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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A small community fears a proposed gun sports park could ruin their rural outlook in North Canterbury.
Loburn resident Marie Jones said locals are concerned the proposed airsoft sports facility will devalue their properties and impact the rural setting.… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A small community fears a proposed gun sports park could ruin their rural outlook in North Canterbury.
Loburn resident Marie Jones said locals are concerned the proposed airsoft sports facility will devalue their properties and impact the rural setting.
However, the director of the company behind the park says it's a family sport and could actually increase local house values.
Christchurch-based Arena Ltd has applied to the Waimakariri District Council for a resource consent to establish an airsoft sports and recreation activity park on Fishers Rd, near Loburn.
Similar to paintball, the sport uses airsoft pellets instead of bullets.
Jones said she found out about the proposal after a neighbour, who runs a business in Rangiora, overheard a conversation and then contacted the council.
The neighbours got together last week, fearing the consent could be approved without being notified.
The council had been trying to sell a 6.5-hectare block for sometime, before subdividing the property, with Arena Ltd buying 4ha.
Residents were concerned about the fire risk from the property, where the spraying noxious weeds has not been kept up, Jones said.
‘‘As neighbours we have phoned the council at least twice a year to do something.
‘‘It is always a danger waiting to happen.’’
The Loburn community was devastated by a major fire in the district in January.
Fishers Rd is narrow and not designed to take increased traffic and has a blind rise just before the property, she said.
A Waimakariri District Council spokesperson confirmed a resource consent application has been received to operate an airsoft sports facility at Loburn.
The application is on hold while the council seeks further information from the applicant.
Once the information has been received, the council will process the application as either a non-notified, limited notified or publicly notified consent.
Arena Ltd director Ken Yep said the company has been operating an airsoft sports facility near Christchurch since 2011.
‘‘We are trying to replicate it in more of a natural forest setting.’’
He said he was keen to preserve the natural forestry on the site, and was working to clear away the noxious weeds.
Arena Ltd was working with council planners and had brought in engineers to assess the likely noise levels and was planning to design fire breaks.
Yep said the park would mainly be open in the weekends, with some private groups onsite during the week.
‘‘I don’t think it will drop their property values at all and I think it will increase their values.
‘‘It is gun related, but it is a proper sport and everyone enjoys it and we get a lot of young people and families coming out.
‘‘We are not some weird group which causes all sorts of problems.’’
Yep said he would be happy to meet with residents to address their concerns.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Community concerns over the environmental impact of a proposed landfill in North Canterbury have led to a local community board taking a stand.
The Rangiora-Ashley Community Board will make a submission against a landfill being proposed by Christchurch … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Community concerns over the environmental impact of a proposed landfill in North Canterbury have led to a local community board taking a stand.
The Rangiora-Ashley Community Board will make a submission against a landfill being proposed by Christchurch firm Protranz Earthmoving Limited at its quarry at White Rock, near North Loburn.
Protranz has lodged resource consent applications with Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council to construct and operate a proposed landfill for the disposal of building and demolition waste, and contaminated soil material.
Board chairperson Jim Gerard said the community board members decided to stand alongside the local community, who were concerned about the risks to groundwater and the local Karetu River.
He said the board would seek financial assistance from the Waimakariri District Council to seek specialist advice to help prepare its submission.
‘‘We are representing the community so we need to ensure whatever information we do present, is presented as well as it is able to be.’’
At a recent meeting, a sub-committee of Gerard and board members Ivan Campbell and Kirstyn Barnett, who represent the board’s Ashley sub-division, was appointed to work on the submission.
Gerard said he had met with White Rock and North Loburn residents to discuss their concerns.
‘‘We talked about what we were doing and have kept them informed.’’
A residents’ group is preparing its own submission.
Oxford residents and the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board were recently successful in their opposition to a proposed landfill at View Hill, near Oxford.
Questions have been raised about whether another landfill is needed, given the Kate Valley Landfill, a regional landfill in North Canterbury, has plenty of capacity.
‘‘It is particularly well managed and internationally noted for its operation,’’ Gerard said.
‘‘We would hope any consent, if granted, will cover all of those things.’’
The Burwood Landfill in Christchurch had its consent to operate extended last month for another two years to June 2026, because it has yet to reach its capacity.
About 100 White Rock and Loburn residents attended a public meeting in February and have since formed an incorporated society to organisation the opposition to the landfill proposal.
