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Coast councillor remembered as ‘strong campaigner’ after sudden death
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Local politicians have paid tribute to one of the region’s more colourful councillors - Frank Dooley - who died suddenly at the weekend in what’s understood to be a medical event.
The Westport chartered accountant, who was 70, was the chair and … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
Local politicians have paid tribute to one of the region’s more colourful councillors - Frank Dooley - who died suddenly at the weekend in what’s understood to be a medical event.
The Westport chartered accountant, who was 70, was the chair and more recently chief executive of Buller Electricity.
He was elected to the West Coast Regional Council two years ago, vowing to get it back on track after a couple of turbulent years.
The council’s chief executive, Darryl Lew, said Dooley was widely respected by staff members for his financial and corporate knowledge and the huge energy he brought to his role.
“Frank read every detail of every council paper which came before him and made sure he knew it through and through.
“He was not afraid to ask questions to ensure he understood exactly what the issues were about nor to challenge when he thought something not right. Staff respected that.
“When he began his role as councillor in 2022 it was his first local government role. He had a lot to learn about systems and processes but took to it with aplomb. Our council would not be where it is today without Frank."
An all-staff meeting was held [Tuesday] morning at the council office in Paroa, Lew said.
“Several staff members who had worked particularly closely with Dooley were, understandably, very emotional.”
Regional council chairperson Peter Haddock said the loss of Dooley was very sad, and a shock.
“Frank was a strong campaigner and had the best interests of the Buller region, the West Coast and its ratepayers at heart.”
In Local Democracy Reporting's (LDR) observations, Dooley often showed a tenacity for detail and due process in council affairs and could be terse at times with what he saw as inefficiency or evasion.
He was unfailingly patient with media inquiries.
But he clashed often with deposed former council chairperson Allan Birchfield, and as chairperson of three council committees, frequently ordered him out of meetings.
Dooley was for a time trespassed from Buller District Council buildings after a fiery exchange with deputy mayor Sharon Roche.
He sued Buller mayor Jamie Cleine for defamation over the incident – but lost, after a judge-only trial in October.
The Buller mayor himself declined to comment on the news of Dooley’s sudden death, but noted Dooley had seemed unwell at times during the trial.
He referred LDR to the memorial notice on the Buller District Council’s Facebook page.
The notice describes Dooley as a deeply valued and much-respected community member.
“Frank was a highly respected West Coast Regional Councillor who provided leadership and support to that organisation.”
ABirchfield - Dooley’s sparring partner for the last two years - was somewhat less gracious.
“My mother told me if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all."
Funeral arrangements are still to be finalised, but at this stage, are set for Saturday in Westport.
Kaikōura guardians seek feedback on world heritage proposal
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura has come a long way since the idea of applying for world heritage status was first mooted 20 years ago, a community advocate says.
Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura’s marine guardians) is hoping to make a bid for the World Heritage … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Kaikōura has come a long way since the idea of applying for world heritage status was first mooted 20 years ago, a community advocate says.
Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura’s marine guardians) is hoping to make a bid for the World Heritage list, but first wants to hear from locals.
A community hui will be held at Donegal House, Kaikōura, on Tuesday, December 10, from 5.30pm to discuss the concept of world heritage for Kaikōura.
World heritage sites are landmark locations which are protected by an international treaty administered by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).
Te Korowai committee member Mel Skinner said Kaikōura’s world heritage journey began in 2004 when it was included in a tentative global list of 304 sites.
It was not progressed at the time because of a lack of protected marine and land areas, and the fragmented nature of marine planning and management in place.
‘‘A huge amount of work has been done since then,’’ Skinner said.
Te Korowai was established by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura in 2005 and successfully lobbied both local and central government for protections to be put in place.
The Kaikōura Marine Strategy was published in 2012, which led to the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act being passed by Parliament two years later.
The legislation established the Kaikōura Marine Area, which comprises the 10,416 hectare Hikurangi marine reserve, a 4686ha whale sanctuary, five customary management areas, a fur seal sanctuary and restricted fishing areas.
On land, Te Rae o Atiu Hutton’s shearwater colony was establish on Kaikōura Peninsula in 2005, The Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park was created in 2008, and other initiatives have been established since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016.
The Kaikōura district’s international dark sky sanctuary status, obtained in September, boosted to the district’s case, Skinner said.
‘‘After the earthquake, WhaleWatch did a push to get it (world heritage status) relooked at and we’ve got people across the community doing some amazing things.’’
There are just three world heritage sites in New Zealand, including southwest New Zealand (the Westland, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring and Fiordland national parks), Tongariro National Park and the Subantarctic Islands.
Ten sites are on a tentative list prepared by the Department of Conservation.
‘‘The big difference between Kaikōura and the other sites, is they are on DOC controlled land, whereas we are looking at the whole district and the marine area,’’ Skinner said.
‘‘Aligning ourselves with the dark sky area and the marine space gives us something unique.’’
She said world heritage status will provide ‘‘clear direction for where Kaikōura is going’’ and will lead to global recognition.
The community hui on December 10 will be chaired by Te Korowai chairperson Tā Mark Solomon, the former Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere (chairperson).
