North Canterbury a popular place to live
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils are continuing to process high numbers of consents for new houses, as the housing boom shows no signs of letting up.
In the six months to June 30, 435 consents for new houses were issued in the Waimakariri district.
While this is 12% down on the same period last year, 400-plus consents was a normal year for Waimakariri before the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said.
Last year, 935 consents were issued for new houses and a similar result was predicted for this year.
"It’s really booming. Why would you not want to live in Waimakariri?" Atkinson said.
"When we set out rates for this year we put the range at around 900 consents and we are halfway at six months, so we are definitely on track."
Woodend led the way with 144 consents, followed by Kaiapoi with 139 and 86 consents in rural areas.
There were 38 consents issued in Pegasus and just 25 in Rangiora.
Atkinson said the bulk of Kaiapoi’s growth was in the Silverstream subdivision, with the smaller sections and high density housing.
While Rangiora’s consent numbers were down, it would pick up again soon with new developments in the pipeline.
One proposed subdivision in Rangiora, Bellgrove, was recently fast-tracked under the Covid-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Act 2020.
The 63-hectare site is expected to open up soon for 209 sections in stage one and up to 1100 sections over five stages.
The Waimakariri district’s population has already passed 66,000 and is on track to top 78,000 by 2031.
Long-term projections suggest Waimakariri could approach 100,000 by 2048, with Rangiora expected to pass 30,000.
Kaiapoi is set to run out of room for expansion, but could continue to grow with ‘‘infill’’ and subdividing into smaller sections and more high density housing, Atkinson said.
"That’s one of those issues we will face, whether people see it as a good thing or not is a different story."
He said careful planning and working together with the Greater Christchurch partners was essential.
"We can’t rest on our laurels when planning for our future.
"We have to make sure our systems can handle the growth and that we can continue to keep up with climate change.
"And we need to remember everything flows to Kaiapoi so we’ve got to be smarter with the way we handle our water systems."
The Hurunui District Council issued 194 consents for new houses in the year to June 30, up from 118 the previous year - an increase of 60%, building and property manager Kerry Walsh said.
Amberley led the way with 100 consents for new houses, followed by Hanmer Springs with 45 consents.
Total consents issued in the last six months were 317 with a building value of $52 million, compared with 300 at a value of $42m for the same period last year.
The Kaikōura District Council has issued 73 building consents for the first six months of this year, after issuing 154 building consents during the 2021 calendar year.
The council has also issued 50 resource consents (such as subdivisions and land use), compared to 44 resource consents for the same period last year.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.5% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz 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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