Poll: Do you support the Christchurch City Council increasing parking fees?
It’s bad news for people who like to play chicken with parking wardens, or think parking on the footpath is fair game: Christchurch’s parking fines may increase by 70% as soon as October.
That would boost the fine given by the city council to overstayers (in a free five-minute spot, for example) from $12 to $20 at a minimum, or up to $97 if they stayed for more than six hours.
For someone parking in a restricted or cultivated area - like a grass berm, footpath or cycleway - the fine may jump from $40 to $70.
Someone double parked - or parked inconsiderately - would be slapped with a $100 ticket instead of a $60 one. It would be the same cost increase for someone parked in an area reserved for charging EVs.
Stephen Wright, the council’s head of transport operations, said fee increases would better offset the cost of enforcement while positively changing driver behaviours.
Read the full story from reporter Sinead Gill here (note: a subscription is required).
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17.4% Yes, if it saves money on rates and towage
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8% Yes, even if it doesn't save us money
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71.8% No, it's already high enough
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2.8% I'm not sure
Suellen’s sweet Christmas tradition
The festive season is always a great excuse to indulge your sweet tooth, and this time of year poses the perfect opportunity to bring a real showstopper to the Christmas table.
For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche, an impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with spun sugar that is popular at weddings in France and Italy.
What began as a birthday treat at a local French café has become a cherished Christmas tradition for Suellen and her 17-year-old twin granddaughters, Ellie and Sadie. Every year, the trio gather in Suellen’s apartment at William Sanders Village to cook this festive dessert - a holiday highlight they all treasure.
Click read more for the recipe.
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!