CANTERBURY | Projects

[Davee]

For all the development and news going on in Canterbury - that is all those areas outside the Greater Christchurch (Christchurch City, Rangiora, Kaipoi, Pegasus, Woodend, Lincoln, Rolleston, Akaroa etc) area.

Places like:

Timaru, Ashburton, Kaikora

[Davee]

Development Opposed

A business park near Ashburton would severely disrupt the lifestyles of nearby residents, a planning hearing in the town has been told.


Basil Attewell, speaking for eight other residents of the proposed development north-east of Ashburton, said the park would create noise and safety issues, possible pollution problems, loss of rural outlook and 24-hour activity.

Attewell was opposing an application by the Ashburton District Council to rezone 126ha of land in Northpark Road to create a business park to cater for the town's industrial needs for the next 20 years.

The council is also seeking a notice of requirement for road works associated with the $18 million development.

Attewell told commissioner Bob Batty, who is hearing the applications on behalf of the council, that it was a delight to look out a window and see children on ponies or learning to ride bikes.

"We have turned gorse-covered paddocks into homes surrounded by gardens and trees that afford the residents an oasis they can retreat to, to recover from the stresses of modern life or to enjoy in retirement," he said.

Residents were not interested in noise-abatement bunds or double-glazing, as proposed by a supporter of the scheme.

"Bunds are an ugly eyesore – that is readily evident every time you travel past the Rolleston area along the main road. Even the offer of double-glazing does not address the problems and concerns we have regarding safety from the increase in heavy traffic," Attewell said.

A compromise would be to not allow commercial vehicles access to the park from the southern end, restricting access to the park off Bremners Road and Northpark Road to private vehicles and cycles, and putting heavy traffic "where it belongs – out on State Highway 1, and they would enter through Works Road and Company Road".

The council chose the Northpark site for its proximity to State Highway 1, the railway and Ashburton Airport, and to allow the shifting of the rail yard from the town centre.

[Marky Mark]

Maybe I should Start a Regional Scraper Count on another Thread

[Davee]

Do Marky -

Timaru is a fab little city with lost of potential. They are investing millions of dollars in the development of the harbour, which is smack in the town centre and on Caroline Bay which is a wonderful beach and entertainment area also in the town centre.

[metroman]

I haven't been to Timaru for years, when I was there last we were on a sea scout regatta. Is the population over 30, 000 yet? I can remember when I was there in the early 80s there was a fairly modern building down the main street, I think it was a bank or something. This is another area which could significantly benefit from a good rail service.

[Davee]

Originally Posted by metroman

I haven't been to Timaru for years, when I was there last we were on a sea scout regatta. Is the population over 30, 000 yet? I can remember when I was there in the early 80s there was a fairly modern building down the main street, I think it was a bank or something. This is another area which could significantly benefit from a good rail service.

The population is about 22,000 in the city the district is about 30,000 I think.

[spotila]

ewwww what the hell is that thing!

[Marky Mark]

Originally Posted by spotila

ewwww what the hell is that thing!

Do you think it needs a Re-Furb ?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by spotila

ewwww what the hell is that thing!

Good old Kiwiana 1980s government buildings...our gift to the world

[Theville01]

has anyone been to Methven and Mt Hutt Ski Area about an Hours drive from Christchurch , I went there at the start of this year, Didnt think much of it but then again I aint a pro skier

[KIWIKAAS]

of all the main ski areas in the South island I would rate Mt Hutt at the bottom of the list. The skiing is ok but I much prefer the Southern Lakes ski fields.

[Davee]

The Press | Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Support has flooded in for Ashburton's proposed $6 million art gallery and museum, but Transit New Zealand objects to its location on State High-way 1.
More than 80 submissions have been received, most in support, and the Ashburton District Council will decide next week on whether to proceed or if there will be any changes to the proposal.

The council proposes to sell the existing art gallery-museum building, the old county council offices in Baring Square East, to the Ashburton Trust for $2m.

The trust plans to create a 35 to 50-room top-line hotel within the building. Any sale would include a caveat to protect the facade and character of the building.

The council will put the $2m towards the $6m complex it proposes to build on council-owned land on the corner of State Highway 1 (West Street) and Cameron and Wills streets.

It proposes to borrow $3.5m over 25 years for the project. It had already budgeted $2.5m to upgrade the existing, cramped building.

The council has received dozens of submissions backing the project, including some from near neighbours, but Transit said it was disappointing there was no early consultation, given its proximity to the highway.

"Transit is also concerned there is no clear understanding of how the museum will fit with the Ashburton District Development Plan and the effect it will have on the central business district," said regional manager Colin Knaggs.

"Transit is experiencing pressure for retail activity along West Street, which it is currently looking to oppose."

The proposal is also opposed by Peter Opthoog, a candidate at the last local body elections.

He said the new site could create a traffic hazard and it was unlikely through-traffic would stop to visit the complex. He suggested the existing gallery be upgraded.

The proposal is backed by gallery curator Kathryn Mitchell.

She said a new facility would give the gallery more options to raise money for operational costs, including function, cafe and retail space.

The council will hear submissions on the proposal on Thursday.

Capital costs of the building would be funded from the council's commercial property activity and have a minor impact on rates.

[KaneD]

Originally Posted by DavidEugene

The Press |
Support has flooded in for Ashburton's proposed $6 million art gallery and museum, but Transit New Zealand objects to its location on State High-way 1.

"Transit is also concerned there is no clear understanding of how the museum will fit with the Ashburton District Development Plan and the effect it will have on the central business district," said regional manager Colin Knaggs.

