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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's recycling habits are improving, but one rogue household has been labelled the “extreme worst end of the scale” for breaking the rules.
The household was accused of putting out multiple yellow and red bins to dump 480kg of … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's recycling habits are improving, but one rogue household has been labelled the “extreme worst end of the scale” for breaking the rules.
The household was accused of putting out multiple yellow and red bins to dump 480kg of rubbish, then acting "extremely abusive" when approached over the incident, councillors heard during a recent meeting.
Recycling audits have been carried out since 2020.
In this case, a property had been using its yellow recycling bin as a rubbish bin for two consecutive weeks.
The property also had three red bins as well as the yellow bin out for kerbside collection, councillors heard.
It was estimated they had presented around 480kg of waste on collection day.
When approached, the resident was “extremely abusive to the audit team and collection contractor”, the councillors were told during an update on audit results.
Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the usual education approach for incorrect recycling practices was deemed to be unachievable.
Any bins presented by the property were now treated as waste by the contractor, he said.
The property's yellow bin had been confiscated but they acquired another one, as well as the two additional red bins. The extra bins had been confiscated, McCann said.
The incident was at the “extreme worst end of the scale”.
However, McCann said ongoing kerbside auditing has improved results in Ashburton. This save ratepayers the $1000 additional cost of a contaminated recycling load being diverted to landfill.
“The observations of our audit team on the ground is that people are generally recycling well, though there are odd cases of larger non-compliance as has been highlighted.
“The biggest issue is finding rubbish in recycling bins and this is most commonly soft plastics, food, clothing and soiled nappies.”
Since auditing began in 2021, Ashburton has only had four contaminated loads.
As a comparison, the Christchurch City Council reported that in May it had 2% (11) of its recycling loads diverted to landfill, at a total cost of $11,000 – its best month of the year to date.
In terms of general waste, the latest figures showed that there were 1169 tonnes of waste sent to the Kate Valley landfill in April, bringing the total for the 2023-24 year to 12,595 - with about 14,800 tonnes sent in the previous year.
The council plans to hold a workshop to decide on the green waste bin size options ahead of the kerbside rollout in September 2026.
This will be included in the next waste management contract, which is due to go out for tender in September.
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We've pulled four names this week of members across the country. The winners of the $100 Mitre10 cards are:
Cynthia Chozas from Botany Downs
Mabel Dawson from Stratford
Michael Pascoe from Amberley
… View moreWe've pulled four names this week of members across the country. The winners of the $100 Mitre10 cards are:
Cynthia Chozas from Botany Downs
Mabel Dawson from Stratford
Michael Pascoe from Amberley
Sarah Gebhard from Nelson
Winners can get in touch here or by emailing helpdesk@neighbourly.co.nz before 25th June.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
An investigation will look at how Ashburton district's local economy could benefit from a bite-size portion of Te Araroa trail.
The Ashburton District Council and the Te Araroa Trust have commissioned Infometrics to prepare a report, expected … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
An investigation will look at how Ashburton district's local economy could benefit from a bite-size portion of Te Araroa trail.
The Ashburton District Council and the Te Araroa Trust have commissioned Infometrics to prepare a report, expected to be brought to the council in August, looking into the potential economic benefit of promoting a section of the national walking trail.
Council compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said it is referred to as a Te Araroa Iti (Te Araroa small or bite-sized), and the report will describe the economic impact of increased numbers of walkers and the district promoting the walk.
“The report does not make a distinction on whether walkers would stay in Methven or would choose Mt Somers, Staveley or even Ashburton town.”
The initial report will only gauge the potential benefits, not how it would work.
“The report will look at the economic impact of such an attraction for the district, however, it is not a feasibility report.”
The short walk would focus on a section of the full Te Araroa route that runs through the district and can be done over a few days, and would have the walkers utilise local accommodation and hospitality services before and after.
“Likely two to three nights in the route, with accommodation before the walk and a final night before heading home,” Donaldson said.
“We are keen to utilise other providers such as Salt or the hot pools as add-ons for visitors.”
The report will cost $22,500 and is being evenly funded by the council and Te Araroa Trust, Donaldson said.
The creation of the small walk would simply utilise the existing trails but there may be infrastructure costs such as hut extensions, Donaldson said.
“Te Araroa are investigating this and there is no expectation at this stage for further council funding.
“The council, through the Experience Mid Canterbury branding, would promote this visitor asset.”
Te Araroa is New Zealand's long-distance tramping route, stretching about 3000 kilometres along the length of the country's two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
In Canterbury, it runs along the Southern Alps, from the Harper Pass Track in the north to the Ahuriri River in the south.
The trail gets interrupted by the natural borders of Mid Canterbury – the braided Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, which require people to detour using roads to reconnect the trail at either end of the district.
