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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s all good to go but who’s going to pay for it?
That still remains the big unknown for the second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge after the Government confirmed it would be part of its $32.9 billion plan for New Zealand’s transport network … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s all good to go but who’s going to pay for it?
That still remains the big unknown for the second Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge after the Government confirmed it would be part of its $32.9 billion plan for New Zealand’s transport network over the next three years.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which focuses on more state highways, road maintenance, and greater public transport in the country's main cities with a 35% increase in funding compared to the last three years.
He said it includes plans to work with Ashburton District Council to progress the second Ashburton Bridge as a road of regional significance.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said having it included in the transport plan "cements that the project will go ahead”.
"We will be getting our second bridge.
"It’s a tremendous achievement for all that have been involved in it over the last 15 years.
"Hopefully we’ll have it (funding and timeline) sorted in the next few months.”
But the big question remains on how constructing the 360-metre-long bridge across the Ashburton/Hakatere River, and associated new road infrastructure to link it to the existing network, will be funded.
That in a cheeky way was put to Rangitata MP James Meager when he presented an update to the council on the Government’s work programme.
Mayor Brown welcomed him with a tongue-in-cheek quip that Meager is "a busy man no doubt, getting funding for bridges etc”.
The commitment to get the bridge started in this term of Government is unchanged, Meager said.
Whether it comes from tax, rates, or user pays, someone ends up paying for it, he said.
"It sits with the council and NZTA now to have those conversations and discussions about what the funding mix is.”
What being a road of regional significance means for the NZTA contribution also remains to be seen but Meager suggested it could result in "an uplift” of the Government’s contribution from the minimum 51%.
Council chief executive Hamish Riach confirmed that they had already applied to the Government’s regional infrastructure fund, while Mayor Brown said they have put in for a fast-track consent for the project.
The council included $7.5m for the second bridge in its long-term plan and was aware that figure may not be enough.
Being included in the plan guarantees at least the minimum 51% funding from NZTA as costing of $113m, based on the 2022 business case, but that estimate is now closer to $130m.
At the $113m price tag, NZTA’s 51% contribution ($56.6m) and the council’s $7.5m (6.7% of the total cost) leaves a shortfall of $48.9m.
How that funding gap is bridged has been a focus for some time and will need to be finalised soon.
"We have been working with NZTA for a while now around how that might work, and those discussions are well advanced,” Brown said.
***More than a bridge
The bridge was the big Mid Canterbury project in the Government’s transport plan but wasn’t the only one.
There is a planned asphalt upgrade for the SH1 Ashburton – SH77 junction to the Ashburton Bridge.
The section of the road will be dug out and re-asphalted to cater for heavy traffic use.
Safety improvements will be designed for the Selwyn River to Ashburton stretch of SH1.
There will also be a rockfall fence in the Rakaia Gorge along SH77 on the south side of the river to protect motorists and the highway, and to give reliable journey times.
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Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works … View moreToday (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is growing frustration that a project with proven environmental gains is being stalled by red tape.
It is nearly two years since the Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) lodged resource consent applications to expand its project to … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There is growing frustration that a project with proven environmental gains is being stalled by red tape.
It is nearly two years since the Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) lodged resource consent applications to expand its project to improve the quality of river and groundwater.
It is already New Zealand’s largest managed groundwater rehabilitation project but further expansion has now stalled with the consent process heading to a hearing in October.
“We know what we are doing is working,” executive director Brett Painter said.
The Trust started with just one Managed Aquifer Recharge(MAR) pond in 2016 and has expanded its site numbers to 15.
They applied to ECan for resource consent to operate MAR sites at 34 locations, 14 existing and 20 new sites, in 2022.
Painter presented an annual update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee last week and said the delays in the consent process have put the Trust two years behind.
He says delays mean “the clock is ticking towards 2035” – the date that ECan’s Canterbury land and water regional plan requires median annual shallow groundwater concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen be less than 6.9 mg/l.
“We are behind in getting up to speed and being able to get the sites in the ground, water in the ground, and measure the results,” Painter said.
“The evidence very clearly shows where these targeted enhancements are happening, that they are having the benefit across the whole ecosystem health spectrum.”
Zone committee chairperson Bill Thomas said the hold up in the consent process and associated costs is a shame “when we are looking for tools to try and help the nitrate problems”.
