Ashburton District newsletter
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market garden settlement finally opens as a community heritage park on Sunday.
The official opening is an invite-only affair and the site will then be open to the public from Monday.
… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market garden settlement finally opens as a community heritage park on Sunday.
The official opening is an invite-only affair and the site will then be open to the public from Monday.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown has described the site as an “outdoor museum” where the community can learn more about the history of Chinese pioneers in Ashburton.
The market garden settlement on Allens Road operated from the early 1920s until 1964, and was the largest Chinese community in the South Island during that time.
The 2.3-hectare site remains home to a group of historic buildings and facilities that have been stabilised to stop further deterioration.
The project was born in 2008 when one of the group of owners, Yep Ng, worked with other family members to have the settlement come under council management.
Representatives of the descendants of the Ng King settlers, the Ashburton District Council and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will be at the opening, with around 300 people expected to attend.
Upoko o Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua Te Wera King will bless the site during the opening.
Landscaping has been completed and the fencing around the site will be removed just before the formal opening.
To coincide with the opening, the Ashburton Museum is set to unveil a new exhibition on Monday, February 26.
The exhibition A New Era: Ng King Bros. Chinese Market Garden Settlement celebrates the history of the site and the restoration project that worked over 15 years towards the site re-opening as a public reserve this month.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won’t fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.
The NZ Herald reported a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) document prepared in November included … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won’t fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.
The NZ Herald reported a Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) document prepared in November included updated cost
estimates for various transport projects and shows a potential fiscal hole of up to $24 billion.
NZTA estimated 17 major projects, including Ashburton’s second bridge, could collectively cost between $30.9b and $46.6b, but National had budgeted only $22.2b for the same projects.
NZTA outlined in the document the costings were preliminary and based on the “latest known project scope”.
The business case for Ashburton’s second bridge came in at $113m but NZTA’s estimates place the project between $100m and $200m.
There is bound to be some variance to the business case prepared in 2022 due to inflation, but Brown couldn’t understand the estimate being as high as $200m.
“This bridge is needed and if those prices are escalating as NZTA says, they need to look at their costs that are way higher than inflation.
“Traffic management may be one place to start.”
When now Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was on the election campaign trail last year, he stood in the Ashburton Events Centre in April and pledged construction on the second bridge would start in his party's first term in government.
The possibility of a cash shortfall casts some doubt on delivering on that pledge, but the mayor remains very confident they will.
“They just need to sort the funding.
“There is always a possibility it could fall into a fiscal hole but the bridge is ready to go, why delay it and have those costs further increase.”
It is all conjecture until the Government releases its revised policy, Brown said.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is finalising the revised draft of the Government Policy Statement on land transport as part of the coalition Government’s 100-day plan.
“The GPS will outline the Government’s priorities across transport, including how projects will be funded.”
The minister declined to comment further on project details, funding, and what projects may be prioritised, deprioritised or even cancelled ahead of the draft policy announcement.
Rangitata MP James Meager said Ashburton’s second bridge remains a high priority.
“Escalating construction and project costs are a concern, which is why it's so important we get started on key infrastructure projects as soon as possible.
“I have complete confidence that we will meet our commitment to start construction on the new bridge in our first term and continue to work closely with the Minister's office to ensure that happens."
Labour’s transport spokesperson, Tangi Utikere, said it was "only a matter of time before the Government would be caught out by the numbers they used during the election".
"NZTA’s figure not only proves Christopher Luxon was not honest about the books in his State of the Nation speech, it also shows the lengths they are going to save face over tax cuts.
"I implore Simeon Brown to uphold his promises to Ashburton."
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
The Christchurch Art Show is back at Te Pae Convention Centre March 8 – 10!
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A programme aimed at getting young people into jobs is proving successful in Mid Canterbury, despite youth unemployment rising in the wider Canterbury region.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 young people employment in the… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A programme aimed at getting young people into jobs is proving successful in Mid Canterbury, despite youth unemployment rising in the wider Canterbury region.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme has helped place 47 young people employment in the Ashburton District since July - one of the highest rates in the South Island.
The success in Mid Canterbury comes as youth unemployment rose to its highest December quarter in Canterbury since 2018, according to figures from Stats NZ.
