Selwyn Times: October 31, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday October 31 2017 13
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Selwyn residents like the district
Fire rages, homes at risk
CONTINUING growth
and development has been
highlighted in the district
council’s annual report for the
2016/17 year.
The report, adopted at the
district council’s meeting, shows
Selwyn’s population is now
estimated to be 56,000 with
growth expected to continue in
the coming years.
The district council achieved
86 per cent of its performance
targets for the
year with 70
per cent of
residents rating
the district
council’s
overall
performance as
“good” or “very
good” in this
Sam Broughton
year’s residents
opinion survey.
Building
activity has remained strong
with 2527 building consents
issued during the year, to a total
value of more than $600 million.
Mayor Sam Broughton said
the district council is supporting
the growth with investment
in services, infrastructure and
community activities across the
district.
“Selwyn people value the
quality of life they enjoy here,”
he said.
“As a district council, we are
working hard to protect and
maintain that, and help residents
and businesses make the most
of the opportunities our district
offers,” he said.
A project was launched this
year to update the Selwyn
District Plan, which controls
the activities allowed on
different properties, guides
future development and makes
provision for protection of the
district’s environment and
heritage.
Progress on Rolleston’s town
centre also took a significant
step forward, as ministerial
approval was granted to
allow redevelopment of part
PROGRESS: A house under construction in Rolleston.
of Rolleston Reserve for a
library, community space and
commercial and retail centre.
Foster Park in Rolleston
has been expanded with a
new hockey mini-turf, along
with three new sports fields,
additional landscaping and the
design and development of a
children’s playground.
Car parking extensions here
and at the Selwyn Aquatic
Centre will support the growing
importance of these facilities
as district sport and recreation
hubs.
In Darfield, the redevelopment
of the skate area at Westview
Park was completed, while the
Leeston skate bowl was also
revamped.
Earthquake strengthening of
district council facilities is now
mostly completed with work at
Darfield Library finished this
year.
The new Dunsandel
Community Centre, which
replaces the former hall
damaged in the September 4,
2010, earthquake, was largely
completed during the 2016/17
year and is now in operation.
Significant roading projects
included the opening of the new
2.6km Coalgate to Glentunnel
cycleway and the construction of
530m of new footpaths.
Other projects were the
upgrading of Masefield Drive,
Rolleston, the extension of
Broadlands Drive and the
installation of a new roundabout
at the junction of Springston
Rolleston and Broadlands Drive.
Water service projects included
the continued installation of
water meters on properties
connected to district council
water supplies, which will result
in properties paying a reduced
fixed water rate plus a volumetric
usage charge.
Water supply improvements
are helping to provide higher
quality water for our growing
population, while a number
of improvements to water
treatment systems were also
completed.
Through the year, the district
council administered more than
$268,000 in discretionary grants,
and delivered more than 100
community events across the
district.
Highlights included the
successful launch of CultureFest,
showcasing the district’s diverse
cultures, which was held in
conjunction with Rolleston’s
150th anniversary celebration.
The Annual Report notes the
impact of the Port Hills fire, with
the total rural firefighting cost
to the district council calculated
at $7.9 million. The majority of
the cost ($7.4 million) has been
covered through insurance with
the Rural Fire Fighting Fund.
Expenditure for the year was
$105 million, compared with a
budget of $94.6 million.
The main variances included
finance costs being below budget
due to reduced borrowing, the
unbudgeted costs associated with
the Port Hills fire, and the higher
cost of sales from Izone land
sales being well ahead of budget.
Revenue for the year was
$169.8 million compared with a
budget of $120.9 million, largely
due to growth being ahead of
forecasts.
Rates revenue was above
budget, while growth also
contributed to higher than
expected revenue from
development contributions and
vested assets.
Development contributions are
retained for future infrastructure
provision and cannot be used to
reduce rates, while vested assets
are a non-cash item and are also
not available to reduce rates.
The district council received
higher dividend revenue from
investments in Orion New
Zealand Ltd and Transwaste
Canterbury Ltd, while land sales
revenue was also above budget
due to sales in Izone being ahead
of forecasts.
The value of the district
council’s net assets increased
by $110 million for the year to a
total value of $1.503 billion.
The full 2016/17 Annual
Report will be published in late
November.
•HAVE YOUR SAY: What
do you think of the district
council’s latest Annual
Report? Email your views to
georgia.oconnor@starmedia.
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