The Star: July 27, 2017

The Star 17
Viewpoint
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday July 27 2017
Women get into construction
IT WAS a rough end to the
school holidays for many in
Christchurch with homes,
businesses and streets under
water, or very close to it.
Sometimes it seems like our
city just can’t catch a break. But,
on the upside, we’ve got our
response down to a fine art.
The mayor declared a state of
emergency early; Civil Defence
acted quickly and decisively to
keep people and property out of
harm’s way; and the New Zealand
Defence Force, volunteers and
a whole host of other agencies
swung into action.
Those I’ve spoken to say last
week’s flooding was the worst in
decades and, unfortunately,
more rain is forecast for today.
While it’s not expected to be as
heavy, now’s a good time to replenish
the emergency kit, revise
your household evacuation plan
and check in with friends and
family.
The latest Greater Christchurch
Dashboard — Women in Construction
contains some really
positive news for Christchurch
and the rebuild/regeneration
process.
The number of women working
in both residential and
non-residential construction in
Canterbury has increased from
3400 in March 2010 to 7600 in
March 2017 — a 124 per cent
increase. More and more women
are embracing rebuild opportunities
by entering and succeeding
in this traditionally maledominated
industry. Women
can bring a fresh perspective,
Nicky Wagner
strengthen customer relations,
add diversity and improve business
performance.
The Stronger Christchurch
Infrastructure Rebuild Team,
which was responsible for
repairing Christchurch’s quakedamaged
infrastructure, proactively
encouraged women into
its workforce through the SCIRT
Women in Construction working
group. Between 2014 and 2015,
the number of women in crew
roles at SCIRT doubled from six
to 12 per cent.
With a skills shortage around
the country, it’s great to see more
women in construction — it
provides new opportunities for
women and their families, and it
makes good business sense, benefitting
Christchurch and New
Zealand economically.
•Nicky Wagner is Minister
supporting Greater Christchurch
Regeneration
•Megan Woods and Lianne
Dalziel, page 18
We said:
Cameras and video
technology are being
investigated to accurately
count the number of red
light runners in the city.
You said:
Shaun Evans – They need to
change how the lights actually
filter the traffic. Most intersections
don’t even have a proper
right-turn filter. Honestly, I
can navigate my way through
London easier than Christchurch
and that’s a city with double the
population of NZ.
Ashleigh Bearman – Don’t
waste money installing cameras
to see if the problem “is that
bad.” It only takes one car running
a red light for potential
catastrophic results. Why not put
that money into a decent system
to catch the offenders.
Tony Winkworth Howell
– I see it all day, every day. The
sooner the cameras come in the
better. We could set up deck
chairs at intersections and cheer
each time the camera catches one.
Riccardo Ingrosso – Red
light-running is really bad. Bring
on the cameras.
Jamie Dermerm – It’s a
nightmare here in Christchurch.
Majority of drivers really have no
idea how to use roundabouts and
traffic lights.
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Christchurch Civic Awards
2017
Each year, the Christchurch City Council gives
awards to those individuals and organisations
who have performed substantial service
( usually of a voluntary nature) or made
important contributions to the city and the
lives of its people. Any significant service
that is seen as worthy of recognition may be
presented for civic commendation.
Nominations are invited for the 2017
Christchurch Civic Awards.
If you wish to nominate someone, please
visit the Christchurch City Council website
ccc.govt.nz ( KEYWORD: Civic Awards) to
download a nomination form. Forms can also
be collected from Council service centres and
libraries.
Completed nominations should be forwarded
in a sealed envelope to:
Civic Awards
Civic and International
Relations Team
Christchurch City Council
Civic Offices
PO Box 73016
Christchurch 8154
No later than 5pm, Friday
18 August 2017.
For more information contact:
Milinda Peris
941 8251
milinda.peris@ccc.govt.nz
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