Community takes stand to protect birds after 4WD ban rejected
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts and environmentalists will need to work together to protect birds nesting along the Ashley River after a vehicle ban was rejected by the Waimakariri District Council.
The Department of Conservation last month called for the council to consider a vehicle ban on the upper Ashley River in Canterbury during nesting season, between October 31 and January 31.
Council staff considered the request, but found a ban would be unworkable.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon has reached out to 4WD clubs, police, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Environment Canterbury (ECan), Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga and the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group in a show of unity.
‘‘What was clear from our meeting was that all groups want the best for the environment, and care about the Ashley Rakahuri River," Gordon said.
‘‘Bringing people together is the first step in solving this issue.’’
Ngāi Tūāhuriri upoko Dr Te Maire Tau said all river users need to respect the environment and avoid damaging waterways and the land.
‘‘The Ashley is home to endangered birds, and they need to be looked after.
Working together to ensure their protection and that of the wider river environment is important, he said
DOC operations manager Leeann Ellis said braided rivers are a globally rare ecosystem, home to species that have adapted to live in the environment.
But she acknowledged the Ashley River is an important recreation area.
ECan councillor Grant Edge said the majority of people are careful and considerate of wildlife.
‘‘We want those that use this area to value it, and education and information is a great start.’’
Canterbury police rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said collaboration is the best approach.
‘‘It is always preferable to enforcement. We welcome this approach and look forward to future discussions.’’
Bruce Stuart, from the Combined 4WD Clubs, said members are aware of the birds now nesting in the Upper Ashley and are happy to work together to protect them.
Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group operations manager Grant Davey said the upper Ashley River is narrow and there are few places for birds to nest.
‘‘It is completely inappropriate for any vehicle to be driven through them, but there are other important factors for the birds that also need addressing.’’
Rangiora-Ashley Community Board chairperson Jim Gerard said it was important to get a balance between protecting the nesting birds and keeping the river open for access to locals.
The groups will meet again in December to continue discussions.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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Canterbury towns feel forgotten in bus review
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury community fears it will lose its bus service under a review of the regional public transport plan.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell says her board warned Environment Canterbury (ECan) in 2019 the revised 97 Pegasus to Rangiora route was ‘‘set up to fail’’.
Now she fears the route could be axed altogether in the new Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan.
‘‘It is a bitter disappointment."
An ECan spokesperson says the route is not under review at present, but it will likely be looked at in the future.
Powell said the board felt when they did the last review, they set up 97 to fail with the shortening of the route.
‘‘It misses out large areas, so people have to walk 20 minutes to catch the bus and it only runs every hour.
‘‘For a short trip to Rangiora, you’re going to take the car if you’re able to, but we want to encourage people to use public transport.’’
Powell said Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood are experiencing rapid growth and need to be better served with public transport.
The 95 bus route links Pegasus, Woodend and Ravenswood residents with Kaiapoi and Christchurch.
But Powell said instead of persevering with the 97 route, the board has consistently advocated for a circular route, similar to the Orbiter bus service in Christchurch.
It could link Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood with Rangiora and Kaiapoi and their suburbs and travel in both directions, she said.
‘‘From a practical point of view the idea of a circular route using two buses is much more useful to a much higher number of residents and lets them travel easily to where they want to go,’’ Powell said.
‘‘For now, Silverstream and Sovereign Palm residents in Kaiapoi have to travel to central Kaiapoi first if they want to use public transport to get to Rangiora.’’
The service could be extended to include Waikuku, Cust, Tuahiwi, Amberley and the beach settlements, and it could be similar to the on-call MyWay bus service in Timaru.
The board would also like to see the park and ride direct commuter service available to Rangiora and Kaiapoi residents extended to Woodend.
ECan public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said the Pegasus to Rangiora service is not under review at present.
‘‘But NZTA (NZ Transport Agency) has requested we investigate low performing routes, so it is likely this route will be reviewed in the future.’’
A Waimakariri circular route is not under consideration as the partner councils have agreed to focus on developing a Greater Christchurch public transport futures strategy, she said.
Additional funding would be required from NZTA and local ratepayers and there is also limited funding for public transport in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Fund.
But staff will be assessing new routes as part of the 2025-26 annual plan, she said.
The next on-demand service trial is likely to be within the Greater Christchurch urban zone, but no decisions have been made.
ECan received nearly 800 submissions in its draft Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan consultation.
Hearings begin next week, with deliberations scheduled for next month.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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