Ashburton Courier: August 24, 2023

WHĀRANGI 2|NGĀ PŪKŌRERO OTEWIKI KI RAUKĀPUKA |TAITE, 24HERE-TURI-KŌKĀ, 2023
EDITORIAL
Dress up daywas afun end to Maths Week
at Geraldine Primary School,witheventhe
grownup kids entering intothe spiritofthe event.
PHOTO: Facebook/Geraldine Primary School
Geraldine Primary School was ahive
of activity this week, with ahost of
mathematical yet entertaining
activities keeping students and their
teachers on their toes. It was great to
see such enjoyment being had inthe
study of what can sometimes be a
complex subject. And well done to the
parents who made themselves
available toshare the importance of
maths in everyday life with the
students in such creative ways. Itreally
does take acommunity toraise achild.
Speaking of community,
construction on the long-awaited
Geraldine Health Hub has finally
begun (page 3) and John Shirtcliffs
submission to Timaru District Council
raises concerns (page 2).
GNews Community (page 6) is really
taking off, with all kinds of events
worth noting. Remember, this is your
free space totell us whats happening
out there. On page 4, Tim Rimmer
brings us up to speed with happenings
at the Geraldine Community Gardens.
The general election is just seven
weeks away. To help us make informed
decisions, Jan Finlayson has been out
there asking questions; the candidate's
answers will appear on these pages
over the next few weeks (page 5).
Have agreat week. xox FI
John Shirtcliff contends more areas of Geraldine should beopened upfor housing. PHOTO: Facebook/Geraldine.nz
Local concerned district plan based on out-of-date data
Local business consultant John Shirtcliff is
concerned that the future sustainability of
Geraldine is compromisedbyplanning groupthink.
In an article in the Timaru Herald
(02.08.23), he describes his attempts to
convince Timaru District Council of his views
as like talking to aplank of wood.
The core of his submission to the proposed
plan is that the district plan is based on out-ofdate
data. That data is also limited by the fact
that statistics for Geraldine do not include the
Downs or some other parts of the town.
IN BRIEF
He says that council takes adistrict-wide
approach which does not recognise the
granularity of different parts of the district. He
claims that with a7.1 per cent increase in the
number of dwellings in the five years to 2018
and afurther estimated 6.7 per cent growth in
the five years to 2023 compared toagrowth
rate in Timaru of 4.2 per cent, the
(inescapable) conclusion is that Geraldine is
growing at arather faster rate than is the
Timaru District as awhole.
He urges planners to resist the temptation
of being trapped by the sunk vision and cost
of so-called experts. He hopes that those
submitting to the plan or speaking to the plan
will be aware of the issues that create
dysfunction in theplanning.Hecontends that
the future of Geraldine demands the opening
up of more areas of land for housing.
The relevant part of John Shirtcliffs
submission is on the GNews Facebook page.
HUGH MCCAFFERTY
Henry Wynn doubles down for agood cause
As far as the laws
of mathematics
refer to reality,
theyare not certain,
and as far as they
are certain, they do
not refer toreality.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Three weeks ago, just as GNews was going
to print, Henry Wynn was pleased to meet
his fundraising goal to raise $500 for the
Gumboot Friday charity and its Blonde
Mullet Brigade Challenge (GNews 03.08.23).
True to his word, Henry recently visited his
AuntyKathrinetoreceivehis newhairstyle -
abright pinkmullet.
Henry says, I love having pink hair.
Iwas abit nervous about the whole hairdying
process, but its looking really great.
Iamreally thankful for the support from
everyone. Henrys mum, Amy, says,
I couldn't be prouder of Henry and his
efforts with his fundraising. He has done a
great job and really suits his pink hair.
Having reached the initial fundraising
goal, Henry decided to attempt to double
the money; his Givealittle page quickly
reached that goal, raising $1,000. The
charitycurrently spends $500,000 amonth
providingfunding forunder-25-year-olds to
receive free counselling sessions. The
money Henry raised will fund seven
counselling sessions for those who need
them. ANNA VEAUX
LEFT: Henry Wynn shows off his new pink do.
CONTACTS
NEWS: FI MCCAFFERTY
fi@gnews.co.nz | 027 899 0703
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responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences
arisingfromrelianceoninformation published. The content of
submitted material is notnecessarily endorsed by the owners.
The editor reservesthe right to makedecisions on publication
of stories and the quality/suitability ofsubmitted ads.
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