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By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Waimakariri ratepayers can expect a small rates hike to balance the council’s ballooning roading budget.
Mayor Dan Gordon says the council has increased its proposed rates rise from 5.97%, signalled in the draft annual plan, to 6.24% as staff work to … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
Waimakariri ratepayers can expect a small rates hike to balance the council’s ballooning roading budget.
Mayor Dan Gordon says the council has increased its proposed rates rise from 5.97%, signalled in the draft annual plan, to 6.24% as staff work to keep on top of rising road maintenance costs.
"Most of the emails, messages and submissions we have received are around roading issues.
"So when it came down to a decision whether we defer some road maintenance or do we keep up with the work we do, the message from ratepayers was pretty clear."
The extra 0.27% rates rise will net an additional $220,000 for council staff to spend on roads.
Gordon said he had been talking to other councils around the country that were facing similar issues with rising roading costs.
And for some, their roading budget had already blown out, he said.
With the rising roading costs, Gordon said staff will be monitoring the council’s contractor closely to ensure road maintenance is kept up to date.
"We feel that level of audit is very important when we are talking about ratepayer and tax payer money."
The increase to the roading budget was the only change from the draft annual plan presented to ratepayers earlier this year.
The council will meet again on June 20 to sign off the 2023-24 annual plan.
Even well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid… View moreEven well-insulated homes can lose up to 45% of the room's heat without having adequate curtains. This is why Curtain Banks are in high demand at this time of year.
A petition is circulating to get curtains added as part of the Healthy Homes Standards in the hopes of helping renters avoid living in cold, damp conditions. Do you think curtains should be mandatory for New Zealand homes?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Housing, road reserve management, and the funding of Waimakariri’s three town promotions associations are set for review.
The Waimakariri District Council appointed hearing panels to consider its draft housing and road reserve management policies, … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Housing, road reserve management, and the funding of Waimakariri’s three town promotions associations are set for review.
The Waimakariri District Council appointed hearing panels to consider its draft housing and road reserve management policies, and a working party to review how it supports the Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Oxford promotions associations at a council meeting on Tuesday (June 6).
Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson will chair the housing policy hearing panel.
‘‘Social housing is something we have provided, but we also have the Vision Wests of this world and Kāinga Ora, who are very good at running these things,’’ he said.
‘‘We don’t need to be experts ourselves, we just need to make sure people are pointed in the right direction.’’
The council formed a housing working group two years ago to review the housing challenges in the district and the council’s role in supporting ‘‘positive housing outcomes’’, property unit manager Rob Hawthorne said.
The working group has prepared a draft housing policy which will go out for public consultation in August.
Mayor Dan Gordon suggested the hearing panel consider raising the age eligibility from 65 to 60-years, while councillor Brent Cairns suggested accessibility needed to be considered.
The draft road reserve management policy will be out for consultation from June 19 to July 19.
Senior transport engineer Shane Binder said the draft policy had been updated to include roadside berms, unformed legal roads, road corridor usage, utilities on the roadside and work zone traffic management.
It also included paper roads.
Gordon said Rangiora Promotions, the Kaiapoi Promotions Association and the Oxford Promotions Action Committee all played valuable roles in their communities.
‘‘The sustainability of our promotions associations is really important in our district and we helped Rangiora Promotions earlier this year to get through a period where they had a funding gap.
‘‘Changes happen so we need to make sure our promotions associations are fit for purpose and our funding is where it needs to be.’’
Cairns has been asked to lead the working party, with support from councillors Joan Ward and Tim Fulton, representatives from the four community boards and the three promotions associations.
‘‘I have met with all three promotions associations and they all have challenges,’’ Cairns said.
‘‘Most of the members have their own businesses, so they have pressures of trying to make money in this environment and then putting in the time to support their community.’’
He said the promotions associations promoted their towns, made them vibrant and attracted new people.
Council staff will also provide support.
Strategy and business manager Mark Maxwell said the review will begin by considering the challenges the promotions association are facing, before exploring solutions.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Waimakariri residents’ desire to retain Three Waters services in local ownership has been reinforced in a recent survey.
The Waimakariri District Council’s 2022 customer satisfaction survey has found between 92 and 96% of respondents considered it… View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Waimakariri residents’ desire to retain Three Waters services in local ownership has been reinforced in a recent survey.
The Waimakariri District Council’s 2022 customer satisfaction survey has found between 92 and 96% of respondents considered it very important / important for the council to be involved providing stormwater drainage, sewerage and water reticulation.
The survey findings were released at a council meeting on Tuesday (June 6).
Chief executive Jeff Millward said the result reinforced the results of previous surveys conducted by the council.
‘‘The 90% water result is not surprising to see as people do not want to lose control of the assets they own and of a council they know delivers services well, as shown by the results.’’
More than 90% of respondents also believed the council should be involved in providing recycling services, parks and reserves, rubbish collection, roading activities, public toilets, emergency and hazard management, and supporting resident safety and wellbeing.
