Council to consult on Kaiapoi-Woodend cycleway design
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
The much-anticipated Kaiapoi-Woodend cycleway is a step closer to becoming a reality.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi and Woodend-Sefton community boards have given their approval for council staff to consult with the community on the design of the proposed cycleway.
But the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board raised safety concerns with a section of it which passes through Ranfurly Street in Kaiapoi.
Council staff agreed to bring back some options to the board next month, ahead of the planned consultation in late April and May.
Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board chairperson Jackie Watson said she looked forward to hearing the feedback from the community.
‘‘It is going to make Kaiapoi a really fantastic place to cycle through.’’
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it was ‘‘a mammoth exercise’’ from council staff to get the design ready for consultation.
‘‘There are some great design features and some areas which we can’t do much about.’’
Atkinson said he accepted there were some sections where there would need to be some ‘‘difficult compromises’’ with landowners and occupiers of road reserve land.
But he was looking forward to seeing the project proceed.
‘‘The public will tell us where we have got it right and where we have got it wrong, in no uncertain terms.’’
Waimakariri District Council civil projects team leader Kieran Straw said council staff would be joining with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency staff to meet with the owners of Pine Acres Restaurant.
The cycleway would be passing Pine Acres alongside State Highway 1 and there were plans to close off the northern entrance to Pine Acres, as part of Waka Kotahi’s safety improvements.
Council staff also planned to produce a cultural sensitivity report alongside Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Straw said.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell said the Kaiapoi-Woodend and Woodend-Pegasus cycleways had been a long time coming.
‘‘It is going to complete that loop between Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Woodend and link with Pegasus, which we have been wanting for so long.
‘‘With the caravan park in Kaiapoi, a lot of them bring their bikes, so I can see them doing the loop around.
‘‘And it is good for Kaiapoi High School pupils (who live in Woodend and Pegasus), because they will have the choice to cycle to school if they want to.’’
Powell said the consultation would be a good opportunity to hear from cyclists to better understand ‘‘what will work and what won’t’’.
The council’s utilities and roading committee met on Tuesday and gave its approval to the designs, for consultation of the Kaiapoi-Woodend and Woodend-Pegasus cycleways, noting the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi board's concerns.
Approval was also given for the design of an on-road cycle lane in Rangiora, while the designs for a second Rangiora cycleway were put on hold, after councillors sought more information.
The cycleway projects need to be completed by June next year, as a condition of Waka Kotahi’s transport choices funding, after the council received $6 million for the project, announced in December.
Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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