“One is staring us in the face and it's run into a brick wall.”
Ashburton District councillor Richard Wilson said it is a big investment for the community and there is “a lot of money going around in a circle”.
He said the community is paying targeted rates to ECan towards HHWET’s operations to improve water quality and the environment, but a lot of money appears to be going towards consents rather than actions.
“Sure you need consents, but it’s spending a lot of money to do something that ECan said we want you to do.
“I understand there are people against it, but you hope they will see the outcome at the end is better than not doing anything at all.”
ECan consents manager Aurora Grant said the five resource consent applications are for a large-scale activity and will significantly increase the scale – proposing to use more than six times the current amount of water.
“The scale and complexity of the proposal, and additional information which the applicant has needed to provide has meant that the processing of these applications has taken some time.”
As ECan had a facilitatory role in the investigation stages of the project, the application process has been independently contracted out.
An independent commissioner decided that the applications required public notification, with 79 submissions received and a hearing being organised for October.
****What the project does
MAR sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater.
This enhances ground and surface water quality and quantity. Near river recharge (NRR) is the same but is located in a river’s flood plain, so that river flow and quality are enhanced.
Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust Limited (HHWET) and Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) are seeking resource consents for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and near river recharge at 37 locations in the Hekeao/Hinds catchment.
These sites require up to 3,200 l/s of surface water in addition to HHWET's already consented 500 l/s. RDRML has applied to use some of its consented take from the Rangitata River to support HHWET operations.
Make your own wall art from leftover MDF and Resene testpots. Nikki Kettle’s abstract piece was inspired by her local environment.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Put an empty wine bottle to good use with this feeder finished in Resene Clover that can cater for a range of garden birds.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Have you been using Neighbourly Groups? You may have joined some gardening groups or general chat groups over the years.
Members have told us that this part of the site isn't working as it should, so we are going to remove it for now.
So, in a few weeks Neighbourly Groups will no longer … View moreHave you been using Neighbourly Groups? You may have joined some gardening groups or general chat groups over the years.
Members have told us that this part of the site isn't working as it should, so we are going to remove it for now.
So, in a few weeks Neighbourly Groups will no longer be there. Don't worry, you can post on the noticeboard as usual!
Get in contact with our team if you have any concerns or need any help!
Are you planning your next getaway? Organising a holiday is exciting, but the journey itself can sometimes be a little overwhelming. To ensure your trip is smooth from start to finish, here are some top tips from the travel experts at You, Me and Friends to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and… View moreAre you planning your next getaway? Organising a holiday is exciting, but the journey itself can sometimes be a little overwhelming. To ensure your trip is smooth from start to finish, here are some top tips from the travel experts at You, Me and Friends to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and enjoy a carefree vacation.
Click read more for the full story.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stronger laws that encourage landlords to maintain the upkeep of commercial buildings have the support of Ashburton’s mayor.
Councils want stronger laws to allow them to take action on unoccupied buildings plaguing many cities and towns in New … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Stronger laws that encourage landlords to maintain the upkeep of commercial buildings have the support of Ashburton’s mayor.
Councils want stronger laws to allow them to take action on unoccupied buildings plaguing many cities and towns in New Zealand.
The push has been led by the Gisborne District Council and gained support from the Local Government NZ membership – including the Ashburton District Council.
Mayor Neil Brown said that support doesn’t guarantee changes will be made but that LGNZ will put pressure on the Government to take a look at it.
The Building Act 2004 allows a council to step in only once a building has become unsanitary or dangerous.
Councils want to be able to take proactive action on unoccupied or deteriorating buildings.
“There are those buildings all over the country, including here,” Brown said.
Gisborne had submitted images of its derelict buildings, including the Masonic Hotel which hosted the Queen in 1954.
“They are not as bad as one in Ashburton.
“It’s an eyesore in the middle of town. It’s not a good look.”
That building is likely the Bruce Printing building on Burnett St, which has been in a progressive state of demolition since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The building owner was granted consent for the demolition in 2012 but it carries no enforceable deadline.
LGNZ president and Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton said the councils are collectively asking the minister for building and construction to investigate the issue and give councils more powers to do something about the buildings on behalf of the community.
