North Canterbury News: February 11, 2021

Council backs
plan for more
housing land
By DAVID HILL
The Waimakariri District
Council is backing aproposed
change to the Canterbury
RegionalPolicy Statement,
whichwill allow more
residentialland to be released
in Rangiora and Kaiapoi.
Councillorsvoted at last
week’s council meeting to make
asubmission supporting
EnvironmentCanterbury’s
proposed change to chapter six
of the RegionalPolicy
Statement.
The proposed change will
allowfor rezoningfor new
housing developments in
Rolleston, Rangiora and
Kaiapoi to support projected
populationgrowth over the
next 30 years.
The Waimakariri district’s
populationisprojected to grow
from 64,700 (as at June 30, 2020)
to 78,400 in 2031, andhit
100,000 by 2051.
Growth at that levelmeans
around 4800 new houses need
to be built over the nextdecade
and more than 12,000 new
houses by 2051.
The change is likely to lead to
higher housing density in the
Waimakariridistrict, whichthe
council tentativelyagreedtoas
part of the Our Space 2018­2048:
Greater Christchurch Settlement
Pattern document in 2018, chief
executive Jim Palmersaid.
‘‘Through the Our Space
document we did sign up to
higherdensities, from 10
householdsper hectare to 12
householdsper hectare. We
just didn’tspecify how that
would work.’’
Development planning
manager Trevor Ellis said the
prospect of higher­density
housing is something which is
being constantly grappled with
as the populationgrows. ‘‘We
are under continual pressure
aroundaway of thinking and of
providinghigher density
housing. At the momentit’s
mainlyaround affordability,
but it’s also coming with the
Climate ChangeCommission’s
recommendations.
‘‘We do have different zones.
We have different residential
zones and ruralzones and we
have recommendedminimums
which offer choice.
‘‘But developersmay choose
to do somethingdifferent, by
offeringlarger lots or multiunits
on one section,
depending on what theythink
will sell.’’
The proposed change was
notified on January 16 and
submissions close on Monday.
NEWS
North Canterbury News, February 11, 2021
5
Best friends
... Enzo Scott­
Richards, aged
8, of West
Eyreton, and
his sister
Poppy, 6, with
Zinzan, the
greyhound
Enzo,
fundraised for
two yearsto
buy fromthe
Greyhounds as
Pets charity.
PHOTO: SHELLEYTOPP
Zinzan settles into country life
By SHELLEY TOPP
ANorthCanterburyboy has
fundraisedfor two yearstoadopt
aretired greyhound.
The Greyhounds as Pets (GAP)
hound, whose kennel name was
Cracker, nowhas aforever home
with Enzo Scott­Richards, aged 8,
and his familyontheirWest
Eyreton lifestyle block.
Enzo began fundraising in 2018
to raise the $380 he needed to
adoptCracker from GAP.
Initially,hemade concrete
garden mushrooms to paint and
sell at the Oxford Farmers
Market during the summer
holidays. The nextyear he made
dog biscuits to sellatthe market.
‘‘People were really generous,’’
he said. ‘‘Some even gave me a
donationtohelp.’’
Enzo became interested in
getting agreyhound afterseeing
one duringaSkype sessionwith
an English friendwho owns one.
However, it was aftermeeting
someduring aGAP promotion at
the marketthat he decided to
begin fundraising to adopt one.
GAP dogsare rehomed from
threeGreyhoundNew Zealand
kennels, in Cambridge,Levinand
Rangiora,orfrom avolunteer
foster home. Eachperson
wantingtoadoptisscreened to
ensure agood match.
‘‘They really work hardto
match the dog with the family,’’
Enzo’s mum, Amanda,said.
‘‘Althoughgreyhoundsare big
dogsthey make great pets
because they are so gentle.’’
Enzo, who also loves rugby,has
renamed his new pet Zinzan,
after former All Black great
Zinzan Brooke. Zinzanhas
settled into his new homewell.
ThisSaturday, from 12pm to
2pm,hewillbeoutside
SpecSavers in Rangiora’s High
Street to help fundraise for other
GAP hounds.
is proud to bring
NIGEL LATTA
to Rural North Canterbury
WE HAVE
MOVED!
Rivers to Ranges is nowlocated at
9HighStreet
(nexttoThe Warehouse).
Wednesday 10 March (2 Sessions)
Kaikoura Memorial Hall,
32 Esplanade, Kaikoura
Arrive 11:45am for midday start,
light snacks after session
Omihi Community Hall,
9Reeces Road, Omihi
6.30pm, light snacks prior to session
commencing at 7.00pm
Nigelwill be doing what he does best
-talking about neuroscience and why
our brains do what they do, adapting to
changeand mitigating the lasting effects
of stress.
AFUN, FREE&EDUCATIONAL TALK THATISNOT TO BE MISSED!
Thursday 11 March (2 Sessions)
Rangiora RSA,
82/82Victoria Street, Rangiora
Arrive 12:45pm for 1:00pm start,
lightsnacks after session
Dunsandel Community Centre,
1456 Tramway Road,Dunsandel
6:30pm, lightsnacks prior tosession
commencing at 7:00pm
BOOK ONLINE for the free event in your area
https://events.humanitix.com/tours/nigel-latta
Book ababysitter and come along, secondaryschool students are welcome
to the evening sessions.
Any other enquiries to ncrst.coordinator@gmail.com
2352500