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There's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their … View moreThere's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their nationwide delivery. $25 voucher valid from Sept 1-25, 2022.
The chairperson of a body corporate claiming $163 million for leaky building repairs from the Queenstown Lakes District Council says they only want a fair outcome.
The council has said the Oaks Shore claim could result in each ratepayer having to pay $305 more in rates each year for 30 years.
… View moreThe chairperson of a body corporate claiming $163 million for leaky building repairs from the Queenstown Lakes District Council says they only want a fair outcome.
The council has said the Oaks Shore claim could result in each ratepayer having to pay $305 more in rates each year for 30 years.
Oaks Shore is an 84-unit apartment block developed by well-known Southland developer Ross Wensley and opened in 2005.
About 74 owners launched legal action against the council and parties including architects and structural engineers in 2015 when extensive water and structural issues were discovered – including to balconies, roofs, cladding and bathrooms.
Wensley – who was responsible for hundreds of new upmarket apartments in Queenstown before the global financial crisis hit in 2008 – could not be sued as six of his companies were placed in liquidation.
His daughter-in-law, Olivia Wensley, is a mayoral candidate for the Queenstown Lakes District this year.
The apartment owners were in a “horrific” situation, body corporate chairman Graeme Kruger said.
“All we want is our building to be fixed as it was meant to be in the first place.
“It’s broken owners’ hearts.”
A High Court hearing date had been set for February 2023, but he hoped the case would be resolved earlier through mediation.
Kruger said the owners of the apartments were mostly New Zealanders purchasing a holiday home or investment property.
“No matter what the outcome is we’re going to have to contribute to it.
“We just want natural justice and fairness for all parties.”
This month, the council made a submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) urging it to include risk, liability and insurance in the scope of its review of the building consent system.
The existing rule meant if one party was insolvent or had no insurance, other parties remained responsible.
The council was often the only party left to compensate homeowners when building defects arose.
Under the current system, the council had experienced an increase in the number of claims by property owners for weather tightness and other building defects, the submissions says.
In the 2021-22 year, the council spent about $40m defending and/or resolving claims, which led to a median $50 rate increase for every property.
The council was disproportionately exposed to claims due to its small ratepayer base and large number of developments, it says.
Between 2003 and 2006, Queenstown Lakes issued the highest proportion of new dwelling consents per ratepayer in New Zealand, with 31.7 new dwelling consents per 1000 residents – about four times the national average.
The next closest district was Thames-Coromandel, issuing 18.9 per 1000 residents.
If successful, the Oak Shores claim would be one of the largest single claims in New Zealand.
“This would increase rates by an average of 9.6% and would cost $305 per property every year for 30 years,” the council’s submission says.
That could result in a loss in borrowing capacity for the council and would mean less investment in community assets such as parks, libraries, performing arts and recreation facilities.
The submissions also urge MBIE to consider funding support for the council.
“It is council’s position that requiring ratepayers to pay compensation where defendants are missing is unjust,” it says.
Kruger said the interest of ratepayers needed to be protected.
“It’s unfortunate that around the country the last party standing is the council or building authority.”
Happy Māori Language Week! We hope you and your family are celebrating and using our country's indigenous language this week!
2 acres Grazing available in Mosgiel area for horses or sheep.
Please massage 0276254466
Cheers
Matt
Want your garden to be the talk of your neighbourhood?
NZ Gardener has all the step-by-step DIY projects you’ll need to achieve just that. As well as incredible photography, spectacular garden stories, recipes and more. Subscribe before 26 September and you’ll receive a $25 gift voucher to … View moreWant your garden to be the talk of your neighbourhood?
NZ Gardener has all the step-by-step DIY projects you’ll need to achieve just that. As well as incredible photography, spectacular garden stories, recipes and more. Subscribe before 26 September and you’ll receive a $25 gift voucher to spend online at Awapuni.
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T&Cs apply.
The team at NZ Gardener
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Simply enter your details online and you're … View moreHey Neighbours, add a touch of luxury to your home and lose yourself in the pages of NZ's favourite home & lifestyle magazine. Between now and 2 October, we have your chance to win 1 of 10 NZ House & Garden subscriptions worth $101.
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Our Spring Sale is Here
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Lenses -
CLEAR (FROM): Single Vision $90.00. Bifocals $150.00 Progressives $290.00
TRANSITIONS (FROM): Single Vision $150.00. Bifocals $210.00 Progressives $350.00 (These lenses change from light to dark as you move… View moreOur Spring Sale is Here
New Frames In Stock - All From $60.00 to $95.00
Lenses -
CLEAR (FROM): Single Vision $90.00. Bifocals $150.00 Progressives $290.00
TRANSITIONS (FROM): Single Vision $150.00. Bifocals $210.00 Progressives $350.00 (These lenses change from light to dark as you move from inside to outside)
Come and see us. Bring your Prescription in or we can get it for you from your chosen Optometrist.
T's & C's Apply
International Literacy Day is observed worldwide on September 8, 2022. Literacy unlocks human potential and is the cornerstone of development. It leads to better health, better employment opportunities, and safer and more stable societies. Developing literacy skills in the early years is crucial to… View moreInternational Literacy Day is observed worldwide on September 8, 2022. Literacy unlocks human potential and is the cornerstone of development. It leads to better health, better employment opportunities, and safer and more stable societies. Developing literacy skills in the early years is crucial to a child’s success in school and later in life.
Pop in for our book specials this week. Buy 3 x $1 books for just $1.
Plus lots of new books being put on the shelves daily.
We use our mobiles in almost every part of our life right?! They keep us up to date and connected with loved ones. They need to be fit for purpose!
So when it comes to choosing a new phone, it’s important to find one that meets your needs, including your budget. Don’t spend hours going from … View moreWe use our mobiles in almost every part of our life right?! They keep us up to date and connected with loved ones. They need to be fit for purpose!
So when it comes to choosing a new phone, it’s important to find one that meets your needs, including your budget. Don’t spend hours going from site to site, shop to shop only to get stuck with a phone that really wasn’t what you wanted! Read PriceMe’s Mobile Phone buying guide for tips, then use PriceMe to compare all mobile phones and stockists without even leaving your couch. Easy right!
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An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
… View moreFor delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.
An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
For some people, reading is their ultimate form of relaxation and fun! For others, reading can seem like a bit of a chore. No matter what category you fall into, we encourage you to embrace National Read a Book Day. Usually, it is simply about finding the right book for you. From memoirs to sci-fi;… View moreFor some people, reading is their ultimate form of relaxation and fun! For others, reading can seem like a bit of a chore. No matter what category you fall into, we encourage you to embrace National Read a Book Day. Usually, it is simply about finding the right book for you. From memoirs to sci-fi; there are so many different types of books out there today. Use National Read a Book Day to find the perfect book for you to really get stuck into!
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