North Canterbury News: March 07, 2024

6 The
OPINION
North Canterbury News, March 7, 2024
Mayor Marie Black
Keepaneye out for
vandalism of signs
Itisreally disappointingtomethat so
many mindless acts of destroying road
signs have occurred in recent times.
These signs are in place to keep our
residents and visitors safe, by making
them aware of changingroad
conditions.
It is so frustrating that asignificant
number of signs have been destroyed
by these silly acts.
This not only places aconsiderable
cost on our districtratepayers,who
are required to fund the sign
replacement, but also it is coupled
with the fact there will be less budget
to do other positive works.
What is equally concerning to me is
the fact this vandalism places our road
users in danger.
By not being aware of an upcoming
RAILWAY CROSSING, STOP or GIVE
WAY sign, there is potential for
accidents to happen causing serious
injury or death.
This must stop.
Iask community members to keep an
eye on this type of behaviour, and
report it to the Police, anddoyour part
to keep our community as safe as
possible.
Iwant to continue to provide you
with an update for the Long Term Plan
This
Week
Sun
Fishing
Guide
Moon
Wind
Swell
Pegasus Bay
Tide Chart
3
2
1
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13
Rise 7:16am
Rise 7:17am
Rise 7:18am
Rise 7:19am
Rise 7:20am
Rise 7:22am
Rise 7:23am
Set 8:03pm
Set 8:02pm
Set 8:00pm
Set 7:58pm
Set 7:57pm
Set 7:55pm
Set 7:53pm
Best 10:33am
Ok
Times 11:04pm
Rise 2:23am
Set 6:33pm
Gentle SEbecoming
moderate E
Best 11:33am
Fair
Times
Rise 3:43am
Set 7:08pm
Gentle SW becoming
moderate E
for the District.
You will be pleased to know that we
are edging closer to atime when we
invite you to participate by attending a
public forum or engaging with your
local elected member to understand
the context of the ‘‘plan’’.
Our financial strategy sets outthe
overall financial goals for the next 10
years with the strategy best being
thought of as atriangle, the corners
being represented by Capital
Expenditure, Rates or Debt.
In simple terms any increase in
expenditure has an impact on either
rates or debt.
Considering the components of the
triangle allows us to balance the need
to get things done at alevel of service
that meetsyour expectations, while
ensuring debt remains at asustainable
level, and rates remain affordable.
This is acomplex situation, and
these challenges are being faced by
councils up anddown the country.
We genuinely want to make certain
you understand the process, and you
can contribute.
Your action with the road signs and
understandingofour LTP is important
to us.
Kia kaha.
Best 12:02am
Good
Times 12:30pm
Rise 5:07am
Set 7:37pm
Gentle SEbecoming
moderate E
Best 12:57am
Ok
Times 1:24pm
Rise 6:31am
Set 8:02pm
Moderate Ebecoming
fresh NE
Rise 7:53am
Set 8:25pm
Gentle Sbecoming
moderate E
Rise 9:14am
Set 8:48pm
Gentle Wbecoming
moderate E
Rise10:35am
Set 9:12pm
Gentle SW becoming
moderate SE
SE 0.9 m turning NE 0.8 mturning SE 0.7 mturning
E0.7 mturning
SE 1.1 m
E
SE
E
SE SE 0.7 m E0.8 m
3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9
Ok
Best
Times
1:50am
2:16pm
Ok
Best
Times
2:42am
3:07pm
In the Electoratewith
RANGIORA OCEANWATCH
MattDoocey
MP forWaimakariri
Ok
Best
Times
3:33am
3:59pm
Authorised by Matt Doocey MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
Cell ban reception
As Italk to students and teachers across
the electorate, it’s been interesting to hear
the feedback on the ban on cell phones in
schools which will come into full force
from the start of term 2.
Ianticipated there would be some
resistance from teenagerswho are growing
up dependent on access to their handheld
device around the clock, so Ihave actually
been pleasantly surprised to hear many
students are already on board, and even
positive about the policy.
Ihave heard anecdotally from several
different students that the playground is
livelier, with more young people engaging
in conversations and debates during break
times, going for walks or playing games
together,rather than being glued to an
individual screen.
