Canterbury wetland projects receive funding boost
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Eight Waimakariri environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost, including three wetland projects near Kaiapoi.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee has recommended eight projects receive a share of the remaining balance of $66,000 from its 2023-24 action plan budget.
Chairperson Carolyne Latham said 12 applications were received for projects totalling $150,000.
‘‘Nine of the projects met the criteria.
‘‘Some of the projects have only been allocated partial funding to meet the budget that we have, but we hope it will be enough to at least complete aspects of those projects.’’
Three wetland projects north of Kaiapoi are among those set to receive funding.
Two allocations of $15,000 have been recommended for a bittern and īnanga (whitebait) rushland project and for a fencing and planting project at nearby O’Kair Lagoon, on the side branch of the McIntosh’s Drain waterway.
A nearby Pohio Wetland project has also received $11,700.
A restoration project at Hunters Stream at Springbank, between Rangiora and Oxford, will receive $5285, and a wetland enhancement project at Ketchum Cottage, Fernside, near Rangiora, will receive $7210.
Other projects include a riparian enhancement project ($6000) at Whiterock Mains, near Oxford, and year three of monitoring by the Sefton Saltwater Creek Catchment Group ($2805).
The remaining $3000 has been allocated to the Waimakariri environmental awards, being run by the Waimakariri Biodiversity Working Group.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group received $9000 towards its ongoing estuary shorebird monitoring in July last year.
Each of the 10 Canterbury water zones were allocated $75,000 from Environment Canterbury’s 2023/24 annual plan to distribute to projects which support the implementation of their local zone action plan.
The final decision on the funding will be made at the next Environment Canterbury water and land committee meeting next mopnth.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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But for some, jury service can be a huge disruption and a financial burden. Do you think changes could be made to our jury service system to address these challenges?
Canterbury ratepayers face 17.9% rates hike
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.
After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average rates rise from 24.2% to 17.9%.
Acting chairperson Craig Pauling said there were some tense negotiations, but he was pleased with the outcome.
The councillors voted on 15 main resolutions, with several resulting in close division among the 16 councillors, he said.
‘‘Even though it was tense throughout, there was good support at the end and people felt there was some good give and take in the room,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘The feeling in the room was, ‘we have done all we could have’.’’
More than 1300 submissions were received on the draft long-term plan, with 153 making oral presentations during the hearings, which were held over four days.
‘‘We tested the water with some bold options in our consultation and the response demonstrated there were mixed views, with some saying we needed to deliver more, while others identified we could make savings or prioritise work,’’ Pauling said.
Savings were made by delaying some of the proposed public transport projects, including delaying work on a mass transit business case until year 2 and postponing bus route improvement work until year three.
‘‘It makes sense to delay this work so we have a better idea of where the Government and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) are heading,’’ Pauling said.
‘‘Some councillors thought we should be more cautious, but if we don’t put it in the plan, we don’t get anything from Waka Kotahi.’’
About three-quarters of submissions supported the council increasing its spending on ‘‘river resilience’’, including flood protection, and pest and weed control.
The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.
There was strong support for a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and the council was considering similar options from the Ashley Rakahuri River and other rivers in South Canterbury.
Pauling said it would need support from the community, local councils and ultimately central Government.
‘‘Over the last five years we have been getting more and more requests for how we might move forward in addressing our rivers.
‘‘It is recognition that rivers are important to everybody.’’
He said river resilience was a national issue, as disruption to bridges on major routes could affect the whole country.
‘‘Room for rivers’’ was an important conversation and could be achieved by buying land, such as Environment Canterbury buying land beside the Ashburton River.
Another example was the Waimakariri District Council’s land purchase on Lineside Rd, beside the Cam Ruataniwha River.
‘‘By acquiring the land we can do something great for the community,’’ Pauling said.
Council staff will now finalise the long-term plan before it is audited by Audit New Zealand and adopted by councillors on June 26.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Nationwide protests
Nationwide protests are taking place today (Thursday) having been organised by Te Pāti Māori and other connected to Toitū Te Tiriti movement.
There is likely to be some traffic disruptions so Waka Kotahi are closely monitoring the situation. Below are the locations of these gatherings across the country.
Northland:
Whangārei, Farmer’s car park, 9am.
Kaitāia, Commerce St, 9am.
Auckland:
West Auckland, BP Hobsonville, 6.30am.
South Auckland, Z Petrol station, 6.30am.
North Auckland, Palmers Albany Garden Centre, 6.30am.
Central Auckland, Aotea Square, 11am.
Waikato:
Hamilton, Kirikiriroa Marae, 7.30am.
Matamata, Matamata Woolworths, 6.45am.
Te Puaha, Weraroa Marae, 8.30am.
Hauraki, Victoria Park, 12pm.
Waiariki:
Tauranga, Whareroa Reserve, 8am.
Whakatāne, SH30, 7.30am.
Ōpōtiki, Waioweka bridge, 7am.
Taupō, Lake Terrace, 8am.
Tūrangi, Tūrangi town centre, 9am.
Rotorua, Lake Rd intersection, Old Taupō Rd, Fenton St and Sala St, 7am.
Ikaroa-Rāwhiti:
Tūranganui a Kiwa, Heipipi Park, 7am.
Hastings, Hastings Clock Tower, 7am.
Wairarapa, Masterton Town Hall, 12pm.
Te Tai Hauāuru:
Hāwera, Hāwera Netball Courts, 10.30am.
Palmerston North, Te Marae o Hine, 7.15am.
Tokoroa, Leith Place, 8am.
Wellington:
A hīkoi to Parliament 12pm.
South Island:
Christchurch, Bridge of Remembrance, 11am.
Nelson, Church steps, 12.30pm.
Dunedin, Queens Gardens, 12pm.
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