Waimakariri council looks to keep rates rise under 9%
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
About $690 million is set to be spent over the next 10 years replacing Waimakariri’s assets and planning for the district’s rapid growth.
The Waimakariri District Council is proposing an average rate rise of 8.94%, as recommended by staff, as it looks to complete its draft 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP).
Mayor Dan Gordon described the draft LTP as ‘‘a prudent and responsible budget’’.
‘‘We started this long-term plan with a proposed 19% rate increase based on our work programme.
‘‘For this reason, we have deferred $120m of non-essential works to the outer years to bring our rate increases to what we understand will be one of the lowest in Canterbury.
‘‘But I want to make it clear, while we have made savings, we are not compromising on our level of service.’’
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
The council is planning to consult on five key themes as it plans for growth.
These include how best to manage the natural environment, flood resilience, provision of community facilities, extension of the Rangiora Library and the proposed Rangiora eastern link road.
The council has spent $10m of unbudgeted spending over the last three years in response to major storm events, and is planning ahead by establishing a permanent infrastructure recovery team this year.
In the last LTP in 2021, the council signalled it would build a new community centre in Pegasus and make provision for future facilities in Ravenswood.
The council announced last year it had reach an agreement with Templeton Group to purchase land on the Pegasus lakefront.
It is now consulting with the community and Templeton Group on the detailed design of a community centre, and plans to begin construction by the end of next year.
The council is also negotiating with Templeton Group to buy land for future community facilities to serve the growing Woodend and Ravenswood community.
Gordon said the council was in talks with Canterbury Cricket and Canterbury Country Cricket about extending Mainpower Oval to accommodate more cricket pitches and training facilities.
‘‘If we want to keep first-class cricket in Rangiora, we need to put in a level of investment, so we are developing a partnership around that.’’
The council will meet again on February 27 to adopt the draft LTP, before it goes out for consultation from March 15 to April 19.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
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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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