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Rates capping digs ‘bigger borrowing hole’ – mayor
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown says rates capping isn’t the answer for the district after hearing cautionary tales from Australian councils.
The Government is exploring the option of rates capping to balance the long-term interests of ratepayers with… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown says rates capping isn’t the answer for the district after hearing cautionary tales from Australian councils.
The Government is exploring the option of rates capping to balance the long-term interests of ratepayers with the financial sustainability of councils.
It was discussed at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) meeting in Wellington last month, which included a presentation on how rates capping worked in New South Wales and Victoria.
Brown said rising costs demand smarter solutions, but after hearing cautionary tales from Australian councils, rates capping would harm essential services and increase council debt.
The examples highlighted that if inflation was higher than the capped rate increases, then councils couldn’t deliver all its services, he said.
“They either had to cut services or borrow money, or both.
“They were just getting into a bigger borrowing hole.”
LGNZ president Sam Broughton said a rates cap would ultimately limit council investment.
He said there was a lot to learn from the Australian experiences of the immense challenges that came with rate capping.
Local Government NSW president, councillor Darriea Turley, urged caution around moves to introduce rate capping (or rate pegging).
“Local government’s capacity to fund existing levels of services and infrastructure is under increasing stress.
"There is a wealth of evidence that NSW councils and their communities have been damaged by rate pegging.
“In NSW, it has severely hampered councils’ ability to fund current, let alone future, levels of service.”
Broughton wants the Government to keep an open mind about rates capping, and to explore other alternatives that could achieve the same result.
“Ratepayers need to have confidence in council decisions and to trust that we’re focusing on delivering the infrastructure and services that communities expect.
“That’s why we are also looking into the approach taken by South Australia, who elected to improve their rates transparency instead of rates capping.”
In Ashburton, Brown said there will be some robust budget discussion in the new year with a forecast 10.1% rates increase next year, following an 11.8% increase this year.
The rate increase shouldn't be increasing as "no new projects are coming in because we have only just signed off the long-term plan six months ago.”
The increase is to cover three waters and roading work, and increasing costs to insurance and servicing debt.
The declining interest rate levels could have a big benefit.
“A 1% drop in interest rates is about a 2% rate decrease,” he said.
When announcing the plans to explore rate capping in August, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said council rates increased by around 15% on average this year, which is more than four times the rate of inflation.
"This is unacceptable and councils must ensure they are doing everything they can to reduce pressure on ratepayers.
“Ratepayers expect local government to focus on delivering the basics, picking up rubbish, fixing water infrastructure, and filling in potholes. We have done our part, and Kiwis expect councils to do theirs," he said in a statement.
Ashburton bridge announcement expected before Christmas
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Christmas might come early in Ashburton.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown visited Wellington recently for a Local Government NZ meeting and took the opportunity to pop into the Beehive to meet with Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.
“We are … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Christmas might come early in Ashburton.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown visited Wellington recently for a Local Government NZ meeting and took the opportunity to pop into the Beehive to meet with Minister of Transport Simeon Brown.
“We are progressing discussions on the second bridge and we hope to have an announcement in December,” mayor Brown said.
“Hopefully it will be a good Christmas present for Ashburton and the people of the South Island, as it’s a resilience project for the state highway network.”
The second bridge project is about improved connectivity between Tinwald and Ashburton that will reduce congestion along State Highway 1 where the existing bridge has had to close due to flooding twice in recent years, cutting the South Island off in the middle.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the pre-election pledge to start constructing a new bridge for Ashburton in its first term.
When he was in town on Friday he said it was “officially on the programme”.
“Ashburton Bridge is on its way.
“Timing will be worked through very quickly with Simeon, but it’s on the plan.”
The council and Government remain in negotiations over how to fund the $130m second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge.
“All funding options are part of the discussions,” mayor Brown said.
The discussion will include the possibility of a toll and areas of the project that can be refined to keep costs down.
The transport minister has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of introducing a toll on a second Ashburton bridge - either on the new bridge or the existing State Highway 1 crossing - to help pay for its construction.
Rangitata MP James Meager said he was aware of the meeting between the Browns.
“I don’t know what the outcome of that conversation was, but I understand they are getting closer and closer to reaching an agreement on what the funding mix should be.
“That’s the last big hurdle to get past.
“Then we can start making decisions around applying for consents and of course it’s in the fast track process so should go through quickly.
“Before we know it there will be shovels in the ground.”
Luxon and Meager were both confident the construction will begin this term, as promised.
The second bride project, a new 360m-long bridge across the Ashburton/Hakatere River, was included in the National Land Transport Plan and listed as a road of regional significance.
It guarantees the Government, through the NZ Transport Agency, will fund at least 51% ($66m) of the estimated $130m project.
That leaves $64m to find.
The council rolled over the $7.5m figure in its long-term plan budgets, but was aware it may need to increase its contribution.
Council chief executive Hamish Riach previously confirmed the council was applying to the Government’s $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund as the second bridge "fits very well with the fund’s criteria" in the council’s view.
The fund is a capital fund, supporting projects through a mix of loan and equity investments.
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz … View moreThe Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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