While Irealise some teachers do rely on
student access to phones for exercises
such as online quizzes, and Irecognise
there are other benefits depending on the
subject being learned, Ihave been
encouraged that the majority of feedback
on this policy has been extremely positive.
Iwould like to take this opportunity to
congratulate those teachersand students
who have already embraced the change,
and Ihope the increased time spent in one
anotherspresence will continue to
improve collegiality and face­to­face
interactions in the school grounds. Anyone
who has spent time in Kaiapoi recently
will know how amazing the sense of
community is, and Iwould like to
acknowledge the incredible work of All
Together Kaiapoi, who have decided to
call it aday.
The group was established after the
earthquakes specifically to bring people
together and to create apositive future for
the many residents who were displaced
and lost homes and property.
Ithink we can all agree that the Kaiapoi
of today is afar cry from the town damaged
so extensively by the quakes, with plenty
on offer in terms of community events, and
areal feeling of pride in the shops, cafes
and other businesses all around town.
The river is also looking stunning, and its
been wonderful to see so many people
making the most of this amazing asset over
the summer months.
So abig thank you to the late Chis
Greengrass, outgoing chair Jackie Watson
and the rest of the team: Kath Adams,
Brent and Shirley Cairns, and Sara Green.
Well done for all you have achieved
bringing back that sense of community
spirit after what was avery bleak time for
many.
Lastly wishing all the rubber ducks,
walkers and runners the very best of luck
for the weekend. The annual Silverstream
duck race, which is raising funds for
Satisfy Food Rescue, kicks off at 11am on
Saturday at Tirikatene Reserve.
Meanwhile Sunday will see the humans in
action for the Kaiapoi Fun Run which
starts at 8.30 at Murphy Park. Good luck to
all those competing in either event!
ECan ratepayers face ahefty 24.2percentrate increase
By DAVIDHILL,
Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury’s rivers and public transport
are in the spotlight as the region’s
ratepayers face ahefty 24.2 percent
average rates rise.
Environment Canterbury adopted its
draft 2024/34 Long Term Plan on
Wednesday,predicting an average rate
rises of 24.2% and 13.6% over the next two
years.
Ensuring the region’s rivers are resilient
to flooding in the face of climate change
and developing a‘‘world class’’ public
transport system are priorities over the
next 10 years, chairperson Peter Scott said.
‘‘I think it is big enough,’’ he said, when
commentingonthe 24.2% rates rise.
‘‘We are being honest with ratepayers
with what our business as usual costs are.’’
Given the increased number of major
flood events in recent years,hesaid the
council needed to put measures in place to
ensure rivers can cope with increased
volumes of water.
Cr Scott said the council had already
begun implementing measures to improve
public transport in Christchurch and to
improve the links with the Waimakariri
and Selwyn districts, by buying more
electric buses and increasingthe
frequency of services.
But several of the promises in the Long
Term Plan were subject to Government
commitments, Cr Scott said.
‘‘We havegot all this public transport
uplift in our planning and Waka Kotahi (NZ
Transport Agency) has encouraged us to do
this work.
‘‘If the Government Policy Statement(on
land transport)comes out and says we are
going to concentrateonother things, then
we will need to re­look at it.’’
Councillor Grant Edge, who chairs the
audit, finance and risk committee,said the
Long Term Plan addressed climate change.
‘‘It will enable the delivery of issues
related to intergenerational planning and
it is acontinuation of the council’s
declaration of aclimate emergency in
2019.’’
Councillors Tutehounuku Korako and
Iaean Cranwell noted this could be the only
Long Term Plan with input from elected
NgāiTahu councillors,given the
Government’s stated intention to repeal the
NgāiTahu representation legislation.
Engagement with then region’s 10
Papatipu Rūnanga was no longer just an
‘‘aspiration’’, but was now arequirement,
Cr Korako said.
‘‘It is aheftyrates rise, but we need to
ensure we can protect and take care of the
environment.’’
Councillors Claire McKay and Deon
Swiggs voted against adopting the draft
Long Term Plan, expressing their
opposition to the 24.2% rates rise in the
middle of acost of living crisis.
