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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Retailers want market stalls banned from Ashburton’s CBD streets as they say the road closures are hurting local shops.
Ashburton's central streets are closed on South Canterbury Anniversary Day each year for the market day, which is a … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Retailers want market stalls banned from Ashburton’s CBD streets as they say the road closures are hurting local shops.
Ashburton's central streets are closed on South Canterbury Anniversary Day each year for the market day, which is a normal work day in Mid Canterbury.
Jolene Laxton of retailer Sparrows spoke to the Ashburton District Council on behalf of the CBD retailers this week, asking to end the all-day road closure in the central area.
The local businesses want the council to “consider the impact that closing the central town access roads during business hours has on our local businesses within the area”.
When the CBD is closed off, the majority of businesses suffer financially she said.
“Trading is down between 30% to 50% on these market days.”
She also alleged a spike in shoplifting on the market days.
“A number of businesses are reporting a dramatic increase in theft on these days.”
Businesses didn’t bother reporting it because it wasn’t worth the recovery cost she said.
A police spokesperson said it “isn’t something our local staff were immediately aware of” after this year’s event.
The Ashburton Market Day, which replaced Boulevard Day, is an all-day market on East St.
The road closure of the four blocks of the CBD for the event was advertised 48 days in advance but “not everyone reads the paper” Laxton said.
They were also issued a reminder notice seven days before the event.
The market day events bring people into town but “do not bring customers into our local business that work hard to support our local community”.
“We are closing our roads and limiting our access to run an event that has more out-of-town stall holders than it does local stall holders, and is held on a public holiday for another district.”
“The main street of our town is not the prime position for these activities anymore.”
The retailers are suggesting Baring Square or the Ashburton Domain as better locations to hold the market days.
Originally asking for all road closures to be off the table, making the CBD a no-event zone, the retailers agreed some “community events” were still welcome.
Short-term events held in the evenings or weekends had less of an impact Laxton said.
“Any community event that is for our community, that brings our community together is a positive.”
The market day is a private event and “most of the money on that day goes out of our community”.
Boulevard Day had run on Ashburton’s main street for 45 years before the CBD was a construction zone in 2021 so was held in the Domain.
That event then folded and Carol Johns started her market day to take its place in 2022.
The CBD retailers had opposed the road closure with the council deciding to grant it, with a raft of conditions.
Johns was gutted the retailers were again trying to block her market day going ahead.
“I’ve fought and fought to bring this event that brings thousands of people to our town.
“They are trying to stop anyone from doing anything in the CBD.
“Do the retailers have that right?”
She was swift to denounce some of the claims by the retailers, as he hadn’t heard of any shoplifting or seen any police reports corroborating the claims.
Johns said she had followed all the processes to secure the road closure, which was publically notified without objection.
With the town centre upgrade changing Burnett and Tancred streets into one-way streets, a road closure on East Street effectively closes the whole CBD.
“And that wasn’t my doing.”
The market day is utilised by several Ashburton Community Groups to fundraise and this year about 50 of the 115 sites were run by locals, she said.
If the traditional section of East St is to become a no-go zone then Baring Square just down the road could work she said.
The domain wasn’t an option because part of the event is the “creating the atmosphere and vibe of being in the centre of town”.
The council has requested an issues and options report to be prepared.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said the report will look at what issues and any options around road closures under the legislation and bylaws.
The report is expected to take about a month he said.
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I'm Nadine, a reporter for Stuff and I'm wanting to do a story about the reality of the festive season for some people.
I'm wanting to talk to an older pensioner who will likely be alone at Christmas and finds it hard to get by on the pension.
Is this you? I'd love to … View moreI'm Nadine, a reporter for Stuff and I'm wanting to do a story about the reality of the festive season for some people.
I'm wanting to talk to an older pensioner who will likely be alone at Christmas and finds it hard to get by on the pension.
Is this you? I'd love to talk to you if possible. I'd need to visit prior to Christmas and on Christmas Day, if possible.
You can email me at nadine.roberts@stuff.co.nz or leave a comment below and I can get in touch.
Thanks for reading!
There is something for everyone at the Vintage Fair North Canterbury, come along and see what you can find!
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in … View moreThis coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Ryman Healthcare has donated $466,640 to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand while announcing Hato Hone St John as its new charity partner.
Ryman’s Executive Chair, Dean Hamilton, presented the cheque to the charity at a special event held at Murray Halberg Village in Auckland.
