Latest news with #EnvironmentCanterbury
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
‘Easy Win': ECan To Push For Rangiora To Rolleston Commuter Train
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Environment Canterbury has voted unanimously to lobby KiwiRail for a passenger rail service from Rangiora to Rolleston. The idea of a commuter train taking passengers from Rangiora and Rolleston into Christchurch is gathering steam, but not everyone is on board. Environment Canterbury (ECan) voted to approach KiwiRail to assist in preparing a business case for a Rangiora to Rolleston passenger rail service. Councillor Joe Davies moved the motion, which was passed unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. He said a Rangiora to Rolleston service would be ''an easy win'', compared to the proposed mass rapid transit rail service in Christchurch, as the infrastructure is already in place. ''We can't wait 20 or 30 years, we need it in five to 10 years. ''There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set up costs compared to the mass rapid transit proposal and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' The proposed route covers 54.7km and links Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch and serves 13 stations. As housing developments have grown, so has the commuting time to the city. Cr Davies said once the service was in place, a mass rapid transit service could be built off it. The service could easily be extended to link with towns like Amberley, Ashburton and Timaru, and into Otago and Southland using existing rail infrastructure. ''Greater Christchurch is the population centre so that's where it needs to start,'' Cr Davies said. Under the proposal, chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs and Cr Davies will meet with other councils to prepare a position statement before meeting with KiwiRail's board in September. ECan would fund the business case and has set aside funding in year four of the 2024/34 Long Term Plan for a possible rail project. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he is interested in the idea. ''We regularly get submissions from residents who like the idea of rail from Rangiora to Christchurch. ''I will be interested to hear the response from KiwiRail.'' KiwiRail executive general manager passenger, Tracey Goodall, said there is a clear process for considering the viability of passenger rail. ''It starts with the local councils, who understand their communities' public transport needs best, and talking to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. ''KiwiRail is happy to provide rail expertise into any business case, including rolling stock (carriage) availability and costs.'' Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said previous reports have indicated commuter rail on the main trunk line is unworkable due the Addington station not being close to where the majority of people work these days and the lack of a passing lane to accommodate freight. ''Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECan should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased – putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Rail Minister Winston Peters is overseas and unavailable for comment. Opposition transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said Labour supports the use of rail as ''an environmentally friendly'' option for passengers and freight. ''If a business case provided strong rationale Labour would be open to supporting passenger rail from Rangiora to Rolleston.'' Longtime rail advocate John McCaskey said the service could easily be extended into the Hurunui district. ''Count the number of people travelling in a car on their own. If they could park up at Waipara and take the train you would be on to a winner. ''Waipara is sitting there waiting to be used with the infrastructure and the terminus, and we have the feeder lines from Hawarden and Scargill – everything is still there.'' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he supported looking into any public transport options that would assist the region as it continues to grow. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton backed any conversation that advances the potential for a Mass Rapid Transit solution connecting Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch City. 'It is important that all MRT options, including rail and other transport modalities, be thoroughly weighed against each other in terms of costs, benefits, and long-term viability. The work on this is currently underway with the Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP). 'I look forward to Canterbury Regional Council coming back to GCP members with options and intel they gain through their kōrero with KiwiRail. This will help inform our wider thinking about public transport in the region.'
