Waimak may have lowest rates rise in Canterbury
By reporter Keiller MacDuff:
Waimakariri District Council has proposed the lowest rates rise in Canterbury, but it will mean deferring $120 million of projects.
The council reviewed all its current projects to find the savings in its draft 10-year plan, which is out for consultation from Friday to April 15. This plan sees an originally-proposed 19% rates rise more than halved to 8.94%.
Projects slated to be pushed back, or scaled back, include:
- The aquatics strategy, which would have included a hydrotherapy pool for Kaiapoi and a hydroslide at Rangiora at a cost of $15m.
- Environmental projects, such as better physical access, more toilets and walking tracks in parks and reserves, and rangers to work with community groups and tackle weeds and pest control.
- Decisions on sports facilities such as the Southbrook Sports Club upgrade and development of the cricket oval.
- A permanent infrastructure resilience team and flood recovery fund.
Upgrades of the Trevor Inch Memorial Rangiora Library and Civic building.
The council is asking if the community is prepared to pay for two major roading projects, which could result in an average rate increase of $56.62 per household per year if the government does not provide an anticipated $15.5m.
The draft LTP warns of a high level of uncertainty around NZTA’s funding for the Rangiora Eastern Link, which is intended to reduce congestion through Southbrook, provide an alternate link to State Highway 1 and allow for housing and business growth to the east of Rangiora; and to replace the narrow Skew Bridge in West Kaiapoi.
Mayor Dan Gordon said it had been a challenging budget, but the council’s proposal was “prudent and responsible”.
He said cost pressures were inevitable given rising inflation and the impact of increased insurance, labour and construction costs.
Even with the deferrals of “non essential projects”, the council proposes spending $693m over the next decade, between replacing assets, increasing services and accommodating anticipated growth, Gordon said.
The district’s population of about 71,000 is projected to reach 100,000 by 2050.
The Christchurch City Council’s draft long-term plan (LTP) proposes an average rates increase of 13.24% from July, Hurunui District Council has proposed a rates rise of 12.37%, Selwyn residents face a proposed average 16% rates rise, while regional council Environment Canterbury has floated an average rates rise of 24%.
Viewing platform proposed for Canterbury estuary
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A proposed viewing platform for the Ashley Rakahuri River estuary is ‘‘a wonderful gift’’, says a local community leader.
The Woodend-Sefton Community Board has recommended the Waimakariri District Council accept the offer from the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group to build a viewing platform overlooking the estuary.
‘‘It is a wonderful gift. It is absolutely amazing and it is the perfect location,’’ board chairperson Shona Powell said.
‘‘I can see everyone enjoying it, from bird watchers, photographers, locals and visitors.
‘‘The estuary is a really precious place and the more people we can get along there to look at it and enjoy it and learn about the world-renowned bird life the better.’’
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group received a $20,000 bequest from the Annie Currie Legacy Fund and wishes to use the funds to build a viewing platform in the estuary.
Group spokesperson Nick Ledgard said the bequest was a welcomed surprise.
He said the bequest came with a stipulation for the money to be used for a tangible asset associated with volunteers.
‘‘We put before our group the idea of building a viewing platform and it was agreed.’’
The rivercare group has worked with council staff on a design for the viewing platform and will provide volunteer labour to build and install it.
The viewing platform has a simple design and will be wheelchair accessible, Ledgard said.
Once complete the group plans to gift the viewing platform to the community.
If approved at the next council meeting, the council will cover the costs of the consent, the upgrade of an access path and ongoing maintenance costs.
Ledgard said he hoped the project would be completed by the end of this summer.
It would be erected on the south side of the Ashley Rakahuri River, about 10 metres from the estuary car park at Waikuku Beach.
The estuary is recognised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as a wetland of international significance and is a breeding ground for a number of threatened and critically endangered bird species.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
-
4.9% Second half of November
-
44.5% 1st December
-
16.7% A week before Christmas
-
32.6% Whenever you wish
-
1.2% Other - I'll share below
Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One?
This belongs to you, but everyone else uses it.
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Loading…
