Nor'West News: February 13, 2018

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4 Tuesday February 13 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News McMaster & Heap Veterinary practice Charity work For a while now, Steve and I have helped out charity organizations in Christchurch. We are involved with CPL, redzonecats and more recently the SPCA. We all really enjoy the involvement and working relationship we have with these organizations, ensuring that these animals get “Gold” Standard treatment and care in our hospital, just like any of our pets would receive. Megan and a tabby kitten in for desexing. What has amazed me is the total commitment , kindness and compassion the inspectors, fosterers, vets and carers we have dealt with have for these homeless, sick and often abused animals. Many of these people work voluntarily. It is not an easy job, physically or emotionally. They see a lot of things we shouldn’t have to be exposed to. They often transform their homes to cater for the fast growing number of cats to care for. They do the very best in terms of nutrition and pet care. They genuinely care and want to improve the life and health for this animal. Working with the CPL means we mainly desex, microchip and vaccinate kittens who are living with fosterers until they are ready to be put up for adoption. One of the best parts of our day is cuddling these kittens – all are so cute and huggable. Robyn who we liase with, has worked tirelessly and voluntarily for over 25 years for the CPL and is just one of the kindest most generous people I know. She makes a huge difference in the lives of those kittens and has a dedicated team of fosterers to help. CPL kittens awaiting their surgery. Redzonecats also do a remarkable job, a job no one else was prepared to do, in that they carefully monitor and trap stray cats in earthquake redzoned areas and endeavor to find their previous owners or socialize and rehome these cats to loving families. Many of these cats have been alone and “just surviving” since 2011 and Open 7 days Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place phone 338 2534, Fax 339 8624 e. mcmasterandheap@yahoo.co.nz www.mcmasterheap.co.nz so are difficult for us to handle without sedation. Initially we check these cats for FIV and FeLV ( Feline Aids or Feline leukemia Virus) and if they test negative we will often desex and vaccinate these cats, perform dentistry on mouths that require it, and groom or xray where appropriate. These cats are given a fantastic chance and we all treat them with respect, kindness and humility. We love helping out Jane and her cats. Another outstanding woman who genuinely cares about animals. Recently we have started working alongside the SPCA. This has been particularly rewarding diagnosing and treating these animals to the best of our ability and providing them with a level of kindness and care they often haven’t experienced before. The SPCA inspectors we deal with are a wonderful bunch of passionate, gentle people who are solely dedicated to helping improve the lives of the animals in their care. We examine sick and uplifted animals, provide diagnostics such as xrays, blood testing and ultrasounds where necessary and we provide intensive care monitoring if needed. Due to being open 7 days, the weekends can often be busy checking out SPCA patients and providing a treatment plan. We even see tortoises - here Kirsty is performing a hind leg amputation to save its life. Steve and I are very proud to be associated with the above organizations and we have met some fabulous people along the way, who all share our views that a pets’ life is just as important as our own, and these special furry friends of ours should be treated and cared for exactly the same. We are all headed in the same direction whereby we want to decrease animal abuse and abandonment by way of providing the correct education to people, care that is affordable and showing respect and kindness to everyone, regardless of where they come from. Everyone does deserve the love and companionship of owning a pet but it’s not a decision to be taken lightly and the correct advice and education from us as health professionals is vitally important for a successful outcome. Dr Michele McMaster For more information on the work these organizations do and if you are looking at adopting a pet please visit their websites – redzonecats.org.nz, cats.org.nz and spcacanterbury.org.nz McMaster & Heap Overflowing bins ‘frustrate’ •From page 1 Mr Adams said just like the Sumner beaches, the “elephant” park is used more frequently in summer and the bins are overflowing every week. Saturday and Sundays nights are the worst before the bin is cleared on Monday morning, Mr Adams said. He said the windy summer has meant litter has blown around the park. “When they clear it, they only pick up rubbish around the bin. It can go for miles if it’s really blowing.” City council operations manager neighbourhood and sports parks Al Hardy said the number of times the three bins at the park are cleared was increased to four times a week over summer. “A programme for regular visits is put in place. Where a call is received outside what is planned, contractors will then organise to empty the bins concerned.” But Mr Adams said that is not enough. He has contacted the city council on multiple occasions via telephone, email and its Snap Send Solve app CLEAN UP: Graham Adams took this photo of rubbish piling up at Bishopdale Park last week. to report overflowing bins in the park. Mr Hardy said the city council had received five complaints about overflowing bins in the last year. Mr Adams said it was not “rocket science” to see that the bins needed to be bigger. He said he spoke to someone from the city council parks team about the idea. “They assured me it would be done.” But Mr Hardy said there was no report of a request for larger bins. “Just reports of overflowing bins.” Signs for my petition to support the Christchurch Northern motorway extension from Belfast to Pegasus have gone up around the electorate. Last year, National committed to the next tranche of major roading projects to support the growth of our regions. These build on the success of projects like our Western Belfast Bypass. We know it is through integrated traffic solutions that we can move our motorists through our regions smoothly. We need a firm commitment from Government that these projects will go ahead as promised in Budget 2017 and that funding from the National Land Transport Fund is not diverted to rail projects in Auckland. Sign my petition at www.mattdoocey.national.org.nz/ save_the_christchurch_northern_ motorway Ensuring our region of Canterbury is resourced for its regeneration and growth is my priority and as Funded by Parliamentary Service and authorised by Matt Doocey MP, Level 1, Conway Lane, Rangiora. NOR’WEST NEWS He said the city council’s contractors would recommend if a larger bin was required, but had not in the case of Bishopdale. And he said each site is monitored individually according to its needs and the city council regularly reviews complaints and monitors the number of times bins are cleared. “The need to adjust the frequency of emptying bins, pending events within the park, general park usage, sports use and seasonal changes,” he said. Spokesperson for Christchurch Regeneration I am looking forward to joining my fellow Canterbury MPs for a robust discussion at the Piano: Centre for Music and Arts in Armagh Street on 12 February as we talk about where we see the future for our region. As a Canterbury MP, I want to make certain that South Island representation is strong when decisions are made in Parliament. The first of my community discussions on our shared experiences around mental health kicks off on 26 March in the Rangiora Town Hall at 7.30pm. Paul Lynch, author of “Suicide; Aftermath and Beyond” will challenge our current approach to suicide and the Mental Health team at the Canterbury Rural PHO will be on hand to streamline people on how to access help. We are all in this together.
NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Tuesday February 13 2018 5 Study into Cranford St traffic • By Julia Evans THE IMPACT the $240 million Northern Corridor will have on Cranford and Sherbourne Sts is being investigated. THe city council has appointed an independent expert to manage the predicted downstream effect of an increase in traffic through St Albans and Edgeware into Bealey Ave as part of the major roading project. Cranford Shane Turner St will be extended to four lanes, which will narrow to two at McFaddens Rd. City council manager planning and delivery transport Lynette Ellis said as part of the Northern Arterial and Cranford St upgrade the city council has to undertake a Downstream Effects Management Plan. “This management plan is to ensure the downstream effects of the Northern Corridor and Cranford St upgrade are appropriately managed and assess the existence, nature and extent of increased traffic on streets adjoining Cranford St,” Ms Ellis said. A management plan was included as part of the resource consent for the Northern Corridor granted by the Environment Court. The city council has had to appoint an independent expert to assess how increased traffic will impact on the surrounding road network, Ms Ellis said. The city council has named transport consultant Shane CONGESTION: The city council is putting together a downstream plan to deal with a predicted increase in traffic through Cranford St onto Bealey Ave. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN Turner from traffic engineering firm Stantec. Dr Turner has begun working on a report that will determine a series of possible measures which will mitigate those impacts. Ms Ellis said he was chosen for his expertise in the field and because he was not conflicted in terms of any previous involvement of the project or with competing projects in the area. “This work, informed by traffic modelling, will be crossreferenced to traffic counts and a monitoring regime,” Ms Ellis said. The city council will also begin engaging with “key stakeholders” and the local community to determine any potential solutions they would like to see in the management plan. “The city council will operate a monitoring regime to examine impacts post construction – ensuring measures that are put in place do work,” Ms Ellis said. Local News Now In Brief Fire rages, homes at risk CONSULTATION DELAY Public consultation on restrictions to help solve Canterbury University parking issues will continue after a delay because the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board and Halswell- Hornby-Riccarton Community Board wanted to get the university involved in the process. The affected area runs from Straven Rd through to Avonhead Rd and is being reviewed in five major parts. ‘NO’ TO PLAYGROUND PLAN Former playgrounds at St Andrew’s College will not be going to Muka Park in Marshland. The Coastal- Burwood Community Board decided against adopting the plan from teacher and Preston resident Kate Taylor. The board felt there are already numerous play equipment and exercise equipment items available to replace the removed flying fox and encouraged Mrs Taylor to consider other location options for the equipment. GRANT FOR STUDENT Christchurch Boys’ High School student Louie Chapman has been granted $150 by the Papanui-Innes Community Board to go towards competing in the World Schools’ Rugby Festival in South Africa. Louie and the CBHS first XV are flying to Paarl to compete in April. Sunday February 18 th 11am - 3pm • Displays & activities for all ages • Learn local history of the Styx River catchment, native forest restorations, Maori medicinal plants & water quality monitoring. • Get up close to local wildlife in 8ha of native plants, lakes & ponds Come & explore one of Christchurch’s brand new regional parks with the Styx Living Laboratory Trust. 303 Radcliffe Rd (next to Zealandia Nursery) www.thestyx.org.nz Wedding? Visit Smith and Boston today! Host Families Required NZIIU require host families for Japanese and Thai students, 13 - 25 March and 15 April – 6 May, attending a programme run by NZIIU at Papanui High School. Board of $250.00 p/week applies for one student or $480.00 for a double placement. To register your interest please contact Lana: 323 7272 or 022 109 1229 SMITH & BOSTON Prebbleton Village | Christchurch Ph: 03 349 5646 www.smithandboston.co.nz Materials and classes Brother Sewing Machines 402A Main North Road Redwood - Christchurch 03 595 2641 Follow us on Facebook
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