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Postal Voting Made Easier With Orange Boxes
Orange ballot boxes are expected to pop up around North Canterbury later this year. Waimakariri District Council deputy electoral officer Sarah Nichols said orange ballot boxes will be deployed around the district in September and October to make it easier for people to vote in this year's local government elections. ''We are still finalising the locations, but we are intending to have more than we did last time. ''With less post boxes around, we want to make sure people are able to have their say.'' She said voting papers from any neighbouring district will be accepted in Waimakariri ballot boxes, ''as they all end up in the same place''. Christchurch-based runs the elections for several councils around the country, including the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura districts. Nominations open on Friday, July 4, with 35 positions up for grabs in Waimakariri - including mayor, 10 councillors, 24 community board members. In Hurunui, nominations will be accepted for mayor, 10 councillors, community board members in Hanmer Springs and south ward (including Amberley) and the Cheviot Licensing Trust. Nominations will also be accepted for two councillors in Environment Canterbury's North Canterbury constituency. Ms Nichols said there were more than 80 candidates in the Waimakariri district in 2022, with contests required for all positions. ''It will be interesting how many come forward. We are certainly encouraging people from all walks of life and ages to stand for their community.'' She said she hoped recent publicity about online abuse of female politicians will not deter too many people from standing. ''It is certainly a factor for people to consider. Abuse can range from texts or emails, it can be keyboard warriors and in-person and none of it is acceptable behaviour. ''We hope it is a clean campaign with issues being debated, rather than personal traits.'' Ms Nichols said there had not been too many issues with candidate nominations not complying with the rules in the past. Candidates need to submit a passport sized photo with their 150 word profile. The photo needs to be of your head and shoulders, with no sunglasses, no hat and not accompanied by whānau, pets, friends or kissing a baby. Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen. You do not need to reside in the district(s) you choose to stand in - but your two nominees do. If you or your partner hold a contract of more than $25,000 for your local council you cannot stand, unless you have prior approval from the Auditor-General. Nominations close at 12noon on Friday, August 1, and no late nominations are accepted. Once nominations close, you are on the ballot paper, Ms Nichols said. Voting papers are posted out from September 9, with voting closing at 12noon on Saturday, October 11.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
‘Easy Win': ECan To Push For Rangiora To Rolleston Commuter Train
The idea of a commuter train taking passengers from Rangiora and Rolleston into Christchurch is gathering steam, but not everyone is on board. Environment Canterbury (ECan) voted to approach KiwiRail to assist in preparing a business case for a Rangiora to Rolleston passenger rail service. Councillor Joe Davies moved the motion, which was passed unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. He said a Rangiora to Rolleston service would be ''an easy win'', compared to the proposed mass rapid transit rail service in Christchurch, as the infrastructure is already in place. ''We can't wait 20 or 30 years, we need it in five to 10 years. ''There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set up costs compared to the mass rapid transit proposal and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' The proposed route covers 54.7km and links Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch and serves 13 stations. As housing developments have grown, so has the commuting time to the city. Cr Davies said once the service was in place, a mass rapid transit service could be built off it. The service could easily be extended to link with towns like Amberley, Ashburton and Timaru, and into Otago and Southland using existing rail infrastructure. ''Greater Christchurch is the population centre so that's where it needs to start,'' Cr Davies said. Under the proposal, chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs and Cr Davies will meet with other councils to prepare a position statement before meeting with KiwiRail's board in September. ECan would fund the business case and has set aside funding in year four of the 2024/34 Long Term Plan for a possible rail project. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he is interested in the idea. ''We regularly get submissions from residents who like the idea of rail from Rangiora to Christchurch. ''I will be interested to hear the response from KiwiRail.'' KiwiRail executive general manager passenger, Tracey Goodall, said there is a clear process for considering the viability of passenger rail. ''It starts with the local councils, who understand their communities' public transport needs best, and talking to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. ''KiwiRail is happy to provide rail expertise into any business case, including rolling stock (carriage) availability and costs.'' Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said previous reports have indicated commuter rail on the main trunk line is unworkable due the Addington station not being close to where the majority of people work these days and the lack of a passing lane to accommodate freight. ''Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECan should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased - putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Rail Minister Winston Peters is overseas and unavailable for comment. Opposition transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said Labour supports the use of rail as ''an environmentally friendly'' option for passengers and freight. ''If a business case provided strong rationale Labour would be open to supporting passenger rail from Rangiora to Rolleston.'' Longtime rail advocate John McCaskey said the service could easily be extended into the Hurunui district. ''Count the number of people travelling in a car on their own. If they could park up at Waipara and take the train you would be on to a winner. ''Waipara is sitting there waiting to be used with the infrastructure and the terminus, and we have the feeder lines from Hawarden and Scargill - everything is still there.'' