Selwyn_Times: March 13, 2024

Wednesday March 13 2024 Selwyn Times
• By Daniel Alvey
COUNCIL WILL today make
a decision whether it will
ignore Government advice and
implement speed limit drops
around schools.
An interim speed management
plan to focus on schools and
high-risk areas is being presented
at today’s council meeting.
In December, council was due
to sign off on a district-wide
plan which would have seen a
large number of changes across
urban and rural roads. But that
was placed on hold by the new
coalition government.
Transport Minister Simeon
Brown advised all councils to
hold work on plans until a new
speed limit-setting rule was in
place. Despite Brown’s advice the
council has decided to push on
with their planning.
“Council is committed to
making speeds safe for our
communities, around all of our
schools, and numerous sites
across the district that critically
require a speed reduction,” a
report from council staff said.
West Rolleston Primary
School board chair Rob Hunt
the kea crossing outside the school.
who has been to council
three times to plead for
lower speeds, said he was
pleased to see the council
moving forward.
“It is great to see
progress being made. The
only caveat is until it’s
done, it is not done.’’ Rob Hunt
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Council may defy advice to
bring in school speed plan
BUSY: Every day 600 pupils at West Rolleston Primary use
The key difference
between the new plan and
what was presented to
councillors in December
is now all schools will
have variable speed
limits as opposed to any
permanent changes.
The council already
has $1.26 million in funding
allocated in the NZ Transport
Agency Waka Kotahi National
Land Transport Plan for the
implementation of speed limit
changes around schools.
The report said it was a
situation of “use it or lose it”,
with the funding due to expire
in June.
“This option carries some
financial risk as there is currently
no guarantee of certification nor
indication from the Government
around their intentions of the
continued use of bilingual
signage or the nature of the
variable signage to be used. Staff
perceive the associated risk as
low,” the report said.
In the plan, 32 schools across
the district will receive a mixture
of signage detailing the times
lower speeds are in place.
“It is the intention of SDC to
use static variable signs in lieu
of electronic variable signs until
sufficient stocks of electronic signs
are obtained,” the report said.
The council has applied for a
further $1.41 million of funding
for school safety infrastructure, in
the 24-27 NLTP.
NEWS 3
In Brief
SHED DESTROYED BY FIRE
A shed was destroyed after a fire
on Sunday. Brigades from Leeston
and Southbridge were called to
a Selwyn Lake Rd property near
Irwell at 4.36pm. Southbridge
deputy chief fire officer Roger
Sheat said the shed, which had
a mower and a ute in it, was
destroyed and the conjoining
sleepout had smoke and water
damage.
UNPERMITTED PADDOCK
FIRE MONITORED
Three brigades were called to
an unpermitted stubble fire on
Sunday. Crews from Dunsandel,
Rolleston and Kirwee were all
called to fire on Telegraph Rd
at about 12.30pm. Dunsandel
firefighter Al Sheppard said the
property owner did not have a
permit. Firefighters monitored
the fire until it had burnt itself
out. Last week a paddock fire on
Tramway Rd was put out by the
Southbridge brigade, after it was
accidentally started by a mower.
MISS CANTERBURY
FINALIST’S FASHION
FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS
Miss Canterbury finalist Paige
Sullivan raised $9000 for the I
Am Hope charity, the most any
individual contestant has raised
for several years. Originally from
Rolleston, the Halswell resident
held a fashion show to raise the
funds. The Miss Canterbury final
is on Sunday.
Over 10 Years in Selwyn
Belinda Ferguson
Anita Molloy-Roberts
Olivia Johnston
Maddy France
Kieran Heenan
Ruby Jones
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= Water garden
Water every few days.
Water your garden and lawn every few days rather than
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For more smart watering tips visit:
selwyn.govt.nz/watersense