North Canterbury News: March 12, 2020

NEWS
16 North Canterbury News, March 12, 2020
Concerns raised over
govt’swater stance
By DAVID HILL
Car parkingand central government
regulations dominateddiscussions at the
recent Waimakariri District Council
meeting.
Councillorsvoted to change thestatusof
aMandevilleplantation reserve to allow
for car parking, while government
regulations around water and biodiversity
continuetocause concern.
The plantationreserve, commonly
knownasMandeville Village Reserve,will
be changed to ‘‘a local purposecommunity
reserve’’toalleviate pressure on existing
car parks.
Greenspace manager Grant MacLeod
said 234 submissions werereceived during
consultation held duringDecember and
January, with171 supporting the proposal
to change the status and for council staff to
add bollardsand ashingledriveway.
The project is expected to cost up to
$8000, fundedwithin existing budgets, and
the Mandeville villagedeveloperwill be
approachedfor acontribution.
Councillorsaired concerns over the
proposed newwater regulatoryauthority,
Taumata Arowai.
Chiefexecutive Jim Palmer said while
the initial proposal is for drinking water
standards, there have been clearsignals
central governmentintends extending it to
coverstormwater and sewage.
He said arecentCabinet report ‘‘makes
it clear that the government wantstohave
astep­changetohavingasmall number of
water authorities in the country’’.
‘‘The status quo is not seenasanoption.’’
DeputyMayorNeville Atkinson and Cr
RobbieBrine echoed Mr Palmer’s
concerns. ‘‘I would be very surprised if the
government hasn’talreadymade up its
mind that one sizedoes fit it all,’’Cr
Atkinson said.
‘‘The reason for submitting is to try to get
some form of compromise.’’
Cr Brine said councillors were elected to
protect the health and wellbeing of
residents. ‘‘My concern is thistakes that
away from us and givesittosomeonewho
is faceless.’’
Cr Kirstyn Barnett saidthe proposal put
the ‘‘wellbeing of water before peopleand
I’ve neverseen that before’’.
Policymanager Geoff Meadows
prepared submissions to the HealthSelect
CommitteeonTaumata Arowaiand to the
Ministryfor the Environment on the
proposed National Policy Statement for
Indigenous Biodiversity to express the
council’s concerns.
He said the council has made significant
progress, with 12 out of 14 drinking water
supplies meeting the nationalstandards,
while the Garrymere schemeupgradeis
due to be finished this year.Consultation
will begin this month on the planned
upgrade to the Poyntzs Road scheme.
His biodiversity submission notes
concerns aroundseveralareas, including
the definition of significant natural areas
and alack of clarity around the
responsibility of central government.
Traditional dance ... People who attended the recent ‘‘explore the Philippines’’ event
were treated to traditional Filipino dance.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Filipino culture showcased
By DAVID HILL
The Philippines took centre­stage at a
recent event in the Rangiora Town
Hall.
The day, organised by the
Waimakariri Migrants and
Newcomers Group, was achance to
“explore the Philippines”. There was
adisplay in the foyer, cultural
performances, and the screening of a
Filipino film, Seven Sundays.
‘‘The purpose of this event was to
achieve cultural awareness and help
people to have abetter understanding
of what it is to be amigrant and the
value that diverse cultures add to our
communities,’’ the project leader,
Ingrid Rammers, said.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and
Philippines vice­consul Nicole
Macaballug were on hand to welcome
visitors as they learned more about
‘‘this beautiful country with its
stunning nature and friendly people’’,
Ingrid said.
An exhibition in the foyer showcased
Filipino culture and guests
were invited to join in with an
enthusiastic Filipino dance group.
After the screening of Seven
Sundays,there was alucky prize draw,
with two gift baskets given away.
Ingrid says the Waimakariri
Migrants and Newcomers Group plans
more ‘‘cultural movie festival’’ events.
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