Inside this issue: 2
Message from the Mayor Message from Selwyn MP Beaver Tree Service Rolleston Men’s Shed Rolleston College Outdoor Educa on Protect Your Property Sep c Waste Compliance Star ng Back Safely Classifieds Trades Email Column
P: 03 318 7450 F: 03 318 7451 E: rolleston@malvernnews.co.nz W: www.malvernnews.co.nz
ISSUE 176 Wednesday 6th May 2020
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The informa on and opinions published are not necessarily those of the Rolleston News proprietors.
Anzac Day, Saturday April 25th was one like never before as New Zealanders kept to their bubbles under Covid Alert Level 4. That didn’t prevent people from commemorating the day in a variety of ways, while keeping their distance. Throughout the district there were some amazing, creative displays of poppies and artwork, a
trumpeter in Weedons, pipers around the district and many, many people standing in silence at the end of their driveways as the sun rose. The New World chain of supermarkets lost many of their re-usable red shopping bags to poppy production! While it wasn’t an Anzac Day like those that’ve gone before, it was poignant nevertheless.
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L to R: Hayden, Talia and Liam McIntosh. Paul (Macca) and Janelle McIntosh and their family, of West Melton were outside their home for a small dawn service with neighbours (all at a suitable distance of course). In deference to the nationalities of those around them the national anthems of New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom were all sung and the McIntosh family laid their home made wreaths and poppies in commemoration. A neighbour who, as a member of the Selwyn Choir, had planned to be singing in dawn parades in both Christchurch and Rolleston, when this wasn’t possible the ideal compromise was to sing all three anthems. Children in the street read ‘Flanders Field’ aloud and another neighbour read the ode ‘They shall not grow old’. The West Melton street even had its own personalised order of service, put together by a householder who happens to be a graphic designer and able to be printed off by those attending. Once again poppies were made from red shopping bags - showing just how creative everyone can be.
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
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As we move to level 3 I have been reflecting on the past five weeks of lockdown and how our community has worked together to achieve so much. My thoughts were summarised by our Council’s Civil Defence manager Al Lawn during a meeting late last week when he said. ‘I am in total awe of our community response, they have blown me away by the way they have responded to each other’s needs. I believe this is the reason why we have received a relatively low number of calls from people wanting help, we are all looking after each other.” I could not agree more with Al’s sentiments. However I am conscious that we cannot afford to relax. Level 3 might offer a little more latitude for our businesses, but for many of us, including me, not much will change. Many of us, including all but essential Council staff, will still be working from home. It is still vital that we maintain social distancing, and abide by the new level 3 rules to avoid a resurgence of the virus. This week I am looking forward to a series of meetings between the Council and key organisations, and people from across our community. We want to hear from the grass roots of our District how COVID 19 is impacting our business and our community. This will help us understand what we need to do to help with our economic recovery and also where we need to divert our attention to deal with existing, and emerging, welfare and social issues. I will keep you posted with the results. If you have decided to expand your bubble, or plan to take the opportunity to visit the wider range of parks walks and sport that level 3 offers, I genuinely hope you enjoy yourself, you have earned it.
Please remember, stick to the rules and stay safe. Sam Broughton -Mayor of Selwyn.
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Getting our economy back up and running Now that our Covid-19 response has moved from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3, many of our local businesses have been able to open again, albeit doing things in a different way. It appears from the demand at hardware stores and garden centres both immediately before the change to Alert Level 4 and following the move to Alert Level 3 that a lot of people have been doing home maintenance and improvement tasks and gardening during the lockdown. While some have been keenly anticipating a takeaway meal or coffee, the reality for some hospitality businesses is that it remains uneconomic for them to open under Alert Level 3. Meanwhile businesses such as hairdressers, gyms and beauty salons remain unable to open under the current restrictions. While the Government wage subsidy was a necessary and welcome lifeline for many businesses and their employees, the reality is that businesses that are still having to pay rent and other fixed costs while not earning any income are hurting. It is my view that more needs to be done to support businesses that remain unable to operate including looking at issues such as rent relief. We can all do our bit by supporting our local businesses when they are able to open and there are some great community and industry-led initiatives giving people the ability to pre-purchase vouchers to use at local businesses in the future. The many people working and learning from home have had cause to be grateful for our national broadband infrastructure and it is pleasing to see the Government has finally recognised the value of continuing to invest in this by re-allocating up to $15 million in savings from the Ultra-fast Broadband initiative to improve rural broadband capacity for remote communities. It is good to see the Government has released some guidelines for those over 70 enabling them to leave their homes to access essential supplies from the pharmacy or supermarket if they prefer to do so rather than relying on others to shop for them. While this age group is most at risk from Covid-19, it is important not to under-estimate the negative effects of isolation on the mental and physical wellbeing of our seniors, many of whom live alone. From this point of view, the ability for families to extend their bubbles to include parents/grandparents is important. While some of us may have been exercising more than we normally would with daily walks or bike rides, others will be keenly awaiting the signal that community sport such as rugby, football, hockey and netball can get underway. Sport plays a key role in mental and physical health for many people in our communities so I am hopeful that Alert level 2 will allow for the resumption of community sport. We will all be waiting and watching the case numbers closely over the coming days and hoping for positive signals from the Government that we can progress to Alert Level 2 sooner rather than later.
