929 days ago

Get decorating and save with the Resene Save the GST Value sale!

Resene

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More messages from your neighbours
6 minutes ago

Hurunui cash plea rejected by transport agency

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A North Canterbury council’s bid for road funding has been rejected as too costly by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

The Hurunui District Council requested to almost double its funding for the next three years, compared to the period 2021-24, NZTA director regional relationships director James Caygill said.

He said the council’s funding bid sought an increase of 184% from the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

‘‘This increase was amongst the highest sought nationally.’’

About the country, councils put in bids totalling $6.5 billion for the 2024-27 period, up 42% on the previous three year period, Caygill said.

‘‘The total bid put forward nationally was unaffordable to the National Land Transport Programme, making it difficult to honour everyone’s bid.’’

Caygill said the agency had approved Hurunui’s request for an increase of nearly 50% in its funding for road resealing, and it ‘‘should be adequate to maintain and renew its network’’.

But at a council meeting on June 25, council chief executive Hamish Dobbie described NZTA's response as ‘‘under-whelming’’.

‘‘It is extremely disappointing given the amount of work we put into getting our roading programme together and it looks like they (NZTA) didn’t even look at it.’’

NZTA’s overall funding had increased, but Hurunui’s allocation was not enough to fund the upgrades needed to ensure the resilience of the district’s roading network, he said.

But funding for increased resilience works and other improvements were assessed separately under the ‘‘Local Road Improvements Activity Class’’, and funding information had yet to be released.

The council has deferred the adoption of its long-term plan until July 15.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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18 hours ago

A message from Christchurch Police

The Team from Canterbury Police

Christchurch Police are urging the community to ensure children are properly restrained following a concerning vehicle stop in Harewood. About 11:30am yesterday, Thursday 4 July, Police stopped a vehicle travelling almost 20kmh above the speed limit on Harewood Road.

When Police came to the window, four children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years were seen in the back and front passenger seats with their car seats incorrectly fitted.
The driver was issued a formal warning and an infringement notice. Police are working with the driver around the correct way to secure seats, secure the children, and making sure they have the right seat for their size.

Inspector Ash Tabb says, ensuring car seats are properly attached and kids are properly restrained is essential in reducing the risk of serious injuries or worse if a crash occurs.
“I am glad this didn’t result in more serious consequences; not only were the kids not properly restrained, but the vehicle was also travelling almost 20 kmh above the speed limit, two of four known crash and serious crash contributors, labelled RIDS (Restraints, Impairment, Distraction, and Speed).

"We understand parents, and caregivers may not know what the right seat is, or how to attach it correctly for your child. There are several services available to assist people with this, including child restraint technicians who can provide advice on what restraint may be needed. They can also help you fit them to your vehicle,” Inspector Tabb says.

Check out Whānau Āwhina Plunket website here.
Or the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website here.

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18 hours ago

Slow progress on golf course access

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Slow progress is continuing to be made to resolve future road access to a Canterbury golf course.

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said he has met with members of the Amberley Beach Golf Club to agree to ‘‘a way forward for the consent process’’.

The 18-hole golf course is under threat from coastal erosion, with the council agreeing in August last year to investigate extending Grierson Ave through the narrowest part of a wetland.

The proposal would secure access to the club’s course and clubhouse, as well as mahinga kai areas in the Waimaiaia Reserve, and the Waipara River mouth.

Dobbie said the club had verbally agreed to a process and he was waiting for written confirmation from the club.

The cost of the consenting process and hiring a consultant would be borne by the council, he said.

There was no agreement yet on the cost of purchasing land, but Dobbie said he would be following up with the land owner.

A report to the council’s May meeting said staff had met with Environment Canterbury staff and members of the golf club in April to discuss the consenting requirements.

An assessment of environmental effects, an ecological assessment and a hydrological wetland assessment would be required.

Constructing a road through a natural inland wetland was likely to be a non-complying activity under the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater.

Staff estimated it would cost $1.155 million to meet the consenting requirements to build the road.

An alternative option of linking Webbs and Hursley Terrace roads with Golf Links Road from the northern end has been considered.

This option would secure access to most of the golf course, but not the clubhouse and would reduce the course to 16 holes.

It would also secure access to the Waimaiaia Reserve and the Waipara River mouth.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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