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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri mayor is in line for a payrise after October’s Local Government elections.
The Waimakariri District Council voted to accept the revised elected members salaries and expenses, which have been set by the Remuneration Authority, at a council … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri mayor is in line for a payrise after October’s Local Government elections.
The Waimakariri District Council voted to accept the revised elected members salaries and expenses, which have been set by the Remuneration Authority, at a council meeting on Tuesday.
It means the mayor’s annual salary has increased by nearly $2000 from $137,500 to $139,425 from July 1.
A further increase of more than $7000, to $146,838 will kick in after the elections.
‘‘This is a matter the council doesn’t really have a choice on as it’s set by the Remuneration Authority,’’ mayor Dan Gordon said in support of the motion.
The mayor’s salary and payments for community board members are set by the Remuneration Authority, while the deputy mayor’s and councillors’ salaries are paid from a remuneration pool.
The remuneration pool has been set at $555,247 from October 2022 to July 2023.
The deputy mayor will receive a small increase from $58,994 to $59,820, while after the election the deputy mayor’s salary is expected to increase by nearly $10,000.
Councillors are expected to receive an increase of around $5000, with a post-election salary of $53,986.
Community board chairpersons and members are also set for a small payrise.
Fees for serving on a hearings panel have also increased for the first time since 2011, with the chairperson’s fee increasing from $100 to $116 per hour and members from $80 to $93 per hour.
Vehicle mileage allowances have also increased 4 cents a kilometre, from 79c to 83c a kilometre, in line with Inland Revenue recommendations.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Kaiapoi North School’s innovative approach to teaching literacy has caught the attention of the Government.
Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti visited Kaiapoi last Thursday to observe the school’s approach to structured literacy first hand.
A … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Kaiapoi North School’s innovative approach to teaching literacy has caught the attention of the Government.
Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti visited Kaiapoi last Thursday to observe the school’s approach to structured literacy first hand.
A former school principal, Tinetti said she was impressed with what she saw.
“Jason (Kaiapoi North’s Principal) has been an amazing advocate for structured literacy, and he’s kept at me to come and visit, so it’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.
“Other schools are using structured literacy, but this school has put its own flavour to it, and we want to see schools and teachers show themselves.’’
Tinetti said she was particularly impressed with the consistency of how the school’s approach to structured literacy was applied by teachers at each year level.
She said it will help to inform the implementation of the Government’s literacy and numeracy strategy, which was launched earlier this year and is aimed at improving literacy and numeracy standards.
A recent survey by the Education Hub found that 35 percent of 15-year-olds were not at the required levels for reading and maths.
Kaiapoi North School first trialled structured literacy in 2018, with North Canterbury-based literacy resource teacher Marina Mounsey working with junior team leader Mel Poynter.
“It’s been a massive shift for some teachers in how they do their teaching, and it has required some professional development,” Poynter said.
The school’s approach revolved around phonetics, or sounding out letters and words, which ultimately led to improved spelling and writing, as well as reading.
The trial was a success, so it was rolled out across all year levels the following year, deputy principal Felicity Fahey said.
“It’s not a silver bullet. It won’t fix everything, but we believe it’s the best way to teach all the children,” she said.
Tinetti said the research had been available for 30 years, but successive governments had failed to pick it up until now.
The Government has introduced the Better Start Structured Literacy funding for teaching new entrants children, which several North Canterbury schools have engaged in.
Courses are now being offered at the University of Canterbury and the Ministry of Education aimed to have 4500 teachers throughout the country teaching structured literacy by the end of next year.
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To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
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Hi please come to the Ohoka hall tonight at 7:00 to get an explanation of the submissions process for the proposed plan change for Mill Rd and Whites Rd in Ohoka.
Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination
The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including … View morePopular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination
The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including 21.07.2023.
Ethylene Oxide has been found in the vanilla cup. This chemical is normally used as a fumigant for controlling post-harvest insects, moulds, and pathogens in a variety of food however there is low risk from ingesting this amount.
This product is sold in Pak'n Save, New World, Four Square, and Gilmours stores throughout the North Island and can be returned to these stores for a full refund.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Satisfy Food Rescue is looking forward to work beginning on a permanent facility to house its growing service.
The North Canterbury-based food rescue charity is one of several organisations set to benefit from the proposed Kaiapoi Community Hub in the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Satisfy Food Rescue is looking forward to work beginning on a permanent facility to house its growing service.
The North Canterbury-based food rescue charity is one of several organisations set to benefit from the proposed Kaiapoi Community Hub in the former red zone.
‘‘We are excited to be working with the other stakeholders for this project to see it come to fruition,’’ Satisfy Food Rescue manager Stef van Meer said.
‘‘Each year we are receiving and distributing more and more food to help sustain the community organisations we support.
‘‘A purpose built facility as part of the Kaiapoi Community Hub will work wonders for us in the long term as we see the need for our service increase.’’
Satisfy retrieves food from local supermarkets, businesses and residents with surplus garden produce, which it passes on to food banks across the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
In the last financial year Satisfy distributed 45% more food than the year ending March 2021.
Satisfy collaborated with other organisations last year to form Food Secure North Canterbury and has secured funding from the Ministry for Social Development to build a new facility as part of the Kaiapoi Community Hub.
The Waimakariri District Council has signed off an additional $760,000 in the 2022-23 annual plan, to increase its contribution to $1.475 million.
Work is expected to begin early next year on the proposed hub, which will be located off Courtenay Drive, not far from the south bank of the Kaiapoi River and to the east of Countdown.
