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Funding sparks Reaching out to bullying victims pollution fears Have you ever been a victim of bullying or seen it happen around the community. Let us know, email myles.h@theguardian.co.nz
By Michelle Nelson
Our poll question is:
While the Government’s multimillion dollar investment into irrigation schemes is good news for Mid Canterbury’s economy, environmentalists fear the cost will be more polluted waterways. Yesterday it was confirmed that two Mid Canterbury schemes will benefit from the release of $80 million of a promised $400 million Community Irrigation Fund, for development of large scale irrigation schemes. Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme will receive $158,125 over two years and the Ashburton Lyndhurst Scheme, $286,120 over one year. Ashburton Water Zone committee member Neil Brown said the impact of irrigation can never be underestimated. “Water is the blood of the Canterbury economy,” he said. He attributes the sustained growth of the local economy in the postearthquake landscape to agriculture and horticulture on the Canterbury plains. “Without irrigation we wouldn’t have the high value crops which provide work and sustain the economy. The Mid Canterbury economy is one of the few places in New Zealand
Are you concerned that increased irrigation could make water quality worse? Visit www.guardianonline.co.nz to have your say. that hasn’t slowed down at all,” he said. In terms of environmental impact, Mr Brown said in the past, tons of top soil blew out to sea in the nor’west winds. Irrigation has also lessened the fire risk considerably. “The recent fires in the West Melton area have occurred on dry land,” he said. “Go back 15 or 20 years ago those fires would be in Mid Canterbury.” Mr Brown is confident systems are in place to protect the waterways from further pollution. “The new (Environment Canterbury) Land and Water Plan will alleviate fears and ensure water quality stays, as it is where it is up to standard, or improves where necessary,” he said. “The lack of understanding is an issue, people think that more water
signals more cows, but that’s not the case at all – economics will determine what land is used for. Only about 20 per cent of the land is used for dairying. “People have the impression that the rivers are going to be dammed – but that’s never been the intention. The rivers will be left the way they are; water will be drawn off at high flow and stored for later use. “There are some figures which suggest the amount of water that goes down the Rakaia (in flood) in one day is enough to irrigate the Canterbury plains for a year.” However Christchurch-based Green MP Eugenie Sage has a different view. “The announcement of an initial $80 million for irrigation, through a new Government company, is a subsidy for intensive farming and will see our rivers, lakes and aquifers polluted even faster,” she said. “More irrigation and more intensive agriculture with increased stocking, and more fertiliser will result in greater water pollution. “Government irrigation subsidies will worsen our already severe water pollution problems.” • See tomorrow’s Guardian for a background feature on irrigation in Mid Canterbury.
Citizens’ association to mount election challenge By Sue Newman Interest group politics is likely to make its first appearance in Ashburton’s local body elections this year. The Ashburton Citizens’ Association had the elections at the top of its agenda last night, with discussion to centre around putting candidates forward for both the mayoralty and councillor seats. Prior to the meeting chair, Diane Rawlinson said there could be many positives for the community if people knew there were candidates standing who would share a similar, community based, view on issues. If the citizens’ association opts to put candidates up for election under its banner, it will be a significant change in a district where candidates have always stood as independents rather than as a group representing one sector, she said. “People might like the idea of candidates who all paddle the same canoe.” The suggestion that he could face a challenge and that interest group politics may have arrived
Diane Rawlinson in Ashburton did not faze mayor Angus McKay. Mid-way through his three year term he said he would seek re-election in October. That has not changed and he says he’ll welcome all challengers who want to throw their hat in the mayoral ring. Mr McKay will wrap up his first term as the district’s mayor in October; challenges are part of the democratic, local government process, he said. “I got here through democracy so I fully expect this as part of the job. It’s a job that comes up for renewal every three years and it’s the employers, the voters, who
have the say and that’s good.” Mr McKay won the mayoralty in a race for votes against incumbent Bede O’Malley who was seeking his third term in the mayoral chair. As a former Environment Canterbury councillor, Mr McKay is no newcomer to challenges at the ballot box. “That’s part of our democratic way of doing things, it’s healthy and it keeps this mayor on his toes.” When individual councillors began the process of deciding whether to stand again or retire, Mr McKay said he would not become involved in their decision making. “I don’t corral them into discussing their intentions with me. Three have discussed their plans but those are their plans and they were using me as a sounding board. It’s up to them the decision they make and when they make that decision.” While the citizens’ association may field a cluster of candidates under its banner, he said Ashburton’s local body elections had always been marked by candidates who stood because they believed they represented the ideals of the community.
Photo Kirsty Graham 240113-KG-006
Ashburton teen Jas Andrada knows what it is like to be bullied, she now wants to reach out to those who are struggling to confront their tormentors.
By Myles Hume
This carefree smile masks the scars of isolation and pain of a bullied teenager. Jas Andrada is the driving force behind an anti-bullying campaign created to reach out to those who have nowhere to turn – and she has a story to tell. The Ashburton teen knows exactly what it is like to suffer at the hands of a bully, a person that made her feel isolated, depressed and embarrassed. Jas, 17, is the creator of the blog A Plea For Help, which she spoke about anonymously to the Guardian in November. It was a place where victims of bullying could post their trials and tribulations in the hope of reaching out to others, showing them they were not alone. When she made the page, Jas, of Filipino origin, did not want to reveal her identity, still in denial that she was the victim of a random cyber bullying attack, and said she created it because “she saw bullying all around her”. However, Jas broke her silence a few weeks ago via her blog and now wants to share her story. It started in April last year when a woman in her 20s spread rumours about Jas “being a slut and having sex with a lot of guys here in Ashburton”. The bullying worsened over time, the woman, who Jas knew through social circles, threatened her, saying she would spread false documents about Jas messaging boys about sex and even told her she would punch her in the face. It reached breaking point for her when the bully made a Facebook posting attacking her. Looking back, Jas could not hold back the tears. “She said my dad actually apologised to her for what I was but I know my dad wouldn’t do that,” she said. Amidst the turmoil Jas was confused, she had never been a victim of bullying before. She pushed people away, paranoid as to what they thought about her. Not even the police could do anything. She spent most of her time upset in her room, and was reluctant to step outside the house. Since her heartbreaking story Jas’ blog has generated up to 1000 views a day, with messages scattered across the page offering a hand to those who are struggling to confront bullying. Blocking the woman on Facebook, changing her cellphone number and talking to people has helped Jas become the resilient person she is today. “I just want to reach out to people, a lot of people wouldn’t really admit they are in trouble and they need help. “I was shy and I just didn’t want to admit it happened because it actually felt like no one was there for me, but there is help out there,” she said.
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