Local voice could be lost in unitary authority – mayors
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s three mayors fear local democracy could be lost amid talk of a ‘‘super city’’.
The mayors were responding to the Christchurch City Council’s submission on the draft future for local government report, where it advocated for the city to become a unitary authority.
A unitary authority would incorporate the power and responsibility of a regional council.
There are just six unitary authorities in New Zealand – Auckland, Gisborne, Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman and the Chatham Islands.
Given the close relationship between the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri councils, the prospect of a Greater Christchurch unitary authority has been mooted.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was surprised to hear of the city council’s submission, but there was no appetite for amalgamation.
‘‘One of the biggest challenges if you have a unitary authority is where would the boundaries be and who would look after the rivers.
‘‘Canterbury stretches from Waitaki to Kaikōura and rivers are often the boundaries between districts, so who would look after the rivers which sit on the boundaries between districts.
‘‘We don’t agree with everything Environment Canterbury does, but we have a good relationship.’’
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said a unitary authority would ‘‘rob our communities of the voices that we have been advocating for across all the reform process’’.
‘‘A super city is an interesting concept as where would you draw the boundaries and how does this capture the place of belonging, which is very much a feature of how we relate to our community and our people.
‘‘I would not see that a unitary authority would bring value to a district like the Hurunui.’’
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said he was not surprised to hear of the Christchurch submission, but he feared a unitary authority could leave Hurunui and Kaikōura out on their own.
‘‘I was guessing they were going to have crack at it.
‘‘I don’t see we would be any better off. All I can see is the big players demanding what they want.’’
If there was going to be any amalgamation, Mackle said he could live with a partnership between Kaikōura, Hurunui and Waimakariri.
But his preference was for the status quo.
‘‘We do work in with Hurunui and we have good relationships across North Canterbury.’’
In its submission, Environment Canterbury suggested the differences between regional councils and city and district councils ‘‘could be better articulated and considered’’.
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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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