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It is Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) awareness week from 20th to 26th March.
We are a nationwide, but locally based, community organisation. Our volunteers are here to help people to know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. We … View moreIt is Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) awareness week from 20th to 26th March.
We are a nationwide, but locally based, community organisation. Our volunteers are here to help people to know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. We provide people with the confidence and support they need to take action.
You don’t have to be a Citizen to use us and this week we are celebrating the diversity and multiculturalism within our service. If you would like help in your language, call our freephone number 0800 367 222, or visit your local CAB, and let us know what language speaker you require. Language should not be a barrier to getting the information and advice you need.
Find out more about CAB, what we do and what it's like volunteering. Click on the link to go to the podcast
AEA holds regular online meetings and welcomes newcomers from all over the world. Attendance at meetings helps members feel a part of the fellowship. Members share how AEA has worked for them and the difference it is making in their lives.
A provocative and breath-taking wakeup call told through video and live music.
I complained about the excess usage charge as it was never 'fair' and in the back of my mind, I thought that it has been the council's responsibility to supply it to us free of charge, which has now turned into the 1st 700lpd, as it is paid for in with our rates.
The fact that some … View moreI complained about the excess usage charge as it was never 'fair' and in the back of my mind, I thought that it has been the council's responsibility to supply it to us free of charge, which has now turned into the 1st 700lpd, as it is paid for in with our rates.
The fact that some use small amounts and others a huge amount, brings the 'fairness' issue to the forefront.
This topic has made me rethink and come up with another system.:
The council drops part of the rates pertaining to water supply and treatment and instead, we all pay for what we use via the meter - 'User pays'- no arguments.
The people who do not have meters are charged an average, +25% to encourage them to get a meter installed
The boot is now on the other foot but with fewer problems and whatever you use, you pay for, just like electricity.
Having written this, I am wondering if this was not the plan all along. However it does not matter if it was or was not, I can not think of a fairer system.
Remember for the "Water is free" brigade, we are not paying for the water, only pumping up from the Aquifer, treatment, and supply to the properties
I am sure some will disagree.
Increase your chances to win this brand-new, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an open-plan … View moreIncrease your chances to win this brand-new, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or even sell it. Tickets only $15 – get in quick and purchase more tickets today.
Surplus to requirements. Works well. Good picture. Panasonic TH-P42V20Z. See photos below. "Buyer" must pick up.
Addington School
5-7pm Thursdays 2nd February - 30th March
Bike Bridge Christchurch - Taught by women, for women.
All abilities welcome - from those who have never sat on a bike to those that want to build confidence on the road.
Bikes and helmets provided.
Come when you can between 5-7pm;… View moreAddington School
5-7pm Thursdays 2nd February - 30th March
Bike Bridge Christchurch - Taught by women, for women.
All abilities welcome - from those who have never sat on a bike to those that want to build confidence on the road.
Bikes and helmets provided.
Come when you can between 5-7pm; no worries if you arrive late or need to leave early. No need to book.
Please wear closed footwear.
Bike Bridge at Addington School poster Feb 2023.pdf Download View
Heavy duty blender. Glass jug. Excellent condition runs really well. Pick up in Halswell
Costs are high making 2023 a tough year already! Who's the hero doing the hard yards to keep things running in your household?
NZ Compare wants to pay $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!
Nominate your household Hero by clicking the button below and be in to WIN $350!
Offer ENDS… View moreCosts are high making 2023 a tough year already! Who's the hero doing the hard yards to keep things running in your household?
NZ Compare wants to pay $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!
Nominate your household Hero by clicking the button below and be in to WIN $350!
Offer ENDS 31st March 2023.
Need more ways to save money? Comparing your power and broadband bills is one way to see if you can save more or simply switch to something that better suits your needs. If you’re paying for it, make sure it works for you!
NZ Compare can help, CLICK HERE TO COMPARE!
I commented after the floods in the North Island and excess water arriving on properties from everywhere, that I would ask the council what rules and controls we had in place to stop people covering their property and so not having any land for water to soak into, so overloading other properties … View moreI commented after the floods in the North Island and excess water arriving on properties from everywhere, that I would ask the council what rules and controls we had in place to stop people covering their property and so not having any land for water to soak into, so overloading other properties and/or the stormwater systems that are planned around a smaller unsealed surface.
There is a restriction when 1st building a house and maybe if you apply for a new building on that land, here is the response
"In the District Plan, there are no impervious surface rules. However, landscaping, maximum building coverage and setback rules indirectly can control the amount of impervious surface on a site. These rules vary across different zonings too.
Where a resource consent is required, most are monitored to check developments are in accordance with the plans. For example that the landscaping is in place. This is usually a one-off check once the development is completed.
There is no ongoing monitoring unless Council are made aware of an issue (e.g. through a complaint)."
Given that so many properties are converting to rental properties and/or people maybe do not have the time for gardening, I have noticed more and more 'sealing' more of the land.