‘‘It feels to me like this table is tone deaf
to what our ratepayers are facing,’’ Cr
McKay said.
They were not alone in their concerns,
with Cr David East describing the rates
hike as ‘‘unpalatable’’ and Cr Ian
Mackenzie describing aculture ‘‘of curing
the world’s problems by throwing money at
it’’. The draft Long Term Plan will be out
for consultation from March 13 to April 14,
with hearings scheduledtobegin at the end
of April.
LDR is local body journalism co­funded
by RNZ and NZ On Air.
0
Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows
Waimakariri 2:23am 2.3 8:42am 0.6 3:18am 2.4 9:34am 0.5 4:12am 2.5 10:27am 0.5 5:05am 2.6 11:21am 0.4 5:59am 2.6
6:54am 2.6 12:42am 0.3 7:50am 2.6 1:37am 0.3
Mouth
2:45pm 2.3 8:56pm 0.6 3:39pm 2.4 9:53pm 0.5 4:33pm 2.4 10:50pm 0.4 5:29pm 2.5 11:46pm 0.3 6:25pm 2.612:15pm 0.3 7:22pm 2.6 1:10pm 0.3 8:19pm 2.6 2:04pm 0.3
Amberley 2:23am 2.3 8:42am 0.6 3:18am 2.4 9:34am 0.5 4:12am 2.5 10:27am 0.5 5:05am 2.6 11:21am 0.4 5:59am 2.6
6:54am 2.6 12:42am 0.3 7:50am 2.6 1:37am 0.3
Beach
2:45pm 2.3 8:56pm 0.6 3:39pm 2.4 9:53pm 0.5 4:33pm 2.4 10:50pm 0.4 5:29pm 2.5 11:46pm 0.3 6:25pm 2.612:15pm 0.3 7:22pm 2.6 1:10pm 0.3 8:19pm 2.6 2:04pm 0.3
2:32am 2.3 8:51am 0.6 3:27am 2.4 9:43am 0.5 4:21am 2.5 10:36am 0.5 5:14am 2.6 11:30am 0.4 6:08am 2.6
7:03am 2.6 12:51am 0.3 7:59am 2.6 1:46am 0.3
Motunau 2:54pm 2.3 9:05pm 0.6 3:48pm 2.4 10:02pm 0.5 4:42pm 2.4 10:59pm 0.4 5:38pm 2.5 11:55pm 0.3 6:34pm 2.612:24pm 0.3 7:31pm 2.6 1:19pm 0.3 8:28pm 2.6 2:13pm 0.3
2:34am 2.3 8:53am 0.6 3:29am 2.4 9:45am 0.5 4:23am 2.5 10:38am 0.5 5:16am 2.6 11:32am 0.4 6:10am 2.6
7:05am 2.6 12:53am 0.3 8:01am 2.6 1:48am 0.3
Gore Bay 2:56pm 2.3 9:07pm 0.6 3:50pm 2.4 10:04pm 0.5 4:44pm 2.4 11:01pm 0.4 5:40pm 2.5 11:57pm 0.3 6:36pm 2.612:26pm 0.3 7:33pm 2.6 1:21pm 0.3 8:30pm 2.6 2:15pm 0.3
2:26am 1.6 8:47am 0.3 3:20am 1.7 9:38am 0.2 4:14am 1.7 10:30am 0.2 5:09am 1.8 11:24am 0.2 6:04am 1.8
7:01am 1.8 12:43am 0.1 7:58am 1.8 1:41am 0.1
Kaikoura 2:48pm 1.5 8:56pm 0.3 3:41pm 1.6 9:51pm 0.2 4:36pm 1.6 10:48pm 0.1 5:32pm 1.7 11:45pm 0.1 6:29pm 1.712:19pm 0.1 7:26pm 1.8 1:15pm 0.1 8:24pm 1.8 2:12pm 0.1
*Not for navigational purposes. Wind and swell are based on apoint off Gore Bay. Maori Fishing Guide by Bill Hohepa. www.ofu.co.nz www.tidespy.com Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.
RANGIORA