The Rakaia–Rangitata is a four-day 69.7km trek between the two rivers, starting at Double Hill in the north, running along the Southern Alps and crossing through the Hakatere Conservation Park to the Ashburton Lakes where it ends at the Potts River.
Each week, nominations on Neighbourly get turned into a Stuff story and we are always on the lookout for amazing neighbours who deserve to be recognised.
It could be someone who helped you when you were in a tight spot, a local who goes above and beyond for the community or just a neighbour who … View moreEach week, nominations on Neighbourly get turned into a Stuff story and we are always on the lookout for amazing neighbours who deserve to be recognised.
It could be someone who helped you when you were in a tight spot, a local who goes above and beyond for the community or just a neighbour who checks in on you.
Nominate your 'Nice Neighbour' by clicking here.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Turning drivers towards an Inland Scenic Route could be a cost-effective way to boost the economy, Ashburton councillors have been told.
Council economic development manager Simon Worthington detailed the promotion of the route in the Economic … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Turning drivers towards an Inland Scenic Route could be a cost-effective way to boost the economy, Ashburton councillors have been told.
Council economic development manager Simon Worthington detailed the promotion of the route in the Economic Development Strategy six monthly report last week.
The inland route, former State Highway 72, stretches from Amberley to Geraldine and runs the width of the Ashburton District from the Rakaia to the Rangitata River (as Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd) along the foothills.
A working group of representatives from the Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils is exploring opportunities for the development and better promotion of the scenic driving route.
The group may also expand to incorporate the Timaru and Mackenzie councils so the route can link from Geraldine through the Mackenzie basin to Central Otago.
Mayor Neil Brown was curious about the economic benefit of promoting the inland scenic route.
“Beautiful drive, but what else is there economically?”
Worthington said there is evidence around touring routes being large economic generators.
Attracting more people to drive that route would result in more visitors to the attractions along the way, Worthington said.
“Methven is really logically situated for a night one stay of people doing the route,” he said.
“The idea being that you slow them down and make it sticky as they come through the district, and bring them into elements like Ōpuke [Thermal Pools] or jetboating on the Rakaia.”
Brown had another money saving option to slow tourists.
“If we didn’t spend as much money on that road, then that would certainly slow them down and make it sticky for them."
His tongue in cheek remark refers to the historic issue the council has had funding road maintenance of the busy former state highway.
Former councillor Stu Wilson constantly referred to it as a “tourist route”, arguing on numerous occasions that while NZTA decided to remove the highway status it didn’t remove the traffic volumes, but the council was lumped with paying for its maintenance.
The maintenance costs for the 57km Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road for the last five years is $1.18 million, with rehabilitation costs of $2.86m.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan took a brighter approach, saying that promoting the route fitted in with linking the dark sky areas in Oxford and Tekapo, and the fact the council is looking into getting dark sky status for the Hakatere Conservation Park.
Dark sky has quite a following and adds another element to promoting the route, Worthington said.
“Another reason for people to stop in our district and stay the night."
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The iconic Rakaia Salmon needs a facelift - and cash to fund it.
Ashburton District Council’s open spaces manager Ian Soper said a structural and maintenance assessment showed the 12m high statue needs a lot of work.
The good news is the work … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The iconic Rakaia Salmon needs a facelift - and cash to fund it.
Ashburton District Council’s open spaces manager Ian Soper said a structural and maintenance assessment showed the 12m high statue needs a lot of work.
The good news is the work can be done on-site, he said.
“The work can be done in situ so it won’t need to be cut down and transported.”
It will need scaffolding erected and plastic wrapped to contain the fibreglass work, he said.
The upgrade is unbudgeted work and once quotes have been obtained a report will come to the council “to see where that sits financially”.
The statue, built in 1991 with funding from the Rakaia Lions Club, was gifted to the council about 18 years ago.
The area around the salmon was redeveloped between 2020 and 2021.
The project received a $739,945 grant from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, $20,000 from the Rakaia Lions, and the council funded the remaining $198,000.
The bulk of the project budget was spent on a new public toilet facility.
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In 2023, Apple amended its autocorrect function to allow Iphone users to freely use their intended word without mentioning 'ducks'. Is this a sign of the times? Are swear words no longer taboo in our communities or workplaces?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to… View moreIn 2023, Apple amended its autocorrect function to allow Iphone users to freely use their intended word without mentioning 'ducks'. Is this a sign of the times? Are swear words no longer taboo in our communities or workplaces?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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A phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands … View moreA phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Waitematā CIB’s Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting says scammers are cold calling, mainly on landlines, and claim to be a Police officer.“They will also provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” he says.“This person will carry on and provide a reason for their call: either they are investigating fake bank notes, or that your credit card has been cloned.
