Latest news with #CanterburyRegionalCouncil
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
More Express Options To The City For Rolleston Commuters
Selwyn-based commuters will benefit from more direct buses to and from Christchurch, with the launch of a new collaboration between Metro and Bentley Coachlines. In June, Bentley Coachlines approached Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) for approval to run privately operated commuter services from Rolleston to the city. Staff have worked with Bentley Coachlines on options to accommodate this so it can complement existing Metro services for the community. The outcome of this is a coordinated timetable between Metro and Bentley services, offering more services for the Rolleston community with improved frequency. From 1 September, Metro and Bentley Coachlines services will begin a six-month trial operating direct buses along two new routes, 84 Rolleston Direct West and 85 Rolleston Direct East. The new services will boost the number of direct buses travelling between Rolleston and the city from 4 to 16 in each direction on weekdays (32 total trips throughout the day). All trips will stop at current Metro Route 85 bus stops at a 10-minute frequency. At the Rolleston end, trips will alternate between covering the East and West sides of the town on a "hail and ride" basis, giving customers the option to access the service from closer to their home. As a private operator, Bentley Coachlines is not subsidised and does not rely on ratepayer funding. It is not part of the Metro network, meaning that it will have its own fare and payment system. Metrocards, free transfers and concessions will not work on Bentley-operated services and customers will need to check the combined timetable to ensure that they are ready to go on the trip that works best for them. Twelve of the 16 services in each direction will be operated by Bentley Coachlines, which have a standard fare of $3.50-$4 and will accept contactless card payments and cash. Buses will be fitted with clear signage so that customers can easily distinguish between both services before boarding. Great news for Rolleston commuters Environment Canterbury Public Transport general manager Stewart Gibbon said the trial is a win for the Rolleston community and will help provide more transport options for commuters and customers heading to early morning appointments. 'We know from ongoing customer feedback and submissions on our recent Annual Plan that there is strong demand for better services to and from Rolleston. This collaboration with Bentley Coachlines comes at an excellent time to trial something new and staff will use this to inform the next steps for the community. 'This trial will not only boost the number of direct services, but it will provide easier access to public transport for residents. We expect the introduction of early morning services will be especially helpful for morning shift workers travelling in from Rolleston. Metro will continue to run four services in each direction which will operate with new timings," Stewart said. 'We'll be working closely with Bentley Coachlines staff to ensure customers are informed about the new services. This will include signage and our online Metro channels. Metro staff will also be out and about talking to customers of the current 85 service in the days before the change to provide information and answer any questions. 'In addition to monitoring patronage, we'll also be engaging with customers who use the new services and reviewing feedback to identify any issues. Like with any trial, it's important that people use the service and have their say.' Additional information Bentley Coachlines is a locally owned and trusted company that has been operating buses in Canterbury for almost ten years. They currently have a fleet of 45 buses and coaches used for a variety of services including schools and tour groups.
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Collaborative restoration recognised
A restoration strategy at a local lagoon has scooped a prestigious award. Our Waitarakao: Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment Strategy was honoured with the Air New Zealand Supersteward — Tū Tiaki Award at the Local Government Excellence Awards. The award celebrated local government projects that protect and enhance the natural environment through long-term thinking, strong partnerships and actions that uphold the wellbeing of land, water and people. The project was a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury), Timaru District Council and the Department of Conservation, working closely with the community to restore the mauri (or wellbeing) of Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon and catchment for everyone. The strategy was shaped through extensive engagement with the community. It is being brought to life through actions such as predator control, beach cleanups, stream restoration, native planting, fish sampling and water quality monitoring. In a statement, project partners were said to be thrilled with the recognition. Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said it was a great result. "It shows what can be achieved through collaboration between councils, government agencies, rūnanga and the community. "The community really got in behind this strategy, and taking care of the area with agencies as we developed the strategy. "From cleanup days to providing new pathways to the area, it was this collaboration that made it such a success." Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua chairwoman Fiona Pimm said: "Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua are pleased to see the efforts and passion of many different interests come together to protect Waitarakao". "This is a special place with historic significance to our Arowhenua whānau and more recently a place of significance to Timaru settlers. "It is a place where we share common values for protection of our environment." Department of Conservation Eastern South Island operations director Jo Macpherson said the strategy had set the benchmark for truly collaborative ecological restoration projects with treaty partners, agencies and the community working together. "It's fantastic to see these efforts recognised. "This is a really significant ecosystem and culturally significant site, but it's in poor shape so it's vital we all work together for the health of the lagoon." Awards judges described the strategy as an "outstanding community effort built on strong partnerships and purpose" and a "huge strategic piece of forward planning". Judges commended the long-term ecological vision, and the role the council played in enabling collaboration across iwi, Doc, council and locals. Judges also said the strategy was a model that others could learn from and replicate, and it had all the features of a high-quality partnership that could deliver enduring solutions. Project work and community-led restoration was now taking place in the catchment and people can find out more at — APL
1News
10-07-2025
- General
- 1News
British ship found at Canterbury river after grounding 160 years ago
A British ship which ran aground in Canterbury 160 years ago has been unearthed at the mouth of the Ashley River on the outskirts of Christchurch. The trading ship, called the Thames, was built in 1826 and met its end while delivering telegraph poles to north Canterbury in 1865. The discovery of the ship began in 2023 when the remains were flagged by a Canterbury Regional Council park ranger and then as a coastal hazard by a Harbourmaster team. Canterbury Heritage Consultants was brought in to identify the ship, with principal archaeologist Nick Cable saying the style of timber and chopping sheathing were key clues. "Samples confirmed the timber was English oak and elm — classic British shipbuilding materials — so that really sealed the deal for us in confirming the wreck to be the Thames." ADVERTISEMENT An artist's impression of the Thames. (Source: Supplied) The ship was mostly salvaged after it ran aground, with timber being used for homes and its bell serving as a fire bell, but the remaining timbers were swallowed by sand for more than a century. Canterbury Regional Council deputy chairperson Deon Swiggs said the discovery offered a "rare and compelling glimpse" into the area's maritime past. "Conservation efforts are now underway to stabilise the exposed section, with plans to eventually display it publicly."
