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From reporter Tina Law:
Christchurch residents are using less water as the threat of being chargedhits home.
The city council says water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges for using too much were introduced, saving millions of litres.
The council introduced an excess water … View moreFrom reporter Tina Law:
Christchurch residents are using less water as the threat of being chargedhits home.
The city council says water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges for using too much were introduced, saving millions of litres.
The council introduced an excess water charge in October after making the decision to push ahead with the scheme in 2021.
The first bills are due to be sent out later this month, but people have already been reducing how much they use.
According to figures supplied by the council, the average daily water use per household has consistently dropped each month since April, compared to the same period the previous year.
Last month, residents used on average 645 litres of water, compared to 767 litres in January 2022, a 16% decrease.
May saw the biggest monthly year-to-year drop so far, of 26%.
Under the new rules, people will be charged a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes.
Bills will not be sent out for $25 or less, so people will have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill. Once a bill goes above $25, the person will be charged for all usage above 700 litres.
It is not yet known how many people will get a bill, but the average charge is likely to be $83 and the maximum about $400.
A council spokesperson said it was great to see the reduction in water use across the district.
“Millions of litres of water have been saved since we started a campaign to encourage residents to check and reduce their water use.”
Some of the savings are due to residents finding and fixing leaks on their properties.
“Some of these leaks were resulting in hundreds of thousands of litres of water being wasted each week.”
The council hopes water use will continue to decrease over the coming months.
However, some residents have labelled the charge as unfair, especially since almost a quarter (25,295) of Christchurch households will not be charged because they share a meter with their neighbours.
Mayor Phil Mauger has publicly labelled the charge “unfair”.
During an interview with Newstalk ZB last week, Mauger questioned the need for water charging now that many leaks had been fixed, including his own. He found he was using 3000 litres a day due to a leak.
Mauger, who in 2021 voted against the introduction of charging for excess water use, said he thought the matter should be referred to the annual plan and the public consulted again.
Cr Sam MacDonald has also expressed support for this to happen.
But Cr Sara Templeton said the charges were consulted on twice, with the proposal tweaked in between to make it more fair.
“Re-consulting continuously until you get the result you want seems a waste of council time and ratepayers' money.”
She said 20% of properties use 50% of the city’s water supply, meaning they were effectively subsidised by the 80% who use less water.
“It is simply not fair that a small unit in Linwood using little water subsidises a large, lush lawn in Fendalton.”
Templeton said the charge had proven that people did not reduce their water use or check for leaks without financial incentive.
“Without the reduction in use we will have to spend more money as a city drilling more bores and putting in more pump stations to keep up with use, putting rates up further.”
Today when visiting the local Upper Riccarton ANZ branch at 322 Riccarton Road, I was disappointed to be informed that the branch will close permanently 24th March 2023.
Dear neighbours,
Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken … View moreDear neighbours,
Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of NZ Gardener.
Never played a team sport before? Been out of sport for a while?
No problem! If you are a woman over 16 years old and want to get active and have fun while meeting new people, Catchball is for you!
It is a hybrid of netball and volleyball - pass the ball to your team, throw it over the net, if it … View moreNever played a team sport before? Been out of sport for a while?
No problem! If you are a woman over 16 years old and want to get active and have fun while meeting new people, Catchball is for you!
It is a hybrid of netball and volleyball - pass the ball to your team, throw it over the net, if it hits the ground, you score a point!
Come along and meet the women who are having fun, playing Catchball.
Wear comfy clothes and sports shoes. Bring a bottle of water.
First time free. Every Thusrday @530pm Lyttelton Rec Center.
Any questions, message either:
Antje 0211753176
Muriel 0274757803.
#catchball
250 cards $69.00 + gst
500 cards $79.00 + gst
1000 Cards $139 & gst
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Ph: 021 156 2628
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Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. … View moreCyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. We'd love your support. You can donate here.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.
It’s easy to transform a plain wicker chair into something special with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain.
Find out how to transform your furniture with our easy advice.
One would think that we have become a shoe shop at the moment - HUGE range of $2.00 shoes out at the moment - please come and help us recycle them.
As well as the $2.00 shoes we still have the normal affordable shoes out for Sale.
