Amberley Beach golf course access investigated amid coastal erosion threat
By local democracy reporter David Hill:
Slow progress is being made in efforts to secure access to the Amberley Beach golf course in Canterbury (see attached map), which is under threat from coastal erosion.
About 50 golfers attended a Hurunui District Council meeting in August calling on the council to extend Griersons Ave to secure access to the Amberley Beach Golf Club’s clubhouse.
The golf course faces the threat of coastal erosion, along with access to mahinga kai (natural resources) areas in the Waimaiaia Reserve and the Waipara River mouth.
The council agreed to investigate extending Griersons Ave through the narrowest part of a wetland, against the advice in a report to the August meeting, written by council chief executive Hamish Dobbie.
He proposed linking Webbs and Hursley Terrace roads with Golf Links Rd from the northern end, which would secure access to the golf course but not the clubhouse.
Council staff have been working with Environment Canterbury to consider the available consenting options.
‘‘Some progress is being made, but it is slow,’’ he said.
Both options would secure access to the golf course for the next 30 years.
Environment Canterbury consents planning manager Aurora Grant confirmed pre-consent application discussions were continuing.
Amberley Beach is one of several North Canterbury beach communities facing threats from erosion, coastal flooding and sea level rise.
No solution is in sight for Motunau Beach residents facing the threat of erosion.
The council has been working with two property owners at Motunau Beach, with homes perched precariously close to the cliff edge.
Dobbie said there was a long legal process under the Building Act to follow before a resolution could be found.
A geotech report was completed last year and discussions were continuing to ensure lives were not being put at risk, he said.
Efforts to restore a coastal road north of Cheviot, which was claimed by the sea last year, are progressing.
The council agreed to a KiwiRail plan in August to co-fund the rebuild of Claverley Rd in the Hundalees, north of the Conway River, which is 40km south of Kaikōura.
Dobbie said council staff had further conversations with KiwiRail last week about the reinforcement of the road.
The project is expected to cost up to $520,000 and will restore access to three households, which have been relying on four-wheel-drive access.
The road also provides access to archaeological sites of importance to local mana whenua, while the rail network is also under threat from erosion.
Nape Nape Rd at Blythe River, south of the Hurunui River, has been subject to slips following heavy rain events and coastal erosion over the last five years.
Councillors called on staff in September to prepare a strategy to provide guidance on how to respond to these situations.
It is expected to be considered as part of the long-term plan process in the coming weeks.
The council has also been working on coastal adaptation plans with five beach communities over the last four years.
Three plans have been adopted for Amberley Beach, Leithfield Beach and Motunau Beach.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Older residents call for Amberley bus service
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A lack of public transport and access to healthcare were among the issues raised in recent a survey of older residents in the Hurunui district.
The Hurunui District Council surveyed residents aged over 60 during August and September, as it looks to develop an age-friendly community plan to support an ageing population.
There are currently no public bus services in Hurunui, which includes the town of Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.
Community development facilitator Vanessa Nelmes said public transport is a big issue for many elderly people, while accessing medical care when needed remains a concern.
While there are a number of community vehicle trusts operating in the district, respondents felt a regular bus service from Amberley to Rangiora and/or Christchurch is needed.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black has been among those advocating for a bus service, but for now Environment Canterbury says there are no plans to offer public transport in the district.
The distance to medical care in Christchurch and the lack of a dentist were also mentioned, Nelmes said.
The survey received 213 responses from residents aged from 60 to their 90s, with half coming from residents in the south ward, which includes Amberley.
Nelmes said the survey found a majority of the respondents felt confident using computers, internet and / or smart phones.
‘‘It kind of puts that myth to bed that old people don’t like using technology.
‘‘I think we really do need to change our mindset compared to what is really happening in our community.’’
Although about 50 respondents said they were not confident using technology, showing there was still a need for providing support.
The survey also asked if people would like to improve their skills with technology and it was ‘‘evenly split’’, Nelmes said.
A concerning trend in the survey was a number of respondents who said they felt socially isolated, especially those new to the community, she said.
‘‘We had half a dozen people who replied along the lines, ‘you have to put yourself out there, but it’s how to make the first step’.’’
The survey has been analysed by the age-friendly steering group, which plans to widen its membership to include different agencies such as district nursing and is seeking a rural voice, Nelmes said.
Council staff plan to do a stocktake of services available for senior citizens in the district, before beginning work on a draft age-friendly plan.
Environment Canterbury public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said there are no plans to extend bus services into Amberley or the wider Hurunui district.
‘‘The focus for public transport improvements is on delivery of the core routes in Christchurch and the direct services between the main urban areas in Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and Christchurch City.
‘‘Service improvements are reliant on funding through local rates and the National Land Transport Programme.’’
She said routes outside large urban areas are unlikely to meet the funding criteria in the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme.
But as part of the 2025/26 annual plan staff are considering how to best serve the rural community, including assessing new routes outside the Greater Christchurch boundary.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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44.6% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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32.5% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
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