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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The minister of transport was given a belated birthday cake adorned with a picture of the Ashburton Bridge in a not-so-subtle reminder from his colleague.
Simeon Brown visited Ashburton on Friday to open the office of Rangitata MP James Meager and … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The minister of transport was given a belated birthday cake adorned with a picture of the Ashburton Bridge in a not-so-subtle reminder from his colleague.
Simeon Brown visited Ashburton on Friday to open the office of Rangitata MP James Meager and the Fairfield Freight Hub.
Meager presented Brown with the cake with a extra sweetener - a photo of the Ashburton Bridge as a reminder about the proposed second bridge project.
The bridge is listed as a road of regional significance and the minster said he wants all funding options on the table and hasn't ruled out the option of introducing a toll, either on the new bridge or existing State Highway 1 Bridge, to help pay for its construction.
During his visit, minister Brown was asked repeatedly about the plans for Ashburton’s second bridge – including a sit down with mayor Neil Brown.
At the office opening, the minister said he was impressed at the over-sized novelty scissors used to cut the ribbon that had been borrowed from mayor Brown.
The mayor was quick to quip that the minister was more than welcome to use them again when he opened the second bridge.
The bridge has been included in the re-draft of the Government policy statement on land transport, which sets the direction for NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi.
Minister Brown said he did not have an update while it was going through the process.
“The next step is for NZTA to put the national land transport programme together,” he said.
“We are obviously committed to the project, and that process will identify when and how it will be delivered.”
The question remains how it will be funded, and by who.
As it is not a state highway but a local road project, the minister suggested there would be a requirement for the council to contribute.
The process would provide the answers about how it was funded, who funded what, and when construction would begin, he said.
With myriad infrastructure projects required around the country, the Government was looking at “a range of funding and financing tools”.
“All of our roads of national significance should be tolled.
“Part of that is so we can protect the maintenance budgets, particularly for rural state highways, and rural and local roads, because we need to make sure we are doing a much better job of maintaining what we have currently got.”
The direction to NZTA was that all options should be on the table for funding the bridge, he said.
“The reality is there is only a limited amount of money in the land transport fund and so we need to look at all funding and financing tools to get things happening.
“Funding is part of the puzzle but consenting has become another challenge which can delay projects by years.”
The Government was looking to pass fast-track consent legislation that could help expedite the bridge construction when the time comes.
Mayor Brown said he had a good discussion with minister about ways the bridge could be funded, and discussion about funding options would now take place between NZTA and the council.
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Ashburton's freezing works was an economic powerhouse for more than 100 years until its closure in 2019. Now, plans are underway to resurrect the old site. Local democracy reporter JONATHAN LEASK delves into its history and what the future may hold.
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Fairton has a long … View moreAshburton's freezing works was an economic powerhouse for more than 100 years until its closure in 2019. Now, plans are underway to resurrect the old site. Local democracy reporter JONATHAN LEASK delves into its history and what the future may hold.
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Fairton has a long history of being a key economic centre for the Ashburton District.
For over 100 years it was home to the freezing works. It provided jobs in the region and economic benefits until it closure in 2019.
It is now being resurrected as a commercial land of opportunity to return to its former glory as a key pillar in the district.
Talley’s general manager of Fairfield, farming, and freight, Aaron Chudleigh, said the company took over the former Silver Fern Farms site in 2020 after seeing its regional potential.
“With a substantial business already here, the site allowed us to future-proof our position in the district.”
The company decided to buy the former works site due to the existing rail siding, cold storage, effluent discharge, farmland and water, as well as the location making it a viable option for expansion.
The site is close to the existing vegetable production plant, and Talley’s was already leasing the cold stores for storing its vegetables.
Purchasing the site allowed Talley's to establish Fairfield Farms, separating the farming operations from the vegetable production.
Fairfield Farms uses the 485 hectares of land for growing crops but not the 30ha of the freezing works plant.
When Talley’s purchased the site it was with plans to demolish much of the old freezing works.
“There was a lot of earthquake damage and a lot of the older buildings just weren’t up to standard or compliant.
“When you become a new owner you have to bring the buildings up to code before you can operate them.”
Talley’s had no plans to operate the site as a freezing works because of a covenant preventing meat production for 50 years, Chudleigh said.
Facing expensive compliance work to refurbish and retain buildings they weren’t able to use, the only sensible option was demolition, Chudleigh said.
Of the freezing works building footprint “somewhere between a third and a half” has been retained – including the cool stores, amenities block, and the works office.
“Pretty much everything that was built after the 1970s has been kept.”
Southern Demolition completed the demolition, starting in 2022, and was responsible for the asbestos removal and recycling materials, Chudleigh said.
“The big thing was to first get the demolition done properly and then to get the freight hub going.
