Feedback on roading again failed to meet council expectations last year. “We were disappointed to see satisfaction with roads decrease on the previous year, especially given the additional $3m we have budgeted for our network over the last three years to maintain levels of service,” council chief executive Hamish Riach said.
Ashburton District Council/Stuff
Ashburton District Councillor Stuart Wilson shakes hands with HEB Construction Ltd Contract Manager Conrad Mclean following completed road upgrades near Hinds. HEB Construction repaired nearly a kilometre of “poor ground conditions” on Isleworth Rd, near Hinds. More than half of the stretch of road had to be dug out and replaced.
The Rangitata Awa in flood in 2019.
Photo: Supplied / Flickr
An update was provided to the council last week on the Rangitata Awa Restoration Project, where concerns were expressed on both the makeup and transparency of the associated working groups on the project.
The formation of the group last year was largely spurred by major flooding of the Canterbury river in December 2019 and the need for further engagement from iwi on future flood protection.
It was part of government-funded $2.7 million regional council work programme for work to mitigate flood risk, further investigations, and future and environmental enhancement works.
The steering group comprises of representatives from Te Runanga o Arowhenua, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Environment Canterbury (ECan), Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and the Timaru and Ashburton District Councils.