Stinking organics plant could close while new site sought
From reporter Liz McDonald:
All of Christchurch’s organic waste could be sent to landfill if a proposal to immediately close the city’s composting plant is approved.
City councillors have agreed to move Christchurch’s pungent composting plant, but that could take up to five years and the plant could be shut down in the meantime.
The city council previously resolved to find a solution after years of complaints from residents about foul smells and dust, and notices from Environment Canterbury that the plant was in breach of its resource consent.
At a city council meeting on Thursday, councillors voted to shift the plant, rather than try to improve it on the existing Bromley site. Plans to redevelop it were dropped last year when tenders proved too costly.
They also requested a report from staff within one month on the net costs and implications of “immediately closing” the plant, which is owned by the council and run by private operator Living Earth.
The implications to be considered include the effects on the environment and residents’ quality of life. Continue reading here.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.2% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
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