Material table is being replenished constantly and some great … View moreOne would think that we have become a shoe shop at the moment - HUGE range of $2.00 shoes out at the moment - please come and help us recycle them.
As well as the $2.00 shoes we still have the normal affordable shoes out for Sale.
Material table is being replenished constantly and some great bargains to be had
The Lead crystal sun catchers are a hit with plenty more available. And we can send out of town only $5.00 freight within NZ
Not much furniture at the moment but there is some coming - if anyone has surplus please do give us a call and we can collect from you.
As usual awesome clothing at awesome prices.
Look forward to seeing you all
t
Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no… View moreYour home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no matter what the weather. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies.
We all hope we never have to experience a natural disaster or other emergency. But if it happens, we’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.
From reporter Carly Gooch and videopgrapher Alden Williams:
Riding horses is part of Pete Hurst’s heritage.
His father rode to Canterbury’s Motukarara races, and his grandfather took his horses to war – now he’s making it his mission to ensure horses are able to trot on the tracks … View moreFrom reporter Carly Gooch and videopgrapher Alden Williams:
Riding horses is part of Pete Hurst’s heritage.
His father rode to Canterbury’s Motukarara races, and his grandfather took his horses to war – now he’s making it his mission to ensure horses are able to trot on the tracks they’re entitled to.
Nearly a dozen riders took to Kennedys Bush Track in Christchurch on Friday morning, clip-clopping from Halswell Quarry to the Summit Rd to celebrate new horse gates allowing them through for the first time in years.
The trail had been “locked up” for about 20 years, Hurst said, but after advocates put pressure on the Christchurch City Council, it installed 1m-wide horse gates that will let riders through, but not vehicles.
He said generations before him had access to ride between Christchurch and Akaroa, “so we want to restore that – this is a step on the right direction”.
The main goal was to be able to ride the historic track to Akaroa and bring horses “back to the high country”.
He expected to succeed.
Many of the tracks Hurst wants horses to have access to are “paper roads” owned by the council in trust for the public.
He said bikes, trampers, horses and vehicles should be capable of accessing the roads, but locked gates often prohibited this.
“They should be for everybody, they shouldn’t keep you off it. We’re just opening up what we’re entitled to at Kennedys Bush.
“These days, bikes are well catered for, not so much horses.”
Hurst said he had done a lot of work over the last five years to ensure access to tracks on public conservation land, including on Mt Thomas and Mt Richardson, and he was close to opening several others.
Riding is in Hurst’s bones – his grandfather took horses to Palestine and Gallipoli in the war.
His grandfather was “a great horseman”.
“It broke his heart when he had to dispose of his horse when he came back from Palestine.”
The trek on Kennedys Bush Track was an easy one for the horses, Hurst said.
“They just shot up here, none have a sweat on them. They’re all a good bunch of people and a good bunch of horses.”
A city council spokesperson said the track was never specifically closed to horses, but the fact much of it was unfenced and did not follow the legal road alignment meant vehicle gates were kept locked, “thereby limiting horse access”.
At the end of Friday’s ride, Hurst and his group of riders settled in for a barbecue and drinks where they “talk about horses”.
Horses were part of our heritage, he said.
“If they run out of fossil fuels, we might be back on our horses.”
It's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage… View moreIt's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage with neighbours to ask for help, share new operating hours, move damaged stock, or simply give thanks for recent support. T&Cs apply.
If your answer is yes (or even a maybe), send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of … View moreIf your answer is yes (or even a maybe), send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of NZ Gardener.
Enjoy all the upsides of living independently in a Ryman village. Easy living, security, plus a huge bonus – the support of a vibrant village community.
Your fixed base weekly fee includes rates, window cleaning, gardening and exterior maintenance, which leaves you more time and energy to … View moreEnjoy all the upsides of living independently in a Ryman village. Easy living, security, plus a huge bonus – the support of a vibrant village community.
Your fixed base weekly fee includes rates, window cleaning, gardening and exterior maintenance, which leaves you more time and energy to enjoy a fulfilled village lifestyle. Relax with a book, invite friends over for dinner, or simply put your feet up. You'll love coming home to such easy living.
The team at NZ Compare hope everyone is keeping safe and snuggled up with their loved ones n this terrible weather. 🥰
We've got the down-low on the best shows to stream on rainy days, take a look!
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