Canterbury council raises concerns over ageing roads, bridges
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury council has raised its concerns over its ageing road network and bridges with the NZ Transport Agency - but so far there is solution.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she and chief executive Hamish Dobbie had a positive meeting recently with NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) director regional relationships James Caygill.
‘‘Many councils don’t have the same dynamics with unsealed roads like we do, so he was interested in how we are managing that,’’ Black said.
The Hurunui District Council recently failed to get a 184% funding increase approved to improve its for roading assets.
While the transport agency increased the council’s funding in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme, it said Hurunui’s funding bid was too costly.
‘‘Our bid was realistic from our perspective,’’ Black said.
‘‘Our community is supporting a much higher level of investment and that didn’t go unnoticed by NZTA.’’
The council estimated it needed about $3 million a year to replace its ageing bridges. Around one-third of the district’s 286 bridges needs to be replaced over the next 30 years.
Dobbie said he was optimistic Caygill had taken on board the council’s concern, but there was "no solutions."
‘‘NZTA is grappling with the same problem. When a bridge comes due for replacement it is considered on a business case basis.’’
Dobbie said there was discussion around the possible impacts on traffic in Amberley when the Woodend Bypass is built.
The council has already raised safety concerns about Carters Rd in Amberley (State Highway 1). There are fears the bypass cause traffic to get from Christchurch to Amberley quicker.
‘‘We haven’t been given a solution, but we put across our perspective that we want people to be able to cross the road safely in Amberley,’’ Dobbie said.
‘‘We are not saying we need to be the owners of the solution, but there needs to be a solution.’’
Possible solutions could include installing traffic lights or a pedestrian underpass, he said.
An NZTA spokesperson said the agency was continuing to work with the council on solutions for Carters Rd.
It is also working with the Amberley Country Estate Retirement Village on the developer’s obligations to provide access to the development off SH1.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Older residents call for Amberley bus service
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A lack of public transport and access to healthcare were among the issues raised in recent a survey of older residents in the Hurunui district.
The Hurunui District Council surveyed residents aged over 60 during August and September, as it looks to develop an age-friendly community plan to support an ageing population.
There are currently no public bus services in Hurunui, which includes the town of Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.
Community development facilitator Vanessa Nelmes said public transport is a big issue for many elderly people, while accessing medical care when needed remains a concern.
While there are a number of community vehicle trusts operating in the district, respondents felt a regular bus service from Amberley to Rangiora and/or Christchurch is needed.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black has been among those advocating for a bus service, but for now Environment Canterbury says there are no plans to offer public transport in the district.
The distance to medical care in Christchurch and the lack of a dentist were also mentioned, Nelmes said.
The survey received 213 responses from residents aged from 60 to their 90s, with half coming from residents in the south ward, which includes Amberley.
Nelmes said the survey found a majority of the respondents felt confident using computers, internet and / or smart phones.
‘‘It kind of puts that myth to bed that old people don’t like using technology.
‘‘I think we really do need to change our mindset compared to what is really happening in our community.’’
Although about 50 respondents said they were not confident using technology, showing there was still a need for providing support.
The survey also asked if people would like to improve their skills with technology and it was ‘‘evenly split’’, Nelmes said.
A concerning trend in the survey was a number of respondents who said they felt socially isolated, especially those new to the community, she said.
‘‘We had half a dozen people who replied along the lines, ‘you have to put yourself out there, but it’s how to make the first step’.’’
The survey has been analysed by the age-friendly steering group, which plans to widen its membership to include different agencies such as district nursing and is seeking a rural voice, Nelmes said.
Council staff plan to do a stocktake of services available for senior citizens in the district, before beginning work on a draft age-friendly plan.
Environment Canterbury public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said there are no plans to extend bus services into Amberley or the wider Hurunui district.
‘‘The focus for public transport improvements is on delivery of the core routes in Christchurch and the direct services between the main urban areas in Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and Christchurch City.
‘‘Service improvements are reliant on funding through local rates and the National Land Transport Programme.’’
She said routes outside large urban areas are unlikely to meet the funding criteria in the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme.
But as part of the 2025/26 annual plan staff are considering how to best serve the rural community, including assessing new routes outside the Greater Christchurch boundary.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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