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Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for tamarillo recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 8, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for tamarillo recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 8, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Environment Canterbury’s annual plan carries a 16.2% average rates rise but the local councillor says that won’t be the case in Ashburton.
Councillor Ian Mackenzie said Ashburton urban ratepayers were looking at rise of about 4%, while the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Environment Canterbury’s annual plan carries a 16.2% average rates rise but the local councillor says that won’t be the case in Ashburton.
Councillor Ian Mackenzie said Ashburton urban ratepayers were looking at rise of about 4%, while the majority of Ashburton rural would have a decrease.
Mackenzie said the rural decrease was a combination of a financial policy readjustment around the Hinds MAR project after ECan confirmed its project funding was a contribution not a loan, meaning it would be funded by the general rate, and borrowing the funds for the new land and water plans.
“That has made a reasonable difference in cost and the rate rise,” Mackenzie said.
“The MAR project and the land and water plan funding have probably made the biggest difference to rural Ashburton and rural Selwyn [rates].”
Funding flood recovery from the general rate, as opposed to targeted rates, would also have an impact, he said.
The May 2021 flood recovery work has been estimated to have cost about $20 million, with about $7.5m from the Government's National Emergency Management Agency.
ECan would fund the remainder by borrowing up to $12.2m to be repaid by general rates over 10 years.
Mackenzie said ECan was also still hoping the Government would answer its request to co-fund flood management in the future.
“When we do the budgets on what we need to do along the Ashburton River, we probably need to collect at least half as much if not twice as much more to manage it properly, and we are hoping the Government comes to the party.”
If the Government did not agree to the proposed co-funding of flood management, Mackenzie said ECan would likely be forced to start increasing the take from the river rating district, which had been reclassified.
The Ashburton River/Hakatere rating district has gone from 13 rating classes to six classes and an extended boundary to ensure “those who are benefiting are paying their fair share”.
“It’s the same amount of money from more places.”
Mckenzie said the Selwyn District Council has approached ECan to work on a similar river rating system for the Selwyn River so that “everybody pays and we can do a better job managing the river and its tributaries”.
He hoped that work could be done in time for next year’s annual plan process or for the long-term plan the following year.
BY THE NUMBERS
ECan provided some sample properties that showed an Ashburton urban property that was worth $330,000 in 2021-22 is now worth $430,000 in 2022/23 so its rates will rise from $201.55 to $296.30 – a $94.75 rise.
An Ashburton rural property that had been worth $4,960,000 and paying $2,293.05 is now worth $4,760,000 and will pay $1,941.68 – a $351.36 decrease.
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Dear neighbours,
You have just a few more days to send your entries for our Houseplant Hero competition. You could win some great prizes and of course, more houseplanst!
Have a selection of lovely hyacinths available
1) Aqua $4 /2bulbs
2) Fairy White $4 / 2 bulbs
3) Delfts Blue $4 / 2 bulbs
4) Yellowstone $4/2 bulbs
5) Mixed . ( $5 /4bulbs .
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A council manager says it’s “difficult to quantify" how much water’s been lost because of infrastructure leaks in Methven until the meter implementation plan hits full noise.
Ashburton District Council's infrastructure services group … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A council manager says it’s “difficult to quantify" how much water’s been lost because of infrastructure leaks in Methven until the meter implementation plan hits full noise.
Ashburton District Council's infrastructure services group manager, Neil McCann, said 160 of 1200 meters have been installed in a trial the council hopes will solve massive water losses in Methven.
McCann said to get the maximum value from any metering programme, it needed water meters on all connections.
“Only then can we determine where the water is actually going," he said.
“Universal metering will also allow council to calculate how much of the leakage is on the public network and how much is on private property."
The council believed there was an unaccounted water loss of 65% in Methven between 2019-20. It also reported that acoustic detection technology, where water leakages in burst or faulty pipes are heard and found without disrupting the service or breaking the ground, identified 51 leaks on public and private properties during one-off investigations in July 2020.
In its long-term plan, the council agreed to a $1 million trial of water meters in Methven, believing there were significant leaks in the region’s infrastructure.
Once the meters were installed and used to identify leaks, the information would also eventually be used to prioritise acoustic leak detection activities on the public network, McCann said.
“We have identified some leaks after installing meters and notified the property owners, who have attended to the leaks, so leakage will be gradually decreasing.
“It is difficult to quantify the amount at this stage.”
