Beach patrols a ‘must-have’ for North Canterbury – councillors
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's beaches will have more patrols this summer after the local council deemed water safety a "must-have" for the region.
Waimakariri District councillors voted to increase its lifesaving budget by 23%, approving an additional $22,597 for the 2024-25 summer season — $1.84 per ratepayer.
However, one councillor voted against the funding boost, saying Surf Lifesaving could look at user-pay options - an idea flatly rejected by the deputy mayor.
The extra funding will allow Life Saving New Zealand to increase its patrol days over the summer and provide wage increases.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last month called on councils to focus on essential services and "rein in the fantasies" on spending.
Councillors queried whether funding Surf Lifesaving was a ‘‘nice-to-have’’ or a ‘‘must-have’’.
Councillor Paul Williams voted against the funding increase and suggested the Waikuku Beach Surf Life Saving Club look at alternative funding options like user-pays, such as a collection at the beach.
But Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said the council had a responsibility.
‘‘If not us, who? Who is responsible? I’m not sure rattling a box at the beach is a viable option, if you are relying on people to keep loose change in their budgie smugglers.
‘‘You cannot put a value on saving a life at sea. It is horrific in any event.’’
Councillor Robbie Brine said it was ‘‘absolutely essential’’ the region’s beaches were patrolled by professional lifeguards, while councillor Al Blackie said he would find it ‘‘bizarre’’ if anyone suggested saving a life was ‘‘a nice-to-have’’.
Mayor Dan Gordon said he did have concerns about funding requests being received after the long-term plan has been adopted, but he supported the extra funding.
‘‘This is about ensuring people on our beaches are safe.’’
Councillors Brent Cairns and Philip Redmond said the Woodend-Sefton Community Board has been asking for increased funding for beach patrols for several years.
Redmond said Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell had indicated funding the beach patrols was ‘‘a big bang for buck’’, given population increases and the beaches served the whole district.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand has paid patrols at the Waikuku, Pegasus and Woodend beaches on weekdays during the school holidays.
It is planning to increase paid patrol days from 85 to 99 days, including 39 days at Waikuku Beach and 30 days at both Pegasus and Woodend beaches, with 10 life guards employed during December and January.
Council staff will liaise with Surf Life Saving New Zealand, the Woodend-Sefton Community Board and other stakeholders to confirm the patrol dates.
A budget of $118,090 was approved for the 2024-25 season in the long-term plan.
The Waikuku Beach Surf Life Saving Club also provides volunteer patrols at Waikuku Beach during weekends from Show Weekend until March.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!