New rowing precinct for Kaiapoi River
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work could begin later this year to develop a rowing precinct at Kaiapoi’s Murphy Park.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board has approved a plan presented by Waimakariri District Council staff and asked staff to seek more funding as part of the 2023-24 annual plan process.
Implementation project manager Duncan Roxborough said once the funding is secured, staff would begin constructing the launch facility on the Kaiapoi River, at the Murphy Park site, over the summer.
Earthworks and landscaping upgrades would be completed once the Kaiapoi Croquet Club has relocated to the Kaiapoi Community Hub.
A new esplanade walk way around the edge of Murphy Park is also proposed.
St Margaret’s College (Christchurch) and Union Rowing Clubs have used the Kaiapoi river as a base since the earthquakes.
In 2018, they asked the council about creating a permanent rowing base on the river.
Storage facilities for the two clubs’ skiffs, and parking will also be developed.
A budget of $510,000 was set aside for the project in the 2021-31 long-term plan. The council has since received a $360,608 quote to build a 32-metre by 3-metre pontoon, with two gangways. This means a revised budget of about $720,000 is needed, leaving a budget shortfall of $210,000.
Staff hoped to find $160,000 by reallocating funding in the annual plan, with the rowing clubs to find the remaining $50,000.
The pontoon and facilities would be available for use by the wider community, as well as the rowing clubs, Roxborough said.
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Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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40.4% Yes
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34.1% Maybe?
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25.5% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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