Canterbury ratepayers face 17.9% rates hike
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.
After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average rates rise from 24.2% to 17.9%.
Acting chairperson Craig Pauling said there were some tense negotiations, but he was pleased with the outcome.
The councillors voted on 15 main resolutions, with several resulting in close division among the 16 councillors, he said.
‘‘Even though it was tense throughout, there was good support at the end and people felt there was some good give and take in the room,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘The feeling in the room was, ‘we have done all we could have’.’’
More than 1300 submissions were received on the draft long-term plan, with 153 making oral presentations during the hearings, which were held over four days.
‘‘We tested the water with some bold options in our consultation and the response demonstrated there were mixed views, with some saying we needed to deliver more, while others identified we could make savings or prioritise work,’’ Pauling said.
Savings were made by delaying some of the proposed public transport projects, including delaying work on a mass transit business case until year 2 and postponing bus route improvement work until year three.
‘‘It makes sense to delay this work so we have a better idea of where the Government and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) are heading,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘Some councillors thought we should be more cautious, but if we don’t put it in the plan, we don’t get anything from Waka Kotahi.’’
About three-quarters of submissions supported the council increasing its spending on ‘‘river resilience’’, including flood protection, and pest and weed control.
The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.
There was strong support for a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and the council was considering similar options from the Ashley Rakahuri River and other rivers in South Canterbury.
Pauling said it would need support from the community, local councils and ultimately central Government.
‘‘Over the last five years we have been getting more and more requests for how we might move forward in addressing our rivers.
‘‘It is recognition that rivers are important to everybody.’’
He said river resilience was a national issue, as disruption to bridges on major routes could affect the whole country.
‘‘Room for rivers’’ was an important conversation and could be achieved by buying land, such as Environment Canterbury buying land beside the Ashburton River.
Another example was the Waimakariri District Council’s land purchase on Lineside Rd, beside the Cam Ruataniwha River.
‘‘By acquiring the land we can do something great for the community,’’ Pauling said.
Council staff will now finalise the long-term plan before it is audited by Audit New Zealand and adopted by councillors on June 26.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.4% Inside!
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23.6% On top!
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