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he supported looking into any public transport options that would assist the region as it continues to grow. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton backed any conversation that advances the potential for a Mass Rapid Transit solution connecting Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch City. "It is important that all MRT options, including rail and other transport modalities, be thoroughly weighed against each other in terms of costs, benefits, and long-term viability. The work on this is currently underway with the Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP). "I look forward to Canterbury Regional Council coming back to GCP members with options and intel they gain through their kōrero with KiwiRail. This will help inform our wider thinking about public transport in the region." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
a day ago
- General
- Scoop
Water Committee Signs Off As Decision Looms On Replacement
The Ashburton Water Zone Committee signed off at their final meeting on Tuesday. Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown told the committee that the Canterbury Mayoral Forum will be deciding on the future model on Friday at its meeting in Kaikōura. Ten zone committees were launched, joint committees between Environment Canterbury and district councils, in 2010 to implement the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. The Mayoral Forum launched a review of the zone committees in 2023 to consider how best to include local leadership in freshwater decision-making. The new proposed model is for a local leadership group that will consist of ECan, district council, and Rūnanga representatives. Brown said he will be pushing the Ashburton District to retain a stand-alone group under the new structure, and for community representatives, from a local advisory group, to have a seat at the table. 'I can't see any reason why we won't get what we want in Ashburton.' The zone committee's final meeting had chairperson Bill Thomas, who joined the committee in 2016, have the final say. He covered the success, challenges, 'regulations, plan changes and solutions to local issues' the committee has tackled over the years and what the next steps are in the process towards a new model. Thomas thanked the committee members and the community members in attendance for their support and hoped the community voice the zone committee had championed wouldn't be lost in the new model. He hopes the proposed Mid Canterbury Advisory Group model will be a success. Committee member Angela Cushnie provided an update on the progress of forming the group to provide 'the voice of the local community to the Canterbury Mayoral Forum and Canterbury water management strategy in the development, implementation, and reporting' on regional and national policies. During the meeting, the committee received updates from various catchment and landcare groups. Hekeao Hinds Lowlands Catchment Group facilitator Phil Everest thanked the zone committee for their support over the years helping community-led environmental projects get off the ground. 'I think you can see clearly just what a little bit of seed funding can do to actually create good science and good work in our community that would have never have got off the ground without your support,' Everest said. The meeting also included a presentation from Ashburton Forks Catchment Group's Jono Allen, the son of Chris Allen who had served on the committee since 2014 until his death in a farm accident in December. Thomas said a plaque recognising Chris Allen's contribution to the community was being organised to be placed in the Forks catchment area near his family farm.
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rates Rise Trimmed To 5.8% For Canterbury Ratepayers
Canterbury ratepayers are set to get some relief, with the regional council slashing its proposed average rate rise to 5.8 percent. Environment Canterbury consulted on an average rate rise of 9.9 percent, after signalling a rates hike of 15.5 percent in last year's 2024/34 Long Term Plan. But staff found further savings, following cuts to public transport funding, allowing councillors to endorse a revised rate rise of 5.8 percent during annual plan deliberations on Tuesday, May 28. The council has been under pressure from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to increase bus fares, with less funding available for public transport. Chairperson Craig Pauling said the annual plan had produced a good outcome for the region. ''I was pleased with council's detailed and good-spirited debate, and our consistent focus on strategic outcomes for Waitaha. ''We don't always get the things we want, and some of the decisions we had to make were unfortunately the result of changing government policies and investment priorities. ''But I feel we've landed in a good place for the region.'' Pauling said public transport, river resilience and biodiversity remained priorities for the council, despite the pressures of the economic climate and changing government policy. The council was forced to rethink its investment in public transport due to reduced funding from central government. As signalled in the consultation, bus fares will increase, with the flat fare trial coming to an end in February next year. Standard adult fares will increase from $2 to $3 from July, with increases for child fares, total mobility card holders and community service card holders. A two-zone fare structure in be introduced in February, with Waimakariri and Selwyn bus users paying $3 to travel within their own own district and $4 to travel into Christchurch. A proposed two-year trial to establish a third zone linking Darfield, Kirwee and West Melton with Rolleston was dropped following submissions. Councillor John Sunckell proposed the council go ahead with the trial, funding $150,000 a year from reserves to reduce the targeted rate. But staff noted it was not eligible for NZTA funding and proposed investigating further support for the Malvern Community Vehicle Trust. The council will meet again on June 25 to adopt the annual plan.
