Selwyn Times: November 29,

FREE TUESday NOVEMBER 29 2016 379 7100 Selwyn Times Proudly locally owned and published by Star Media Award winning publishing group Kea (Nestor Notabilis) Make us your No. 1 stop for fresh fruit aNd vegetables opeN 7 days Phone 349 5952 Cnr Springs Rd & Marshs Rd, Prebbleton (next to Milanese Restaurant) Ladbrooks, Tai Tapu, Leeston, Lincoln, Southbridge, Prebbleton, Halswell, Rolleston, Templeton, Burnham, West Melton, Darfield, Arthurs Pass Milk prices could put $140m into district’s economy Population accelerates • By Tom Doudney NOT ONLY is five-day-old Hadley Baikie the apple of his parents’ eyes, he is one of a rapidly expanding number of children being raised in eastern Selwyn. Hadley’s family, which includes parents Phill and Tessa and 21-month-old sister Tayla, live in Rolleston, part of an area identified by a new Infometrics report as the third fastest growing in the country. THe area, called “southwest Christchurch” in the Regional Hotspots report, also includes West Melton, Lincoln, Prebbleton and Halswell. Based on projected population growth between 2013 and 2023, it predicted the area would have grown by 85 per cent in that time period, an increase of 22,790 people. Only Hobsonville in Auckland (up 254 per cent) and central Christchurch (up 105 per cent) are expected to have higher growth rates. Mrs Baikie said life was good in Rolleston. “I think it’s more country-like. You haven’t got the busyness of the city, but it’s close enough to the city if you needed to get in there,” she said. “It’s quite family-orientated.” Mr Baikie has lived in Selwyn all his life and Mrs Baikie had been in the district since moving from Balclutha with her parents 10 years ago. After living in the area between West Melton and Templeton, they decided to build their first house in Rolleston about six years ago. •Turn to pages 4 & 5 • By Tom Doudney FINALLY SELWYN’S struggling dairy farmers can expect to have a little more cash in their pockets – and that is expected to provide a boost of about $140 million to the district’s economy. A new report from Infometrics has predicted dairy farmers will break even this season for the first time in three years, with an end to the series of low milk payouts within sight. The report said good spring rainfall in Selwyn meant pasture was heading towards summer in a healthy condition. “Dairy farmers continued to struggle through the winter, but will be sighing with relief due to the recent rally in dairy prices,” it said. Infometrics senior economist Benje Patterson said this would be good news for Selwyn – and not just the dairy sector. “We have had more than a 50 per cent increase in the farm gate milk price so far this year in terms of the payout forecast, and dividends from Fonterra are also looking pretty good,” Mr Patterson said. “Our estimates show there is going to be about another $140 million pumped into Selwyn’s economy this dairy season if the payout ends up being $6.” •Turn to page 3 “We like to dream big.” Big things are happening for Faringdon in 2017. Our new primary school, Lemonwood Grove opens, as does Faringdon’s new retail centre, a new Show Home Village, and you can afford to dream big! Mikalya (11) NEW STAGES JUST RELEASED! Sections 400m 2 to 844m 2 from $162,000. Visit Rolleston’s fastest selling development Dynes Road, Rolleston. Wed to Sun 12pm to 4pm Call Bruce Harvey on 0800 667 849 or visit www.faringdon.co.nz Watch our hilarious Faringdon kids talking about their future dreams at faringdon.co.nz Jamiya (1O) Kaylee (12) FRD29503-SM 260x90