The Ashburton District Council ran a pilot of the Government-funded scheme to get youth into employment in February 2022, with a target of 12 youth employed by the end of June 2023.
It easily surpassed that figure and extended the programme for two years.
Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said the contract aimed to deliver 38 people into jobs in the 2023-24 year.
With 47 already achieved, “it is likely that we will achieve far more than this”, Donaldson said.
An employment positive outcome is someone in permanent employment for more than 30 hours per week, she said.
There are 34 people in sustainable employment (longer than 90 days) and 13 haven’t reached the 90 days yet.
“We are currently working with 67 clients not in work and providing pastoral care for a further 60 in employment or education."
Employment coach Sharon Watson is leading the programme, which has 116 employers registered.
Of the 47 employed youths, 10 have gone into the primary industries, nine into retail, seven into hospitality, five into trades, and four into construction.
The programme is helping youth along the pathway to future employment, Donaldson said.
It assists with first aid certificates, health and safety training, forklift certificates, passenger, wheels, track and roller license endorsements, class 2, 4 and 5 licenses, traffic management training, and supports employers by providing professional development around communication techniques with staff, Donaldson said.
Rangitata MP James Meager said the success of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in Ashburton showed the importance of local solutions for local problems.
“With unemployment starting to trend up as the economic lag starts to bite, it’s important we look to take a social investment approach to support programmes that actually deliver outcomes.”
The number of NEET (youth not in employment, education or training) increased from 9.6% to 12.2% in Canterbury compared to the previous year, and just under the 12.5% recorded in 2018.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston was concerned by the statistics showing the increase in youth unemployment.
“Young people are disproportionately impacted by tightening economic conditions,” she said.
“It is also worrying that 40,000 people under the age of 25 are currently on a Jobseeker benefit, an increase of 66% compared to six years ago.”
PHOTO: Seth Hosken on a building site with Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown after getting a building apprenticeship with JKF Homes through the Mayor's Taskforce for Jobs in 2023.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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By Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter
A popular camping spot with “million dollar views” in Mid Canterbury has been closed and blocked by bollards - infuriating locals.
Hakatere Huts is a coastal settlement at the Ashburton/Hakatere River mouth, which splits into two parts, upper … View moreBy Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter
A popular camping spot with “million dollar views” in Mid Canterbury has been closed and blocked by bollards - infuriating locals.
Hakatere Huts is a coastal settlement at the Ashburton/Hakatere River mouth, which splits into two parts, upper and lower, based on the landscape's geographical divide.
Upper Hakatere had a camping area for about 60 years until the council closed it last year.
Wooden bollards were installed in February 2023 to block vehicle access and signpost it as a picnic area, while new picnic tables were installed. Camping is now restricted to Lower Hakatere.
Hakatere Hut representatives said it caught the residents by surprise as there had been no consultation.
Residents Gary Clancy, TJ Jonker, and Fritha Tagg are leading a campaign to bring back the campground, or at least get rid of the bollards.
“It was so easy to put them in, it would be so easy to take them out.”
The bollards don’t fit with the aesthetic of the site and are more suitable “in a farmyard or a prison”, Yonker said.
The council explained it was an operational decision in response to complaints, safety concerns, and wanting camping at the settlement to be self-funding.
Council business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said it had been discussed with hut residents last year.
The campground caretaker left and they were unable to fill the role so they needed "to limit where campers camp to keep maintenance and cleaning work down”, she said.
“When we met with the residents, we clarified that the minimal income received from people camping in this area did not cover the cost of a caretaker, and any cleaning or maintenance is primarily funded by the general ratepayer.”
However, Clancy said he didn't believe the suggestion it needed to be self-funding was a credible argument, based on other reserves, camping and picnic areas he looked at in the district.
Coastal erosion was also cited as a factor in the decision, but a setback fence was installed in 2017 to stop heavy vehicles from parking near the cliffs, Clancy said.
“There are plenty of examples of places where there is no overnight camping but you can picnic and people can park their vehicles on the grass without bollards, so why not here?” Clancy said.
“[Visitors] came here for the million dollar view. You never see anybody here now.”
Tagg said the bollards, parking, and undulating terrain also made it hard for the elderly and those with mobility issues to use the picnic tables.
