Wait drags on for Rangiora after-hours clinic
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora residents deserve to know when a new after-hours medical centre will finally be built, local MP Matt Doocey says.
Doocey, the associate health minister, welcomed news that South Link Health Group has obtained a consent to build a new medical centre at the Rangiora Health Hub on Ashley St.
But the not-for-profit health provider has yet to announce when the build will start or set a timeframe for its completion.
The community has been pushing for an after-hours medical clinic for more than five years.
The Ministry of Health entered into an agreement with South Link Health Group in 2021, following a petition calling for after hours healthcare being presented to the former Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) two years earlier.
It was initially announced the new facility would open in 2022, but the project has been beset by delays, partly due to Covid.
‘‘It is now time the community got some clarity for when construction will start and when it will open because the community has been waiting for a long time,’’ Doocey said.
A South Link Health Group spokesperson said the recruitment of medical professionals remains a challenge.
‘‘There just isn’t enough GPs to go around,’’ she said.
‘‘We are in a good position of being a not-for-profit, which is a real point of difference for us.
‘‘But it doesn’t make it any easier.’’
The provider has been busy completing the merger of two medical practices and future proofing the operation ahead of building the new medical centre, she said.
Now known as Rangiora Medical, the practice will continue to operate from two locations, Good St and Victoria St, until the new facility opens.
Doocey said the Government increased funding in the latest Budget for the training of GPs.
It will allow for more places at the Auckland and Otago University medical schools, while a new medical school was opening at Waikato University ‘‘with a focus on serving rural and regional New Zealand’’.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he kept in regular contact with South Link Health Group and hoped to hear an update soon.
‘‘The new centre, which received a building consent last month, will mean our residents have access to extended hours of medical care as well as high-tech imaging radiology right here in North Canterbury.
‘‘This project is the result of huge investment and commitment from South Link Health Group, Pacific Radiology and the local GPs.
‘‘There is no doubt Rangiora Medical has faced its fair share of setbacks, but the passion and dedication from those involved in this project has been unwavering.’’
While there is limited after hours provision in North Canterbury, for now most residents are having to travel into Christchurch for urgent care.
South Link Health Group, which is a network of 26 medical practises, is responsible for funding and constructing the new facility.
It will include full radiology services (ultrasound, CT and MRI scans), GP services, a pharmacy, and urgent after hours healthcare.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
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.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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