“Now we can look at what to do with the rest of the site.
They have options for the 30ha, the leading contender of which would be a business park to support and service the freight hub, "but its still in the early stages", he said.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown is supportive of Talley’s work towards expanding its operations and revitalising the site at Fairton.
“It all ties in with the economic development of the district and growing our economy, which means more jobs.”
The historic significance of the site isn’t being ignored.
“We are aware of our footprint and presence in the district, and want to keep some of the history alive,” Chudleigh said.
Talley’s is working with Historic Places Mid Canterbury to install some interpretive panels to detail the history of the site next to the Fairton Hall.
Ashburton District Councillor Carolyn Cameron, who chairs the Historic Working Group, said she is pleased "the history of this site is maintained and acknowledged”.
“The Fairton works site has great significance to our agricultural history and the place where many in the district have connections.
“It is important to acknowledge the significance of this site.”
The Fairfield Freezing Works opened in March 1899 in what was a significant addition to Ashburton's economy.
Sheep farming was a cornerstone of the Canterbury economy in the late 1800s when the then Fairfield Freezing Works, owned by the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company (CFM), played an important part in processing sheep meat for Britain.
The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand (1903) stated the works were considered to be the finest in the Southern Hemisphere, and put through 500 sheep in a day, and had a storage capacity for 80,000 carcases.
The co-operative went on to become PPCS (Primary Producers Co-operative Society) and later Silver Fern Farms.
The Fairton plant was one of the biggest employers in the Ashburton district for 125 years.
At its peak, the plant was a three-chain sheep meat operation employing more than 700 staff.
Silver Fern Farms closed its Fairton sheep meat processing plant In May 2017, affecting 370 staff.
In the face of declining sheep numbers, Silver Fern Farms said at the time that Fairton was unprofitable and its closure meant it could consolidate volume at its Pareora site south of Timaru.
It then closed then closed its pelt processing plant, affecting 48 staff, in 2019.
The site then went on the market in 2020 offering 485 hectares of land, comprising 32ha at the former Fairton plant and 453ha of adjacent rural land.
Talley’s purchased the site in 2020.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Hakatere Huts residents angry over a campsite being closed and blocked by bollards are hopeful of reaching a compromise with council.
Boasting "million-dollar views", the Mid-Canterbury coastal settlement at the Ashburton/Hakatere River … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Hakatere Huts residents angry over a campsite being closed and blocked by bollards are hopeful of reaching a compromise with council.
Boasting "million-dollar views", the Mid-Canterbury coastal settlement at the Ashburton/Hakatere River mouth splits into two parts - upper and lower.
The community wasn't consulted when wooden bollards were installed in February 2023 to block vehicle access, while the campsite was closed in Upper Hakatere.
Residents presented a petition with 94 signatures to the Ashburton District Council on Wednesday to consider removing the bollards from the Upper Hakatere Reserve and that it be reinstated as a camping ground.
In response to the petition, a working group will be formed to discuss the issues and possible solutions.
Spokesperson Gary Clancy told the councillors that residents were “shocked and disappointed” at the unannounced changes that occurred in 2023.
“The reserve has been the centrepiece of Hakatere recreational reserve for over half a century, consistently popular with a million-dollar view of the ocean and river mouth,” Clancy said.
“The most common question frustrated Hakatere people are asking is why were we not consulted?”
Residents were told the decision to prohibit camping and install bollards was an operational decision by council management.
“Consultation with the Hakatere community should have occurred, like the Balmoral Hall, like the Tinwald pool."
Removing or relocating the bollards for safer parking and realistic access to the area “is a sensible first step”, Clancy said.
Hakatere residents wanted a conversation about the changes, which should have happened to begin with, Clancy said.
“It’s not too late to talk.”
Mayor Neil Brown agreed and suggested forming a working group to discuss solutions.
Nods from the Hakatere residents in attendance were enough for Brown to feel it was a suitable path forward and “there will probably have to be a compromise in there somewhere”.
Councillors Tony Todd, Lynette Lovett and Richard Wilson, along with relevant staff, will represent the council in a working group with three resident representatives.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron had noted her concerns around the decision-making and engagement process to reach this point and hoped the issue could be resolved quickly by the working group.
Business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said that in January 2023 staff felt the right call was made and it didn’t warrant consultation, but acknowledged things could have been handled differently.
The decision was made due to safety risks from erosion and in response to a series of complaints.
The erosion issues had already been addressed by a fence and the complaints were a weak reason for the council’s actions, Clancy said.
Only four reported incidents of human waste issues over several years were “hardly an epidemic” and the other complaints were “not compelling reasons for closure”, Clancy said.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The new Fairfield Freight Hub has been described as a "game changer" for Mid Canterbury, which will help shift trucks off the busy highway and keep Ashburton moving.