The survey was completed during October to December last year and 772 surveys were completed, which was significantly higher than previous surveys in 2013, 2016 and 2019, when 450 to 490 surveys were completed.
The council received an 86% satisfaction rating, compared to 85% in 2016 and 2019, and 76% in 2013.
Millward said it was a pleasing result.
‘‘We are a hard working council on behalf of our residents and this result is a credit to our elected members and staff.
‘‘The response rate from our community was also great to see, showing they are well connected and like to be consulted.’’
Services which scored high satisfaction ratings included parks and reserves, sewerage systems and library services.
But there was work to do in the district development, environmental management and regulatory performance spaces, which received high dissatisfaction ratings.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was always keen to hear feedback from the community.
‘‘This is just a snap-shot of the survey results overall, but I’m pleased to see that we’re maintaining high satisfaction scores consistently across years.
‘‘Like every bit of community feedback, there are things to take on board and items to work on, and the council is always ready to listen to our residents and make changes.’’
The skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots… View moreThe skies might be grey but there's colour in our communities - and we want to see it!
Resene and Neighbourly have teamed up this winter to bring you Bright Spots - a celebration of the brightest and most colourful spaces in our neighbourhoods. We want you to snap and share all those spots in your neighbourhood that bring a smile to your face and add a little colour to your day.
There are 10 prizes of $250 Resene ColorShop vouchers and $250 Prezzy® cards up for grabs so you can create your own Bright Spot!
Enter your local bright spots pics today and be in to *WIN*.
Does anyone know when the Mid winter dip is at Waikuku beach? Of it may be Woodend, I'm not sure.
When you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you … View moreWhen you move to a Ryman village, the last thing you need to think about are unexpected costs. We offer financial security with rates, home insurance, exterior maintenance and gardening all covered under one fixed base weekly fee*, meaning once you’ve moved in you can focus on the things you enjoy.
Find out more about our living options today and get ready for a new lifestyle.
*some conditions apply
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Waimakariri’s growth is set to continue for years to come, but predicting where people will choose to live is creating some challenges.
With the Greater Christchurch area expected to need 77,000 more houses over the next 30 years, the Waimakariri … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
Waimakariri’s growth is set to continue for years to come, but predicting where people will choose to live is creating some challenges.
With the Greater Christchurch area expected to need 77,000 more houses over the next 30 years, the Waimakariri district’s population is likely to top 100,000 by 2053.
The present population in the Waimakariri district is about 70,000.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon sad it was difficult to predict how many people will move to the district and where they will choose to live.
“We have gone away from specific numbers and locations and now we’re looking at different scenarios.
“We do housing numbers almost on an annual basis.”
The Woodend/Pegasus area was the fastest growing area for the district – expected to top 10,000 by 2053 – and the wider Waikuku, Pegasus, Woodend and Pegasus Bay area was expected to reach 12,500 people by 2033 and 15,000 people by 2043.
Where to house the extra people was a challenge as councils wanted to avoid an ever expanding urban sprawl and taking up quality farmland, while drainage was an issue in some areas.
Strategy, engagement and economic development general manager Simon Hart said staff were thinking about “where the numbers will go when they hit Waimakariri”.
The Ravenswood subdivision was already up to stage five of the planned six stage development, while other subdivisions were filling up fast.
The recently opened up Bellgrove subdivision in Rangiora ensures there was no shortage – for now, Bacon said.
The council was required, under the National Policy Statement for Urban Development, to plan ahead of demand to ensure there was plenty of supply.
But even when planning was put in place, Bacon said there was always a lag between approval and a new subdivision being divided up.
Future development could be urban infill, while the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing and Other Matters) Amendment Act in December 2021 made it possible to subdivide sections for up to three housing units and building up to three storeys in the main urban areas.
“The market for intensification will be limited, so there is a big difference between what the plan enables and what actually happens,” Bacon said.
He said Townsend Fields (Rangiora) was offering average sized lots of about 600 to 700m², even though smaller lot sizes were allowed.
“They will offer what they believe the market is telling them,” Hart added.
“So we need to be conscious of what is attracting people to Waimakariri, is it high density housing or larger sections?”
Celebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to … View moreCelebrate the local hospitality people and places that bring life and personality to your community. Is your most-loved barista, front of house person or team, roadside stall, bartender, food truck or takeaway, or new business the best in the region - or even the country? Go to stuff.co.nz/loveyourlocal to vote for your favourites and show them you appreciate what they do!
Extend the boundaries of the garden season by making your own cloche protected in Resene paints.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Anti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, … View moreAnti-poverty campaigners are criticizing a campaign rolled out by the government. The campaign shares tips for New Zealanders to save energy while the energy companies continue to make huge profits at this time.
These tips include reassessing your power plan, switching off unused appliances, having heat pumps set to lower than 21°C, cold laundry washes and having showers of less than five minutes.
Vote in our poll and share what you think of these energy-saving tips below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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