The Kaiapoi Men’s Shed and the Kaiapoi Croquet Club are also joining the hub, with room for more groups, the council’s community and recreation manager, Chris Brown, said.
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the hub was ‘‘an extremely positive development’’ for Kaiapoi.
‘‘It’s a great use of that land and a positive investment, and these groups make such a positive difference to the community.’’
The council’s contribution will be about one-third of the overall costs, providing infrastructure including the three waters, car parking, ecological linkages and a walkway.
The balance of the funding will come from the organisations using the facility and outside funding sources such as the Rātā Foundation.
A project manager has been appointed to lead the project through the detailed design and tendering process, Brown said.
‘‘It’s likely to be next year before we get a spade in the ground. I would expect it to be around February or March.
‘‘The way the hub has been designed allows for the whole community to use and access the whole area in a park-like setting.
‘‘It will be a place where people feel comfortable and can recreate formally and informally.’’
The three groups are in the process of establishing a trust to oversee the running of the site, with support from the council in a model similar to Rangiora’s Northbrook Studios.
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From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Growth is continuing apace in the Waimakariri district, with two major subdivisions proposed.
A subdivision in northeast Rangiora, Bellgrove, has been fast-tracked for development, while a private plan change request for a 155.9-hectare development at … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Growth is continuing apace in the Waimakariri district, with two major subdivisions proposed.
A subdivision in northeast Rangiora, Bellgrove, has been fast-tracked for development, while a private plan change request for a 155.9-hectare development at Ohoka has been notified.
A consenting panel appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency has granted resource consents, subject to conditions, to Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The Waimakariri District Council made an application to the Minister for the Environment in November last year to speed up the Bellgrove development, on the basis it would provide much needed housing and employment in the fast-growing district.
The application was made under the Covid-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Act, following public consultation and an agreement from the developer, Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The proposed development is to the north of Kippenberger Ave and straddles the Cam River.
It is proposed to subdivide a 20.8ha site initially and construct 209 sections, a neighbourhood commercial centre, open spaces, restore ecological areas and develop infrastructure including roads, parking and three-waters services.
The full development is over 63ha and could total as many as 1100 sections to be developed over five stages.
Meanwhile, the Waimakariri District Council has notified a private plan change request from Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd for a proposed 850-house, 155.9ha subdivision between Whites and Bradleys roads at Ohoka (pictured).
Mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed subdivision had not been ‘‘initiated’’ or ‘‘anticipated’’ by the council.
‘‘The council will be making its decision on whether to make a submission in the coming weeks and we will be appointing someone to offer independent advice.’’
District plan manager Matt Bacon said residents had 20 working days to make a submission.
Once staff have considered those submissions they will be notified, with a further 10 working days for feedback before hearings are held.
Greenfield areas were normally developed close to an existing town, where there was existing infrastructure, Bacon said.
The plan change process would consider the provision of services as part of a merits based assessment, he said.
‘‘Any new residential areas need to be fully serviced with water and waste water,” he said.
‘‘The general principal is the developer would pay for it and recover it through development contributions on the sections.’’
The proposed development also includes about 6000 square metres of commercial floor space and car parking, and there is provision for either a new school or a retirement village.
From local democracy David Hill:
Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District
Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park … View moreFrom local democracy David Hill:
Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District
Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park concept beyond its temporary aqua play park.
Trust vice-chairperson Jason Mill said the project is largely on track, despite the challenges of Covid-19.
‘‘When we first started out, 2024 was always our target so we are still on track to get a shovel in the ground by then.’’
The memorandum of understanding set aside land in the former red zone to the north of Kaiapoi River, while the trust undertook market research, water testing and a feasibility study for the project.
The trust was also granted a three-year license to occupy last year to operate an aqua play park on Courtenay Lake to the south of the river from October to April, with Kaikanui Aqualand NZ running the operation on behalf of the trust.
Despite the wet summer and a delay in getting under way, Mill said there were 15,000 paying customers to the play park from all over New Zealand.
‘‘We brought 25,000 people including spectators into Kaiapoi, so it gives us some confidence that it will work. We now have two more seasons to up our game.
‘‘We might pull 30,000 to 40,000 people, so we have been talking to Enterprise North Canterbury to see how we can get people to spend more time in Kaiapoi and support other businesses.’’
Now that the council has completed work on a stormwater main to north of the river, the trust has been able to begin hydrology tests on the proposed site of the larger aqua sports park, Mill said.
He said the land will need to be remediated and he estimated it could cost $40 million to construct the first stage.
Stage one is likely to incorporate the inflatable park, cable boarding and a small surf park, possibly with some kayaking.
The longer term project will cost upwards of $80m.
The money is expected to come from investors and proceeds from the aqua play park.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a report was being prepared for councillors to consider.
‘‘The two years has gone pretty quick and I think everyone would agree it hasn’t been the easiest two years.
‘‘We need to look at it in more detail and consider what do they still need to provide us with, what is the critical path we need to follow and how long they might need.’’
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the play park had proven itself and he was looking forward to seeing the report from council staff.
Residents had raised concerns about being able to access the area around the lake for recreation, water quality, impacts on wildlife and the presence of crowds of people.
‘‘There were some legitimate concerns raised, but through good management the trust has been able to put people’s minds at ease,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘And if this last summer is a small picture of what the future will look like then we obviously need to have a look at the big picture. It has the potential to benefit everybody.’’
The trust had been successful in meeting its own community objectives and raising goodwill, including planting trees, offering learning opportunities and giving away free passes to local school children.
Councillors were due to discuss the aqua sports park proposal this week.
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