Bay Harbour: May 04, 2016

Wednesday May 4 2016
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 9
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Readers respond to a
suggestion that the annual
Guy Fawkes fireworks display
at New Brighton could be
held at Sumner while the pier
receives repairs:
Diana Johnston, of Sumner
– No to an annual fireworks
display in Sumner.
Sumner area is just not
large enough to accommodate
potentially the thousands
of people who may attend.
Sumner roads are narrow,
constantly being worked on
and easily congested. Try
travelling to and from on a
Sunday afternoon.
Sumner hills in the last
couple of years have had at
least three fires, two where
empty (thank goodness)
properties were set alight
and burned to the ground,
and last week a scrub fire
on Scarborough was just
contained.
We have endured a fairly
tragic few years post the major
and minor earthquakes and I
would not like to see any more
risk taken down here.
I grew up in this area and
remember fireworks on Sumner
Beach, but this was minimal
compared to the huge event.
Christchurch now holds,
and mainly attended by
residents.
Lastly, New Brighton has a
much larger area of ocean and
beach than Sumner and plenty
of parking.
Hagley Park could also be
an appropriate venue with
plenty of open space and
accommodation for parking.
Jan Lisle - I am sure Sumner
would do a great job hosting
the fireworks and the
community would get behind
it.
Housing subsidy still needed
A Government heating and
insulation subsidy programme
comes to an end in June.
Community Energy Action
Charitable Trust chief executive
Caroline Shone writes this week’s
column about the importance
of the programme and why it
should continue in some form.
Shelter is one
of the most basic
of human needs
and the Universal
Declaration of
Human Rights
says that everyone
has the right to
housing.
It can be debated that housing
that makes people sick, isn’t
housing at all.
However houses that are damp,
houses that are cold, with the
people living in them unable
to heat them to an adequate
temperature to keep them healthy,
are a reality for many households
in Christchurch.
The old, the young and the sick
suffer most in those houses.
We all know the result.
Every winter sees many
residents ending up in hospital
with preventable cold-related
health issues. Even healthy people
get sick more often in those cold,
damp houses.
From experience we know that
SOAP
BOX
installing insulation and heating
in people’s homes especially those
with health conditions will reduce
hospitalisations, delivering cost
savings to the health system.
Installing insulation and heating
is a one-off cost but the benefits
last a long time, saving money on
health and saving lives every year.
The Government through
the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Authority (EECA)
have spent $450 million
nationwide on insulation and
heating subsidies over the last
couple of years.
And we know it has made a
difference.
The current subsidy programme
comes to an end in June this year.
It would be fantastic if subsidies
would be available in the future
for those who need insulation.
It’s a great way for Christchurch
people to help those in their
community who need a bit of help
to create a warm, dry, healthy
home.
What’s SCIRT working on in your area?
• Banks Peninsula commuters please allow extra
time for delays on Governors Bay Road from as
early as Monday 9 May.
• SCIRT is replacing 675 metres of water main on
Governors Bay Road near the intersection with
Dyers Pass Road.
• This work will take around eight weeks to
complete. Two-way traffic will be maintained
throughout this time by temporary traffic lights.
• 2016 is SCIRT’s final year.
• Your support is helping us to get the job done.
Thank you from the SCIRT team.
Want
more
info?
Email:
info@scirt.co.nz
Phone:
941 8999
Find out about work
in your area:
www.scirt.co.nz
Email us on:
info@scirt.co.nz to get our:
Weekly Traffic Update
Monthly e-Newsletter
Follow us on Twitter:
@SCIRT_info
#chchtraffic
• Greg Bates, superintendent with the SCIRT McConnell
Dowell team.
Thank you Christchurch for your
patience and making us feel
welcome in your communities
Programme funded by