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Hi,
I am looking for a moving truck and someone to do the lifting on either 16th, 17th, 18th or 19th December please. If you know of anyone please get in touch. Moving locally in Halswell
Thanks
Jan
By reporter Liz McDonald:
A who’s who of Christchurch property and business owners have joined forces to fight a $33 million revamp of central city streets, as the mayor backtracks on his opposition.
The group says the proposal, which is open for public feedback until next week, contains … View moreBy reporter Liz McDonald:
A who’s who of Christchurch property and business owners have joined forces to fight a $33 million revamp of central city streets, as the mayor backtracks on his opposition.
The group says the proposal, which is open for public feedback until next week, contains unworkable aspects and ignores the needs of businesses.
The city council last month agreed to push ahead with planning to redevelop the streets around stadium Te Kaha, which is due to open in 2026. The aim is to create pedestrian and entertainment spaces.
Work would include switching some streets to one-way, removing car parks, widening footpaths to make way for outdoor dining, planting trees, lowering speed limits, and installing $11m of new underground services for the stadium.
Central Government is expected to pick up half the $22m bill for the roading changes, which will affect Lichfield, Madras, Tuam and Barbadoes streets. The remaining $11m is for underground water infrastructure.
Mayor Phil Mauger said pre-election he was “not happy” about the programme and the money should go into stadium construction, but this week he said he was now seeing it differently.
He said the underground water structure was essential, as there was “no use having a stadium with 200 toilets and not enough pipes to take it away”.
The other $11m for the council to fund would be paid over four years. “It’s still a lot of money, but it’s slightly more digestable.” He still wanted to look for savings, he said.
The private operators speaking out in opposition are property developers and landlords Antony Gough, Philip Carter and Shaun Stockman, Central Christchurch Business Association head Annabel Turley, business owners Anne Kennett and Craig Freeman, and property managers Nicki Carter, Kerrie Bloomfield and Tim Hunt.
Gough, who developed and owns The Terrace hospitality precinct around Oxford Tce, said the plan was “sheer lunacy” and would strangle the city centre.
The council seemed to have “a very poor understanding” of what businesses need, he said.
Central City Business Association chairperson and pharmacy owner Annabel Turley said widening Lichfield St footpaths to 6m was “not needed”.
“This is in an area where the cold easterly wind blows often... Christchurch already has well planned areas for pedestrians and outdoor dining.”
Philip Carter, developer and landlord of The Crossing, said he and others had invested millions in the city and their developments attracted locals and visitors.
“But now the council wants to choke the CBD and make it even harder for shoppers, workers, tourists and central city residents to access and move around,” he said.
Fellow developer Shaun Stockman said a fair balance was needed, and while some aspects of the proposal were viable, others were “simply unworkable”.
“We don’t necessarily reject all the council plans in their entirety.”
Stockman said underground infrastructure was “an absolute must”, but much of the plan showed council staff were not at the coalface and lacked understanding of how people moved around the city.
He said he and other developers had followed the post-quake blueprint and created hospitality precincts in sheltered laneways, not on main streets, with the exception of Oxford Tce, which faces the river.
In a tweet last month, councillor Sara Templeton shared before and after pictures of the redeveloped Oxford Tce next to Riverside.
Alongside are a photo of Lichfield St and the council’s plan for that block, with Templeton commenting that Te Kaha would shelter the area and it would become “a great place to be”.
Picnic tables under trees would replace 22 car parks, and there would be “good off-street parking nearby”, she said.
Following the election last month council staff paused work on the Te Kaha streets plan in the face of the mayoral opposition. After a staff briefing, the new council restarted it and agreed to extend public consultation until November 30.
Council staff will then consider the submissions, make changes if needed, and make a recommendation to the council’s hearings panel.
The panel will meet early next year and make a recommendation to the council for a final decision.
Listening to our award winners speak at our National Excellence Awards in November, we were inspired by our young people and how they are open to new opportunities since going through our programmes.
Kaden developed a 'give-it-ago' attitude during his Wilderness Adventure when one of … View moreListening to our award winners speak at our National Excellence Awards in November, we were inspired by our young people and how they are open to new opportunities since going through our programmes.
Kaden developed a 'give-it-ago' attitude during his Wilderness Adventure when one of his friends introduced him to Chess. Having never played before, Kaden kept practicing with his new friend, decided to enter a tournament for fun and ended up winning! An awesome accomplishment.
Learn more about Project K and Kaden's experience by reading his story through the link below.
From reporter Steven Walton:
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says achieving an election promise of keeping rates low will be “very challenging” in a difficult global environment of high inflation and rising interest rates.
His comments come as councillors begin work on next year’s … View moreFrom reporter Steven Walton:
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says achieving an election promise of keeping rates low will be “very challenging” in a difficult global environment of high inflation and rising interest rates.
His comments come as councillors begin work on next year’s Christchurch City Council budget.
Councillors have been briefed about it twice behind closed doors, and it is expected that a public briefing will be held before the end of the year.
Mauger, who was elected last month, campaigned on keeping rates affordable. He has indicated that he wanted annual rises set between 3 and 4%.
Asked last week if that was still achievable, Mauger joked, “Haven’t you got any other questions you can ask me”, before adding: “It is going to be challenging, that’s going to be very challenging because of what’s happening globally.”
The council was under “lots of pressure” from inflation and interest rates, Mauger said.