Minister of Transport Simeon Brown attended the official opening of the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The new Fairfield Freight Hub has been described as a "game changer" for Mid Canterbury, which will help shift trucks off the busy highway and keep Ashburton moving.
Minister of Transport Simeon Brown attended the official opening of the hub on Friday, although it has been operational since April 8.
Wareing Group director Mark Wareing said the hub will streamline freight volumes in and out of Mid Canterbury and reduce the impact of trucks on roads.
“It’s setting the region up for a lower carbon future and the location near the Northpark Industrial Park is ideally located to take advantage of this new hub.
“Helping exporters and freight partners move more freight by rail makes sense both from a business and sustainability perspective and will help stabilise the supply chain issues our clients and their customers are facing.”
Wareing worked with Talley’s to secure the existing rail siding site at the former freezing works site for the hub, but he has always credited former Rangitata MP Jo Luxton for her assistance in getting the project across the line.
The hub development cost $18 million, with a $2.5m contribution from the Government’s NZ Upgrade Programme and $2.3m from the Ashburton District Council.
It’s a project Ashburton mayor Neil Brown has been looking forward to for a long time.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for over six years, right from when I got the first phone call from Mark asking for assistance in getting the rail yard moved from the centre of Ashburton.
“Mark had the vision to get trucks off our congested state highway and put the containers that transport the goods onto rail.”
The hub will have several benefits for Mid Canterbury, Brown said.
“Significantly reducing shunting in the centre of town means locals aren’t stuck at level crossings anymore while wagons are connected or disconnected.
“It’s been a great collaboration and will be an asset for our district.”
Quigley feeds director Andrew Quigley described the hub as a “game changer for exporters in Mid Canterbury” who will be able to get direct access to ports via rail.
Since the project planning began, the Wareing Group took over running the shunting yard in central Ashburton and increased the volume from 2,000 containers per year to almost 6000.
KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy said working with the Wareing Group to move operations to Fairfield will increase the amount of local freight carried by rail from 6,000 to 20,000 containers a year.
“That’s half a million tonnes of freight off the region’s roads – the equivalent of 40,000 truck movements – which helps manage road maintenance costs.
“And given rail offers 70% fewer emissions compared to heavy road freight, it’s a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
“Inter-modal hubs like the Fairfield Freight Hub make use of both road and rail transport – enabling trucks to complete the first and last mile of collection and delivery, and for rail to do the heavy longer-distance movements.”
While it was built to get more trucks off-road, the hub has been called into action to help put more trucks on the road due to the flood-damaged rail bridge over the Rangitata River.
With all train movements over the bridge being suspended, the hub has been utilised to keep rail freight moving between Invercargill and Christchurch.
Winners of the $100 Farmers vouchers in this week's Neighbourly prize draw are:
Gustavo Silva from Auckland Central
Mary Halliday from Port Waikato
Emily Taylor from Rolleston
… View moreWinners of the $100 Farmers vouchers in this week's Neighbourly prize draw are:
Gustavo Silva from Auckland Central
Mary Halliday from Port Waikato
Emily Taylor from Rolleston
Neil Morrison from Invercargill
Get in touch with our Neighbourly Helpdesk team before the 30th of April to claim your prize by heading here.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Plans for another supermarket in Ashburton remain shelved after more than 10 years.
Foodstuffs purchased the property at 407 West St/State Highway 1 in October 2012 and planned to develop the site into a Pak’nSave.
When the Ashburton District … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Plans for another supermarket in Ashburton remain shelved after more than 10 years.
Foodstuffs purchased the property at 407 West St/State Highway 1 in October 2012 and planned to develop the site into a Pak’nSave.
When the Ashburton District Council consulted on plan change 4 in 2020, which aimed to strengthen the role of the CBD as the primary commercial, retail, recreation, cultural and entertainment centre for the district, Foodstuffs submitted, citing it would impact its plans to establish the supermarket outside the CBD boundary.
Plan change 4 became operative in July 2021, with the West St site zoned business C which ‘provides for limited commercial activities, service and community activities, as well as a range of light industrial activities’.
A provision was included to allow for the supermarket on the specific site.
Three years later there is still no indication when the plans will progress.
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said the company “don’t have any updates to share about the site at this stage”.
The closest alternative Pak’nSave stores are Hornby (Christchurch), and Timaru, with a new store under construction in Rolleston.
The West St site was the former historic Canterbury Flour Mill that was the scene of a major fire in February 2011.
The building, built in 1872, was gutted by the fire.
As well as the two Woolworths and a New World the town has some smaller grocery stores such as SuperValue in Tinwald, and Four Square Netherby, while The Warehouse has recently added produce to its supermarket offerings.