"Transit is experiencing pressure for retail activity along West Street, which it is currently looking to oppose."

He said the new site could create a traffic hazard and it was unlikely through-traffic would stop to visit the complex. He suggested the existing gallery be upgraded.

F*** Transit really pisses me off at times...

I most other developed countries, a town the size of Ashburton would be bypassed completely. Transit does not do this, instead, opting for urban routes that bypass the business district only. Examples of this include Ashburton, Temuka and Timaru.

Transit must realise that if they want a route that does not have development along it, they must build it along a new or existing rural route, upgrade it, and designate it either a Limited Access Road (aka Expressway) or Controlled Access Route (aka Motorway).

Originally, the highway went through East St and through the middle of the business district. In the 1980's, they moved across the railway line to West St. This street was already reasonably well developed commercially.

What they should have done in the 1980's is build a Western Bypass that runs outside the urban fence. If they had done that, they wouldn't have the problem today.

Remember, Transits key objective is to build and maintain suitable road transport infrastructure to meet EXISTING and FUTURE need, not to hinder development by protesting about something that is being built along their road (which is in the wrong place to start with).

They should be spending less money in the court room, and spending it on developing a more future proof solution to Ashburton's highway problem.

[Such Great Heights]

Originally Posted by KaneD

F*** Transit really pisses me off at times...

I most other developed countries, a town the size of Ashburton would be bypassed completely. Transit does not do this, instead, opting for urban routes that bypass the business district only. Examples of this include Ashburton, Temuka and Timaru.

Transit must realise that if they want a route that does not have development along it, they must build it along a new or existing rural route, upgrade it, and designate it either a Limited Access Road (aka Expressway) or Controlled Access Route (aka Motorway).

Originally, the highway went through East St and through the middle of the business district. In the 1980's, they moved across the railway line to West St. This street was already reasonably well developed commercially.

What they should have done in the 1980's is build a Western Bypass that runs outside the urban fence. If they had done that, they wouldn't have the problem today.

Remember, Transits key objective is to build and maintain suitable road transport infrastructure to meet EXISTING and FUTURE need, not to hinder development by protesting about something that is being built along their road (which is in the wrong place to start with).

They should be spending less money in the court room, and spending it on developing a more future proof solution to Ashburton's highway problem.

Well put KaneD. They spend our money on opposing progress and doing temporary solutions (like traffic light roundabouts!) when they should be encouraging progress and increasing efficiency. But in the end they just don't get enough from the government to do enough. Bugger the inflation - if it wasn't so high the govt could be spending lots more on infrastructure.

[Davee]

...Ashburton is a fantastic town that is now growing rather quickly and will become an even more vital hub for mid Canterbury. Transit NZ must support the central town development not hinder it. We were in Ashburton this time last year and it was crazy the way huge volumes of heavy traffic was passing through the centre of town like it was some outback post Ashburton has past that now. It's a town of 17000 people and growing - let it flourish. Transit should be planning as Kane said, routes that will be suitable for the future - ie a new SH1 of motorway standard, by passing the town centre, that will be of benifit for Ashburton not hindder it.

[Davee]

Thursday, 13 December 2007

An ambitious "mini Auckland viaduct" planned for Kaikoura would bring big spending tourism to Kaikoura, including cruise ships, says the developer.

Plans for the 7000 square metre multi-million dollar wharf development include a boat-shaped building, an all weather marina, premises for high end New Zealand tourism retailers, offices, an extensive outdoor eating area and a 50-bedroom boutique hotel.

The development will cater for cruise ships, would be ideal for community spaces such a library or museum and would attract more people to Kaikoura during the winter months, says Kaikoura Wharf Ltd spokesman Tim Archibald.

The company includes some members of Cedar Properties Ltd, which is developing the Mangamaunu Bay Farm Park.

The concept was to be examined by the Kaikoura District Council Tourism and Development Committee today. Commercial sensitivity meant Mr Archibald could not reveal which businesses had their eye on the seaside spot, but a major tenant was set to sign up in two days. Two new tourism operators also had their pens poised, he said.

Mr Archibald had planned to speak on the concept but had decided not to as there were some sensitive issues to deal with first - including the purchase of more land for car parking.

Mr Archibald had been involved with Beach Road Developments, which plans to build a mall next to New World in Beach Road. He said some national retailers had shown interest in the development but after visiting in winter realised it would be "retail suicide".

People needed to be attracted to Kaikoura during the winter before development could take on a snowball effect, he said.

Kaikoura Mayor Kevin Heays said the current wharf site needed to be spruced up.

"We think something down there would be a huge asset to the community, but we want to support the right thing."

Mr Heays said the wharf land was council owned. Kaikoura Wharf Ltd took over the Pacifica lease after the company's fish processing factories closed in 2005.

In 2004, under Cedar Properties Marlborough Ltd, Mr Archibald presented a plan for a 48-unit retirement complex for Beach Rd in Kaikoura.

Mr Archibald was declared bankrupt in 2004 over a failed company. Kaikoura District Council planner Matt Hoggard said no application had been received by the council for the plans.

[Marky Mark]

A new Mixed use complex for Timaru

[SYDNEY]

That is so quaint, I love it.

[nthbeach]

been long time since been to timaru, any plans yet for hydro grand site or other plans on bay hill?

[Davee]

Originally Posted by nthbeach

been long time since been to timaru, any plans yet for hydro grand site or other plans on bay hill?

Welcome nthbeach - are you a Timaru boy or do you live in North Beach CHC?