Council backs reduced speed limit
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
The speed limit on Kaiapoi’s Smith St will be reduced to accommodate the growing Waimak Junction Business Park.
The Waimakariri District Council gave its backing at last week’s council meeting to a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 80kph to 50kph on the small stretch of road between the southbound motorway onramp and the existing 50kph sign, 90 metres to the east.
Waimakariri District Council roading and transportation manager Joanne McBride said the speed limit change was needed to improve safety.
The Waimak Junction Business Park is expanding, with the planned opening of a Countdown supermarket, alongside Placemakers, Bunnings, Mitre 10, Briscoes and other retailers, expected to significantly increase traffic volumes.
The council will now write to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to request the speed limit change under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2022.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Check out the drive-in movie event at Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park Saturday 18 January
Looking for a fun activity to enjoy with your whānau?
? Check out the drive-in (or walk-in) movie event at Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park on Saturday 18 January.
2 PM — Minions: The Rise of Gru
6 PM — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
? $20 per car, $5 per pedestrian or cyclist for each movie.
Please note: There will be no gate sales.