Spokesperson Mike McCaleb said there ‘‘was a high degree of anger, disappointment and resentment’’ expressed by people throughout North Canterbury.
‘‘So many people were depressed, stressed and feeling hopeless about their ability to affect the proceedings.’’
Bouyed by the recent Oxford landfill decision, the residents now feel more confident.
‘‘We are a small community with a big heart. We have many passionate and committed professionals in our community.’’
McCaleb said residents were concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
Increased truck movements was another concern, particularly trucks carrying asbestos and other contaminants to the landfill.
Protranz general manager Shaun Coakley said he respected the community board’s decision.
‘‘We knew the development of critical infrastructure such as a managed fill landfill would attract attention from the local community, hence our decision to voluntarily publicly notify.
‘‘Whether by providing additional information that clarifies their issues or collaborating to establish consent conditions that mitigate their concerns, we're committed to an open dialogue.’’
Consents have been lodged with both Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council, and are on hold, awaiting more information.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
We're looking for delicious orange recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's October issue. Send your family's favourite ways to enjoy this fruit to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 20, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the October issue of NZ Gardener.
Not only can he not follow the councils own processes and rules but he also cost the ratepayers a $66k investigation, so he's clearly no fit to represent the region.
www.thepress.co.nz...
Winter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.
As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in… View moreWinter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.
As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and to prepare the soil for future planting.
Click read more for the full story.
$1 per egg - thats a great protein component in a meal especially compared to the cost of meat nowadays!
Free range duck eggs for sale, laid by happy rescued domestic ducks. Mostly Pekin, khaki Campbell with a few muscovy and the odd wild mallard egg. Great for eating, baking, or making salted … View more$1 per egg - thats a great protein component in a meal especially compared to the cost of meat nowadays!
Free range duck eggs for sale, laid by happy rescued domestic ducks. Mostly Pekin, khaki Campbell with a few muscovy and the odd wild mallard egg. Great for eating, baking, or making salted and century eggs. NOT FOR BALUT NOT FERTILE.
All eggs are candled immediately prior to sale to ensure you only receive super fresh eggs with no cracks etc.
Pickup from oxford or ChCh (Walthum on Tuesdays at 10:45am during term time)
Delivery: (approx fortnightly subject to demand and laying)
Free delivery to Rangiora (minimum order 1 dozen)
Delivery to Kaiapoi (subject to demand and min 1 doz)
Delivery to other rural areas outside Rangiora or Kaiapoi suburban area, and areas such as Cust, Swannanoa, Fernside etc by arrangement. Occasional pickup from other ChCh areas may be available please ask.
Payment by bank deposit prior to delivery or cash payment can be left in letterbox and eggs also left in letterbox.
Please text or WhatsApp 020 406 41485 to order. Numbers will ne limited until mid/late August but there are a number of girls laying right now!
All eggs are for eating only and are sterile (cannot be hatched). Please dont ask for hatching eggs. Due to the many ducks here and elsewhere needing homes, plus the people who use fertile eggs for balut.
Domestic ducks also available for adoption to approved homes if you would like to enjoy the hilarious entertainment of your own pet ducks plus some of your own fresh eggs
North Canterbury Duck Rescue
91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience … View more91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience living in a Ryman community.
Credo night store heater. Good order needs removing off wall. Make me an offer.
What old products do you miss? Some products do become part of your life, whether it's just a treat you have at the cinema or your favourite breakfast spread.
Do you have a childhood memory to share? Let us know below what products you still think of fondly!
Dr. Viton Striox is based on the scientifically proven patented formula known as Striover®.
A beautifully blended formula that provides a 3D reconstruction of new (red) and old (white) stretch marks. It reactivates dermal fibroblasts, increases collagen synthesis, improves epidermal density and… View moreDr. Viton Striox is based on the scientifically proven patented formula known as Striover®.
A beautifully blended formula that provides a 3D reconstruction of new (red) and old (white) stretch marks. It reactivates dermal fibroblasts, increases collagen synthesis, improves epidermal density and thus reconstructs, fills, and aligns each stretch mark with the surface of the skin.
Suitable for daily use, since it maintains the hydration and elasticity of the skin and thus prevents the creation of new stretch marks, especially during pregnancy.
More information: www.immersioncosmetics.co.nz...
Room to Heal in Rangiora
Reiki Practitioner
Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Bioptron Medical Hyperlight Light Therapist
Love and Light
Rae
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