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
What Does The Future Look Like For Local Government?
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) came together today to discuss principles for future local government structures in Canterbury. Council Chair Craig Pauling said although recent media commentary relating to 'scrapping regional government' was unhelpful, a conversation was needed and should involve all levels of government, and iwi partners. 'Significant local government and resource management reform has been on Government agendas for some time. As a Council we agree that the current structure and funding for local government needs work.' 'Instead of waiting for the Government to make changes, we've proactively been doing work at our Council to understand how the reforms might impact Canterbury, and what we can do to ensure good outcomes for our natural resources, our communities as well as our economy.' Chair Pauling said the workshop gave Councillors an opportunity to discuss representation, local voice, and what services and regulatory functions could be best delivered at a national, regional or local level. 'We didn't land on a specific structure, or proposed future-state today. Today's workshop gave us the opportunity to discuss the whole ecosystem of local government decision making, and to test some ideas with each other.' Deputy Chair Dr Deon Swiggs said the workshop built on the momentum from the May Council meeting, where Councillors reached shared positions on key issues for the region. 'Canterbury's scale, diverse landscapes, and active economies present both opportunities and responsibilities. We're a region shaped by a unique environment and strong local industries, and require tailored approaches to our place.' 'The work we're doing now reflects our commitment to shaping the future, not waiting for it. By thinking ahead, Canterbury Regional Council is well placed to contribute constructively to national conversations and ensure the needs of our people, environment, and economy are reflected in whatever reforms come next,' said Deputy Swiggs. Following the workshop, Chair Pauling said he was pleased with the good-spirited and open-minded discussion had by Councillors about different options for Canterbury. 'Although we have more work to do, it was clear that there are some different ways to do this and some promising options for the future.' 'This is an important conversation to have openly across the region, and we plan to share our thinking with our partners, the community, TAs and the Government.' The workshop was streamed live on the Canterbury Regional Council YouTube channel.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Historic Christchurch theatre to be sold by council
The council has spent about $8m on the site so far. Photo: Supplied The historic Odeon Theatre in Christchurch is to be sold by the Canterbury Regional Council, which purchased the quake-damaged building in 2020. The council bought the Category One Historic Places building, along with the neighbouring Lawrie & Wilson Auctioneers building and several other nearby parcels of land. At today's council meeting, councillor Nick Ward said about $8 million had been spent on the site, including the purchase price, maintenance costs and the cost to stabilise the earthquake-damaged frontage of the theatre. The Odeon Theatre is the oldest masonry theatre in New Zealand having been built in 1883 and is a Historic Places Category 1 building. One of the most notable uses was for the public meetings held in 1893 when Kate Sheppard led the campaign for women's suffrage from Christchurch. The building is currently partly-demolished, and propped up. The Lawrie and Wilson's building is a Historic Place Category 2 building, built in 1910. That building has now been restored and is being rented out as a office space. The buildings and land neighbour the Canterbury Regional Council headquarters. Inside the Odeon Theatre. Photo: Supplied When the council purchased the buildings, it said it wanted to enable flexibility for future developments, preserve historically significant buildings and control developments around its headquarters. The council staff report said in 2023 the council put the site out to tender for a long-term lease, but was unsuccessful. The report said holding on to the land parcels would have ongoing costs, including interest on borrowing, rates and about $350-400,000 a year in maintenance. It noted that the development of CBD commercial land was not the council's core business. The report recommended the council sell the sites, but also presented options to hold on to the sites, or lease them out for development. At today's council meeting the council voted to sell the sites, with the proposal supported by 15 of the 16 regional councillors. Councillor Joe Davies - who was the only councillor to vote against the proposal - said he thought the central city land was strategic, and the council should keep hold of it. Councillor Ward said he had a love of old buildings, but a commercial decision needed to be made. "I know what it has cost us to date, and it is around $8 million. So the sooner we can move on and sell the Odeon and square up the parcel of land next to it, the better for all of us. It's not our core business. Sometimes the first loss is the best loss and you just have to move on." The council report said an external report had confirmed that the likelihood of the Odeon having its heritage protection removed, allowing its demolition, was very low. The council voted 15-1 to sell the parcel of land. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
