Committee or board? Decision on Amberley’s representation looms
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Around 5000 North Canterbury residents will soon learn if they will fall under a proposed new community board, which will represent their views to council.
The Local Government Commission heard an appeal against a proposal to establish a community board for the Hurunui District Council’s south ward on Tuesday morning.
Councillors who supported the proposal said it was ‘‘more democratic’’ and would better represent the south ward's growing population, with Amberley, Leithfield and two beach communities within the ward's boundary.
Eleven objections were received, but just one, Amberley District Residents’ Association chairperson Roy Myers, gave an oral presentation to commissioners.
Myers said there was no evidence to support the change and he believed the community board would reduce representation.
‘‘The community board will not have the same level of representation or activity which is on the ward committee.
‘‘Amberley is the largest area with an expanding population. It has grown significantly and stands to grow even more.
‘‘Leithfield is an historic village with a very active community, and Amberley Beach and Leithfield Beach face challenges with climate change, sea level rise and the possibility of managed retreat.’’
Councillors voted in favour of replacing its south ward committee with an elected community board in June, following a representation review.
The proposed community board would have five members elected at large, plus the four ward councillors and the mayor.
The south ward committee comprises nine community members elected at its first meeting in a council term, plus the four ward councillors and the mayor.
Community members include representatives from residents’ associations, the Amberley Reserves Advisory Group, the Hurunui Youth Council and three independent members.
Myers said he was the elected representative of the Amberley District Residents’ Association on the south ward committee.
But when questioned by the commissioners, he acknowledged that while the entire town was invited, only around 30 to 50 people attended the residents’ association’s annual meetings.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said the council believed a community board would provide more strategic direction.
She said a walking and cycling fund of $370,000 has been established from development contributions since 2010, with decision making delegated to the south ward committee.
But the committee has been unable to agree on how to spend it.
‘‘We believe an elected community board would be able to make a more strategic decision,’’ Black said.
Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said Census figures indicated the south ward had a population of 5620 in 2023, up by 410 since 2018.
This represented growth of 1.53 percent a year, compared with the average growth of 2.3% a year since 2001.
But Dobbie said the council had concerns with the Census data and believed the growth was considerably higher, as it did not match the council’s own data including consents issued for new houses.
The Local Government Commission said it aimed to communicate with the council in four to six weeks.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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New Amberley cricket ground gets green light
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amberley is set to get a new cricket ground, despite some community opposition.
The Hurunui District Council approved plans to allow the development of the Amberley Village Green (formerly Eastern Reserve), to the east of the town centre, which will include a cricket ground, at a council meeting on Tuesday, November 26.
Around 120 submissions favoured the development of recreation in the reserve over a cricket ground, during the council’s recent reserve management plan consultation.
At Tuesday’s meeting, councillors approved a plan to install an irrigation system, with water sourced from a submersible bore pump.
Staff have been authorised to tender for the development of a playing surface, excluding the wicket block which will be developed by the Amberley Cricket Club.
A pathway around the perimeter of the reserve and public toilets will also be developed.
A cricket ground was first mooted for the reserve a decade ago when the land was set aside by the developer.
A budget of about $900,000 has been set aside, with 90% from development contributions.
An updated concept plan tabled at the meeting makes provision for other sports and activities such as basketball, a scooter track, a playground and car parking.
Several councillors expressed reservations about the proposed size of the cricket ground.
Councillor Garry Jackson said proposed the cricket ground was close to international standard and could be reduced by 20 percent and still be ‘‘appropriate as a village green club cricket ground’’.
While she acknowledged Jackson’s concerns, councillor Pauline While said the council needed to move forward, and councillor Fiona Harris said the cricket club had been ‘‘patient for long enough’’.
Councillor Robbie Bruerton said ‘‘it is being talked about as if it is only going to be used for cricket, but it can by used for any sport’’.
Councillor Vanessa McPherson voted against the proposal as she said the process had been ‘‘undemocratic’’ in the beginning.
‘‘I am concerned there is not enough funds for a decent children’s playground. I am angry and frustrated by this. It is so unfair.’’
Earlier in the meeting Amberley ratepayer John Weyers urged councillors to vote against establishing another cricket ground.
He said cricket is already being played at the Amberley Domain and ‘‘there is no reason why cricket and football cannot co-exist’’.
While there had been a dispute between the cricket and football clubs, he believed it has now been resolved.
‘‘Amberley is growing and we have an ageing population and a growing number of young families, but we are lacking spaces for recreation.’’
Councillors noted there has been confusion about the name of the new reserve, between the Village Green and the Eastern Reserve.
Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said ‘‘Village Green’’ was the name put forward by the council’s south ward committee.
Dobbie said the council’s reserve management plan will be presented to councillors at a future meeting for adoption.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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