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Canterbury towns feel forgotten in bus review
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury community fears it will lose its bus service under a review of the regional public transport plan.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell says her board warned Environment Canterbury (ECan) in 2019 the revised 97 … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury community fears it will lose its bus service under a review of the regional public transport plan.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell says her board warned Environment Canterbury (ECan) in 2019 the revised 97 Pegasus to Rangiora route was ‘‘set up to fail’’.
Now she fears the route could be axed altogether in the new Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan.
‘‘It is a bitter disappointment."
An ECan spokesperson says the route is not under review at present, but it will likely be looked at in the future.
Powell said the board felt when they did the last review, they set up 97 to fail with the shortening of the route.
‘‘It misses out large areas, so people have to walk 20 minutes to catch the bus and it only runs every hour.
‘‘For a short trip to Rangiora, you’re going to take the car if you’re able to, but we want to encourage people to use public transport.’’
Powell said Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood are experiencing rapid growth and need to be better served with public transport.
The 95 bus route links Pegasus, Woodend and Ravenswood residents with Kaiapoi and Christchurch.
But Powell said instead of persevering with the 97 route, the board has consistently advocated for a circular route, similar to the Orbiter bus service in Christchurch.
It could link Woodend, Pegasus and Ravenswood with Rangiora and Kaiapoi and their suburbs and travel in both directions, she said.
‘‘From a practical point of view the idea of a circular route using two buses is much more useful to a much higher number of residents and lets them travel easily to where they want to go,’’ Powell said.
‘‘For now, Silverstream and Sovereign Palm residents in Kaiapoi have to travel to central Kaiapoi first if they want to use public transport to get to Rangiora.’’
The service could be extended to include Waikuku, Cust, Tuahiwi, Amberley and the beach settlements, and it could be similar to the on-call MyWay bus service in Timaru.
The board would also like to see the park and ride direct commuter service available to Rangiora and Kaiapoi residents extended to Woodend.
ECan public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said the Pegasus to Rangiora service is not under review at present.
‘‘But NZTA (NZ Transport Agency) has requested we investigate low performing routes, so it is likely this route will be reviewed in the future.’’
A Waimakariri circular route is not under consideration as the partner councils have agreed to focus on developing a Greater Christchurch public transport futures strategy, she said.
Additional funding would be required from NZTA and local ratepayers and there is also limited funding for public transport in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Fund.
But staff will be assessing new routes as part of the 2025-26 annual plan, she said.
The next on-demand service trial is likely to be within the Greater Christchurch urban zone, but no decisions have been made.
ECan received nearly 800 submissions in its draft Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan consultation.
Hearings begin next week, with deliberations scheduled for next month.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
No grinches here: Mayor backs Christmas spend
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s mayor says there's no time for Grinches as the festive season gets under way.
The Government earlier this year called on councils to spend less on "nice-to-haves" and more on basics like roads and pipes.
This has … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton’s mayor says there's no time for Grinches as the festive season gets under way.
The Government earlier this year called on councils to spend less on "nice-to-haves" and more on basics like roads and pipes.
This has forced councils to analyse their spending spending habits.
South Waikato District Council recently debated whether its Christmas parade was core council business, but decided to go ahead with it.
Ashburton’s community Christmas event Light up the Night has a $30,000 budget.
Mayor Neil Brown said the event is probably a nice to have, not a must-have expenditure.
“But people enjoy having it so we should do it.
The event is a time to “connect as a community and reflect on the year, while also looking ahead with excitement to Christmas and New Year and the summer in general”, he said.
“Council doesn’t want to be the Grinch and cancel that.
“It doesn’t cost a huge amount, it’s just under $1 per person in the district. If it’s well supported, it's $30,000 well spent."
The council can review it next year if people don’t like it, he said.
“I think it’s a good thing to do.”
Light up the Night takes place on November 30 in the recently renovated Baring Square East, with an evening of entertainment, music, and the giant Christmas tree will be lit up at 9.15pm.
The tree had been on East St for the last few years while the CBD and square were revitalised, but returns to the square where it will be positioned in front of Te Whare Whakatere, the new library and civic building that opened this year.
East St will be closed from 7am until 9.30pm, with the event starting at 6pm.
A week after the Christmas tree is lit up, the NBS Ashburton Santa Parade will be centred around the Ashburton Domain, with the route again running along Walnut Avenue on December 7.
The parade is not a council-run event, but is organised independently by Carol Johns and her team of volunteers.
The council supports the event by assisting with $3000 towards the traffic management plan.
“It’s a huge help as it's one of the biggest costs,” Johns said.
She runs the event “on the smell of an oily rag” and relies on sponsorship to keep the event going.
“We all do it for the community and I’d hate to see the event go.”
This year’s parade was set to be even bigger, with a lot more entries in the theme (a song featuring a colour) section set to entertain the thousands, she said.
