Canterbury receives ‘paltry amount’ of national road funding – Waimakariri mayor
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury receives a "paltry amount" of national road funding, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon says.
In a submission on the Government's national roading priorities, Gordon said the Woodend Bypass and Ashburton State Highway 1 bridge were the only significant Canterbury projects in the mix.
"The Ashburton bridge and the Woodend Bypass are important for the entirety of Canterbury and for the country," Gordon said.
"We need to advocate strongly for Canterbury. What we receive in Canterbury is a paltry amount compared to the overall funding for roading."
He said maintenance funding and subsidies needed to be at a level that allowed councils to keep roading networks up to speed.
"When we get behind it is very hard to catch up, so it is something we prioritise here."
In the submission on the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport, the Waimakariri District Council supported its "general direction", but said it would like more Canterbury projects in the mix.
The policy statement, released by Transport Minister David Parker in August, sets the Government’s priorities for future land transport investment.
The inclusion of the proposed Woodend Bypass in the plan saw it move into the top three projects in the draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-34. This guides land transport planning within the region.
The other significant Canterbury project brought forward was the Ashburton State Highway 1 bridge.
In the submission, Gordon welcomed plans to widen the Ashley River Bridge as part of the Woodend Bypass project.
"We hope this will allow for cycling and walking."
However, he called for an underpass to be constructed near the Pegasus/Ravenswood roundabout to improve cycle and walking access across SH1.
Gordon also wanted the immediate purchase of land required for the Woodend Bypass to give property owners some certainty.
He also called for other Waimakariri projects to be given great priority, including the proposed Skew bridge upgrade (west Kaiapoi), Lineside Rd safety improvements, the Rangiora western link, the proposed Rangiora eastern link road and transportation infrastructure to support the development of Māori Reserve 873.
He also advocated the call from Greater Christchurch Partnership’s (a coalition of local government, mana whenua and government agencies) for more funding for public transport and infrastructure enhancements.
Other Canterbury projects in the GPS included funding for public transport, Rolleston upgrades, Brougham St safety improvements, increased public transport capacity on Halswell Rd, rural intersection safety improvements, and SH1 resilience in Timaru.
For now the Rangiora western link, eastern link road and Skew bridge projects sit at numbers 20, 24 and 25 in the draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan 2024/34.
The Greater Christchurch Partnership’s public transport initiatives is in the top four, along with the Conway River bridge replacement in the Hurunui district.
"The benefit of the regional approach is that councils work together effectively to advocate for regionally significant and nationally significant projects," Gordon said.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
For a bit of fun...
What old products do you miss? Some products do become part of your life, whether it's just a treat you have at the cinema or your favourite breakfast spread.
Do you have a childhood memory to share? Let us know below what products you still think of fondly!
knife sharpening offer
Does anyone remember a post from someone offering knife sharpening? Please message me if so.
Canterbury councils team up to tackle climate change
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s three councils have thrown their weight behind a plan to tackle climate change.
The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have endorsed the Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s draft climate partnership plan.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, who chairs the mayoral forum’s climate action reference group, said by working together larger councils could help the smaller councils.
‘‘Climate change doesn’t recognise territorial boundaries, so we need something that works across Canterbury.
‘‘Christchurch is further ahead, which is fantastic, and in Waimakariri we are developing our work programme.’’
The Waimakariri District Council adopted its natural environment strategy at a council meeting last week, after completing its consultation alongside the long-term plan.
The 30-year strategy aims to protect the district’s natural ecosystems and its special indigenous biodiversity.
Gordon said the mayors hoped to officially launch the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan later this year and he planned to invite Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.
‘‘I have raised with the Minister about attending a public launch to provide some inspiration of what can be done in other regions.’’
The plan sets out 10 climate actions to help the 11 Canterbury councils prepare for ‘‘a sustainable future’’.
The actions included understanding climate risks and improving resilience, reducing emissions, adaptation planning, nature-based solutions, education and advocacy, supporting papatipu rūnanga, integrating climate change considerations into council processes, identifying co-funding opportunities, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said her council had endorsed the plan in principle.
The Hurunui District Council was represented on the climate action reference group by Councillor Dave Hislop, a dairy farmer.
‘‘Dave brings a pragmatic approach and he is grounded in farming principles,’’ Black said.
Hislop and other rural councillors had questioned aspects of the plan and science behind it, before giving their support, chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.
‘‘I think it has been through a robust process and councillors of all persuasions have been involved.
‘‘We might not 100% agree with everything, but it is important Canterbury stands together and is seen to be working together.
‘‘There is a desire for us to thrive and do well and loom large in the consciousness of the Government and the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan is just one of those things which we are working on collectively.’’
Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said his council had endorsed the plan and budgeted for its contribution over the next three years in its long-term plan.
‘‘We believe it is a great initiative to be looking at the issues from a wider regional perspective.
‘‘We are very keen to see some tangible outcomes from the climate actions.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Loading…
