May 1999 Christchurch City Scene Page 2

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May 1999 C H R I S T C H U R C H C I T Y C O U N C I L · Y O U R P E O P L E · Y O U R C I T Y

Council Noticeboard

Proposed City Plan
Withdrawal of Notice of Requirement For A Designation
Kingslea Residential Centre
The Minister of Social Services, Work and Income has notified Christchurch City Council of the withdrawal of the original Notice of Requirement for a Designation for “Kingslea Residential Centre” in Burwood, which was publicly notified in the Proposed City Plan in June 1995.

The site is located in Horseshoe Lake Road and is described as being Sec.1 SO 19216, Part Lots 1 and 9 DP764, Block XII Christchurch SD, comprising 5.6541 hectares of land. The site is shown on planning map 33A of the proposed City Plan. The requirement for this designation is now removed.

Please note that the Minister gave notice to Christchurch City Council of a new, modified requirement for a designation for the Kingslea site. It was publicly notified in December 1998 and is now awaiting a hearing.

Christchurch
29 April 1999
Jane Donaldson
Environmental Services Manager

Warning - Don't jump off the pier

Jumping off the pier is dangerous. As this sign indicates, the water below is shallow, sea conditions at the pier are deceptive and there is often a strong rip.
It is also a long way from the pier to the water and the pier’s end to the shore. The pier is equipped with lifebuoys and an emergency telephone, which are checked regularly.

Spa Pool Fences
According to the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, spa pools must be fenced if they are outside. Many spa pools have hard covers that may even be lockable but this is not enough. Lockable covers do not comply with the act because they may be left off, leaving a potential hazard for children. The Council provides brochures about pool fencing requirements and regulations.

Please contact your local service centre or Bruce Berryman in the Environmental Services Unit, ph 941 8657.

Overhanging Trees
To give pedestrians and traffic a clear passageway, footpaths and roads should be kept clear of overhanging trees and shrubs. The Council aims to make footpaths and roads safe. Property owners can help by ensuring their trees and shrubs are trimmed back to the boundary to a height of 2.1 metres (7 ft) above the footpath and 5m (16 ft) above a road. When dealing with protected trees careful pruning may be necessary. Major cutting or removal of protected trees cannot be done without the Council’s authorisation.

Contact the Christchurch City Council Environmental Services Unit, ph 941 8801.

From your mayor
Rates impact varies
This year’s proposed general 1.96% rate increase has already raised quite a few questions.
That’s because for different sectors the rate impact varies quite sharply.
Residential rates are going up on average by 4.8 %, rural by 8.79% while commercial rates are going down by an average of 5.76%.
It would be convenient to have a simple answer to this variation but the answer is not simple and has two main components.

In the past a rate rise was the same for all sectors.
In 1997 Parliament passed the Local Government Amendment Act (No 3).
This requires Councils to go through each line of expenditure in the budget and allocate who benefits from this expenditure. In this year’s budget the residential sector gains the most benefit because of extra spending on items such as parks, cleaner air, job creation, street improvements, extensions to the library service and a new programme to promote making this a safer city.

The second reason for residential rates going up while commercial rates fall is that there has been a revaluation of the city. Our rate system is based on what Quotable Values, (formerly Valuation New Zealand), says is the value of each individual property in our City. This time the change in valuations is different all around the city but in general homes have increased in value more than offices and factories.

Then there is also the justifiable question of why, when rates and power charges have gone up, have ratepayers not got some of the proceeds of the Southpower sale to lessen these impacts.
The answer is that you have — through debt repayment. The debt we retire with some of these proceeds will help contain future rate increases while enabling standards to rise.
The $41 million balance will be set aside this year while we all debate how best to use this money to encourage the development of more jobs.
This debate has only just begun but it is clear that Christchurch needs to find a way to help create more real jobs for present and future workers.
This will be a huge issue to tackle and I look forward to your positive contribution toward what I intend to be a mutual search for a solution that best aids the economic and social health of our City.

Keeping alive Dame Ngaio’s spirit

New Zealand’s “high priestess of crime writing” was remembered last month when the US-based Ngaio Marsh Society International presented the Christchurch City Council with an award for its contribution to preserving the late author’s legacy.
Dame Ngaio is arguably Christchurch’s most important literary figure. She challenged Dame Agatha Christie as the world’s favourite murder mystery author. She was also much loved and admired for her involvement with local theatre.
The Council helped the Heritage Trust to purchase Dame Ngaio’s unique Cashmere home in 1992.
Ngaio Marsh House is filled with her book collections, artwork, household items and curiosities. It is open for tours by appointment — ph 337 9248.

Mayor Garry Moore accepts the Green Room Award

Mayor Garry Moore accepts the Green Room Award from Ngaio Marsh House curator and associate of the Ngaio Marsh Society International, Dr Bruce Harding. Standing behind are chairman of the Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust Colin McLachlan and Ngaio Marsh House chief guide Eve Harding.

FeedBack - Have you say on issues in the edition of Christchurch City Scene. Phone in on (03) 941 8596

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