New targeted rate mooted for flood-prone Canterbury river
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Some Waimakariri residents may be charged a future targeted rate to help fund flood protection work on a North Canterbury river.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon says he is open to an Environment Canterbury (ECan) proposal for an Ashley/Rakahuri River rate to protect Rangiora against flooding.
He said it was time to consider funding river resilience ‘‘on a more equitable basis’’, including co-funding from the Government.
‘‘I look forward to discussing more with ECan what exactly is being proposed and how that would look.
‘‘I think we can all agree that what we have in place currently is not broad enough to cover all of the issues and it is timely to review.’’
There were river rating areas in place for the upper Ashley River, but not for the lower reaches, making it difficult for the two councils to fund river resilience work.
ECan and other regional councils have been advocating for central Government support for river resilience projects for several years.
It led to the ‘Before the Deluge' report, which was released just before Cyclone Gabrielle struck parts of the North Island last year.
The Government recently made funding available as part of its new regional infrastructure fund in Budget 2024.
ECan acting chairperson Craig Pauling said the council had asked for $38 million and so far has received $9.5m.
The initial funding would help with three projects, including upgrades to critical and aged flood management infrastructure across the region to make it more resilient to the changing climate.
Further work on the Rangitata flood resilience programme and projects in South Canterbury will also be funded.
Pauling said the council’s priority was building up the strength of its various catchments, with many of them not already rated.
‘‘It helps us to get on and get it sorted and get those rivers more resilient and communities protected.
‘‘Otherwise it will take us a generation to do it.’’
A targeted rate was introduced for the Selwyn district as part of Environment Canterbury’s 2024-34 Long Term Plan and now the council is looking at other rivers, including the Ashley River.
Pauling said he was hopeful of receiving more funding, with a further $100m still to be allocated.
ECan has also called for a braided river definition to be included in the Government’s legislation to replace the Resource Management Act.
‘‘Because there hasn’t been a definition we have had all sorts of issues come up and it is part of our wider river resilience work,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘The current definition in the RMA is based on a river, but what is a river?
‘‘Some rivers don’t move much, but braided rivers are different and change path a lot and so there needs to be an understanding of where the natural system is.’’
Braided rivers were defined in the previous Labour Government’s Natural and Built Environments Act, which has since been repealed by the National-led Government.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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49.5% Yes
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48.6% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Rangiora school pushes for performing arts centre
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury school is pressing on with plans to establish a performing arts centre for the community.
Rangiora High School approached the Waimakariri District Council late last year to asked for help to build a $10-12 million, 800-seat performing arts centre to serve the growing community.
Since then, the school has established a sub-committee to advance the project with input from the council and the wider community.
Board of trustees presiding member Simon Green said the school was keen to work with the council to align with the Waimakariri arts strategy.
‘‘We have one opportunity to get it right, so we want to make sure we create a great community resource.’’
The Waimakariri arts strategy, which was adopted by the council last year, identified a need for additional arts spaces.
A performing arts centre was identified in the school’s master plan, which was developed alongside the Ministry of Education.
It would replace the old school hall, which seats 350 people - barely big enough to seat a single year level at the growing school.
This year’s school roll is 1750 students, including 390 year 9s.
The new facility would have state-of-the-art equipment and would be managed by the school, but available to the 19 contributing schools and local performing arts schools and organisations.
‘‘We are lucky we have lots of space and with any new buildings we need to make sure they are future proofed,’’ Green said.
Acting principal Remihana Emery said a large performing arts centre was badly needed for the Waimakariri district.
‘‘There is a real need out here and what better place for a performing arts centre than our kura.
‘‘It will give people a reason to come back and visit the school and see how much it has changed.
‘‘It is something we hope can get off the ground sooner rather than later.’’
The largest performing arts facilities in the district included the auditoriums in the Rangiora Town Hall and at Kaiapoi High School, which have seating for around 350 people.
Mainpower Stadium can also be retrofitted for concerts.
The lack of size meant local dance schools and drama groups often looked to Christchurch to find a larger venue, Emery said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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