Council boss apologises after bollard blindside at Hakatere
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Hakatere Huts residents have been blindsided by a decision that was hailed by Ashburton councillors as a compromise.
A working group focusing on issues at the Upper Hakatere reserve in Mid Canterbury was set up after locals protested the closure of the Upper Hakatere reserve to camping and the installation of bollards in February 2023.
Residents were shocked to discover the council recently made a decision on a recommendation they never agreed to.
Following questions from Local Democracy Reporting, Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach issued an apology, accepting a report to the council “contained a misstatement”.
“It stated that the working group had come to a recommended position on the bollards and camping ground at Upper Hakatere reserve and that I now know this isn’t true,” Riach said.
“The working group has thus far failed to reach a consensus point of view.
“Given council’s decision was based on the inaccurate report, we have decided to ask the working group to meet again and the outcome of that meeting will be relayed to councillors at a meeting in August.
“This will enable council to reconsider the current decision with full and accurate knowledge of the working group’s position.”
The council erected the bollards blocking vehicle access from the grassed area in February 2023.
Residents filed a petition earlier this year calling for the removal of the bollards and to restore the area as a campsite.
A working group - consisting of councillors Russell Ellis, Tony Todd, and Richard Wilson with Hakatere represented by Gary Clancy TJ Jonker, and Sheryl Hendriksen - met to find a solution and then held a site visit.
From those meetings, a recommendation to reposition the bollards to improve access to the picnic area but continue to prohibit camping was approved by the council last Wednesday.
The Hakatere trio that served on the working group were dumbfounded to learn the following day that a recommendation had even been tabled by the council.
Clancy said he was astounded to learn a decision had been made as the residents were under the impression the working group would meet again to finalise a proposal.
“We have been waiting for an invitation to another meeting so to learn of a decision is a bolt out of the blue.”
They had a verbal commitment they felt was “crystal clear” that there would be a follow-up meeting, but instead the process had been brought to a conclusion without their knowledge.
“It’s very disappointing and disgraceful the way the council had reneged on that commitment and gone ahead and decided without the courtesy of even letting us know a decision was being made”.
As far as the actual decision, the resolution was not what the majority of the residents were hoping for, he said.
The petition, signed by 94 residents, wanted the removal of the bollards and reinstatement of camping at the reserve.
“A reposition isn’t removal so we haven’t got anything we asked for.
“Vehicle access to the grass was the whole point.”
The resident's representatives on the working group were “never mandated to negotiate a compromise”, he said.
Following the decision on Wednesday, Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the working group achieved its role of finding a solution, “which is always better than the alternative of no solution”.
Councillor Phill Hooper agreed it was “a fair compromise”.
Wilson said it was a difficult process but they knew they needed to come to a decision and he hoped the community could accept the resolution as “a good outcome”.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
Turn Wallpaper Scraps into Beautiful Blossoms
These blossoms made from Resene wallpaper left over after decorating will mean your décor will be blooming gorgeous, no matter the season. Find out how to create your own wallpaper flowers with these easy step by step instructions.
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