Long service to Waimakariri honoured
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
A long-serving Waimakariri District Council staff member was farewelled last week after a lifetime of supporting the community.
Madeleine Burdon retired last Thursday after 15 years as part of the council’s community team and numerous social sector roles before that.
She credits her longevity to the people she has worked with over the years.
‘‘There’s nothing I’ve done that I could have achieved on my own and that wouldn’t be what community development should be about.
‘‘The community development advisory role I inherited was very broad and I had lived in the district since 1980, so it seemed the perfect fit.’’
Burdon said her various roles were about supporting those who made a difference in the community.
‘‘You are the people who are hands on, who respond to the needs of thousands of people on a daily basis, my roles sat behind you and your agency’s work,’’ she said to many well-wishers at her public farewell.
‘‘I am humbled by the work you all do and I’m deeply grateful to have journeyed with you.’’
Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said the number of RSVPs to the farewell function was ‘‘testament to how much Madeleine is loved in the community’’.
For the last 15 months she has worked as the age-friendly community facilitator, with responsibility for implementing the council’s age-friendly community plan.
Sturley said Burdon was well known for her story-telling, her expressions and anecdotes, and for ‘‘singing lustily’’ in the council’s waiata singing group.
Mayor Dan Gordon paid tribute to the ‘‘great love and aroha’’ Burdon had shown for the community.
Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group chairperson Joanne Gumbrell invited Burdon to be the group’s ‘‘taonga and patron’’.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
-
0% Yes
-
0% No
-
0% Other - I'll share below
Think You’ve Got the Answer? Today’s Riddle Says ‘Prove It’!
If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Canterbury’s Woodend Bypass route confirmed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The route of the proposed Woodend Bypass in Canterbury has been confirmed - and it might look familiar to locals.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says it has decided the stick with the route which was first designated nine years ago.
Engineers reviewed the route after the Government gave them the green light in July to push ahead with plans.
The 9km stretch of road will provide an extension to the Christchurch northern corridor, otherwise known as the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has advocated for the project for several years and said he is thrilled at the latest announcements.
‘‘Many residents across the Waimakariri and further afield will be in no doubt about my passion for this project.
‘‘For far too long now, elderly residents of Woodend have missed medical appointments as they refuse to cross the main road due to safety concerns, and school children have run the gauntlet of getting to and from school.
‘‘Business owners have also suffered because customers refuse to stop on the main road due to traffic.’’
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it will be welcome news for local residents.
‘‘It has been a long time coming and the council has always been supportive of this project, so we are delighted that it is moving forward at the pace it is.’’
Last week, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to build an overpass to replace the Pegasus roundabout and provide better access for Pegasus, Ravenswood and Woodend residents.
He said NZTA will release a request for tender for detailed design and construction supervision this week.
The first stage of early works will likely begin in early 2026 with preparation for road widening to four lanes between Lineside Rd and Cam River, while the main physical works are expected to begin later in 2026.
An NZTA spokesperson said it is too soon for concept drawings to show what the Pegasus interchange will look like.
‘‘We’ll be able to share these as the designs progress during this next phase.’’
Details of how environmental challenges, such as two shingle pit lakes which have been created over the last decade, will be overcome have yet to be released.
Final costs have yet to be determined, but it is believed it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Woodend Bypass is one of the Government's first five roads of national significance.
The Government is considering roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Loading…