Amy Adams -Selwyn MP.
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
Annabel’s Educare WEST MELTON 0 - 6 years of age Beaver Tree Service teams from Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston North and Whanganui are reaching out with a new initiative called ‘Help Us, Help Them’, to support those businesses that are still unable to start working under Level 3 restrictions. They would also like to challenge other businesses to do the same. "We understand that it is a trying time for everyone concerned," Bryce Robb, Robb owner of Beaver Tree Service said, "and so have come up with a special offer to help other less fortunate small businesses. For every one of our quotes accepted, we will buy you a $50 voucher (of your choice) from a small retail, tourism or hospitality business you would like to support. All you need do, once the quote is accepted, is nominate the business. We will take care of the rest and get the voucher to you.”
helps businesses with cashflow now and customers can use their vouchers once that business is able to operate again. The team at Beaver Tree Service are all looking forward to getting back to work this week and are very grateful they are able to function at this time. Robb is confident that all health and
safety criteria for operating under Level 3 restrictions will be met. An extensive health and safety plan has been put in place to keep their staff and clients safe during the continued restrictions. Book a quote today and ‘Help Us, Help Them’.
See advertisement in this issue for more details.
“One option could be to choose a business through the SOS website (https://sosbusiness.nz/) or, alternatively, if you have a small local business you would like to support, just let us know and we will make that happen. We are grateful that we’ve been able to start back at work and would like to ‘pay it forward’ to those who haven’t." SOS is a way to support small businesses by purchasing vouchers for future products. It
David McKeich from Beaver Tree Service in action.
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
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The Rolleston Men's Shed has been closed for the past month so not much has happened. We are thinking of having a cuppa and a yarn with plenty of social spacing; it would be via computer link-up. At present we are helping members, who want to use it, set up Zoom, to give them a good contact platform. Before the lock-down the Shed was making poppies for Anzac Day. A member collected them and they were displayed beside
the Clock at the Rolleston Drive, Tennyson Street corner on Anzac Day. We have put out a reminder to members to check their vehicle batteries as modern cars drain batteries, even when parked. A slightly, note slightly, longer drive to the supermarket might help give the battery a bit of charge. The Shed website has a section specifically about Computers and has had additions such as
setting up Zoom and other handy hints as we presumed computers would be one of the things used during lock-down. A number of members will have their own workshops at home and, as always, a reminder to work safely.
See the Shed’s website at: rollestonshed.wordpress.com for further details Sandy Ferguson,
Rolleston Men’s Shed.
KEEP CALM AND COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE! Everyone will be feeling a little off balance given the events that have unfolded very quickly in the last two weeks. How it is going to look in the next two months, or two years even, is up for speculation, but one thing is certain, no one will be left untouched by Covid 19. How you respond to this changing dynamic is what will make the difference. Communication will be the key to getting through. Please let your bank, or your adviser, know if you are going to need financial assistance to get by. This can come in the form of an overdraft, right through to a loan repayment holiday, and talking through your options before you get stressed is the best action you can take. Stay safe and communicate - with loved ones, your employer/ employee/bank/adviser.
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Poppies made by the Rolleston Men’s Shed for Anzac Day. They were displayed at the Clock tower on the Rolleston Drive, Tennyson Street corner.
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
LOOKING FOR In 2020 Rolleston College Year 12 learners have had two amazing courses added to their options; Challenge the Limits and Man v Wild. Both of the courses have had a massive up take of students who are interested in learning about and within the outdoors. Challenge the Limits is a pure outdoor education based course, with the learners experiencing day tramps and camping in term 1. Before lockdown and in the classroom students looked at skills around navigation, bushcraft, safety in the outdoors and environmental education. While on the practical trips able to be held prior to Covid 19, learners were exposed to some day tramps around Canterbury. These trips included a hike up Mount Herbert, a wet and wild trip to
Mt Thomas and a trip to the Hawdon Valley where learners were also required to camp out for the night. Outdoor Education is really valued by the learners as it gives them an opportunity to have some experiences that they would not usually get. The second half of this course focusses on teamwork and confidence skills. This is achieved through partaking in a high and low ropes’ course at the Groynes. Learners will be exposed to some challenging situations while on this course and will have to lean on each other in order to get through them. Learners will develop a range of interpersonal skills while on the course and will set some goals to achieve on the two day adventure. Man v Wild Students in Year 12 got a taste
of the outdoors and tested their survival skills around Arthur’s Pass. Students built shelters at base camp using axes and tree saws, some students took up the challenge to sleep under the stars. During the evening meal prep students were able demonstrate their Cordon Bleu skills making a camp chilli con carne . Day two was the ultimate challenge where students had to navigate a flowing river using the skills they had been taught, then traverse thick bush to their second camp on Bealey Summit. Students foraged for twigs and made a campfire. During the night several students chased possums who were trying to visit their tents! Amanda Almeida,
Publicity Officer, Rolleston College.