Tim … View moreRyman Healthcare has donated $466,640 to Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand while announcing Hato Hone St John as its new charity partner.
Ryman’s Executive Chair, Dean Hamilton, presented the cheque to the charity at a special event held at Murray Halberg Village in Auckland.
Tim Edmonds, CEO of Leukemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, described the donation as ’vitally important’ to the work the charity does.
Click read more for the full article.
🏠 Properties under 2 hectares: Can't burn outdoors. Compost, mulch or take it to a transfer station.
🏡 Properties over 2 hectares: Only burn dry vegetation (less than 25% moisture content), paper and cardboard. No rubbish or inorganic material.
Check 👉 ecan.govt.nz/outdoorburning
Congratulations to this week's winners:
Sam Fuller from Red Beach
Johanna Mortis from Saint Clair
Matthew Hardy from Kelburn
… View moreCongratulations to this week's winners:
Sam Fuller from Red Beach
Johanna Mortis from Saint Clair
Matthew Hardy from Kelburn
Anne Fahey from Woolston
They've each won a $100 petrol voucher.
If you're a winner, get in touch here.
Not a winner this week? There's always next week!
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1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them … View more1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature painted in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, Resene Sakura and Resene Apple Blossom. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Environment Canterbury (ECan) has adopted its revised representation review proposal after earlier agreeing to U-turn on plans to shift Ashburton's boundary.
But ECan chairperson Crag Pauling signalled the work isn’t finished at a council … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Environment Canterbury (ECan) has adopted its revised representation review proposal after earlier agreeing to U-turn on plans to shift Ashburton's boundary.
But ECan chairperson Crag Pauling signalled the work isn’t finished at a council meeting on Wednesday.
The review sets the constituency boundaries for the upcoming elections in 2025, but it has been recommended a full review take place before the 2028 elections.
Pauling backed the process the regional council had been through, but said "the process isn’t finished”.
The regional council’s decision is open to appeals before the Local Government Commission makes a final decision in April.
But the council’s decision also suggested it would be up to the next council to complete.
An earlier plan to revise boundary lines sparked protest from Ashburton's mayor who argued it would not provide effective representation for Ashburton District or rural communities.
ECan subsequently reversed the plan and decided to retain the status quo, aside from some boundary changes in Christchurch. It will recommend the next council undertakes a comprehensive representation review in three years.
It means the Ashburton District remains part of the Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi constituency with the Selwyn District, rather than being merged with South Canterbury.
Christchurch Central/Ōhoko councillors Genevieve Robinson and Greg Byrnes, and Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Paul Dietsche voted against its adoption.
Robinson and Byrnes were aggrieved at losing 360,000 constituents in the Christchurch boundary changes that they felt weren’t consulted on.
Byrnes called it a gerrymander – “the manipulation of an electoral constituency boundary so as to favour one over another”.
Each councillor has one vote, but several councillors "represent far less numbers than others”.
He said he was appalled with the review outcome.
“You accept the unacceptable gerrymander in South Canterbury, while at the same time give a two-finger salute to the ratepayers and council of New Zealand's fastest-growing district.”
Robinson said the outcome undermined the process.
“What is the point of people coming forward and voting or giving opinion on something if the result is this?
“It’s not at all what people spoke about or submitted on.”
Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi councillor John Sunckell said he was comfortable with retaining the status quo.
While there had been a strong push from the Selwyn District to become a stand-alone constituency, the challenges of having two people representing all of South Canterbury, with South Canterbury starting at the Rakaia River, “just was not tenable”.
Christchurch South/Ōwhanga councillor Vicky Southworth said she was swayed to the status quo as she was opposed to having just two representatives for 50% of Canterbury’s land area.
“Regional council is around natural resource management.
“That rural understanding and ability to connect with your councillor is actually really important.”
Addressing future representation around Selwyn’s continued growth will require some serious thinking,she said.
Deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs said it had been a full-on process and “you can never please everybody”.
If you've been considering a move to Kevin Hickman Village, our limited release of brand-new townhouses are selling now.
These two and three bedroom townhouses are currently under construction, featuring an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, these homes are perfect for hosting … View moreIf you've been considering a move to Kevin Hickman Village, our limited release of brand-new townhouses are selling now.
These two and three bedroom townhouses are currently under construction, featuring an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, these homes are perfect for hosting friends and family.
They are conveniently located near the village centre, which will be opening next year. Don't miss out on the townhouse of your choice!
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