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From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Satisfy Food Rescue is looking forward to work beginning on a permanent facility to house its growing service.
The North Canterbury-based food rescue charity is one of several organisations set to benefit from the proposed Kaiapoi Community Hub in the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Satisfy Food Rescue is looking forward to work beginning on a permanent facility to house its growing service.
The North Canterbury-based food rescue charity is one of several organisations set to benefit from the proposed Kaiapoi Community Hub in the former red zone.
‘‘We are excited to be working with the other stakeholders for this project to see it come to fruition,’’ Satisfy Food Rescue manager Stef van Meer said.
‘‘Each year we are receiving and distributing more and more food to help sustain the community organisations we support.
‘‘A purpose built facility as part of the Kaiapoi Community Hub will work wonders for us in the long term as we see the need for our service increase.’’
Satisfy retrieves food from local supermarkets, businesses and residents with surplus garden produce, which it passes on to food banks across the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
In the last financial year Satisfy distributed 45% more food than the year ending March 2021.
Satisfy collaborated with other organisations last year to form Food Secure North Canterbury and has secured funding from the Ministry for Social Development to build a new facility as part of the Kaiapoi Community Hub.
The Waimakariri District Council has signed off an additional $760,000 in the 2022-23 annual plan, to increase its contribution to $1.475 million.
Work is expected to begin early next year on the proposed hub, which will be located off Courtenay Drive, not far from the south bank of the Kaiapoi River and to the east of Countdown.
The Kaiapoi Men’s Shed and the Kaiapoi Croquet Club are also joining the hub, with room for more groups, the council’s community and recreation manager, Chris Brown, said.
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the hub was ‘‘an extremely positive development’’ for Kaiapoi.
‘‘It’s a great use of that land and a positive investment, and these groups make such a positive difference to the community.’’
The council’s contribution will be about one-third of the overall costs, providing infrastructure including the three waters, car parking, ecological linkages and a walkway.
The balance of the funding will come from the organisations using the facility and outside funding sources such as the Rātā Foundation.
A project manager has been appointed to lead the project through the detailed design and tendering process, Brown said.
‘‘It’s likely to be next year before we get a spade in the ground. I would expect it to be around February or March.
‘‘The way the hub has been designed allows for the whole community to use and access the whole area in a park-like setting.
‘‘It will be a place where people feel comfortable and can recreate formally and informally.’’
The three groups are in the process of establishing a trust to oversee the running of the site, with support from the council in a model similar to Rangiora’s Northbrook Studios.
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From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Growth is continuing apace in the Waimakariri district, with two major subdivisions proposed.
A subdivision in northeast Rangiora, Bellgrove, has been fast-tracked for development, while a private plan change request for a 155.9-hectare development at … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Growth is continuing apace in the Waimakariri district, with two major subdivisions proposed.
A subdivision in northeast Rangiora, Bellgrove, has been fast-tracked for development, while a private plan change request for a 155.9-hectare development at Ohoka has been notified.
A consenting panel appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency has granted resource consents, subject to conditions, to Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The Waimakariri District Council made an application to the Minister for the Environment in November last year to speed up the Bellgrove development, on the basis it would provide much needed housing and employment in the fast-growing district.
The application was made under the Covid-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Act, following public consultation and an agreement from the developer, Bellgrove Rangiora Ltd.
The proposed development is to the north of Kippenberger Ave and straddles the Cam River.
It is proposed to subdivide a 20.8ha site initially and construct 209 sections, a neighbourhood commercial centre, open spaces, restore ecological areas and develop infrastructure including roads, parking and three-waters services.
The full development is over 63ha and could total as many as 1100 sections to be developed over five stages.
Meanwhile, the Waimakariri District Council has notified a private plan change request from Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd for a proposed 850-house, 155.9ha subdivision between Whites and Bradleys roads at Ohoka (pictured).
Mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed subdivision had not been ‘‘initiated’’ or ‘‘anticipated’’ by the council.
‘‘The council will be making its decision on whether to make a submission in the coming weeks and we will be appointing someone to offer independent advice.’’
District plan manager Matt Bacon said residents had 20 working days to make a submission.
Once staff have considered those submissions they will be notified, with a further 10 working days for feedback before hearings are held.
Greenfield areas were normally developed close to an existing town, where there was existing infrastructure, Bacon said.
The plan change process would consider the provision of services as part of a merits based assessment, he said.
‘‘Any new residential areas need to be fully serviced with water and waste water,” he said.
‘‘The general principal is the developer would pay for it and recover it through development contributions on the sections.’’
The proposed development also includes about 6000 square metres of commercial floor space and car parking, and there is provision for either a new school or a retirement village.
From local democracy David Hill:
Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District
Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park … View moreFrom local democracy David Hill:
Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District
Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park concept beyond its temporary aqua play park.
Trust vice-chairperson Jason Mill said the project is largely on track, despite the challenges of Covid-19.
‘‘When we first started out, 2024 was always our target so we are still on track to get a shovel in the ground by then.’’
