18 Thursday <strong>February</strong> 1 2<strong>01</strong>8 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong>
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>February</strong> 1 2<strong>01</strong>8 19 Viewpoint Local News Now Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi First 100 days in power Fire rages, homes at risk THIS weekend marks the end of the Government’s first 100 days in office. Fair to say, it’s been an absolute whirlwind time as we’ve tried to hit the ground running and make as much progress on the things we promised as we can. It’s been the most rewarding time of my professional life and I’m really proud of what this Government has been able to do in such a short period of time. We’ve banned overseas speculators from buying our houses, helping make housing more affordable for Kiwi families. And we passed a law to make sure every rental home is up to scratch, so every family can be healthy. We extended paid parental leave, giving mums and dads more time with their babies in those crucial first few months. HOME TIME: <strong>The</strong> Government extended paid parental leave in its first 100 days. We passed a law to boost Working for Families and to lift tens of thousands of kids out of poverty, and we raised the minimum wage, too. We’re also setting out to give consumer watchdog’s more teeth when it comes to the price consumers are paying at the pump. We started paying into the NZ Super Fund again to help keep superannuation affordable long into the future. We’ve stopped the state house sell-off, we’ve made post-secondary school education more affordable, we’ve launched our mental health review, and we’ve kept our promise to the families of the miners who died at Pike River. And what’s really impressive to me is the cool, calm and focussed way our prime minister has led all of this work – even while battling morning sickness and processing the amazing news that she’s going to be a mother for the first time. Here in Canterbury, we’ve begun work on an independent inquiry into EQC, new support for mental health, and ways to get the metro sports facility project back on track after the $75 million budget blowout under the previous Government. <strong>The</strong>re’s so much more to do, and our 100th day is really the beginning rather than the end. We’ve got plans to further boost our economy and make sure it’s fair for everyone. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the country and the best is yet to come. •Megan Woods is the Minister of Greater Christchurch Regeneration Re:<strong>Star</strong>t comes to an end THE colourful tenants to thank them for their appreciation that I thank container mall that support over the past years and everyone involved in Re:<strong>Star</strong>t. has been such a Nicky Wagner to wish them all the best for the It took a great leap of faith high-profile, wellloved future. Everyone I spoke to was back in 2<strong>01</strong>1, but it became landmark in the rebuild of positive about the container experience and its contribution internationally recognised as one of Christchurch’s Christchurch finally to Christchurch. innovative and unique closed this week. business people, led by John <strong>The</strong>re is no doubt that it responses to adversity. Re:<strong>Star</strong>t was the city’s Suckling, who developed the brought new life to the city, From the Lonely Planet first transitional project project, and the Government along with fun shopping and 2<strong>01</strong>2: “Who knew there were and it became a symbol of agencies which fast-tracked food experiences that kept so many uses for a shipping community collaboration and the demolition of the site and city retail front-of-mind while container? While the city’s creativity in the face of the helped with funding, that it all the rebuild was under way all rebuild is carefully planned, near complete destruction of came together so quickly. around it. the humble container has the central shopping district. Since then, the mall It had a fast, furious life and emerged as a funky option to <strong>The</strong> original pop-up mall has moved, morphed has fulfilled its temporary role kick-start Christchurch’s retail consisted of 27 stores housed in and reinvented itself, but brilliantly. And now we can all and hospitality sectors. <strong>The</strong> quirky, stacked, multi-coloured whatever its location, it has look forward to our favourite ‘colourful labyrinth’ of the city containers. More than 30,000 always captured the interest, stores opening in new locations mall Re:<strong>Star</strong>t development is people visited it the weekend imagination and support of elsewhere in the city, and to the the place to visit.” it opened on October 29, locals and tourists alike. new farmers’ market opening 2<strong>01</strong>1, only months after the Earlier this week, I bade my later in the year on the present •Nicky Wagner is a National devastating earthquake. fond farewell to the mall. <strong>The</strong> riverside site. list MP based in Christchurch It was a real credit to the local place was humming as I visited It’s with huge respect and Central Truck driver Gary Owens responds to an article about residents’ concerns over heavy vehicles using residential streets IT SEEMS every time there is an article about trucks they are deemed to be the bad guys. Have you considered that the more direct route (short cut, as you term it) saves time and fuel? <strong>The</strong>se savings impact in several ways. <strong>The</strong> savings on freight costs keep the end cost of goods and services lower, hence inflation will be at a lower rate. Secondly, the savings on fuel and wear on tyres etc, decreases our carbon footprint and is better for our environment. In a previous article, rest home residents on Lodestar Ave stated that trucks should use their previous route so they did not disturb the elderly. This would normally be a fair comment. However, I am a truck driver and my original (longer) route was down Awatea Rd to Wigram Rd. As I am sure you will be aware, at the same time, a Wigram retirement village was constructed, as was another retirement complex on the corner of Awatea and Wigram Rds. In fact that whole area has seen considerable development in recent times to residential. May I also point out one end of Lodestar Ave is commercial and in fact joins onto Parkhouse Rd and Hayton Rd, both of which have been long-term commercial areas. Any potential residents should look at the area they intend to move into. I do have some sympathy for the residents. However, I have yet to see a truck speed down Lodestar Ave, and I have seen plenty of cars flying down there. I agree with Lady Wigram Retirement Village owner John Tooby that the complainants need to grow up and look at the entire picture.
Change language