Support for food waste policy
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s food rescue organisation says it backs a call for a food waste policy to be developed in the region.
Satisfy Food Rescue chairperson Phillipa Hunt says food security has become more important in the wake of natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was responding to comments from Foodbank Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive John Milligan, who addressed last week’s
Environment Canterbury (ECan) meeting calling for a policy to reduce food waste in Canterbury.
‘‘Food security is so important, particularly when you see natural disasters, droughts and pandemics, so we can be more resilient and it is going to become more of issue in the future,’’ she said.
‘‘Here in the Waimakariri, because we responded to the earthquakes, the systems were in place to respond to the Covid situation, which is where Food Secure North Canterbury was able to be set up fairly quickly.
‘‘I would be interested in seeing a food waste policy developed and we would want to be a part of it.’’
Hunt said when it came to reducing food waste, it was about feeding people first, animals second and then composting.
Going to landfill should only be a last resort, she said.
Milligan said globally the world was facing one of its worst food crises in modern history.
New Zealand was not immune, with Covid, supply chain issues, rising inflation, climate change and Cyclone Gabrielle.
But he said there was enough food available to ensure every New Zealander had three nutritious meals a day, provided distribution
and food waste challenges could be overcome.
‘‘One in five kids will have gone to school this morning without breakfast and many will go to bed without tea,’’ he told the ECan
councillors.
‘‘One-third of all of our food is totally wasted and it is something we need to work very hard at combating.’’
He said Canada and several European countries had passed food wastage laws.
The office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser produced a report on food waste last year, but the government had yet to produce a policy or legislation.
Food waste was a climate change issue, being a major producer of methane gas, with wasted loaves of bread being among the worst offenders.
Milligan said Canterbury was feeling the effects of food shortages arising from Cyclone Gabrielle, with food and support being
redistributed to the North Island.
Families who had left damaged homes and come to stay with whānau in Canterbury were also needing support, he said.
The ECan councillors voted to refer the matter to the Canterbury Joint Waste Committee.
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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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