The memorandum of understanding set aside land in the former red zone to the north of Kaiapoi River, while the trust undertook market research, water testing and a feasibility study for the project.
The trust was also granted a three-year license to occupy last year to operate an aqua play park on Courtenay Lake to the south of the river from October to April, with Kaikanui Aqualand NZ running the operation on behalf of the trust.
Despite the wet summer and a delay in getting under way, Mill said there were 15,000 paying customers to the play park from all over New Zealand.
‘‘We brought 25,000 people including spectators into Kaiapoi, so it gives us some confidence that it will work. We now have two more seasons to up our game.
‘‘We might pull 30,000 to 40,000 people, so we have been talking to Enterprise North Canterbury to see how we can get people to spend more time in Kaiapoi and support other businesses.’’
Now that the council has completed work on a stormwater main to north of the river, the trust has been able to begin hydrology tests on the proposed site of the larger aqua sports park, Mill said.
He said the land will need to be remediated and he estimated it could cost $40 million to construct the first stage.
Stage one is likely to incorporate the inflatable park, cable boarding and a small surf park, possibly with some kayaking.
The longer term project will cost upwards of $80m.
The money is expected to come from investors and proceeds from the aqua play park.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a report was being prepared for councillors to consider.
‘‘The two years has gone pretty quick and I think everyone would agree it hasn’t been the easiest two years.
‘‘We need to look at it in more detail and consider what do they still need to provide us with, what is the critical path we need to follow and how long they might need.’’
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the play park had proven itself and he was looking forward to seeing the report from council staff.
Residents had raised concerns about being able to access the area around the lake for recreation, water quality, impacts on wildlife and the presence of crowds of people.
‘‘There were some legitimate concerns raised, but through good management the trust has been able to put people’s minds at ease,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘And if this last summer is a small picture of what the future will look like then we obviously need to have a look at the big picture. It has the potential to benefit everybody.’’
The trust had been successful in meeting its own community objectives and raising goodwill, including planting trees, offering learning opportunities and giving away free passes to local school children.
Councillors were due to discuss the aqua sports park proposal this week.
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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 … View moreFrom 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’’.
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Come on out of the cold and warm up with some laughs tonight at 5 stags Rangioria. A brand new show with new comics you have not seen before. Come on out and grab a glass of mulled wine and have a laugh. See these guys before they get too famous to see in small pubs. Show starts at 7:00.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A group of Amberley residents are thrilled their street name will remain the same.
The Hurunui District Council voted last week to rescind a November 25 decision to change the name of Rosewood Drive to Hilton Drive by seven votes to three.
Resident Brian … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A group of Amberley residents are thrilled their street name will remain the same.
The Hurunui District Council voted last week to rescind a November 25 decision to change the name of Rosewood Drive to Hilton Drive by seven votes to three.
Resident Brian Gill said the decision was a relief to his neighbours, who were faced with the prospect of having a new street name and number.
‘‘At the end of the day democracy was the winner, but we would hope that there is some learning for the council administration that they don’t go roughshod without consulting with the community.
‘‘From our perspective, they had to be held accountable for making their recommendations.’’
He said residents only found out about the name change when they received a letter from the council dated April 29.
‘‘Five months after they had made the decision, they made a letterbox drop advising that from July 1 it will be renamed and this is your new number.’’
The decision impacted on 11 houses and the Little Oaks Preschool.
The residents launched a petition that was presented to Hurunui mayor Marie Black.
They met with Black and council staff on May 11 to air their concerns, before making a deputation to a council meeting on June 2.
‘‘This is an example of local democracy in action,’’ Black said.
‘‘We heard from the people and I thank them for having the courage to come and ask us to reconsider.’’
The council says staff contacted residents of Pound St, Hilton Drive and Rosewood Drive in November, and received responses from 37 properties in person, by phone, email and via SurveyMonkey.
The name Rosewood comes from the name of a nearby farm.
Rosewood Drive was chosen as a temporary name for a link road when stage 3 of the Oakfields subdivision was approved by the council in 2015.
The developer had proposed Hilton Drive South, but the council resolved that the name was similar to the name of an existing road and didn’t align with council policy.
Rosewood Drive runs off Amberley Beach Rd and the intention is for it to eventually link up with Hilton Drive and Pound St.
Residents celebrated the decision by having dinner together at the Railway Tavern in Amberley on June 30.
‘‘We are a fairly tight knit community in the street,’’ Gill said.
Have you read our June Seniors newsletter? In this issue we discuss the Older Workers Employment Action Plan, Budget 2022 and hear from Equal Employment Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo. Read it here now: bit.ly...
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It’s time to sell your home, and you’ve decided to stage the place yourself for potential buyers. That’s an excellent choice – not only does staging tend to facilitate sales, but it can increase the amount of money you get for your property. In fact, some professional stagers estimate that … View moreIt’s time to sell your home, and you’ve decided to stage the place yourself for potential buyers. That’s an excellent choice – not only does staging tend to facilitate sales, but it can increase the amount of money you get for your property. In fact, some professional stagers estimate that their services boost their clients’ bottom line by up to 10%.
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