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By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast councils spent close to half a million dollars working on speed limit changes that the coalition Government has now binned.
The West Coast Regional Transport Committee was forced to withdraw its draft regional speed management plan on … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast councils spent close to half a million dollars working on speed limit changes that the coalition Government has now binned.
The West Coast Regional Transport Committee was forced to withdraw its draft regional speed management plan on Thursday, after Transport Minister Simeon Brown signed a new Speed Limit Rule that overrides it.
It also strips councils of their ability to submit their own safety plans in future, staff have reported.
The four councils on the West Coast had written a single regional plan to improve efficiency and coordination, including some small, fixed-speed zones around schools.
It also proposed to lower speeds limits on several roads causing concern for locals.
But the minister’s new rule allows only variable limits outside schools and requires councils to reverse any speed limits that were changed.
The draft West Coast transport plan was publicly consulted on over four weeks in March and April, and cost the regional council $78,000 to develop – not including staff time.
But Transport Committee chairperson Peter Ewen says there were bigger costs for the three district councils, in completing their sections of the plan.
“Buller spent $172,000 and Westland would have been close to that ; when you add them all up, you’d be pushing $500,000, and it’s gone."
There was no way the government would be reimbursing councils for the wasted time and money, Ewen said.
The speed limit changes made by the previous government had been “a little rushed”, he said.
“But if there’s another change of government in a few years, are we going to be spending more money we can’t afford – all for nothing, because the incoming government throws this out?”
It would be nice if the major parties could agree on policy like speed limits, Ewen said.
“We live in hope, but meanwhile the ratepayers have to grin and bear it.”
Under the latest changes, reduced speed limits of 30kph will apply to urban schools during high-risk pick-up and drop-off times, and there will be a similar limit of 60kph or less on roads that pass rural schools.
The speed limit on roads of national significance will rise to 120kph.
The minister has said it made no sense to slow down a tradesperson passing a school at 5am on the way to work, and the changes would improve traffic flows.
A staff report to this week’s Regional Transport Committee meeting said district councils could still submit individual speed management plans.
But they would have to do a separate cost-benefit analysis for each road being considered for a speed change, followed by a six-week community consultation.
The government had now removed the NZTA subsidies that previously applied to that work, policy manager Max Dickens reported.
And there was still a significant chance that a council’s proposed change would be rejected by the director of land transport if the proposed limit did not abide by the government’s new speed limit classifications, he said.
The new national rule meant that all the work on the draft West Coast speed management plan was now a sunk cost.
Safety outcomes were likely to become worse and the largest risk was that councils would lose the ability to control the roads they had authority over, Dickens said.
The transport minister recently told Local Democracy Reporting that Kiwis had rejected a blanket and
untargeted approach to reducing speed limits.
Consultation highlighted “broad support” for the Government’s new rule with 65% of submitters supporting the reversal of blanket speed limit reductions, Brown said.
The new speed rules apply from July 1, next year.
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support, whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks - respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances.
If you still live in your own home, a short stay at one of our care centres could be a welcome break from your… View moreFrom rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support, whether it’s for a few nights or a few weeks - respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances.
If you still live in your own home, a short stay at one of our care centres could be a welcome break from your usual routine.
Our respite care is offered at rest home-level care, hospital and specialist dementia care. In some circumstances, we may be able to offer you respite care in a serviced apartment.
If you've been thinking about moving to a Ryman care centre, spending time with us in respite care is a great way for you to experience the lifestyle in our villages before making your decision.
Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time?
Find out how to create your own with Resene Sandtex and these easy step by step instructions.
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in … View moreThis coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Cleaning out Mum's house in Richmond this week, so have for sale:
3-seater couch with 2 matching easy chairs, in cream.
Two single beds with mattresses.
Lovely wooden table and chairs, originally purchased from Rob's Furniture. Good quality. Pictures attached.
Offers.
Ryman Healthcare has donated $466,640 to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand while announcing Hato Hone St John as its new charity partner.
Ryman’s Executive Chair, Dean Hamilton, presented the cheque to the charity at a special event held at Murray Halberg Village in Auckland.
Tim … View moreRyman Healthcare has donated $466,640 to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand while announcing Hato Hone St John as its new charity partner.
Ryman’s Executive Chair, Dean Hamilton, presented the cheque to the charity at a special event held at Murray Halberg Village in Auckland.
Tim Edmonds, CEO of Leukemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, described the donation as ’vitally important’ to the work the charity does.
Click read more for the full article.
Congratulations to this week's winners:
Sam Fuller from Red Beach
Johanna Mortis from Saint Clair
Matthew Hardy from Kelburn
… View moreCongratulations to this week's winners:
Sam Fuller from Red Beach
Johanna Mortis from Saint Clair
Matthew Hardy from Kelburn
Anne Fahey from Woolston
They've each won a $100 petrol voucher.
If you're a winner, get in touch here.
Not a winner this week? There's always next week!
Join us any Wednesday in October and November, 10am - 3pm and experience the Ryman lifestyle that awaits.
Learn about our living options, tour our show homes and discover the wonderful amenities on offer.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Enjoy relaxed living in breathtaking Blenheim, Marlborough.
For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home, valued at over $1 million.
You can make this property your permanent residence, a holiday retreat, a rental, or simply sell it!
Get your tickets… View moreEnjoy relaxed living in breathtaking Blenheim, Marlborough.
For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home, valued at over $1 million.
You can make this property your permanent residence, a holiday retreat, a rental, or simply sell it!
Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them … View more1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
Revamp an old trolley for drinks with a twist with Resene Enamacryl. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Looking to buy two IBC water tanks that I intend to use for wood storage, so not fussed if the inner plastic lining is leaking/broken, but the cage must be in order. Does anyone know where I can get them? Thanks!
There's only a few differences between our larger chain supermarkets here in New Zealand. Having someone bag your groceries is one of them.
Does having your groceries packed for you at the checkout influence where you do your grocery shop? If so, tell us why.
As we come up to the festive season, a lot of us want to shop online and look for good bargains 🛍️🛒
Here’s a few tips to help you stay safe, avoid buying stolen property, and not get taken advantage of:
💸If it is too good to be true, it probably is, or it could be stolen property.
… View moreAs we come up to the festive season, a lot of us want to shop online and look for good bargains 🛍️🛒
Here’s a few tips to help you stay safe, avoid buying stolen property, and not get taken advantage of:
💸If it is too good to be true, it probably is, or it could be stolen property.
💸If it’s being sold as new, ask for the receipt for the warranty. If they can’t provide it, that’s a red flag.
💸Check the seller’s profile, is it new or relatively blank?
💸If you make a purchase and need to meet somebody to get it, choose somewhere well-lit and well populated in public, near CCTV. If it has to be somebody’s home, take someone with you and let someone else know where you’re going and when.
💸Be especially cautious when buying power tools or high-end toy brick building block sets.
Sadly, if you unknowingly buy stolen property, you’re aiding criminals and inadvertently supporting them to steal more.
If you find a suspect listing or social media scam, call 105, or report it with us online at 105.police.govt.nz
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