A little bit about me...
Kia ora / good day / hello / namaste
My name is Shirish Paranjape. Christchurch is the only city in NZ I have lived in - since 2002 - when I moved to NZ from Mumbai, India. Within Christchurch, I have always lived in Burnside / Avonhead area.
I am an electrical engineer by profession and have a full time job. Outside of work, I am involved in many Community centric activities- such as being a Justice of the Peace, a member of a local Rotary Club for 10 years, a volunteer driver/ crew of the Christchurch Peace Train and one of the local Leads on Neighbourly. I am a pro-bono reporter of Indian Newslink at Christchurch.
Additionally, I feel privileged to have been elected by the residents of Waimairi ward as a Community Board member at Christchurch City Council. I am currently on my 3rd term.
I love the neighbourhood which has been home for 22+ years. I like sharing items of common interests through both digital media (Neighbourly, Facebook, Instagram, Google Maps) and print media (Star Media, Indian Newslink). The readers will generally find that I share positive things with others.
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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88.8% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
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