“There were lots of people that would come for a picnic, cup of tea or sit for a while and soak in the view but they can’t do it now.
“The bollards prevent anyone from parking close."
Jonker said there was no signage to let visitors know of the change.
In response, McDonald said each area in the district was treated uniquely with its own appropriate solution.
“The bollards were primarily installed to discourage camping and direct campers to the lower level.
“We also hoped to create a picnic area that encouraged day visitors to enjoy the picnic area and the views on the upper level.
“People can, and still do park at the site."
The bollards make the picnic area a safe space for families with children, she said.
Additional signage to direct campers to Lower Hakatere would be considered, McDonald said.
The residents plan to present a petition to the council and submit to the long-term plan, calling for the campground's reinstatement, or at least the removal of the bollards.
The long-term plan is proposing to replace the old toilets at Lower Hakatere with a $240,000 new toilet block.
“Since we are encouraging campers to use lower Hakatere campsite, we are proposing to replace the existing septic tank toilets with new dry vault facilities nearer to the camping area, and away from the eroding coastline,” McDonald said.
The old changing shed was slated for demolition, but after discussion with the residents, it is set to be repurposed as a shelter, she said.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A decision is expected soon on a second Ashburton bridge as the Government rolls out its 100-day plan.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown last week announced the axing of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax at the end of June, and said the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A decision is expected soon on a second Ashburton bridge as the Government rolls out its 100-day plan.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown last week announced the axing of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax at the end of June, and said the Government's Policy Statement on Land Transport “which will be released in the coming weeks".
In Mid Canterbury, there is hope it will confirm plans, funding and a timeline for the second bridge across the Ashburton/Hakatere River.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the council is eagerly waiting and expecting an announcement soon.
The second bridge is a resilience project, providing a secondary crossing of the river with the existing bridge having closed twice in recent years due to flooding, cutting off the South Island.
It will also alleviate the congestion issues on State Highway 1.
The whole project, including connecting the bridge to existing roads, is expected to cost at least $113 million.
The council has budgeted $7.5m for the project, carried over from previous long-term plans.
“But obviously if the bridge gets fully funded we won’t need it," McCann said.
Ashburton’s mayor hoped the council wouldn't have to fund the bridge via ratepayers.
At a recent council workshop, mayor Neil Brown said when he meets with the Transport Minister he won’t be committing $7.5m to the project.
“The last Government committed 100% funding.”
The Labour Government included the second bridge as one of 14 key strategic projects in its land transport policy, which Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency uses to develop its 10-year National Land Transport Plan.
The coalition Government is preparing its own version of the policy.
“I know it’s being reviewed at the moment but it is in there at 100% funding,” Brown said.
The mayor said he hoped it remained that way, but some contribution may be required depending on the nature of the project.
During the election campaign, National pledged to build the bridge in its first term.
As the bridge will be built off Chalmers Avenue, and not along State Highway 1, it will be considered a local road once completed.
The council may be called on to fund any necessary upgrades on Chalmers Ave and the new connecting roads on the south side of the river, with the Government funding the bridge construction.
The council’s long-term plan has the construction slated to start in 2025-26 on the Chalmers Ave route, which will be determined by the Government's redrafted policy.
******
Not just transport resilience
Ashburton’s second bridge has been described as a resilience project that will benefit the whole South Island roading network.
That’s because the second bridge provides a backup for the 93-year-old SH1 Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge.
Money is also set aside in the long term plan to lay a water main across the new bridge to provide resilience to the water supply.
The council is budgeting $4.62m for a new water main to be installed across the new bridge.
The bridge will also be built to allow for “all sorts of cabling and ducting in mind for the future”, McCann said.
That will provide an opportunity to lay alternative communications cables, as a fibre optic cable to the rest of the South Island runs across the SH1 bridge.
Photo caption: In the lead up to last year's election, National's local government spokesperson Simon Watts, council chief executive Hamish Riach, National’s Rangitata candidate James Meager, deputy mayor Liz McMillan, and National transport spokesperson Simeon Brown were on site at the SH1 bridge to discuss the plans for a second Ashburton/Hakatere River bridge. Photo credit: Jonathan Leask/LDR
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