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Concrete mixer, plastic barrel with lid and seal wanted. "Odjob" or something similar that rolls to mix. New or used.
Are you interested in working with infants, toddlers, or young children?
Our Level 3 Certificate in Early Childhood will help you to develop a strong foundational grounding in the essential knowledge involved in the education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children.
This programme … View moreAre you interested in working with infants, toddlers, or young children?
Our Level 3 Certificate in Early Childhood will help you to develop a strong foundational grounding in the essential knowledge involved in the education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children.
This programme is taught in a practical learning environment and includes placements within early childhood centres, providing a real hands-on experience to prepare you for a career in early childhood.
We are enrolling now for July! Visit our website to enrol or find out more.
We have 8 piglets needing new homes
4 boys and 4 girls
We need them to find their new forever homes asap.
They make amazing pets and are very trainable.
All parents are purebred Kunekune.
Located in Leeston
Upcycle pallets into stylish pieces for your deck or patio with Resene Pitch Black.
Find out how to create your own.
What to do for a warm home when the frost of winter and the cost of living are both on the rise? Click on over or come see us at The Warehouse.
You don’t need to spend big to create a healthy home, and you can start with good curtains. Open them during the day to let the warmth in, then close … View moreWhat to do for a warm home when the frost of winter and the cost of living are both on the rise? Click on over or come see us at The Warehouse.
You don’t need to spend big to create a healthy home, and you can start with good curtains. Open them during the day to let the warmth in, then close them at night to keep cold air out. A low-cost heater will keep your air warm at night while you snuggle under blankets and flannelette sheets.
Keep your whānau cosy this winter with us.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Some things have been changed around but rates are still set to rise by an average of 9.4%.
The Ashburton District Council ran through the final draft of its annual plan on Wednesday before it goes before the council next week for adoption.
… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Some things have been changed around but rates are still set to rise by an average of 9.4%.
The Ashburton District Council ran through the final draft of its annual plan on Wednesday before it goes before the council next week for adoption.
Councillors have left no stone unturned for savings or deferrals but haven’t been able to budge on the 9.4% average rates rise.
The council had asked in its consultation if it should reduce services to reduce costs, and therefore rates, but the majority of the 131 submissions received were against any reduction.
Mayor Neil Brown said the council had consulted the community and through the submissions process made changes.
“We listened and made changes around the projects such as new footpaths, [public] toilets, and assessments of disability inclusive playgrounds.
“Small things, moving things around but the community felt it was important. We listened and we changed.
“Some people thought some things were more important than we did and we listened and took that on board, and changed things around.
“It didn’t affect the overall rates as well we just moved things around a bit.”
The council shuffled some funding around to reintroduce new footpaths to the annual plan, sass well as including public toilet facilities and rectifying the safety hazards at the EA Networks entrance - none of which affects the rates.
What is affecting the 9.4% average rise is inflation, flood recovery, new drinking water regulation compliance.
“We are spending a reasonable amount of money on [water regulation compliance] in this coming year and at the end of that year all our water supplies will be compliant.”
The council had been advised in October to factor in an inflation rate of 2.9% but Brown said the council were able to forecast that the figure was too low and went with a rate of 5%.
The councillors reviewed the 173-page document and made several corrections and clarifications for the final draft that will be ready to go for adoption next week.
Wanted Wanted Wanted:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antiques • Paintings • Collectables
We are at multiple venues each day throughout Christchurch Region.
Monday 20 June to Sunday 25 June. Please check the dates and times carefully on our website … View moreWanted Wanted Wanted:
Gold • Coins • Watches • Banknotes • Antiques • Paintings • Collectables
We are at multiple venues each day throughout Christchurch Region.
Monday 20 June to Sunday 25 June. Please check the dates and times carefully on our website https://www.goldco.co.nz/.
The market for antiques, collectables, scrap gold, vintage watches, rare coins and art has been buoyant over the past 2 years. Prices have never been higher and demand never stronger. Have you considered selling your collection? or simply wish to cash in unwanted items? Whether a single item of broken jewellery or a large collection of Art or Antiques.
See us at a venue near you or call Hamish on 0800 105 228 or 021 461 727.
Most elder abuse is hidden in plain sight. Abusers are often someone close – a family member, a caregiver, someone trusted. If you’re concerned about how someone is being treated, it’s OK to get help. #ItsOKtoHelp #WEAAD
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