The stadium: Should Christchurch put a lid on it?
A roof on Christchurch’s planned stadium is being described as key to making the venue competitive, despite its cost.
Following recently revealed cost blowouts, public feedback has been pouring in on whether Te Kaha stadium should be built as planned.
Rising construction costs have hiked the forecast cost to build the 30,000-seat venue, described as a multi-use arena, from $533 million to $673m. Further escalations are possible.
City councillors will decide on July 14 whether to top up the budget, pause and redesign the project, or scrap it all together. Paying the extra would boost the average rates bill by $144 a year, or about $2.75 a week.
Read more here and tell us what you think of the stadium plan - and whether it should have a roof, or whether it should go ahead at all - in the comments below.
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).
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.