While Foodstuff’s plans for Pak’nSave in Ashburton remain shelved, Savemore has announced it is set to open a new grocery clearance store in the town in May.
The store will be in the Ashburton Central retail centre off Tancred St.
Savemore is New Zealand-owned and operated and offers ‘clearance groceries at bargain prices’.
It opened two stores in Christchurch in the last six months, with Ashburton being its third location.
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Ryman’s Charles Upham Retirement Village resident Di is a former fashion designer, artist and self-confessed shoe hoarder who travels, still paints and has stamped her eclectic minimalist style on her apartment.
She gives us her top 3 design tips on how she’s turned her space into a … View moreRyman’s Charles Upham Retirement Village resident Di is a former fashion designer, artist and self-confessed shoe hoarder who travels, still paints and has stamped her eclectic minimalist style on her apartment.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There’s a big roof shout on the cards in Rakaia this week.
Project manager Mark Boag said the roof was set to go on this week for the $1.7 million-odd community-led recreation centre in the Rakaia Domain.
Construction began in January and was … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There’s a big roof shout on the cards in Rakaia this week.
Project manager Mark Boag said the roof was set to go on this week for the $1.7 million-odd community-led recreation centre in the Rakaia Domain.
Construction began in January and was tracking along nicely with all the framework and roof trusses in place, Boag said.
“The roof goes on this week and then I imagine things will look like they are slowing down as they start on the inside.”
The Rakaia Recreation Centre is on target to be completed in July.
“We won’t be in it for the rugby season but it might be ready for the end-of-season function.”
The old Rakaia Rugby Club changing rooms and public toilets facility were demolished to make way for the modern fit-for-purpose community facility.
The new single-story building will have clubrooms, with a commercial kitchen and bar that can fit up to 150 people, and it is elevated so spectators can view games from the wrap-around, covered deck.
“Being raised up like that will be ideal for watching rugby or anything that’s going on.”
It also had six changing rooms and two separate shower blocks so they could easily accommodate men’s and women’s rugby, Boag said.
The building would be available for the local sports club to use, and for the wider community to hire, he said.
The council funded the $351,000 replacement public toilets, a prefabricated toilet block incorporated into the end of the centre, near the car park.
The project has been led by the Rakaia Rugby Club and a community that has been raising funds for a new facility in the Rakaia Domain for a decade.
With the building under construction, the club uses the neighbouring Rakai Bowls Club for its aftermatch functions and has some containers set up as temporary changing rooms and showers.
“They seem to work well although things might be different in the middle of winter, but it’s only for one season.”
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Tinwald businesses which have only just seen the end of a sea of road cones have told Ashburton's council they don't want to see the orange markers return.
The shops along State Highway 1 had road cones from July until last month while … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Tinwald businesses which have only just seen the end of a sea of road cones have told Ashburton's council they don't want to see the orange markers return.
The shops along State Highway 1 had road cones from July until last month while traffic signals were installed for the Tinwald corridor improvement project.
The Ashburton District Council had then planned to come in and resurface the main Tinwald car park.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said work has been deferred following some objections.
“We reached out to shop owners in the Tinwald shopping centre, and they said they would like a breather after the disruption caused by NZTA’s Tinwald traffic light installation and corridor improvements.
“We will check in with shop owners again to determine an appropriate time to commence the upgrade.”
Roading manager Mark Chamberlain said the resurfacing will wait “until there is a bit less going on, and maybe look at when it really needs the work”.
“I think it needs it now, but they are happy with just pothole patching and things like that.”
With the Tinwald carpark project being deferred, the $100,000 assigned to it will be used for another project on the council's list.
“We’ve brought forward the installation of around 200m of new footpath, and kerb and channel on Tinwald Westerfield Rd, from Lagmhor Rd to Tarbottons Rd,” McCann said.
“This section was in the original list approved but was left out of the contract because the estimated cost was more than the available budget.”
Another key project on the list is replacing the kerb and channel at the Ashburton Domain along Walnut Ave between SH1 and Oak Grove.
The only issue is the timing.
Councillors had previously raised concerns about the height and depth of the existing kerb and channel but mayor Neil Brown had noted the height was a deterrent to people being able to drive into the domain.
The current kerb height, about 50mm higher than the standard, WAs similar to the proposed replacement but has a dish channel rather than the proposed flat channel, which made it less accessible, McCann said.
But there is a potential timing issue, as the work could clash with the council’s major event in the domain.
The Glow in the Park light festival will be held in the domain at Kings Birthday weekend this year with thousands expected to attend over the three days.
The work did not have a scheduled start time yet, McCann said,
“It will be programmed and managed so that access and parking for Glow in the Park will not be adversely affected.”
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