Canterbury council leaders support plans to scrap reforms
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's council leaders are supportive of Government plans to scrap a raft of reforms, but are keen to see more details.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the new Government has listened to the concerns of rural councils about the difficulties implementing a range of policies.
"The issues are complex and I look forward to seeing what balance a new approach can bring."
The new Government has announced sweeping changes including the repeal of Resource Management Act and Three Waters reforms, as well as changes to the National Policy Statements on Freshwater and Indigenous Biodiversity.
Dobbie said he would like to see a resource management system which was more accessible, with "good checks and balances to scrutinise more complex matters".
While rural communities like Hurunui have few government services, the district did receive government funding to deliver services, so any funding cuts could have significant impacts.
Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward (pictured) said it was "too early" to determine the impacts of the reversal on reforms.
"It is a fairly difficult economic environment at present and I think the Government recognises the issues being faced by our communities and businesses."
Millward said the council had lobbied for changes to the Three Waters reform.
He hoped the new Government would support "better and more affordable models" being proposed by councils.
Kaikōura District Council acting chief executive Peter Kearney said his council was supportive of the proposed legislative reviews.
"Where there is opportunity for us to proactively approach government for additional funding that will add value to our community we will certainly be seeking to explore those possibilities.
"At this stage there is still much for the new government to work through and we remain optimistic the detail will provide a constructive and pragmatic way forward."
The coalition Government has agreed to review the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity, while the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater will be replaced.
Work on the new Significant Natural Areas, which aims to give greater protection to important native habitats, will be stopped.
New resource management legislation will focus on property rights as a guiding principle.
The new medium density residential standards, which was introduced as a joint Labour and National initiative, will now be optional for high growth councils such as Waimakariri.
The changes would be accompanied by ACT's plan to share a portion of GST from new builds with councils
New Zealand First has also secured a $1.2 billion regional infrastructure fund.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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