North Canterbury News: June 29, 2023

What’s happening in your
community…
North Canterbury Mayors Welcome Future
for Local Government Report
Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura Mayors welcome
the Future for Local Government report but say the
primary issue remains funding.
“There’s alot in this report and we will need totake
time to look into the details,” says Waimakariri Mayor
Dan Gordon. “However generally speaking we’re
supportive ofthe council-led, localism first approach it
seems to be recommending.”
“The report shows promise in terms ofits focus on
intergenerational wellbeing, relationships with iwi
hapu, alarger focus on localism, and possible sectorled
reorganisation. But the main issue facing local
government is funding because we can’t do any of the
above without addressing the funding model.”
The three mayors do not favour re-organisation as
this is at odds with localism. Instead, they would
build onthe positive partnerships that already
exist between their councils and communities, and
throughout wider Canterbury.
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says while there may be
an initial focus on topics such as lowering the voting
age, four-year terms, and reorganisation ofthe sector,
the important theme was ensuring that local voices
can have areal say in their communities.
“While there are some headlines in the report, Ithink
most councils would look at this and view it as positive.
“The focus on placed-based approaches to tackling the
big problems like climate change is one that Istrongly
agree with. Councils are in the best place to solve these
issues in partnership with their communities and any
potential reorganisation would need to be council and
community led if these prickly issues are to be solved.”
Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said alotofthe
recommendations were common sense and he
welcomed the focus onpartnership and in turn funding.
“A highlight for meisthe focus on local government and
how itinteracts with central government. Foralong
time, councils have had additional un-funded mandates
forced onusthrough central legislation without funding
and it’s put the sector into atight spot.
“Canterbury councils already have good working
relationships. The three North Canterbury councils
already work closely together to assist each other
and our communities. Key to that is the collaborative
nature ofour relationship and good communication.
“Central government needs to look to this type
of collaboration and partnership. Trust in local
government is going to be crucial ifwe’re to confront
challenges and li the wellbeing ofour communities
across generations. There isalot of scope and
promise in this report but until the funding side of it is
settled it’ll remain irrelevant.”
Have Your Say on Housing Policy
There isstill time to let us know what you think about
our Dra Housing Policy. Council plays apivotal role
in providing adequate housing for all our residents.
We’re developing aHousing Policy that will ensure
Council can respond to acomplex and ever-changing
housing market now and into the future.
Our Housing Policy will serve as the guide for how
Council, and our partners, should approach initiatives
that enhance the quality, quantity, affordability and
accessibility of housing across the District.
In the dra Policy, wehave provided examples of what
functions council could undertake as part of fulfilling
one of four roles. We want to know ifyou think we’ve
struck the right balance in this mix of roles and
functions. We also want to know ifyou think we’ve
identified the right priorities.
Have your say at Waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk
Roadworks Across the District
Todds Road remains closed to northbound traffic from
Fernside Road for power cabling and infrastructure
upgrades and it’s expected to be removed byFriday
30 June. From Tuesday to Friday this week, temporary
traffic lights will also be installed on Fernside Road
between Todds Road and Townsend Road. There will
be an overnight closure of Townsend Road at the
intersection of Fernside Road on Sunday 2July.
Work on Kippenberger Avenue continues with
temporary traffic lights along Kippenberger Avenue
and MacPhail Avenue is closed with detours in place.
Burt Streetwillbeclosed to eastbound traffic during
the day from Monday26Junefor three days while the
weighbridge entry off Blackett Street is closed forrepairs.
Thisistohelpwith truck movements that would normally
use Blackett Street.There will be detours in place.
Work on the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge has been
delayed to next week, with two-hourly overnight
closures between 8pm and 6am on Thursday 29 June.
The bridge will be reopened to traffic at 10pm, 12am,
2am, 4am, then 6am for traffic.
The Waimakariri
Event Fund
Are you wanting to start anew
event in Waimakariri? Are you
trying togrow an existing event
in Waimakariri?
Applicants are now being invited to apply
for upto$5,000 towards promotion
or coordination of events that clearly
demonstrate economic and/or community
benefit to the Waimakariri District.
The current funding round is open 1August
to 31 August 2023.
Check out the criteria and apply online at:
enterprisenorthcanterbury.co.nz/eventfunding/waimakariri-event-fund/
or email: events@visitwaimakariri.co.nz
This is Waimakariri District Council
funding administered byENC.
TIME TO
REGISTER
YOUR DOG
Every dog over three months
of age must be microchipped
and registered.
We now provide adurable aluminium dog tag that’s
designed to last for several years.
Register between 1–31 July
waimakariri.govt.nz/dogs
makesure
your bin is
collected…
We can’t collect over
Make sure the lid is closed
faces the road.
—
Find out more
rethinkrubbish.co.nz
rethinkrubbish.co.nz