The Star: April 18, 2019
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>April</strong> <strong>18</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
Mr Gibson has been going<br />
back and forth with the council<br />
to have the issue fixed and has<br />
spent about $25,000 on two reports<br />
from Lowe Environmental<br />
Impact to prove how and why the<br />
property floods.<br />
That’s on top of the $5000 on<br />
legal fees to get advice from lawyer<br />
Pru Steven.<br />
“Before 2014, very few floods<br />
had occurred at 197 Blighs Rd<br />
and when it did flood, the water<br />
only slightly over topped the<br />
creek backs with little to no impact,”<br />
the Lowe report said.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are many failures in<br />
the road design and stormwater<br />
system around 197 Blighs Rd. By<br />
changing the profile of the road<br />
in the two upgrades, the secondary<br />
flow paths have changed and<br />
been reduced in capacity.”<br />
It said there is nowhere for<br />
the water to go, except into Mr<br />
Gibson’s property.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> earthquake and the development<br />
of St Bathans Lane have<br />
also had an impact on the flood<br />
level and water storage, but we<br />
consider that neither is the major<br />
cause of the flooding.”<br />
While the report seems conclusive<br />
to what the cause of the issue<br />
is, Mr Gibson said he regrets<br />
spending the $30,000.<br />
“I thought it was fait accompli.<br />
But I was wrong,” he said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city council spokesperson<br />
said it “respects” the report and<br />
“does not deny it” but has a different<br />
opinion on some matters.<br />
Mr Gibson said there is nothing<br />
he can do legally because the<br />
city council installed a bund at<br />
the entrance to the property.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y put an asphalt bund over<br />
the driveway . . . because they put<br />
the asphalt bund in, they said they<br />
may or may not do something in<br />
the future,” Mr Gibson said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city council spokesperson<br />
said it is investigating possible<br />
news online at www.star.kiwi<br />
shatters retirement dreams<br />
SATURATED: Brent Gibson’s property after rain in 2014.<br />
changes to the design of the bund.<br />
It is also completing a more<br />
complex stormwater flow assessment<br />
of the area within <strong>18</strong><br />
months and then another 12<br />
months to assess if any physical<br />
works are necessary.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are no assurances that<br />
the result would be any physical<br />
works that address Dudley<br />
Creek floodplain management<br />
in this area. That depends on<br />
the outcome of the modelling,<br />
prioritisation of works and any<br />
competing demands on the<br />
council’s resources,” the spokesperson<br />
said.<br />
But Mr Gibson said he’s already<br />
waited five years and there<br />
are still no guarantee he will get<br />
the outcome he’s after.<br />
“And now they expect me to<br />
wait another two . . . I’m stuck in<br />
the middle and I’ve done nothing,”<br />
he said.<br />
“My retirement was reliant on<br />
building that unit. Now I can’t<br />
see me ever retiring,” he said.<br />
NEWS 11<br />
Harper Ave<br />
car parks to go<br />
during winter<br />
• By Julia Evans<br />
PARKING ALONG Harper<br />
Ave will be lost to make way for<br />
winter sport.<br />
<strong>The</strong> need for buses to park<br />
along Hagley Park has seen 28<br />
spots lost along Harper Ave<br />
from Bealey Ave to the pedestrian<br />
crossing at Park Tce.<br />
“In addition to Deans Ave,<br />
bus companies are requesting<br />
a reserved area on Harper Ave<br />
to wait to be called to Deans<br />
Ave to pick up children,” a city<br />
council report said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> restrictions will apply between<br />
noon and 3pm Tuesday,<br />
Thursday and Friday between<br />
May and August.<br />
However, Central Ward city<br />
councillor Deon Swiggs said<br />
other options should have been<br />
considered.<br />
“I was really keen to talk to<br />
Alan Edge, who owns the land<br />
where the park and ride used<br />
to be and ask him if the buses<br />
could park there, or use the Red<br />
Bus depot on Fitzgerald and<br />
Moorhouse,” he said.<br />
“To me, it just seems like<br />
the easy answer, not the right<br />
answer.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> proposal was approved by<br />
the Linwood-Central-Heathcote<br />
Community Board at its last<br />
meeting.<br />
JOIN US NOW!<br />
See website for details<br />
PUMA<br />
50% off RRP storewide. Conditions apply.<br />
CONVERSE<br />
Buy one get one half price on almost everything. Exclusions apply<br />
MERRELL<br />
20% off the lowest marked price on all Apparel & 30% off the<br />
lowest marked price on selected Footwear. Valid from <strong>18</strong> <strong>April</strong>.<br />
UNDER ARMOUR<br />
30% off the lowest marked price storewide.<br />
Valid Thurs <strong>18</strong> <strong>April</strong> to Mon 22 <strong>April</strong> only<br />
STYLES MAY DIFFER TO IMAGE SHOWN<br />
MAX<br />
Nothing over $39.99 on summer clearance stock. Conditions apply.<br />
CUTLER & CO<br />
New Seasons Jackets were up to $499.95, now $149.95.<br />
Conditions apply.<br />
MONS ROYALE<br />
40-60% off all clothing. Excludes Underwear and Bra’s.<br />
JUST BAGZ<br />
50% off selected hard luggage. Valid Thurs <strong>18</strong> <strong>April</strong> to Mon 22 <strong>April</strong> only<br />
Sign up to Smart Deals & be in the monthly draw for a $100 Dress-Smart gift card!<br />
Be one of the first to hear about the latest deals, sent straight to your inbox each week!<br />
CHRISTCHURCH 409 Main South Road, Hornby<br />
Open 10am-5pm, 7 Days 03 349 5750<br />
www.dress-smart.co.nz
Change language