Southern View: May 29, 2018

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6 Tuesday May 29 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News Scarborough Dippers not afraid of the cold • By Sarla Donovan THE STARS are still visible above Pegasus Bay when Kerry Newton dips her toes into the waves lapping at Scarborough’s steps. It’s just after 7am on a Friday morning, and there’s an autumn chill in the air. Eight others have joined her this morning, including firsttimer Robin Dawson who has driven over from Lyttelton. The group down Coffee Culture takeaways before shedding their puffer jackets and wading out gingerly, chatting amongst themselves. There’s no squealing or shouting as one by one they disappear under the 12 deg C water, some freestyling off towards the tangerine horizon. In 10min they’re all back, climbing up the stairs to dry off and carry on with their day. “It’s bracing,” grins Robin, who has a few triathlons under his belt. And though the weather isn’t always so kind, most of the group will be back next Friday. They’re hard core. The Scarborough Dippers started last July when Kerry, an accountant, decided instead of ‘Dry July’ she’d do ‘Wet July.’ She and a small group of friends pledged to swim every morning for the entire month. They raised about $1200 for marine protection charity Project Jonah. “I myself said I’d donate $10 STUDY @ SIT CHRISTCHURCH Lizard sanctuary for lower Heathcote River LIZARDS SHOULD feel right at home in a new sanctuary within Ferrymead Park. To encourage biodiversity in a river zone, the Heathcote- Opawaho Lizard Sanctuary is being developed alongside the lower Heathcote River. WELCOME: McCanns skinks are being set up with a new home for lizards in Ferrymead. for every day I went in but as a punishment it would be $50 if I missed a day; that was my encouragement not to miss. So I donated $310 because I went every day.” About four of them managed to do it and they’ve continued to swim together since, though on a weekly rather than a daily basis. “Once we finished, we got addicted,” Kerry says. “We thought, we’ve got to continue. So we decided to do it once a week on Friday. Once July comes ENROL NOW FOR SEMESTER TWO ª Vocational Pathways Construction and Infrastructure - Construction (Level 2) - Starting 11 June 2018 ª New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3) - Starting 11 July 2018 ª New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills - Carpentry (Level 3) - Starting 22 August 2018 Call today or email sit@sit.ac.nz North Canterbury Forest & Bird and the city council parks unit have signed a memorandum of understanding enabling the development. City council parks ranger Pieter Borcherds said the new agreement builds on a successful relationship with the adjacent Calder Green Reserve. “It also signals a strong commitment to working in an important estuarine ecosystem.” again we’ll do it every day.” Others have joined and there’s now a Facebook group with about 30 members. Cathe Grater was one of the original ‘Wet July’ four and says the experience was transformational. “That month is life changing. You get out there, it’s completely quiet other than us and we just laugh. You could be in the worst mood, but whatever is going on in your life you walk out there and it just changes your perspective.” It is hoped that the specially designed habitat will encourage more lizards to settle next to the riverside walkway from Ferrymead Heritage Park to the Tunnel Rd bridge in Woolston. The planned low-growing plants and rock piles will add to the local biodiversity by providing both food sources and shelter from predators. Work on the sanctuary got under way on Sunday with a “It is cold. But other than a few crab bites it’s mainly just such a mental discipline and challenge. We keep it sort of meditative because you have to adjust; without going above the kidney line you just walk out and hang out there as long as you can until we go under. We’re in togs not wetsuits and if it’s winter and you get under that nine degrees it can be quite dangerous if you get chilled in the back. We’ve tried double dipping in winter but it gives you an ice headache.” SOUTHERN VIEW community planting day. The project will feature signage that encourages planting of trees and scrubs which enhance the habitat for native birds and lizards. Calder Green Reserve manager Mick Ingram said the sanctuary targets the protection and enhancement of indigenous flora and fauna through ongoing “restoration planting” by the river. CHILLED: The Scarborough Dippers at their early morning ocean swim. The water temperature was 12 deg C. From left to right – Wayne Simmons, Sue Elliot, Sandra Taylor, Bee Rueder, Cathe Grater, Robin Dawson, Kathrin Mueller, David Bennett and Kerry Newton PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER “The warmer months are nothing, you get out there, have a laugh but in winter it takes discipline to get out of bed especially when it’s raining. But you do it – and nothing else matters. It’s beautiful, it’s always different. Usually in winter there’s no waves, everything is still and you see all kinds of things. We have George our dolphin and we have a seal that come and visits.” “You’ve got to go and do it to understand. It’s life-changing, it’s amazing.” 0800 TO STUDY www.sit.ac.nz
SOUTHERN VIEW Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Tuesday May 29 2018 7 Stepping stone in Quarryman’s Trail THE FIRST stage of a cycle route that will eventually connect Halswell and the central city is nearing completion with the last few intersections and crossings opening soon. Construction work started on the Quarryman Trail cycleway last October. The first 4.6km stage of the route, from Moorhouse Ave to Victors Rd, is expected to be finished by the end of June. In the next few weeks, traffic signals will be turned on at two new intersections and two new controlled crossings for cyclists and pedestrians. A pedestrian and cyclist crossing from Rydal St to Sparks Rd near Hoon Hay School became operational last week. Signals at the Lyttelton St and Sparks Rd intersection will be open from May 28 and traffic lights will go on at Sparks Rd and Hoon Hay Rd from June 5. Another pedestrian and cyclist crossing has been built at the intersection of Barrington St and Strauss St and this will open in June, once the new shared path connecting Roker St and Barrington St is finished. The contractors, Isaac Construction Ltd, have completed the intersection upgrades using ‘deep lift asphalt’. This is a CHRISTCHURCH South Toy Library is taking part in a national toy library awareness week. Toy Library Awareness week runs until Sunday. There are nearly 200 local toy libraries across New Zealand supporting families and children by providing access