North Canterbury News: March 17, 2022

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NEWS 2 North Canterbury News, March 17, 2022 Grow customers, salesand profits with North Canterbury’s bestread newspaper Readership: 51,000 weekly Circulation: 30,150copiesdelivered to EVERY farm, RD, lifestyle block and home inWaimakariri, Hurunui &Kaikoura every Thursday. news Robyn Bristow Managing Editor 027 312 1581 robyn.bristow @ncnews.co.nz Reporters David Hill, Shelley Topp. advertising DaynaBurton Sales Manager 027 312 0089 dayna.burton @ncnews.co.nz AmandaKeys Advertising 027 536 6224 amanda.keys @ncnews.co.nz JillianDickie Advertising 022 024 3092 jillian.dickie @ncnews.co.nz getintouch Editorial info@ncnews.co.nz Advertising sales@ncnews.co.nz Graphic Design heather.hood@ncnews.co.nz Distribution/Deliveries 03 314 8335 Rangiora: 03 313 2840 /03314 8335 14 Ashley St, Rangiora Christchurch: 03 364 7460 www.starnews.co.nz Proposed rate increase too steep By ADAM BURNS Local Democracy Reporter EnvironmentCanterburyisproposing an average rate increase of 24.1 percent whichhas been described by onecouncilloras‘‘ridiculous’’ Claire McKay,aNorthCanterbury constituentcouncillor saysthe increase is far too steep for ratepayers amid extensivecostofliving concerns. An average rates increase of 24.1 % forratepayers is beingrecommended by the regionalcouncilinabid to tacklethe ‘‘impacts of climate change’’. It is partofaproposed $264 million worthofactivitiesfor the upcoming financial year. ECan openedupits draft annual plan forconsultation afortnight ago with options on atwoyear trial of free, or reduced bus fares,recovery from the May2021 Canterbury floods and redistribution of floodprotection rates in the Ashburtondistrict. Afuture levy to fund action in response to climatechange is another mattercouncilwas seekingfeedback on. ‘‘It's ridiculous...ifitwas 12 %you couldjustify it in thecurrent circumstances,’’she says. ‘‘What doesconcernmeissince that draft (plan)has been puttogether,we know we're looking at ahigher inflation figureinthe nextquarter and probably the middle quarter before 2440277 Claire McKay RVCentral Rangiora we've even got started.’’ She was one of two members, alongsideMegan Hands,tovote against the documentgoing out for consultation,there was someconcern elsewherearound thetableabout the sizeofthe increase. In North Canterbury, residents are facing increases of between 18 to 26 %, including an average increase of 21.5% in theWaimakariri,23%inthe Hurunui and18.5%inthe Kaikoura districts. General servicing Supply and fitting of: • Solar panels • Satellite dishes • TVs • Awnings • Motor movers • Diesel heaters • Self containment Tony Parish Caravan and motorhome 027 288 9915 sales and service rvcentralnz@gmail.com Rural communities in North Canterbury are set for an overall average 19 %increase, compared to 23.25 %for urban ratepayers. North CanterburyECAN councillor Grant Edgebelieved it was an investment whichneeded to be made. ‘‘The worldhas to reduceits carbon emissions and thebiggestemitters are transport,’’ he says. ‘‘The groupswe'retargeting for the free[bus] fares,they're disadvantaged lower incomegroups of people. ‘‘Ifwedon't start doing things now, it'sonlygoing to get worse.’’ He urged people to start thinking moreaboutpublic transportrather thancars. Cr McKayagreed morepeople neededtoutilise public transportbut saysthere hasbeen anotableabsence of central government supportfor a proposed targeted farestructure, ‘‘despiteits message public transport was akey tool forreducing emissions’’. ‘‘I challengethis[council]table to pause, reflect and consider this huge impact,inthe faceofthe realworld challenges, including economic signals thatour communities are already being significantlyimpacted and stressed,’’ she said, at the February 24 meeting. ‘‘This is noteven remotelyaffordable for our ratepayers and communities.’’ Consultationonthe draftplan closes April 3. Four-wheel tour over NC high country Afourwheel drive tour over some of North Canterbury’sspectacularhigh country, will be held by the Amuri and HawardenWaikari Lions Clubs on Sunday, April 3. Participants can enjoy views of the Waipara Gorge, the Amuri Basin, Greta Valley and the distant Port Hills. The tour runs through the farming propertiesofRed Oaks, Three Deans, Rural hospitals are important to communities From Page 1 ‘‘Thefurther away decisionmakers are from understanding what smaller hospitals do, the lessthey know their importance. ‘‘There’sagreaterrisk of the wrong decisions being madebecausethe nature of rural healthmay not fully be understood.’’ Friends of Oxford Hospital president Linda Huriasays a temporary closure of Oxford wouldbe ‘‘very devastating’’. ‘‘It’s afocalpointofthe community... the communitywould fight forit.’’ Broxtonand the Pyramids, finishing at the Pyramid Valley Moa swamp.Adisplayof moa bones and an informativetalk will be held at the site. Participants will meet at the Red Oaks Woolshed at 9.30am 32 Fergusons Road, Waikari(follow the Weka Pass Loop Road to Fergusons Road).Vehicles move off at 10am. Avaccinepass and masks are required The Future of Health websitesays Health NZ’slocalitymodel willenable muchgreater community consultation, involvement, and representation on how health care is designed and delivered, an assertion echoedbyHealthMinisterAndrew Little,asreportedbythe NZ Herald lastweek. Mr Powell rubbished the remarks, saying it was nothing more than a rhetorical soundbite. ‘‘They haven’t worked it out...they havenoidea.’’ The temporary closures of Oxford, when outside of vehicles. No dogs are allowed as vehicles travelover working farms. The drive is for 4x4 vehicles with suitable tyres,high clearance and four wheeldrive.Right of refusal for unsuitablevehicles. Take your ownlunch. To enter go to the Amuri Lions Club Facebook page for onlineregistration. It will cost $85 per vehicle. The postponement date is April 10. Waikari, Darfieldand Ellesmere hospitalswere touched on by the healthselect committee duringlast week’sCanterbury DHB annual review. DHB chair Sir John Hansentold Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey long term decisions around thehospitals were out of the board’shands. ‘‘I’vemadeitvery plain thatitisnot up to this boardtomakeany longer term decisions around those rural hospitalsgiventhe reforms that are comingalong,’’hesays. ‘‘It is a decision for Health NZ and others.’’
Demolition of hospital begins By SHELLEY TOPP NEWS North Canterbury News, March 17, 2022 3 Work hasbegun demolishing the old Rangiora Hospital to make way for NorthCanterbury's new health centre. It is expected to take four to five months. The new facility will be part of the Canterbury District Health Board’s (CDHB) Rangiora Health Hub,which will sitalongsidethe board’s MaternityUnit andCommunity ServicesCentre. CDHB infrastructure executive director Dr Rob Ojala saysthe work will include redevelopment workat the Ashley Street entrance, and gravelling the formerRangiora Hospital site. ‘‘`SouthLink Health Services Group is working througharesource consent process, and hopestobe able to progress theirplans to buildand operate the new family health and urgent care centre on the site,’’ he says. The new facility will include the existingRangiora general practitioner centres of Good Street Medical Corner and Rangiora Family Doctors, and willbeopen for extended hoursbetween 8am and 10pm, sevendaysaweek. The old hospital building was opened in 1924,and is being demolishedbecause it is no longer fit for purpose. Rangiora’s Taggart Earthmoving began demolition on February 21. Asbestos was removed from the building lastOctoberby ScopeGroup Ltd. MASTER BUILDER LocaltoNorth Canterbury. CALL ARTHUR 027 2451601 arthur@robertsonbuilding.co.nz www.robertsonbuilding.co.nz BARNS/FARM BULDINGS•RIB RAFT FLOOR SYSTEM INSTALLATION PROJECTMANAGEMENT•ADDITIONS•NEW HOMES HOME MAINTENANCE•EQC REPAIRS•ALTERATIONS FREE QUOTES Read us wherever yougo! Viewour digital edition at www.ncnews.co.nz or catchthe latest stories at www.starnews.co.nz 2021055 Demolition under way ... Work has begun knocking down the old Rangiora Hospital after work was completed to remove asbestos from the building . PHOTO: SHELLEY TOPP Waimakariri housing issues spark concern ADAM BURNS, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER Ongoing work by aworking group enlisted to tackle housing issues in the Waimakariri district has sparked concerns about the council unnecessarily burdening its ratepayers. Waimakariri District Councillor Kirstyn Barnett has suggested the aims of the councilled housing working group are too vast, and believes there needs to be greater clarity on council’s role in addressing issues which were ultimately central government’s responsibility. The committee —first established in May 2021 to assess ‘‘short and long term’’ housing needs in the district — presented an interim report to council a fortnight ago around its progress. However councillor Barnett has doubts as to how much onus council was putting on itself around what was a ‘‘critical’’ national issue. ‘‘Should it come from taxes or rates,’’ she says. ‘‘I’ve always had aphilosophical problem with taking initiatives for housing out of rates.’’ ‘‘The scope of this working party...I was alittle concerned it was expending too far, and that’s in response to a growing need in this district, particularly around elderly housing.’’ The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) waiting list for those requiring housing assistance sat at 90 in the Waimakariri as of December 2021, more than half of available housing stock with Kainga Ora in the district. The rapidly increasing number of elderly persons on limited incomes, and ‘‘uncertainty about how they will be adequately housed in the future’’ has also been recorded as akey concern by the group. Council is determining how $2.5 million can be reinvested after it sold off seven community housing units which were not meeting strategic objectives. It agreed to advance $35,000 for additional resourcing to support its housing, acquisitions and disposals working groups, although councillor Barnett voted against this recommendation at the March 1 meeting. Although supportive of the group, she says there needed to be more robust discussions with the wider community to determine whether there was an appetite for rates to be expended on housing. ‘‘In terms of consenting, land provision and zoning...I think that’s definitely council’s role in terms of infrastructure,’’ she says. ‘‘But I’m not entirely sure we should be moving any further into the arena of social housing.’’ Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says councils and local government could have ‘‘more influence’’ in the area of social housing in the future. ‘‘We have agood record with social housing in this district, but we could be do so much more.’’ INTRODUCING THE NEW WOODSMAN KANAKU The NEW Kanaku is Woodsman’s latest edition to their ULEB(ultra low emission burner) range. Suitable for smalltomedium areas Suitable for small to medium areas Only $1799 (Fire only) See us nowto arrange you FREE, NO OBLIGATION quote to have your log fire fully installed. We manage the whole job, including the council consent. 360Flaxton Road, Rangiora Ph 03 313 5563 www.kingsmowersheating.co.nz 2455057 2459209 2310682 Latest styles for Autumn havearrived arrived Kyro Milan, Black L 37 – 41 $169 Kaiapoi Mill, Ranfurly Street, Kaiapoi Monday –Friday 9am –5pm Saturday 10am –1pm Closed on Public Holidays &Long Weekends Ph 03 327 0576 HOUSE WASHING Experts! AFTER Services Include: 0800101216 washrite.co.nz BEFORE • House washing • Roof Washing • Moss and Mould Removal • Driveway &Concrete Cleaning • Deck &Fence Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning • Spider proofing FreeQuotes
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North Canterbury News: March 17, 2022

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