“This isn’t the first time we have asked a government to take action on unoccupied buildings, but we hope this Government will take it seriously and make the necessary changes,” Broughton said.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councils want accommodation and tourism levies to ease the burden on ratepayers.
It was a talking point at the recent Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Wellington and Ashburton mayor Neil Brown is interested to see how it could work.… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councils want accommodation and tourism levies to ease the burden on ratepayers.
It was a talking point at the recent Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Wellington and Ashburton mayor Neil Brown is interested to see how it could work.
Brown said the Mackenzie District Council included a 1% rate increase so it could clean its public toilets twice a day.
“It’s cleaning the toilets for the tourists but the ratepayers are paying for it, and they deem that not fair.”
LGNZ figures suggest the rates paid by each ratepayer supported the infrastructure and services for 51 international tourists.
Councils had raised the possibility of tourist levies or a bed tax with the government, and it could have benefits in Mid Canterbury, Brown said.
In Mid Canterbury, Methven is the main tourist centre but Rakaia, Ashburton, and Hinds all have tourists stopping to use public facilities that are maintained by funding from ratepayers.
“If you did one did one area you would probably do all the hotels in the district.”
Having recently travelled in the UK, Brown said there were always “little taxes added on the end of a bill”.
International tourists pay an International Visitor Levy when they enter the country.
The levy had contributed to the Tourism Infrastructure fund and between 2017 and 2023, the Ashburton District Council received nearly $1.2m for three projects: the Rakaia Salmon site upgrade, rest areas at Taylors Stream and Awa Awa Rata Reserve, the redevelopment of Rakaia Gorge toilets.
“We get the money to build the facilities, which is great, but then they need to be maintained which falls back on councils.”
That maintenance could be funded through a bed tax or an increased levy that would “take the onus off the ratepayer and puts it more on the user”.
“Ratepayers will still use the amenities but probably not as much as tourists would.”
Tourism Minister Matt Doocey said Tourism New Zealand was reviewing the International Visitor Levy and he was aware there was strong support for an accommodation levy, but the Government had yet to make a decision.
Rangitata MP James Meager said he was supportive of more user pays type funding so those who most directly benefit from the infrastructure, pay for the infrastructure.
He was also wary of putting extra costs on businesses and hospitality “at a time where things are tightening up”.
“The other question would be whether there are enough bed nights in the district to make it pay off, given many visitors to our region end up staying in the larger metropolitan centres.
“If the council thinks a targeted rate or bed tax would work to help them raise revenue for infrastructure, that’s something they can put to ratepayers.”
Some spare wood, used furniture or children's toys - do you mind when your neighbours leave goods on the street for others to make use of?
Share your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
Police are warning people to be on alert for the latest round of email scams referencing Police and other justice agencies.
The email claims authorities have done a search of the email recipient’s computer and located explicit illegal material.
The recipient is directed to reply within 72 … View morePolice are warning people to be on alert for the latest round of email scams referencing Police and other justice agencies.
The email claims authorities have done a search of the email recipient’s computer and located explicit illegal material.
The recipient is directed to reply within 72 hours, or a warrant will be issued for their arrest. This email is a scam and anyone who receives it should not reply under any circumstances.
Although some versions of the email do not specifically reference money, other similar scams involve the recipient being issued a ‘fine’ when they respond.
While the nature and specific details of scams often varies, it’s important to note that Police and other government agencies will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your password, credit card or bank details.
Police have received several reports of this scam and enquires are underway.
Anyone who received this email can either forward the spam email to the Department of Internal Affairs directly at complaint@spam.govt.nz or use their online reporting portal: www.reportspam.co.nz...
Police recommend taking a cautious approach to unsolicited emails. Trust your gut instinct - if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Information on other scams currently operating can be found on the Consumer Protection NZ website: www.consumerprotection.govt.nz...
Consumer Protection NZ, along with Netsafe, also provides helpful advice about keeping safe online.
Anyone who has received this email can report it to police online via www.police.govt.nz.... Please reference file number 240830/5842.
Splashes of Resene colour and pattern in unexpected places add personality and a little whimsy to our homes.
Start with this super easy wardrobe door project.
With a clever bit of colour matching and spot patching you can have your front door tidied up quickly.
Check out our handy advice to get the job done.
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