other funding options.
“We have a budget but the tender process will decide the final project cost.”
Hanrahan said the building would have clubrooms, with a commercial kitchen and bar that could fit up to 200 people, and it would be elevated so spectators could view games from the wrap-around, covered deck.
It would have six changing sheds and six individual public toilets.
To cater for the much bigger building, Hanrahan said the main field on the domain would shift over slightly.
Have you read our June Seniors newsletter? In this issue we discuss the Older Workers Employment Action Plan, Budget 2022 and hear from Equal Employment Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo. Read it here now: bit.ly...
The chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit … View moreThe chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit baffling with so many options and not enough help. Read why Kiwis aren’t switching and the easy steps to get your power sorted before bill shock hits.
Need to keep it stress free? Call our NZ based team on 0508 226 672, it’s free!
We’re here to help you compare, save and smile!
Help Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these … View moreHelp Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these charities help.
Giving is easy – just pick, click and ‘Give Now’. Trade Me takes care of the rest. 100% of the donations go to the charities – Trade Me doesn’t take a cut.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Nominations for the local government elections open soon and a salary increase may get new faces putting their hands up in the Ashburton District.
The Remuneration Authority has confirmed the increased pool for councillor salaries which will see a … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Nominations for the local government elections open soon and a salary increase may get new faces putting their hands up in the Ashburton District.
The Remuneration Authority has confirmed the increased pool for councillor salaries which will see a jump from $41,214 closer to $50,000 for the next term.
The authority is the independent body that dictates the elected councillor’s salaries.
The council only has a say in how it is distributed.
The current Ashburton District Council opted to have the eight councillors on the same salary, which as of July 1 rose slightly to $41,214, and the deputy mayor on a higher salary, $59,182, due to the extra responsibilities.
The remuneration pool doesn’t apply to the mayor.
Councillor Angus McKay, who is yet to confirm his intentions for the upcoming election, said he hoped the next council would take a similar approach to allocating the pool.
“In my opinion this council has worked very well and one of the reasons I put that down to is the people sitting around the room and the other is that this council did away with the hierarchy of committees.
“I’m hopeful the new council will do the same.
“We have all been on equal pay, equal footing, and I think that’s what made this council work very, very well.”
Following the elections in October, the remuneration pool will increase $61,302 from $388,893 to $450,195.
The newly elected council decide what structure the division of the pool takes, with options to pay positions of extra responsibility more, such as the deputy mayor.
The Remuneration Authority has also confirmed the mayor’s salary of $123,201 will increase to $132,690 after the election.
There is no change to the Methven Community Board remuneration, with the chair still set to receive $5,544 and $2,777 to each of the other four members.
Carpet been in home for 60 years in good nick. No memory marks. Must be gone by 17th July. 65 meters square. Made of pure wool. Created in the Riccarton Mill when operated there, Was made in 690mm (27") runs known as Panel Persian. View by appointment only. Open to Offers
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s historic railway footbridge could be in for a makeover.
The Ashburton District Council is investigating what can be done to the 105-year-old structure and how to fund it.
The council is in the process of obtaining a conservation … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s historic railway footbridge could be in for a makeover.
The Ashburton District Council is investigating what can be done to the 105-year-old structure and how to fund it.
The council is in the process of obtaining a conservation management plan (CMP) for the heritage overbridge, which infrastructure services group manager Neil McCann says will include what condition the bridge should be maintained to and if any changes or additions, such as lights, can be made.
Work had started on the CMP and should be completed as early as the end of July, he said.
A detailed inspection in August 2018 identified an estimated $290,450 worth of maintenance and repairs, which McCann said included painting the iron work and replacing some decayed timber.
An inspection of the bridge in November 2021 confirmed the work required, he said.
Once a CMP is completed the work will then be programmed once funding is secured.
Council roading manager Mark Chamberlain said funding was the big issue – like it was for any project.
“We have $100,000 to do maintenance on all our structures including that bridge,” Chamberlain said.
“If I had to choose to spend that on one bridge or another, I think I would choose one with the traffic on it.
“But it is a heritage listed bridge so we do need to look after it.”
McCann said once the CMP was received “we will make enquiries to determine what funding opportunities are available”.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has the bridge listed as a category 2 heritage place, but the Rail Heritage Trust had the former railway station and footbridge listed together on its historic register so had designated the bridge as being demolished along with the station.
The council is contacting the trust to ensure its register is updated to list the footbridge as still existing as a stand-alone item and also plans to enquire about possible funding assistance.
History of the footbridge
The Railway Footbridge was constructed in 1917 and is the key surviving feature from the Ashburton Railway Station complex following the demolition of the main station building in 2013.
The Railway Footbridge, with its bowstring truss, is one of a few such railway footbridges that remain in situ.
Initially the east end of the bridge had ramps descending at right angles both towards the town centre and to the station building, but the northeast ramp was removed in 1983.
The Ashburton Railway Station, opened in 1917, remained a busy thoroughfare until the 1980s, when the number of passenger trains was steadily reduced.
In 2002, the passenger train service stopped altogether and the station building was demolished in 2013.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
