Back
Posts by The Press
829 days ago

Councillors launch last-minute bid to defer Christchurch's planned excess water charges

The Team Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:
Charges for using excess water are expected to come into force from July 1, but some Christchurch city councillors have launched a last-minute bid to defer the policy.

The council decided last year, following public consultation, to charge from July this year those who use more than an average of 700 litres of water a day over a three-month period.

Thousands of homeowners across Christchurch can expect to receive a bill, but only during the summer months for most.

About 30,000 homes across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula used an average of more than 700 litres a day during the 2020-21 summer.

But the council will not be sending out bills for $25 or less, so people will have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill. Once a bill goes above $25, the person will be charged for all usage above 700 litres.

Suburbs with the most households using more than 700 litres include Hornby (1392), Avonhead (1364), Burwood (1336), Halswell (1119) and Fendalton (1066).

Council three waters boss Helen Beaumont said 20,000 households were using more than 900 litres a day and could expect a bill if they did not reduce their use. Most of those bills would be less than $100.

The charge would be $1.35 for every 1000 extra litres used.

There will be exemptions for households with eight members or more who are using water responsibly.

However, five councillors – Sam MacDonald, James Gough, Phil Mauger, Aaron Keown and Catherine Chu – want the charges deferred.

Councillors will discuss and vote on this issue as part of next week’s annual plan sign off. Continue reading here.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Is it possible to actually 'talk' to a Facebook person.

Gordon from Halswell

For a while now, about three times, I have had my 'FB messenger' site blocked.
I think the very 1st time a message mentioned about 8 reasons why I had been blocked, but not which of the 8 and which post. I tried to contact them but I end up going around and around in circles.
I have found out what is prompting the blocking, which has, yesterday they DISABLED my account after I posted 6 photographs of a friend's DOG on Messenger. I then remembered the last time it happened, I had posted multiple photos, and 'spam' was mentioned as one of the 8 possible reasons for blocking.
So now I know the reason, how the hell do I talk to them about it?

5 days ago

Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?

Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱

Image
Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
  • 48.1% Yes
    48.1% Complete
  • 50% No
    50% Complete
  • 1.9% Other - I'll share below
    1.9% Complete
3273 votes
3 days ago

Here's Thursday's thinker!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image