Latest news with #AshburtonDistrictCouncil
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Playground fence sparks anger from Canterbury parent
Amanda Burrows says the installation of the fence as a safety barrier between the Proctor Park playground and swales is "a complete overreaction" from the Ashburton District Council. Photo: LDR/Jonathan Leask A Tinwald mother says the almost $10,000 fence built between a stormwater pond and playground is an overreaction by council staff. Ashburton district Council installed the fence this month after fears were raised about a [ child drowning] due to the playground being built so close to drainage ponds. Mother-of-two Amanda Burrows, who lives opposite Proctor Park, said the new fence is "a complete overreaction". Local residents are unsure about what the fence will stop, she said. "We don't see the point of it," Burrows said. "I can see the logic to some degree, but it feels like a waste of resources that could have been invested in other safety issues around town." Burrows said the situation "feels like PC gone wrong". "I get wanting to protect our children, but it feels like a world gone mad ... will we start fencing off trees to stop kids climbing them in case they fall out?" The council agreed to install the fence in response to concerns about the drowning risk of the swales, which are grassy areas used to manage stormwater run-off. It followed drainage issues at the swales, which required a pump to remove the water after heavy rain. Peter King raised the alarm, saying he felt that a child could drown because the playground was built just metres from stormwater drainage. Councillors discussed the issue at the three waters committee on June 25, where it was acknowledged King wasn't the first to raise concerns. Mayor Neil Brown and councillor Carolyn Cameron both recalled a site visit before the new playground was built when the location next to the swales was questioned. At the committee meeting, it was agreed to build the fence as an immediate solution to reduce the drowning risk. However, some of the neighbours of the park don't see the same level of risk. Burrows said the playground is rarely used by younger children. "It's more of a teen playground. "There isn't a lot there for the younger age children that would be at risk of drowning when the swales have water in them." As a teacher, Burrows said she understood the need to mitigate risks, but it would be easier and cheaper to extend the existing garden at the edge of the playground "They just needed to extend that out, and it would look far nicer than what they have done." Council infrastructure and open spaces manager Neil McCann said the permanent fence installation cost $9500. The existing garden wouldn't be extended as the money has already been spent on the fence. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ashburton's Market Day To Move After Retailer Complaints
Article – Jonathan Leask – Local Democracy Reporter It means a popular annual market day in September has to move – but only just down road. Market days are no longer welcome on a section of Ashburton's main street during business hours. It means a popular annual market day in September has to move – but only just down road. Retailers had argued the town's main street was no place for a market as the road closures hurt local shops. The Ashburton District Council voted last week to ban events on the block of East Street, south of Havelock Street, if they required road closures. The organiser of Ashburton's annual market day sees the decision as positive. Spealing to LDR this week, Carol Johns said she was already looking to move the market day one block north on East Street, in front of Baring Square East. 'I was just waiting for the council to make a decision. 'I'm not worried, I'll move and the market day will still go ahead. 'Nothing changes, we just move down the road a wee bit. 'There are more positives than negatives.' The move means Johns will have to pay for a new traffic management plan, but only has to contact three businesses about a road closure, rather than 96. Baring Square East had a $2.45 million upgrade in 2023 to coincide with the construction of the $62.3m Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton's library and civic centre. That investment led to the majority of councillors voting to close the southern end of East Street off to market events during business hours, at a council meeting on 18 June. The annual market day attracts thousands of people to Ashburton. It is held on South Canterbury Anniversary Day, on the fourth Monday of September, which is not an Ashburton District public holiday. When discussing the options last week, councillor Tony Todd said historically the local businesses were heavily involved in the market day, previously known as Boulevard Day, but times have changed. 'The event was fully supported by local retailers but over time that support has declined, and other operators have been involved,' Todd said. 'The day still attracts a large number of people to the CBD that mainly walk the street and the vendor stalls have become a barrier to get into retailers stores. 'It's time for a change. 'The market day is still important to the town so we should support it, but I think a new location will breathe new life back into it.' Another issue is Burnett and Tancred streets becoming one way, which means they also close when East Street is closed, Todd said. Councillor Phill Hooper felt no events should occur south of Havelock Street as the council had invested in making Baring Square an event space. 'We spent the moolah out here, let's have it out here,' Hooper said. The councillors voted 9-1 for the section of East Street south of Havelock Street to be off limits to events 'involving trade and associated equipment' between 8am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Hooper was the lone opposing vote, supporting the alternative option of no events south of Havelock Street. Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a short closure for an event with no stationary caravans, stalls, tents or other structures could still be permitted.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ashburton's Market Day To Move After Retailer Complaints