to a wide range of toys, games, and puzzles for hire. For many families, hiring toys gives their children access to items that are not easily affordable to buy, and allows children to come to a library and explore all the different toys relatively new technique where the asphalt is a thicker layer than usual and allowed faster construction. It is also stronger and more long-lasting, reducing future maintenance, the city council said. Contractor Fulton Hogan has worked on the section of the Quarryman’s Trail between Moorhouse Ave and Roker St which is already open, and includes two new and three upgraded intersections. The final stage of the cycleway, from Victors Rd to Te Hapua in on offer. Christchurch South Toy Library recently relocated from Spreydon School to a new, temporary home at Addington Raceway. Open two mornings a week – Friday and Saturday – there is a large area with many toys for members to peruse. Members say they like the new space and the way the toys are displayed. Children can explore the toys and try them out in a safe and welcoming environment. It is proven that play is an essential component of child development and many schools Halswell, will be constructed at a later date subject to funding availability. The city council’s planning and delivery transport manager Lynette Ellis, says the new intersections will benefit motorists as well as improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists. “They will help ease congestion, particularly at peak times at the busy intersections of Lyttelton St and Sparks Rd and at Hoon Hay Rd and Sparks Rd which were previously roundabouts and now have signals. The are incorporating play as a tool to support learning in the classroom. The library has dress up and role playing toys such as doctor’s kits, play kitchens and cash registers, all of which are considered good for the brain. Studies say that the act of staying in character strengthens kids’ discipline and impulsecontrol, and promotes the social skills they’ll need as adults. Hiring from a toy library is also a great way to care for the environment. It is estimated that more than 25 per cent of toys thrown away NEARLY FINISHED: Cycle lanes being constructed at the Sparks Rd and Lyttelton St intersection. zebra crossing outside Hoon Hay School has been replaced with pedestrian signals which will make it much safer for children.” Long term, the cycle route will provide a safe way for people to commute between Halswell and the central city, she says. The Quarryman’s Trail is part of a network of Major Cycle Routes, being built across the city by the city council to link shopping centres, businesses, schools, parks and popular recreation destinations. Toy library celebrates at Addington base each year go straight into the rubbish bin. The library is open Friday, 9.30-noon, and Saturday, 9- 11.30am, at the Twiggers Stand at Addington Raceway. Visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ChristchurchSouthToyLibrary or www.southtoys.co.nz for parking details and more information about memberships. Or call librarian Karen on 027 714 1335 for more information. •Mention you’ve seen this article and get a $5 toy credit. HORNCASTLE ARENA June 29 - July 1 10AM - 5PM TICKETS ONLINE: starhomeshow.kiwi Outcry forces ECan bus route rethink •From page 1 The Rapaki section of the route will be serviced three times in the morning and three times in the evening by an extended version of the 28 Lyttelton bus. During a deliberation meeting on Wednesday, councillor Cynthia Roberts said she wanted staff to re-look at dropping the 535. “I really would like staff to have a look again at the opportunity for the 535 that went through Ferrymead. . .There is quite a substantial group of people who are interested in this route,” she said. Councillors have asked for staff to further consider the best solution for the 535. The 145 route from Westmorland to Barrington Mall will be retained and extended into the CBD. The service will have a half-hourly frequency during peak times and less frequent services off-peak. The section of the 145 between St Martins and Eastgate will still be discontinued. However, ECan public transport senior manager Stewart Gibbon said a school service is being considered for Cashmere High school students who use the 145. ECan announced in February it was considering cutting the routes to plug a $4 million funding shortfall. The news prompted outrage. The plan would be funded by a 2.5 per cent increase in fares annually for the next three years, starting in July.” There were 781 submissions on the draft LTP, with the majority of those on public transport options. Mr Gibbon said if approved, the changes would come into effect in October. The decision now lies in the hands of councillors who will approve the final LTP in June. Bus patronage has not fully recovered following the February 22, 2011, earthquake. •HAVE YOUR SAY: Are you happy with ECan’s compromise? Will you still be affected? Send your views to julia.evans@starmedia.kiwi BRIGGS AUTO SERVICE LET US SERVICE yOUR VEhICLE And REdUCE yOUR RUnnInG COSTS your local trusted automotive service and repair specialists 332-0140 | 242 Barrington Street Kerry Briggs | Blair Shewan Meet Ruth at the Te Hapua ¯ Halswell Centre Café 2-3pm Friday 8 June Phone 09 376 4512 porthills.mp@parliament.govt.nz Tree Lined Street - Your New Address? 16 Wilding Street, St Martins | Listing Number: BE193030 3 1 1 1 Auction 31 May 2018 Unless Sold Prior This classic weatherboard home is located in the heart of leafy St Martins along a tree-lined street where your environment will mark the changes of season with colour and charm. Sitting on a generous 650sq m section the modest 1940’s bungalow is well maintained with fresh exterior paint in modern neutral tones. Inside, open plan living and dining opens into a galley style kitchen with a centrally located wood burner easily warming the whole area. A separate laundry room is adjacent to the kitchen and opens directly outdoors. There are three bedrooms and a bathroom with full sized bath and shower above. Light interior décor and plenty of sun give a fresh feel to the rooms. There is a single garage with good off street parking options and additional shed and/or workshop space. The sizeable section is well fenced with a vege patch and plenty of established trees and shrubs. Those with a passion for home improvement will see some easy opportunities here to add value in this popular and sought after area. In zone for Cashmere High School and St Martins primary and in a lovely peaceful spot, investment here is likely to keep everyone smiling - even the bank manager. Your agent, Your home, Your future LICENSED SALES CONSULTANT REAA 2008 P 027 777 0411
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