Annual inflation hit 7.2% back last month while interest rates are expected to rise with the Reserve Bank raising the official cash rate by a record amount last week.
The council has already faced cost increases this year on three large projects: the Te Kaha stadium (an extra $150 million), the Court Theatre (an extra $16m) and the Hornby pool, library and service centre (the overrun amount has not been released publicly).
Mauger said at a public meeting last week the council had to cut its cloth because it was “heading into a bit of strife”.
Earlier this month, councillors were given an “indicative range” for next year’s rate rises – understood to be between 12 and 14% – but this is simply a starting point that will change as it does not account for any changes to deal with inflation and rising interest rates.
“This was in essence a risk check for the council to show the potential impact of these external factors on our operations,” said Leah Scales, the council’s resources general manager and chief financial officer.
Clearer indications of potential rate increases would be released during upcoming public briefings and consultation, she said.
Mauger said he expected work on a “line-by-line” review of the council’s budget to start before Christmas.
“In the past we might’ve done 10 things for a million dollars, now we’re going to do seven and we’ve got to decide very carefully which three dip out.”
Those decisions would involve staff advice and councillors voting, he said.
“I can’t give you any examples because I haven’t seen the line-by-line yet, but there will be things on [the budget] and you go ‘is that totally necessary at the moment?'”
Mauger said things would not get to a point where, for examples, libraries would be shut. He also said: “If it’s an absolutely knackered sewer pipe, you’ve got to fix it.”
Instead, he wanted to cut out the nice-to-haves and suggested a planned upgrade for Gloucester St as an example.
“Say we go into a recession, we can still drive down that road now. They’re the sort of things that you’ve got to say, ‘let’s be a bit careful’,” he said.
At a council meeting last week, Mauger also pushed to reconsider the timing of a $6.2m upgrade to Addington Brook – a stream that runs through South Hagley Park.
Another project on his radar was a $33m makeover to roads around the stadium, but he said last week he was now looking at it differently.
Some work was underground infrastructure and could not be delayed, while the Government was also likely to contribute $11m, he said.
“It’s still a lot of money, but it’s slightly more digestable,” he said.
Te Whare Roimata are holding a garage sale & christmas market this Saturday , 10am , at 274 Gloucester street.
TWINKLE TOTS is held on Friday mornings during school term.
A song and dance activity for pre-school children up to 4 years.
See attached POSTER for more information.
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View moreA report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.
Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?
Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.
Can anyone help.. I am looking to buy any old sporting programmes - match day magazines.. Rugby, Football, Cricket, Melbourne Cup, Horse Racing, Motor Racing, Speedway, Soccer etc to add to my collection... Also any other interesting sporting memorabilia including Dinner Menu's, metal pin … View moreCan anyone help.. I am looking to buy any old sporting programmes - match day magazines.. Rugby, Football, Cricket, Melbourne Cup, Horse Racing, Motor Racing, Speedway, Soccer etc to add to my collection... Also any other interesting sporting memorabilia including Dinner Menu's, metal pin badges, shirts etc etc.. Please message me or email me on mjbraithwaite@xtra.co.nz
Hi. I am wanting a non dominant female Labrador to adopt as a companion dog. Age around 3-5 years would be wonderful . I have adopted 3 Labradors, one at a time over the years and ready for my next Labrador to join me. She will be very loved and cared for and as I am semi retired, she will have my … View moreHi. I am wanting a non dominant female Labrador to adopt as a companion dog. Age around 3-5 years would be wonderful . I have adopted 3 Labradors, one at a time over the years and ready for my next Labrador to join me. She will be very loved and cared for and as I am semi retired, she will have my full attention. Do you have a Labrador that needs a loving home? ph Melanie 0273586596
You and yours are invited to share the joy of Christmas (yes it is just around the corner!) at the open home of Sue and Alan. Again this year the chosen charity is Good night sleep tight charitable Trust. We will be open Sat Dec 3rd & Sun the 4th, 10am - 4pm. Please gather up your friends and … View moreYou and yours are invited to share the joy of Christmas (yes it is just around the corner!) at the open home of Sue and Alan. Again this year the chosen charity is Good night sleep tight charitable Trust. We will be open Sat Dec 3rd & Sun the 4th, 10am - 4pm. Please gather up your friends and family and visit us at 49 Malcom Ave in Beckenham to enjoy this wonderful event. Entry is just $5 per adult, children free. All proceeds to the the chosen charity. Look forward to seeing you! Many thanks!
How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.
A progressive disease
I wasn’t an overweight child, but from as young as 5 years I can recall comparing myself unfavourably with two painfully thin twins in my dance class and thinking that was what I was supposed to look like. I’m not sure how I got the idea that I should be very thin.
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View moreShare a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.
Ends 21 December 2022
Two Courts are available at the Mt Pleasant Tennis Club, 11 Quarry Road (off the Brae) any time except Thursday evenings and all day Saturday. No booking necessary. Good Courts and nets, balls available, and a volley board. $5 per person per hour. Pay cash into the red pipe, by the Clubhouse, … View moreTwo Courts are available at the Mt Pleasant Tennis Club, 11 Quarry Road (off the Brae) any time except Thursday evenings and all day Saturday. No booking necessary. Good Courts and nets, balls available, and a volley board. $5 per person per hour. Pay cash into the red pipe, by the Clubhouse, or pay-on-line (details at www.mtpleasanttennis.org.nz...)
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