1959 days ago

$3m repair bill at old school: Cables stripped, windows smashed, ceiling torn down

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Vandals have ransacked an empty Christchurch school building, despite the Ministry of Education spending $80,000 on security and fencing.

Cables were stripped, windows smashed, carpets ripped up and a suspended ceiling torn down at the former Shirley Boys’ High School site.

The vandals caused a $3 million repair bill at the old school site, potentially derailing plans for nearby Banks Avenue School to take over the property.

The North Pde building became empty when Shirley Boys’ moved to a new purpose-built school in New Brighton in May 2019.

A deal would have meant Banks Avenue School – which currently does not have a hall – could have used the gym, while sports clubs and community groups could have hired the venue and outdoor pitches in the evenings.

However, the mindless wrecking-spree could mean the property will be bulldozed, if the ministry decides it will cost too much to repair it to meet building regulations.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?

What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?

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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 36.5% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    36.5% Complete
  • 63.5% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    63.5% Complete
362 votes
8 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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1 day ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

How much does it cost to join AEA?

There are no dues or fees for joining AEA or attending AEA meetings. We are self-supporting through our own voluntary contributions. At some point during each meeting we pass the basket to help cover expenses, such as the cost of rent and literature. Members are not obliged to contribute, but we usually do so to the extent we are able.



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