The Star: April 19, 2018

The Star 19
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Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday April 19 2018
Fire rages, homes at risk
Call to continue with liquor ban
A TEMPORARY liquor ban
in Linwood Village has been
labelled a success by those in the
area.
Now calls are mounting for it
to be made permanent.
At the end of December, the
city council introduced a sixmonth
liquor ban for area in
response to calls from businesses
and police, it is investigating the
possibility of it being permanent.
Constable
Conal Ross said
he has noticed
a “significant”
decrease in
people drinking
alcohol
in the area –
though he has
only handed
out three warnings since it was
introduced.
“I often talk to the shopkeepers
and they’ve noticed a significant
decrease in problems related to
alcohol . . . they’re more willing
and wanting to come into this
area now,” he said.
Local business owners who did
not want to be named told The
Star they are very happy with
the ban and there is noticeable
improvement in the area.
But Constable Ross said the
ban is only the first step in
COMMUNITY: Local streeties Marcus and Penny are
supportive of a permanent liquor ban for Linwood Village.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
addressing a number of social
problems in the area.
“We’ve noticed problems
stemming significantly from
drug and alcohol addictions and
combined with mental health.
It’s certainly not a quick fix but
police have found it’s a good
start.”
Homeless man Marcus also
supports a permanent restriction.
He said since it was introduced
the community has refound its
spirit.
“I’ve been living on the streets
in this area for a very long time
and it was it was a real mess . . .
but since the liquor ban has come
into this area, a lot of people are
coming back.”
“Community spirit starting
to come back into the area, so I
don’t think any council in their
right mind should to take away
the liquor ban in this area,”
Marcus said.
Central Ward city councillor
Deon Swiggs said alcohol was
a catalyst for other anti-social
behaviour, so the ban was a good
Conal Ross Jenny Smith
start to making positive changes
in the area.
“From what I’m hearing on
the streets and from what I’m
hearing from the business owners
that the alcohol ban and
people not drinking on the street
is actually had an impact and
making people feel a lot more
comfortable coming to this area,”
Cr Swiggs said.
Te Whare Roimata community
worker Jenny Smith said the
problem has been pushed indoors
and outside the ban area.
“It’s a complex, difficult challenging
issue and there’s no quick
fix solutions . . . it’s not going to
happen overnight,” she said.
But Te Whare Roimata does
not have position on the ban.
Instead it is leading the Linwood
Revitalisation Plan to develop
long term solutions to the “complex”
issues in the village.
•Watch the video on
star.kiwi from tonight
More closures
loom for
Lyttelton Tunnel
WORK ON the Lyttelton Tunnel
safety upgrade will require up to
15 overnight closures from June
onwards.
The New Zealand Transport
Agency says installation of a $28.7
million fire protection system is
ramping up, with a planned December
completion on the horizon.
Emergency services will have
full access through the tunnel
at all times and community and
tunnel users will be given at least
three weeks notice prior to the full
closures, the NZTA said.
The new deluge fire suppression
system is designed to contain
a fire until emergency services
reach the scene.
A large reservoir is being built
to supply water for the system.
And some earthquake strengthening
of the tunnel portal buildings
will be carried out, along
with communication upgrades.
These include a new public address
system to broadcast safety
instructions in an emergency.
•To view a 90-day schedule
of single and full lane traffic
closures or to find out more
about the project, visit the
NZTA website www.nzta.
govt.nz/assets/projects/
lyttelton-tunnel.
By Dave Armstrong
Directed by: John Boyce & Darren Sundborn
What’s more important: A teacher who plays by the
rules or a teacher who gets the job done?
Laurie Connor (Barry Tomkinson) has been
teaching PE at Hautapu High for as long as
anyone cares to remember. He is the definition
of “old school” and he has no time for political
correctness. If the curriculum gets in the way
of him doing his job, the curriculum loses.
BUT, the kids love him.
The ambitious new principal, Viv Cleaver
(Pip Stevens), has “some issues” with him.
“Cleavage”, as Laurie calls her, has been
brought in to clean house and raise the
prospects of Decile 2 Hautapu High and Laurie
doesn’t fit with her vision of the future.
Pat Kennedy (Regan Harding) is a former
pupil of Laurie’s who has returned to teach
at Hautapu High. He could do a lot better for
himself but he is happy to just coast along as
Laurie’s assistant.
Enter Annie Tupua (Libby Wilson), a Maori
student teacher who just also happens to be a
superb sports person on the verge of selection
for the Silver Ferns.
Viv sees an opportunity, Laurie sees more
work, and Pat sees a vision of loveliness.
The fact that Annie is a born-again Christian
and a devout member of the Redemption
Church makes life interesting for all.
Sparks fly, team dynamics shift, the whistle is
blown and the audience are the winners!
This funny and feel-good play is the perfect
start to Riccarton Players 2018 season and
also to celebrate their move into the intimate
performance space at the Drama Theatre, Rangi
Ruru Girls’ School, Merivale Lane, Christchurch.
We look forward to seeing you there!
26th April – 5th May
7.30pm nightly
(except Monday 30th April)
plus Matinee 4pm
Sunday 29th April
Venue: The Drama Theatre, Rangi Ruru
School, Merivale Lane, Christchurch
Admission prices: $25 waged
and $22 Seniors/Unwaged.
Bookings: Phone 338 4699
or buy online at:
https://www.riccartonplayers.co.nz/
current-production