COUNCIL DECISIONS

Wednesday 8th February, 2023

Wednesday 8th February, 2023

Wednesday 8th 2023

Wednesday 8th 2023

Plan change decisions Plan change decisions confirmed: confirmed:

The Council has declined a private application to re-zone land to a residential zone on the west side of Rolleston and confirmed the next steps on a proposed development in West Melton.

At its meeting on Wednesday, February 8th, the Council endorsed the commissioners recommendations to decline Private Plan Change applications 81 and 82 to re-zone land residential along Dunn’s Crossing Road on the western edgeofRolleston.

The Council also made the decision to notify Private Plan Change 77 application for public consultation.

This application is seeking to rezonelandonthewesternedge of West Melton to build around 218 homes, including a retirementvillage.

Council supports site for new Council supports site for new site for new site for new school

The Council agreed to recommend to the Ministry of Education to proceed with the next steps for building the proposed new secondary school campusinRolleston.

The technical process saw the Council recommending to the Ministerof Educationtoaccept a Notice of Requirement to designate the land at 700 Selwyn Road for educational purposes rather than its current residentialzoning.

The Council is not a decision maker in the process, but the recommendation to the Ministry is the next formal step required in the process, allowing the

Ministry to carry through its planstobuildthenewsecondary school campus, along with a primary school and early childhoodcentre,tocaterforthe projected roll growth in Rolleston.

Full reports can be found in the reports can be in Council meeting Agenda at: Council meeting at:

Autumn Seedling Swap

While it is still late summer, winter is around the corner. It is time to sow and plant autumn and winter crops Boost your resilience and plant your own garden for free. Everyone is welcome to come to the Autumn Seedling Swap and collect free seedlings, seeds for direct sowing and cover crop seeds.

Please bring with you:

• Seedlings you have to share - clearly labelled

• A box to take your plants home in.

• If you have other plants, seeds, or a glut of fruit or veg, bring them along to share.

• If you were unable to help grow seedlings, we still want you to come to the Seedling Swap! Bring a contribution for the Darfield Community Pantry or Food Bank.

This year we also have available for those attending (please bring a koha if you can):

• Wire hoops and frost cloth for making a garden cloche to help protect your garden from winter wind, frost and snow.

• Liquid fish fertiliser to help keep your crops strong and healthy. Bring a 1 litre plastic container so you can take some home.

GARDEN FOCUS FOR MARCH: GARDEN FOCUS FOR MARCH:

Plant out seedlings before the Plant out seedlings before the out seedlings before the out seedlings before the end of February of: end of February

• Cabbage - green and red, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, silverbeet, perpetual spinach, spring onions, celery, parsley, swede and turnips.

Plant out seedlings for a out seedlings for a continuous supply of: continuous supply of: continuous supply of: continuous supply of:

• Lettuce and beetroot.

Direct sow into the garden bed: Direct sow into the garden bed:

• Coriander, rocket, radish, spinach, mesclun, beetroot, miners lettuce and lambs lettuce.

Prepare your garden beds Prepare your garden beds prior to planting:

• Apply lime, blood and bone and compost. Mix these through the top 5cm of the soil.

• Then soak the soil with a liquid fertiliser (mix in a 10 litre bucket:100ml fish fertiliser, 100ml molasses, 100ml liquid seaweed fertiliser or comfrey tea, water to fill). Apply 10 litres for every 2m² using a watering can.

• Cover the soil with a layer of mulch.

• Make holes in the mulch to plant your crops, or part the mulch to make a furrow in the soil to sow your seeds.

• Scatter a few slug pellets around while the crops establish.

• Cover all newly sown and planted crops with a cloche to protect them from the weather and pests.

• Feed your crops (especially the brassicas) every 2-3 weeks with the same liquid fertiliser as above. If the crops are looking strong and healthy you can dilute the mixture by half.

Autumn SEEDLING SWAP!

Saturday 25th February, 1 - 2:30pm

Darfield Community Garden & 14 Regent Street, Springfield

(turn right onto the gravel track at the end of Albert Street)