Market days are no longer welcome on a section of Ashburton's main street during business hours. It means a popular annual market day in September has to move - but only just down road. Retailers had argued the town's main street was no place for a market as the road closures hurt local shops. The Ashburton District Council voted last week to ban events on the block of East Street, south of Havelock Street, if they required road closures. The organiser of Ashburton's annual market day sees the decision as positive. Spealing to LDR this week, Carol Johns said she was already looking to move the market day one block north on East Street, in front of Baring Square East. "I was just waiting for the council to make a decision. "I'm not worried, I'll move and the market day will still go ahead. "Nothing changes, we just move down the road a wee bit. "There are more positives than negatives." The move means Johns will have to pay for a new traffic management plan, but only has to contact three businesses about a road closure, rather than 96. Baring Square East had a $2.45 million upgrade in 2023 to coincide with the construction of the $62.3m Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton's library and civic centre. That investment led to the majority of councillors voting to close the southern end of East Street off to market events during business hours, at a council meeting on 18 June. The annual market day attracts thousands of people to Ashburton. It is held on South Canterbury Anniversary Day, on the fourth Monday of September, which is not an Ashburton District public holiday. When discussing the options last week, councillor Tony Todd said historically the local businesses were heavily involved in the market day, previously known as Boulevard Day, but times have changed. "The event was fully supported by local retailers but over time that support has declined, and other operators have been involved," Todd said. "The day still attracts a large number of people to the CBD that mainly walk the street and the vendor stalls have become a barrier to get into retailers stores. "It's time for a change. "The market day is still important to the town so we should support it, but I think a new location will breathe new life back into it." Another issue is Burnett and Tancred streets becoming one way, which means they also close when East Street is closed, Todd said. Councillor Phill Hooper felt no events should occur south of Havelock Street as the council had invested in making Baring Square an event space. "We spent the moolah out here, let's have it out here," Hooper said. The councillors voted 9-1 for the section of East Street south of Havelock Street to be off limits to events 'involving trade and associated equipment' between 8am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Hooper was the lone opposing vote, supporting the alternative option of no events south of Havelock Street. Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a short closure for an event with no stationary caravans, stalls, tents or other structures could still be permitted.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Ashburton's Market Day to move after retailer complaints
The Ashburton Market Day has historically closed East Street from Havelock Street down to Moore Street, but the Ashburton District Council has now restricted road closures in that area to outside business hours. Photo: LDR / Ashburton Guardian Market days are no longer welcome on a section of Ashburton's main street during business hours. It means a popular annual market day in September has to move - but only just down road. Retailers had argued the town's main street was no place for a market as the road closures hurt local shops. The Ashburton District Council voted last week to ban events on the block of East Street, south of Havelock Street, if they required road closures. The organiser of Ashburton's annual market day sees the decision as positive. Spealing to LDR this week, Carol Johns said she was already looking to move the market day one block north on East Street, in front of Baring Square East. "I was just waiting for the council to make a decision. "I'm not worried, I'll move and the market day will still go ahead. "Nothing changes, we just move down the road a wee bit. "There are more positives than negatives." The move means Johns will have to pay for a new traffic management plan, but only has to contact three businesses about a road closure, rather than 96. Photo: LDR / Ashburton Guardian Baring Square East had a $2.45 million upgrade in 2023 to coincide with the construction of the $62.3m Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton's library and civic centre. That investment led to the majority of councillors voting to close the southern end of East Street off to market events during business hours, at a council meeting on 18 June. The annual market day attracts thousands of people to Ashburton. It is held on South Canterbury Anniversary Day, on the fourth Monday of September, which is not an Ashburton District public holiday. When discussing the options last week, councillor Tony Todd said historically the local businesses were heavily involved in the market day, previously known as Boulevard Day, but times have changed. "The event was fully supported by local retailers but over time that support has declined, and other operators have been involved," Todd said. "The day still attracts a large number of people to the CBD that mainly walk the street and the vendor stalls have become a barrier to get into retailers stores. "It's time for a change. "The market day is still important to the town so we should support it, but I think a new location will breathe new life back into it." Another issue is Burnett and Tancred streets becoming one way, which means they also close when East Street is closed, Todd said. Councillor Phill Hooper felt no events should occur south of Havelock Street as the council had invested in making Baring Square an event space. "We spent the moolah out here, let's have it out here," Hooper said. The councillors voted 9-1 for the section of East Street south of Havelock Street to be off limits to events 'involving trade and associated equipment' between 8am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Hooper was the lone opposing vote, supporting the alternative option of no events south of Havelock Street. Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a short closure for an event with no stationary caravans, stalls, tents or other structures could still be permitted.
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
$65k fence for cemetery
The new fencing. Photo: Toni Williams Wooden fencing is being installed along the Bremners Rd side of the Ashburton Cemetery for an estimated cost of $65,000. The work, which is being carried out by Hayman Fencing, was approved in the Ashburton District Council's Long Term Plan. It is a three-rail design, the same as the entrance fencing to a cemetery extension on Seafield Rd and the Methven Cemetery. The design is a contrast to old wrought iron fencing along the main part of the cemetery on Seafield Rd. The news fencing on Bremners Rd. Photo: Toni Williams District council group manager of infrastructure and open spaces Neil McCann said the new fence was a Long Term Plan project for the entire frontage of the cemetery along Bremners Rd. ''The job is a work in progress, but we hope to have it completed within the next month,'' McCann said. McCann said ground maintenance staff worked at the cemetery all year round, with the aim to keep its public areas as tidy as possible for visitors. He said there were no plans to remove the wrought iron fence. It had been relocated from its original location at Baring Square East, many years earlier.
