Kaiapoi night market gains council support
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Kaiapoi is set to have a weekend night market.
The Waimakariri District Council has approved a one-year licence with Market Investment Ltd, the company behind the Christchurch Night Market, to run a weekly night market in the Kaiapoi park and ride car park, next to New World.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed night market was one of several exciting initiatives being developed in Kaiapoi, including a new music festival Kaiapoi Riversong held on Saturday (April 20).
‘‘The Kaiapoi Night Market will add another dimension to the fantastic dining and shopping experiences already on offer in the town.
‘‘There is such a vibrancy in Kaiapoi which has been contributed to by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Park operating in the regeneration land.
‘‘Having the night market will offer these visitors another great experience of the town.’’
Gordon said council staff have engaged with Kaiapoi hospitality and retail businesses and found no opposition to the night market proposal.
The Kaiapoi Night Market is subject to a resource consent, but is expected to start in the winter months.
While no date has been set for the market’s opening, it is expected to be held on either a Saturday or Sunday night.
The company anticipates a market with 50 stalls, including a mix of food and beverage providers and retail.
Council staff will review the market after six months to assess its impact on Kaiapoi’s existing hospitality businesses.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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‘Healthy’ response to Waimakariri’s Long Term Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri residents have had their say on the long-term plan (LTP) and given councillors plenty to consider.
A council spokesperson said ‘‘a healthy’’ 336 submissions have been received to the 2024-34 LTP, making 1670 submission points.
The council is due to hold hearings on the submissions on May 8, from 9.30am, in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and then in the Oxford Town Hall from 3pm.
A second day of hearings will be held in the council chambers in Rangiora the following day from 1pm.
The council has signalled a rates hike of 8.94% this year, which is thought to be the lowest proposed rates rise in Canterbury.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, while continuing to pay off its earthquake recovery and Mainpower Stadium loans.
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
To support that growth, the council is proposing to spend around $693 million over the next 10 years.
Managing the natural environment, flood resilience, community facilities and transport infrastructure were being consulted on.
Key projects include the proposed Rangiora eastern link road, a draft natural environment strategy, the Rangiora Library extension and expansion plans for Mainpower Oval.
Once the hearings have concluded, the council will resume its LLT deliberations on May 21 and 22, before the final adoption in June.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.