What's happening in your community... Opening Hours King's Birthday We hope you have an enjoyable long weekend. The following changes to Council services and facilities apply for King's Birthday. Council Service Centres will be closed on Monday and reopen on Tuesday 6 June. Libraries will be closed on King's Birthday, reopening on Tuesday 6 June Kerbside rubbish and recycling will be collected as normal on King's Birthday. Southbrook Resource Recovery Park open as normal on King's Birthday with Oxford Transfer Station closed as usual Aquatic Facilities will be open 10am-7pm on King's Birthday Land Purchase for Future Wetland and Recreation Reserve The Council is excited to announce it has purchased a property with significant potential for ecological and recreational development between Kalapoi and Rangiora The newly acquired land is an 8Sha block between Lineside and Revells Roads which is prone to flooding Following heavy rain, water becomes trapped in the basin like land and for years it has been colloquially referred to by locals as "Lake Lineside". Now under Council ownership, it is hoped a proportion of the land could be retired from commercial operation and reverted to ephemeral wetland (an area that is periodically a wetland, and dry other times) in the future. Over the next one to two years, while investigations are underway to determine the best use of the site, Council intends to offset the running costs by generating revenue from the land through a lease or license. This means it will have little to no cost to ratepayers. Mayor Dan Gordon says it is very early days, but the unique opportunity the land provided was too good to pass up. "Blocks of land like this do not come up very often so when it did Council seized the opportunity to purchase it In last year's Council Customer Satisfaction Survey more than 70 percent of respondents said it was important for the Council to be active in responding to climate change. Council also received feedback in the survey calling for more green areas, larger parks, and recreational areas. Residents called for Council to show leadership by prioritising climate change, sustainability, and environmental protection "Reverting the site from operational farming land to wetland in the future, will help reduce the sediment getting into the Kalapol River and improve the water quality of the river. "As our District grows, it could also create a wonderful, natural recreational area in the District," Mayor Gordon says. "I was approached by passionate members of the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee. Former Chair Michael Blackwell, who was unwell and in hospital phoned me and other elected members to ask that we seriously look at obtaining this land WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL *Following this Council did investigate. Michael was delighted to learn that the Council had purchased the land. Sadly, Michael passed away recently. It is a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to his community and was passionate about the environment that Council was able to purchase this land and investigate its potential as a possible future wetland and recreation reserve. Mapping information provided by Environment Canterbury shows there are remnant wetlands already on site. Council ecologist Dr Bex Dollery says under Council ownership, there would an opportunity to further enhance these. "This parcel of land is a glimmer of hope for something that could be quite amazing for the Waimakariri District in the future." Dr Dollery says "We have the opportunity to increase biodiversity. mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide better recreation for our residents." Dr Bex Dollery says purchasing the 85ha of land on one of the main arterial routes into Rangiora provides an opportunity for the land to be a natural reserve in a highly visible location. She says it will also be significantly beneficial to the vegetation and fauna in the area. General Manager for Community and Recreation Chris Brown says the Council will consult and work with the wider community as well as partners Ngai Tuhuriri and Environment Canterbury to work out the best possible use for this land. starting June 2023 IS YOUR ORGANISATION ON TRACK? Help your community organisation ensure it is on track to success. This six part series is ideal for board or committee members, managers or sole employees. Geven Strategic is Operational Planning For more details and registration visit waimakaringovt.nz/ontrack or contact Wendy Howe 021 432 028/wendy.howemk.govt.nz Free Digital Skills Classes Introduction to Smart Phones Rangiora Library Tuesday 6 June 10-11.30am. Oxford Library Monday 12 June 10-11.30am Bookings essential steppingup.nz 03 311 8901 Libraries A tip to make sure your bin is emptied... Over packing your bin and squashing everything down may stop items falling out when in emptied-make sure they're loose, especially Find out more collection tips at rethinkrubbish.co.nz rethink rubbish rethinkrubbish.co.nz waimakariri.govt.nz What's happening in your community ... Opening Hours King's Birthday We hope you have an enjoyable long weekend . The following changes to Council services and facilities apply for King's Birthday . Council Service Centres will be closed on Monday and reopen on Tuesday 6 June . Libraries will be closed on King's Birthday , reopening on Tuesday 6 June Kerbside rubbish and recycling will be collected as normal on King's Birthday . Southbrook Resource Recovery Park open as normal on King's Birthday with Oxford Transfer Station closed as usual Aquatic Facilities will be open 10 am-7pm on King's Birthday Land Purchase for Future Wetland and Recreation Reserve The Council is excited to announce it has purchased a property with significant potential for ecological and recreational development between Kalapoi and Rangiora The newly acquired land is an 8Sha block between Lineside and Revells Roads which is prone to flooding Following heavy rain , water becomes trapped in the basin like land and for years it has been colloquially referred to by locals as " Lake Lineside " . Now under Council ownership , it is hoped a proportion of the land could be retired from commercial operation and reverted to ephemeral wetland ( an area that is periodically a wetland , and dry other times ) in the future . Over the next one to two years , while investigations are underway to determine the best use of the site , Council intends to offset the running costs by generating revenue from the land through a lease or license . This means it will have little to no cost to ratepayers . Mayor Dan Gordon says it is very early days , but the unique opportunity the land provided was too good to pass up . " Blocks of land like this do not come up very often so when it did Council seized the opportunity to purchase it In last year's Council Customer Satisfaction Survey more than 70 percent of respondents said it was important for the Council to be active in responding to climate change . Council also received feedback in the survey calling for more green areas , larger parks , and recreational areas . Residents called for Council to show leadership by prioritising climate change , sustainability , and environmental protection " Reverting the site from operational farming land to wetland in the future , will help reduce the sediment getting into the Kalapol River and improve the water quality of the river . " As our District grows , it could also create a wonderful , natural recreational area in the District , " Mayor Gordon says . " I was approached by passionate members of the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee . Former Chair Michael Blackwell , who was unwell and in hospital phoned me and other elected members to ask that we seriously look at obtaining this land WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL * Following this Council did investigate . Michael was delighted to learn that the Council had purchased the land . Sadly , Michael passed away recently . It is a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to his community and was passionate about the environment that Council was able to purchase this land and investigate its potential as a possible future wetland and recreation reserve . Mapping information provided by Environment Canterbury shows there are remnant wetlands already on site . Council ecologist Dr Bex Dollery says under Council ownership , there would an opportunity to further enhance these . " This parcel of land is a glimmer of hope for something that could be quite amazing for the Waimakariri District in the future . " Dr Dollery says " We have the opportunity to increase biodiversity . mitigate the impacts of climate change and provide better recreation for our residents . " Dr Bex Dollery says purchasing the 85ha of land on one of the main arterial routes into Rangiora provides an opportunity for the land to be a natural reserve in a highly visible location . She says it will also be significantly beneficial to the vegetation and fauna in the area . General Manager for Community and Recreation Chris Brown says the Council will consult and work with the wider community as well as partners Ngai Tuhuriri and Environment Canterbury to work out the best possible use for this land . starting June 2023 IS YOUR ORGANISATION ON TRACK ? Help your community organisation ensure it is on track to success . This six part series is ideal for board or committee members , managers or sole employees . Geven Strategic is Operational Planning For more details and registration visit waimakaringovt.nz/ontrack or contact Wendy Howe 021 432 028 / wendy.howemk.govt.nz Free Digital Skills Classes Introduction to Smart Phones Rangiora Library Tuesday 6 June 10-11.30am . Oxford Library Monday 12 June 10-11.30am Bookings essential steppingup.nz 03 311 8901 Libraries A tip to make sure your bin is emptied ... Over packing your bin and squashing everything down may stop items falling out when in emptied - make sure they're loose , especially Find out more collection tips at rethinkrubbish.co.nz rethink rubbish rethinkrubbish.co.nz waimakariri.govt.nz