“As part of this scam, they will ask you to withdraw money from a nearby bank to be collected or ask you to provide further financial or banking information to aid their investigation.”
Be aware: this is a scam call.
Police are investigating two reports this week, in south Auckland and the North Shore, where two people have fallen victim to the scam. “Both victims withdrew cash from a bank and handed this over to someone who arrived at their door to collect it under the fake cover story,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says.“These victims have had their good-will and trust trodden on by these scammers.”
Investigation staff have ensured there is support available for the victims. Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says: “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you.“These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”
There are occasions where legitimate Police officers will contact people as part of their duties, he says.
Police are asking the community to be aware and take the opportunity to spread the word amongst friends and family members. “We are particularly keen to ensure elder family members are aware of what is happening,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says. “If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up.
“If you have had the unfortunate position of being a victim to this scam and have not reported this, we encourage you to report this to Police.”
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's aspirations for public transport will need to be formed for a sales pitch early next year.
The district missed the boat for the coming financial year but there is hope it can prepare a proposal to take to Environment Canterbury … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's aspirations for public transport will need to be formed for a sales pitch early next year.
The district missed the boat for the coming financial year but there is hope it can prepare a proposal to take to Environment Canterbury (ECan) for consideration next year.
The Ashburton District Council, in collaboration with Safer Mid Canterbury, commissioned research earlier this year on a possible public transport service for the Ashburton township, with the research report presented to the council last week.
Roading manager Mark Chamberlain presented the report as a way of seeking guidance for “where we go with this next”.
“There is no current funding for it so if it’s a trial we have to determine what that trial is, what the cost would be and then how it would be funded.”
The report stirred conversations around the cost, funding, and length of any trial, as well as the weight of the research and its statistical significance.
The council decided to hold a workshop with the researchers that prepared the report, which mayor Neil Brown said would be the opportunity “to have more discussion and look at pathways forward”.
He then reminded councillors that any option would have to wait until next year for funding.
When Brown presented the council’s submission to ECan's long-term plan at the end of April it included a request to investigate public transport.
ECan councillors had asked if Ashburton was ready to submit something to consider but Brown had to reply they were not.
“They were possibly hoping from the councillors that we had something ready for this long-term plan of theirs but it wasn’t so it will have to be their annual plan [next year].
“They are watching what happens with public transport here.”
Councillor Richard Wilson pointed to the ongoing MyWay on-demand bus trial in Timaru that he calculated carries an $11.53 subsidy per passenger - with an adult passenger paying $2.50 and under 18s paying $1.50.
“To do it costs a phenomenally large amount of money so we need to think of that as we discuss it.”
Councillor Lynette Lovett was one of the councillors who was cautious of the research and considering the high costs of public transport she felt “more work needs to be done”.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron agreed that it does need review and discussion but noted “we are not committing to one form of public transport of another, so the costs are totally unknown”.
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Central Government funding to assist with flood resilience has been welcomed by Environment Canterbury.
The regional council has received cash from the new regional infrastructure fund as part of Budget 2024.
Environment Canterbury acting chairperson… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Central Government funding to assist with flood resilience has been welcomed by Environment Canterbury.
The regional council has received cash from the new regional infrastructure fund as part of Budget 2024.
Environment Canterbury acting chairperson Craig Pauling said the new co-funding arrangement ‘‘is a great start’’.
‘‘Co-investment is something we’ve been pushing for a long time, along with the rest of Te Uru Kahika – Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa.
‘‘Flooding is the country’s most common natural hazard, and urgent action is needed to ensure our communities are resilient"
The country’s regional councils have been advocating for central Government support for river resilience projects for several years.
It led to the 'Before the Deluge' report, which was released just before Cyclone Gabrielle struck parts of the North Island last year.
Pauling said Environment Canterbury identified seven priorities for the region, which were put forward in the report.
‘‘We will continue to work with the Government to progress projects to help safeguard lives, property and vital infrastructure across Waitaha, as well as help us with overall river resilience including biodiversity and biosecurity outcomes.
‘‘I am looking forward to keeping the conversations with the Government going and getting these initial pieces of work started.’’
Included in the initial funding round will be upgrades to critical and aged flood management infrastructure across the region to make it more resilient to the changing climate.
Further work on the Rangitata flood resilient programme and projects in South Canterbury will also be funded.
The Government is still working through the amount of support which will be offered to each project.
River resilience was a major focus in the consultation for Environment Canterbury's latest long-term plan.
About three-quarters of submitters supported the council increasing its spending on flood protection, and pest and weed control.
The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.
It also plans to introduce a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and is considering similar options for the Ashley Rakahuri River and rivers in South Canterbury.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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