Greetings from your Community BoardMessage from the ChairKia ora everyone, Highlights from our latest meetingOur Board held our first remote meeting yesterday, trialing VMR - virtual meeting room technology - which is a simple and easy way to come together on video or audio, share presentations and collaborate. Some highlights from our 8 June meeting include approving plans to install a new footpath on Western Valley Road from Council Hill Road to Little River School, and to install no stopping parking restrictions and a Stop Control to support this. We approved a plan to install a no stopping restriction on Wainui Main Road at the Barrys Bay Boat Ramp, following a request from the French Farm Aquatic Club to improve access to the
facility. Akaroa Lighthouse gains funding to improve public accessVisitors to the landmark Akaroa Lighthouse will be able to view the original machinery inside thanks to new funding from the Christchurch City Council. Council will give a heritage incentive grant of $4872 to registered charity, the Akaroa Lighthouse Preservation Society. Meet this month's featured Community Board memberIn this edition of our newsletter, we're featuring board member Jamie Stewart. Jamie's friends say he's a glass half full kinda guy who is always on the go and thinks outside the square. One of his favourite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon is out on the water on his stand up paddleboard. Jamie has always wanted to learn to play the guitar so he can play along to his favourite Pink Floyd tunes. Read more about Jamie below. Wainui Main Road - Slope Stabilization WorksOur contractors are installing a new retaining wall to support Wainui Main Road and stabilize a localized slip. These works include building a retaining wall, a partial road re-construction, minor drainage works and associated civil works. The road will be reduced to one lane at times. We're aiming to complete these works by the end of July 2020. Shellfish biotoxin discovery prompts health warningPeople are being warned against collecting or eating shellfish harvested between Sumner Head and East Head at Okains Bay, including Lyttelton Harbour, because they may contain a nasty toxin. Update on the Lyttelton Harbour Wastewater ProjectWe have finished installing ceilings at the Simeon Quay pump station and these are being painted. The electrical cabinets and electrical cable installation is almost complete. This week we'll continue installing the internal pipe work and the three large 2.5 tonne pumps that will be the driving force to pump wastewater from Lyttelton over to Christchurch. Akaora Museum presents Fresh from the StoreAkaroa Museum has postponed a planned archaeology exhibition in light of the COVID-19 pandemic because of its inclusion of high-touch elements. Instead, the Museum has delved into its collection store and selected a number of Banks Peninsula artworks for display in a beautiful new exhibition, Fresh from the Store. Some have been in the Museum’s collection for decades, others are new acquisitions. There are watercolours and oils, conserved and un-conserved works. The work of professional artists sits alongside that of the amateur. They have one thing in common - all have beautiful Banks Peninsula as their subject. Celebrate Matariki online this yearChristchurch City Libraries will be celebrating Matariki online this year. There will be a range of activities and entertainment from colouring sheets, to video, crafts and blogs. Recycling right essential in global buyer’s marketMaking sure there is no rubbish mixed in with the recycling has become critically important in the face of shrinking international markets for used plastic and paper. Christchurch City Council Head of Three Waters and Waste Helen Beaumont explains why. Council facilities back to normal under Level 1The move to Alert Level 1 will signal a return to business as usual at Christchurch City Council’s public facilities. However, contract tracing measures and rigorous cleaning protocols will remain in place. First hour free in Council parking buildingsVisitors to the central city can enjoy one-hour free parking in Christchurch City Council's central city parking buildings for the next three months. Boost mooted for community groups in wake of COVID-19A financial boost to help community organisations cope with the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis is proposed in Christchurch City Council’s Draft Annual Plan. The one-off $360,000 boost to the Strengthening Communities Fund would be available to community groups working to promote wellbeing across the sporting, arts, social, health and environmental sectors. Libraries issue call to return overdue booksMore than 120,000 books are back on Christchurch City Libraries shelves. However, a significant number of the loans prior to the lockdown period remain outstanding. Customers are being asked to check around their homes for any books or other library items that may have been forgotten while our libraries have been closed to the public, and to return these items by 15 June to avoid any fines. Six Ways to Pay it Forward and Help Local BusinessesHaving gone with little or no income for weeks, local businesses need our support to keep them afloat and keep people in jobs. David Dyason, Economic Advisor at ChristchurchNZ explains that consumer spending is at the heart of kick starting our economy. Council adopts new Draft Annual PlanChristchurch City Council has approved a new draft budget that takes into account the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the organisation and on ratepayers. The revised Draft Annual Plan 2020–21 proposes an average residential rate rise of 2.23 per cent, which is an overall average rate increase of 3.5 per cent. Water charge proposed for high-use householdsChristchurch City Council is considering charging households that use large amounts of water in an effort to make the service fairer and to smooth peak demand over summer. The excess water charge – to be put forward for public feedback under the Council’s Draft Annual Plan – would apply to households that use more than a third more water than the average household. Contact your Community BoardThe Banks Peninsula Community Board are here to provide support and advice to our community. Contact the Banks Peninsula |