Very good condition size 102cm also sports gear shorts and top. gemmellcolleen@gmail.com
Primary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are striking this week as they look for a pay offer that meets inflation at 7.2% and makes concessions around staffing issues - in particular, student to teacher ratios.
A ratio of 1 teacher for 23 students applies for year 11 students, however … View morePrimary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are striking this week as they look for a pay offer that meets inflation at 7.2% and makes concessions around staffing issues - in particular, student to teacher ratios.
A ratio of 1 teacher for 23 students applies for year 11 students, however support staff can be counted as teachers so the reality is that class sizes can be much higher.
What do you think are the ideal sizes for classrooms?
Type NFP alongside your comments if you don't wish these to be shared in the We Say You Say column of the local paper.
Samsung 32 inch tv and Sanyo DVD player. Both with remotes and in excellent condition.
We can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.
We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, … View moreWe can see you're paying a lot for your broadband each month (we'll have some helpful advice on that soon)! Now let's shine the spot light on Power! The other BIG bill Kiwis are juggling.
We know usage can fluctuate quite a bit meaning so would your bill but to keep it simple, how much does your power bill usually come to?
From reporter Steven Walton:
Leading Christchurch developers are scaling back major projects, putting others on hold and threatening to pull out of the central city altogether in protest of council plans to make some streets one-way.
Philip Carter and Shaun Stockman made stark warnings to … View moreFrom reporter Steven Walton:
Leading Christchurch developers are scaling back major projects, putting others on hold and threatening to pull out of the central city altogether in protest of council plans to make some streets one-way.
Philip Carter and Shaun Stockman made stark warnings to Christchurch city councillors on Wednesday as they vented about a $33 million plan to make roads around the new Te Kaha stadium more pedestrian-friendly.
One of the most significant proposals in the plan is to make Lichfield St, between Madras and Manchester St, one-way with a 10kph speed limit, though three quarters of the 1200 submitters supported this.
A leading transport academic was among those in support and said the streets had to be made safer.
But Carter and Stockman said the council was breaking promises of earlier post-earthquake rebuild documents, which had left them without certainty.
Carter, who developed The Crossing, said the documents showed Lichfield St would remain two-way.
The street was an “artery” for his car park at The Crossing and the council was “tampering” with it, he said.
Making it one-way would break trust, he said, adding that he had “deep concerns” about anything that affected traffic coming into the city.
He also criticised council plans to make part of Gloucester St one-way, which were recently put on hold.
“You guys [the council] continue to make it so hard,” Carter said.
“You are now driving investments away.”
In light of the council proposals, Carter said:
- He would stop a planned development on the old Holiday Inn site, despite having attracted an international tenant with no other New Zealand stores.
- He was no longer prepared to be involved in the planned car park for the new Catholic Cathedral precinct.
- He would downscale his planned international hotel beside the new Te Pae convention centre.
- Carter said he also wanted to stop work on an office building in Cathedral Square , but could not because construction had recently commenced.
He said he recently showed a London investor a site near the convention centre and asked him if he wanted to put a hotel there. After hearing about the Gloucester St plans, the investor replied: “Why would I”, Carter said.
A council analysis of those who wanted Lichfield St to remain two-way found many were concerned about loss of parking and traffic flow. Some also wanted cars to take priority.
But planning just for cars was “at best unbelievably naive and at worst plain dumb”, according to Canterbury University professor Simon Kingham, who is also chief science adviser to the Ministry of Transport.
“You need to provide good alternatives, [such as] walking, cycling and public transport and people will change their behaviour,” he said.
“This is clearly what the evidence says.”
Kingham backed council staff’s view that the streets had to be safer and more pedestrian-friendly.
He said he was horrified when the plans were paused last year.
Youth-led climate action organisation Generation Zero also supported the one-way option and said the streets should be redesigned to be safer for pedestrians, cyclists, scooter and mobility device users.
The council analysis said submitters backing the one-way plan supported enhanced pedestrian access, more safety, as well as the greening and beautification of the street.
Five Lichfield St businesses supported the one-way plan while four wanted the two-way option.
Out of all Christchurch businesses that submitted, 17 supported one-way while 35 wanted two-way.
Developer Shaun Stockman was among the latter. He said his company’s board was so alarmed by the proposed revamp that it had paused two projects.
“If these proposals as per go ahead, we will be stopping any further investment in Christchurch CBD fullstop,” he said.
Stockman claimed the revamp overlooked the elderly and disabled communities; removed an unnecessary amount of car parking; and would take away valuable trade from businesses.
Stockman said he did not own buildings in the affected streets, but owned some in surrounding streets.
The views of residents and businesses are now being considered by councillors Melanie Coker, Tyrone Fields, Sara Templeton, Mark Peters, and Yani Johanson.
They will make a recommendation to council on how to proceed with the revamp, with a final decision to be made by the full council.
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