Waimakariri mayor seeks clarity on major roading projects
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
An increase in destructive heavy rain events is forcing the Waimakariri District Council to rethink how it responds.
The council has established an infrastructure resilience team to lead flood recovery efforts.
Councillors have also approved $4 million for infrastructure repairs, following a flood event in July 2023, which saw more than 150mm of rain fall over three days.
‘‘We know severe weather events are happening more regularly and during each event we learn more about our stormwater, wastewater and roading networks and where they need be strengthened and investment focused,’’ mayor Dan Gordon said.
‘‘Rather than engaging consultants to work alongside staff, we’ve decided to recruit and put in place a specialist team to work on current known issues and improve the resilience of our entire network.’’
The council received 335 service requests from residents following July’s rain event, compared to more than 800 requests from a more severe rain event last year.
The July rain event led to a precautionary self-evacuation of Tuahiwi at its peak, numerous road closures and widespread surface flooding.
"Residents have told the council they’re concerned about flooding during heavy rain events, especially now they are happening more regularly," Gordon said.
"And they want assurance we’re doing what we can to reduce the likelihood of flooding."
He said the new fund provided a budget to fix known issues and to put skilled people in place as part of an infrastructure resilience team.
The main areas to experience issues from July’s rain event included Cam River/Ruataniwha, the Tuahiwi area, and Waikuku Beach.
There were also road repairs needed, including Lees Valley Rd.
Over the past three years $22.3 million has been spent in Kaiapoi on flood protection works such as pumping stations, drain and culvert improvements and mains replacement.
It was partially funded from the Government’s ‘‘shovel ready", fund.
‘‘We’ve already seen the benefit of these improvements during the July 2023 flooding - known low-lying areas in Kaiapoi remained safe,’’ Mr Gordon said.
‘‘We want to continue to build on this momentum with this new team and new fund.’’
PHOTO: The Ashley River in flood during July's heavy rain event. By John Cosgrove/North Canterbury News
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Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing, I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?
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Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
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