Residents’ group opposes new Canterbury community board
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The fate of a proposed community board in North Canterbury will be decided by the Local Government Commission.
Eleven objections were received on the Hurunui District Council’s decision to create a community board for its south ward, which includes Amberley, at next year’s local government election.
Councillors who supported said it was ‘‘more democratic’’ and would better represent the south ward's growing population.
The Amberley District Residents’ Association is among the eleven objectors. Association chairperson Roy Myers said there was ‘‘no evidence’’ to support the change.
‘‘I can’t see any advantage whatsoever with an elected community board of five members who are paid by a targeted rate of $20,’’ Mr Myers said.
‘‘I think it is going to reduce representation.’’
He said under existing structure, committee members were accountable to the group they represented, but he questioned how the board members would be accountable.
‘‘The south ward has quite a diverse character. You have the urban part, the rural part and the beach communities.’’
Councillors voted in favour of replacing its south ward committee with an elected community board in June, following a representation review.
This was despite opposition from residents’ groups, with 14 of the 22 submissions opposed to the change.
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.
South ward committee chairperson Jo Hassall said she looked forward to hearing the Local Government Commission’s decision.
‘‘I do like the fact it is being taken to a separate person, who will look at it independently.
‘‘It has gone through the right process and whatever decision is made is final.’’
The Local Government Commission is an independent body that can make decisions on the structure of local government.
South ward councillor Vanessa McPherson was among those who voted in favour of establishing the community board.
She said it would be ‘‘more democratic’’ as elected board members would be accountable to the whole community and not just to the groups they represented.
‘‘We are looking at the population growth in Amberley and I think moving forward the south ward needs and deserves democratic representation that will support that growth.
‘‘I know there are some associations and groups who feel they will lose their voice, but councillors will still have direct links with those groups.’’
The residents’ associations will also be able to make deputations to the community board.
Fellow south ward councillor Pauline White voted against establishing a south ward community board.
She said the 11 appeals was "another thread in a thorough representation review process".
"The community is continuing to engage, and this is evidence of their vested interest in representation to fit the current needs of the south ward."
The Local Government Commission will make its determination by April 10.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Older residents call for Amberley bus service
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A lack of public transport and access to healthcare were among the issues raised in recent a survey of older residents in the Hurunui district.
The Hurunui District Council surveyed residents aged over 60 during August and September, as it looks to develop an age-friendly community plan to support an ageing population.
There are currently no public bus services in Hurunui, which includes the town of Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.
Community development facilitator Vanessa Nelmes said public transport is a big issue for many elderly people, while accessing medical care when needed remains a concern.
While there are a number of community vehicle trusts operating in the district, respondents felt a regular bus service from Amberley to Rangiora and/or Christchurch is needed.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black has been among those advocating for a bus service, but for now Environment Canterbury says there are no plans to offer public transport in the district.
The distance to medical care in Christchurch and the lack of a dentist were also mentioned, Nelmes said.
The survey received 213 responses from residents aged from 60 to their 90s, with half coming from residents in the south ward, which includes Amberley.
Nelmes said the survey found a majority of the respondents felt confident using computers, internet and / or smart phones.
‘‘It kind of puts that myth to bed that old people don’t like using technology.
‘‘I think we really do need to change our mindset compared to what is really happening in our community.’’
Although about 50 respondents said they were not confident using technology, showing there was still a need for providing support.
The survey also asked if people would like to improve their skills with technology and it was ‘‘evenly split’’, Nelmes said.
A concerning trend in the survey was a number of respondents who said they felt socially isolated, especially those new to the community, she said.
‘‘We had half a dozen people who replied along the lines, ‘you have to put yourself out there, but it’s how to make the first step’.’’
The survey has been analysed by the age-friendly steering group, which plans to widen its membership to include different agencies such as district nursing and is seeking a rural voice, Nelmes said.
Council staff plan to do a stocktake of services available for senior citizens in the district, before beginning work on a draft age-friendly plan.
Environment Canterbury public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said there are no plans to extend bus services into Amberley or the wider Hurunui district.
‘‘The focus for public transport improvements is on delivery of the core routes in Christchurch and the direct services between the main urban areas in Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and Christchurch City.
‘‘Service improvements are reliant on funding through local rates and the National Land Transport Programme.’’
She said routes outside large urban areas are unlikely to meet the funding criteria in the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme.
But as part of the 2025/26 annual plan staff are considering how to best serve the rural community, including assessing new routes outside the Greater Christchurch boundary.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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