Ratepayer takes stand against proposed Amberley cricket ground
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
An Amberley ratepayer says he intends to fight a plan to develop a cricket ground in the new Eastern Reserve.
John Weyers has asked to speak at a Hurunui District Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26, when the council is due to adopt its new reserve … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
An Amberley ratepayer says he intends to fight a plan to develop a cricket ground in the new Eastern Reserve.
John Weyers has asked to speak at a Hurunui District Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26, when the council is due to adopt its new reserve management plan.
A proposal to develop a new cricket ground is included in the plan.
But Weyers said there is no need for a new cricket ground, as cricket is already played at the Amberley Domain.
‘‘If Amberley needs a cricket ground that is one thing, but they are talking about doing it in the only green space available in a residential area.’’
Weyers said he had heard of plans to build an international standard cricket ground in the reserve at a cost of more than $900,000.
‘‘The area is screaming out for a nice park for the community.
‘‘I am hoping to be able to speak at the meeting and I will be asking whether it is appropriate to use ratepayers funds when there is no evidence there is a need for it.
‘‘I will be considering what action to take if it passes.’’
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said a cricket ground was first mooted for the Eastern Reserve a decade ago.
While there has been interest in establishing an international standard cricket ground, it is not the council’s intention, he said.
‘‘The shape of this particular piece of ground is for a cricket ground, based on an agreement with the developer.
‘‘It was what the council decided it wanted to do, based on community feedback at the time.’’
The council entered into a sale and purchase agreement with the developer in 2014 and the land was vested in the council two years later.
Dobbie said funds have been set aside to develop the reserve, with 90% coming from development contributions.
‘‘We will be seeking to move forward with the reserve, but that is up for the council to decide.
‘‘We haven’t gone out for tender yet, but our engineers’ estimates are well below $900,000.’’
Dobbie said an area has been set aside for other sports and it will include a children’s play area and a pump track.
There was potential for tennis courts, croquet and other sports, as well as a modest sports pavilion.
The council consulted on its draft reserve management plan earlier this year, receiving nearly 200 submissions.
The Eastern Reserve attracted the most interest, with residents expressing a range of views on how they wanted the reserve to be developed.
Views varied from those in favour of a cricket ground and those opposed, while others advocated for outdoor areas for light exercise and fellowship for the growing elderly population.
The Amberley Cricket Club has played cricket at the Amberley Domain since the 1890s, but in recent years there had been a dispute due to the overlapping seasons with football.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Waimakariri district plan faces more delays amid changing rules
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Changing Government legislation is causing headaches for council staff, as Waimakariri’s new District Plan is set to be delayed again.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon said he was relieved when the last of the … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Changing Government legislation is causing headaches for council staff, as Waimakariri’s new District Plan is set to be delayed again.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon said he was relieved when the last of the public hearings ended last week.
But with final council reports due on December 13, staff will have just two working days to present the final District Plan on December 17. A district plan helps to control and manage the development of the district or city.
‘‘We are working through what it looks like and we will update the council at its meeting on December 3,’’ Bacon said.
‘‘But we will likely seek another extension from the environment minister and the Resource Management Act (RMA) minister.’’
The council first notified its draft District Plan in September 2021, but within months legislation was introduced with new medium density residential housing standards (MDRS).
‘‘We needed to call for further submissions and we had to create a separate hearing panel to consider the plan variations to allow for the MDRS,’’ Bacon said.
‘‘We have tried to merge the process as much as possible, as well as looking at re-zoning and incorporating other new legislation.’’
When the draft plan was first notified there was no National Policy Statement (NPS) for Indigenous Biodiversity, but an NPS was introduced - and then replaced.
The Natural and Built Environment Act came into being last year and then repealed, and then there is the NPS on Urban Development and the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan.
The Government is now working on more RMA reforms and Environment Canterbury is working on the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement.
And then there is the Fast-Track Approvals Bill, which includes three proposed housing developments in Waimakariri - two of them outside of the future urban development areas identified in the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan.
All three housing developments in the Bill have been included in submissions to the District Plan, including a proposed 850-home development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, which is also subject to an Environment Court appeal.
‘‘We haven’t seen the detail, so whether it is the same proposals, we don’t know, but they are different processes so we have to just keep doing what we are doing, until we are told otherwise,’’ Bacon said.
‘‘It might just be a timing thing, but we just don’t know.’’
Bacon said delaying the District Plan until new legislation is in place is not an option.
‘‘We are looking at what we can control and having a watching brief, and we will look at transitional timings because we don’t always have to immediately change planning documents when new legislation comes in.’’
Planning manager Wendy Harris said navigating changing Government legislation is a normal part of council planning work.
‘‘If we waited we wouldn’t do anything and we would go nowhere.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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