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Lyric Newton from Rolleston College crossing the river using skills she had been taught.
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
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As we move into Alert Level 3, Canterbury Police would like to remind members of the public to keep their property and valuables secure - even if you're at home. In the coming days, more people may be returning to work as we make the transition from Alert Level 4 to Level 3, and there are a number of simple measures that can be taken to keep your property safe. Doors and windows left open provide a perfect opportunity for thieves to snatch items without being detected. Even if you're at home make sure your phone, wallet, keys, cash and other valuables are secure and out of sight. If you're working in the garden or away from your front door, make sure your home is secure. Also make sure you keep valuable items away from
windows where they can be easily seen by passers-by. We also urge motorists to ensure their vehicles are locked as we begin to travel more frequently to and from work. Park in well-lit areas and lock your vehicle when leaving it. It’s also a time to keep security measures in mind while at work. Make sure the premises is secure when you leave and alarms are activated. Simple measures like these can help ensure a secure transition into Alert Level 3. Police offer the following advice to help keep your home and vehicles safe: • Lock your doors and windows. • Record the serial numbers of expensive electronic items and photograph these and other valuables. • Keep valuables out of sight. • Install an alarm system, get
sensor lights fitted. Keep garden sheds and garages locked when not in use. • Keep hedges or plants around doors and windows well-trimmed, don't give the burglar a place to hide. • Join or form a neighbourhood support group. • Always taking keys with you when you leave your vehicle. • Always locking your vehicle when you leave it. • Closing all windows, including sunroofs. • Parking in well-lit areas if possible. • Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. We urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 111. •
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Living in rural New Zealand, for many of us, means having to live in more of a self-sufficient manner than our urban counterparts. Trips to the shops are done weekly or fortnightly and usually planned with lengthy lists to avoid forgetting key ingredients. Water supply has to be sourced from a nearby stream, river, well or from roof collected water. We also have to find a way to manage domestic effluent within our property in a sustainable manner. Back in the day a hole was dug a suitable distance from the house and an outhouse building installed to manage our domestic effluent. Modern technology has advanced significantly since then. Now we have on-site waste water disposal systems which use natural bacteria and the cleansing properties in soils to remove anything harmful from our waste before it is discharged to land. The systems are so good these days, manufactures claim you could drink the end product (although I wouldn’t recommend testing their claim). Many councils will allow rural landowners to install certified wastewater systems without
criteria. However, one of the pitfalls of our planning environment is that as technology changes and improves, so too does our expectations as to the quality of our wastewater disposal systems. One recent example, was a client who wanted to undertake an extension to his house, and for all intents and purposes the extension could potentially be used as another bedroom. The extension required resource consent because it was too close to his neighbours boundary. As part of this Council needed evidence that the wastewater system could cope with potentially two more people living in the house, and also proof that the system met the 2012 standards. The wastewater system in this case was installed in the 90’s, and twenty years of technological advancement in wastewater treatment meant that there was very little chance his system would actually be up to scratch. Government requirements forced Council to make this landowner either upgrade his system or obtain further resource consents to meet the modern-day
threatened the viability of the whole project. What he thought was a very simple house extension turned into a potentially significant cost to meet standards and significant time delays. Fortunately, I was able to make him aware of this potential cost early on in the project, and we soon discovered that the actual costs of upgrading his system were minimal (some filters needed to be upgraded). He now has the confidence that when his children are playing in the front paddock, they are not at risk of anything seeping out of the ground. We have come a long way from the outhouses of our grandparents days, but as there is still a sense of self sufficient living in our rural communities, rural areas will be relying on onsite wastewater systems for many years to come. Making sure that our systems are not harmful to the environment we enjoy is the role our Councils are required to have. Making sure those in our rural communities are aware of the pitfalls of the planning system will remove the headache and anxiety of having to obtain reports and resource consents.
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On the first day, the Maker created the dog and said, “sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.” The dog said, “that's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?” And his Maker saw it was good. On the second day, the maker created the monkey and said, “entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty -year life span.” The monkey said, “monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?” And his Maker, again saw it was good. On the third day, the Maker created the cow and said, “you must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.” The cow said, “that's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?” And his Maker agreed it was good. On the fourth day, God created humans and said, “eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.” But the human said, “only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?” “Okay,” said their Maker, “you asked for it.” So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone!