The Star: February 16, 2023

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The Star Thursday February 16 2023 8 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Gnome job too hard for Phil and Dawn • By Tony Simons WATER CHARGES protestor Phil Yarrall has enlisted the Mr Fixit of Christchurch, Phil Mauger, and the mayor’s close ally, city council chief executive Dawn Baxendale. The grass outside Yarrall’s place in Linwood hasn’t been mowed for more than four months as a protest against the city council “unfairly” charging him for water. He expects to get a water bill very shortly, but said he won’t be paying it. So as his campaign rolls along, Yarrall consulted Henry Sunderland, the well known gnomologist, and who should arrive at his Woodham Rd property – Phil and Dawn. Said Yarrall: “The berm has become a bit of an eyesore and a fire hazard . . . but then Phil and Dawn offered to help. “Phil told me he’d like to mow the berm because he likes to get stuff done and he thinks water charges are unfair too, but it was a big job and, in the end, it was too hard.” So the berms remain unmowed, but Yarrall has managed to keep his protest in the public eye with the help of Sunderland’s creations. Yarrall says the city water charging rules are discriminatory. Residents are given a free allowance of 700 litres a day, on average. That’s about six showers a day, or the same as leaving the garden hose on full for about 45 minutes. After that, ratepayers are invoiced $1.35 for every 1000 litres extra they use, based on meter readings taken every three months, but almost a quarter of households will not be charged at all. That’s because they share meters with neighbours, so individual usage can’t be calculated. Yarrall uses lots of water because his 700m2 property has a large vegetable garden, a glasshouse, more than 20 trees, plus seedlings and plants in pots. The charges are unfair, he said. “Our water comes from the same place dairy farmers and overseas water bottlers use for free. Growing our own food is better for our health and the environment, but the city council punishes us for it,” he said. There is also no recognition of soil type by suburb, said Yarrall. “A garden like ours, but in New Brighton with its sandy soil, would probably need twice the water.” While Yarrall said he won’t be paying his water bill, he hopes Phil and Dawn may visit again – perhaps after the city council gets around to mowing the grass. HARD YAKKA: Phil Yarrall and his partner Amanda Stephens discuss mowing the berm with Phil and Dawn. ON THE JOB: ‘I’m not sure we can do this,’ said Dawn. It was a big task and, in the end, Phil said it was too hard, Yarrall said. Take The hassle ouT of managing your renTal! Curtis & Co deliver an excellent personalised, property management service at a competitive price. With more than twenty years’ experience in property management, we know what it takes to manage your investment well. Our property managers have experience in residential and commercial property management. Contact us today to discuss your rental requirements. David Curtis & Elizabeth Coakley David Ph: 021622643 Elizabeth Ph: 0274063483 www.curtisandco.co.nz NEED AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS? NEW! European specific diagnostic equipment – Fine tune & identify any faults. Diagnostic Testing Starters/Alternators Wiring Alarms: Insurance Approved Fuel Injection ABS Airbags Battery Checks Air Conditioning ROSES AUTO ELECTRICAL Licensed Agent ReAA 2008 rosesautoelec@gmail.com PREMIUM RETIREMENT LIVING 3 STUNNING HOMES OPEN TO VIEW FRIDAY 17TH FEB 9AM-3PM | 34 KENDON DRIVE LEVI PARK, ROLLESTON For more information on any of these properties call Corinne Blackie on 021 292 1141 or visit KARAKAPINES.CO.NZ Karaka Pines Villages in Auckland | Rototuna | Hamilton | Tauranga | Rotorua | Christchurch | Waihi Beach You have so much more to gain with our new take on independent retirement living. Capital gain Community gardens Pavilion Bowling green Secure environment Petanque court
Thursday February 16 2023 The Star NEWS 9 • By Tony Simons OVERGROWN: The three properties in question in Waltham, photographed in January. Locals say the city council mowed the berm last week. Berms a thorny issue RESIDENTS complaining about their neighbours’ overgrown grass berms are being told by the city council “berm maintenance is the responsibility of property owners” – but that may not be the case. A resident who complained last month about overgrown grass verges in Waltham, outside three properties locals say are abandoned, was told by the city council to take it up with the owners, believed to be townhouse developers based in the North Island. But the city council has told The Star it has no policy that says residents must maintain their own grass berms. “It is not residents’ responsibility, but the council does expect residents to do it, if possible,” a city council spokesperson said. “Our messaging on that has remained consistent.” The cost of maintaining berms is covered within the city council budget and the cost is funded by rates. The city council will maintain berms if the condition deteriorates significantly. The spokesperson also said council contractors will mow berms six to eight times a year depending on the seasons, if they need it. When asked if it might consider providing more bins for residents who agree to maintain road frontages in their street, the city council said it does not offer additional or larger bins for free as each property already has bins for green and food waste, paid by rates. However, it seems the city council might be open to the idea of using grass berms to grow wildflowers or even vegetables, but “any diversification of road reserve assets would need to be council approved” the spokesperson said. Over the last four months, the city council has received 66 complaints related to berms. RYMAN PRESENTS AN AFTERNOON WITH PAULA BENNETT THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY, 2PM Calling all creatives Fund your creative project with the Creative Communities Scheme Join us as Paula shares her experiences in government and her own personal journey of resilience, overcoming adversity and setting goals to achieve big dreams. Paula had a remarkable parliamentary career spanning 15 years which included serving as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Leader of the National Party. RSVP is essential Call Danielle on 354 6608 Applications open until 3 March 2023. Apply now at: ccc.govt.nz/CreativeScheme NGAIO MARSH RETIREMENT VILLAGE 95 Grants Road, Papanui
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The Star: February 16, 2023

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