North Canterbury News: March 05, 2020

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The North Canterbury News, March 5, 2020
An age-friendly district is alaudable goal
9
Dear Editor,
Iwrite in reply to the letter
printed last week regarding the
Age­friendly Waimakariri Plan.
The population of the
Waimakariri District aged over­
65 years is currently estimated
at 20 percent of the total
population and is expected to
reach 30% by 2048.
For that reason, it is
important that our district’s
services, supports and
activities consider the needs of
our older residents, both now
and well into the future.
The Age­friendly
Waimakariri Plan was
developed in consultation with
an extensive range of
community organisations that
support our older residents.
Their feedback, as well as
input from more than 500 older
residents themselves,
contributed to the priorities
detailed in the plan.
There is significant
community concern for the
wellbeing of our older people.
In response to the points
raised in the letter, Ican advise
that:
This council makes no
financial contribution to the
World Health Organisation.
But, as aprovider of community
services, we would wish to align
our services with best­practice
models for ensuring safety,
wellbeing, inclusion and equal
opportunity for all residents
As acouncil, we value the
skills, knowledge and life
experience of our older people.
We greatly respect the
contribution that many have
made —and continue to make
—tothis community.
We are committed to
ensuring rates increases are
minimised and Ican assure you
that resourcing for the Agefriendly
Plan facilitation has
not contributed to the proposed
2020/21 rates increase.
Costs associated with the
delivery of this project are
externally funded via the
Ministry of Social Development
Office for Seniors,
philanthropic funding streams,
and from accumulated outsidesourced
funding.
The ministerial launch held
in February was an addition to
the minister’s already­planned
visit to the city and occurred at
no cost to our ratepayers.
The council has supported
the Age­friendly Project and
our hope is that this district will
be an age­friendly community
as defined by the Office for
Seniors: Aplace where you can
stay connected, healthy, active
and respected, whatever your
age.
Iencourage anyone who has
concerns with this, or any other
council plan, to contact me and
arrange atime to meet.
Yours,
Dan Gordon
Waimakariri Mayor
Woodendroading
Dear Editor,
Iwould be more inclined to
support Waimakariri MP Matt
Doocey’s call to lobby the
Minister of Transport if he had
lobbied as hard for the basic
Roadside protest ... Rally for Woodend protesters outside Owen Stalker Park, where arally was held last
month in support of aState Highway 1bypass.
PHOTO: FILE
safety improvements as he has
for the by­pass.
The much­needed safety
improvements on State
Highway 1through Woodend
have been needed for avery
long time —well before the
term of the current Labour
Government. Nothing was done
by previous National
governments, and the National
Party dominated the
Waimakariri District Council.
Ravenswood has been
populated for well over ayear
now and it is adisgrace and
shame on all the politicians
involved that the safety
improvements on SH1, vital to
cope with the extra traffic
generated, are still not in place.
The safety improvements will
have the effect of slowing
traffic through Woodend,
something not welcomed by the
powerful road transport
industry, and it is this that
accounts for all the political
duck­shoving.
Yours,
David Jones
Woodend
Stream concerns
Dear Editor,
Having lived by Ward Park
alongside the Northbrook
Stream for 30 years, lam
wondering if there is any
special reason why, for the past
two or three weeks, the stream
has been bone dry, save for a
couple of times of heavy rain.
There was high flow then, but
within two days it was utterly
dry again. In that 30 years there
has been at least atrickle.
Could there be some diversion
further upstream, maybe?
Yours,
R. L. Reid,
Rangiora
Have you say
The North Canterbury News
welcomes letterstothe
editor. Emailthem to the
editor, Robyn Bristow,at
robyn.bristow@ncnews.co.nz.
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