February update from Hon Amy Adams

Hi John

The school year is now well underway and it is great to see so many students around Selwyn in their various bright and cheerful school uniforms once again.

In this newsletter I share my views on the recent Government announcement on infrastructure and what this means for Selwyn, as well as update you on some recent local events.

Selwyn needs more infrastructure funding

The Government’s recent announcement of infrastructure funding was very heavily weighted to North Island projects, with billions being allocated to Auckland but Canterbury and the rest of the South Island receiving only crumbs in comparison.

It is a relief that the New Zealand Transport Agency has finally committed to carrying out the safety improvements at the intersection of SH73 and Weedons Ross Rd in West Melton that local residents have been petitioning for. Unfortunately the start date for these works still appears to be some years away, meaning local residents will continue to face risks and delays for many years longer than should have been the case when these works were first determined to be necessary in 2017.

The announcement of upgrades to a number of intersections along State Highway 1 (SH1) between Burnham and Rolleston is welcome but these represent only a fraction of what is needed on this extremely busy stretch of highway. Overall, the amount of funding for projects here in Selwyn falls far short of what is required.

Proposed Waste Management facility near Prebbleton

I have been contacted by many members of the Prebbleton community who are extremely upset about the limited public notification that has occurred regarding a consent application relating to emissions from a proposed Waste Management facility on Marshs Road.

Local residents and businesses are very concerned about the impact the proposed plant’s discharges could have on them.

I have stated publicly that I believe that ECAN’s handling of this resource consent application was very poor. Given the high level of public concern on this issue, it is my strong view that ECAN should have included the wider Prebbleton community in its consultation, as recommended by the CDHB.

Instead, ECAN assessed that odour and air quality effects of the proposed activities at this site would be limited to 500 metres from the site, and used this as justification to restrict the number of parties consulted to a very small number.

The timing of the notification to affected parties just prior to the Christmas holiday period was also ill-judged and limited people’s ability to prepare submissions and seek professional advice.

Out and about in Selwyn

Family fun day in Malvern

On Waitangi Day I was delighted to be invited to attend and speak at the Malvern Family Fun Day in Darfield. This annual event is organised by the Two Rivers Community Trust and was a fantastic fun event for families of all ages with lots of free activities for young and old, including sack races, Lego building and an old-fashioned lolly scramble.

Making candy floss at the Malvern Family Day

Friends of Ellesmere Hospital Gala

The gala at Ellesmere Hospital, which was held on Sunday 9th February, was a great demonstration of the important role the Friends of Ellesmere Hospital play in raising funds for and continuing to advocate for this facility. As well as having historic significance to the district, Ellesmere Hospital is highly-valued because it enables the sick and elderly to be cared for in their own community with the support of family and friends around them.

At Ellesmere Hospital with Geoff Lill from the Friends of Ellesmere Hospital and National's 2020 candidate for Selwyn Nicola Grigg

Upcoming Events 

Coffee meetings 

I hold regular coffee meetings around Selwyn during the year. These meetings are an opportunity for people who live in my electorate of Selwyn to meet with me somewhere local and have a chat about any issues they would like to make me aware of or seek my help on.

Details of coffee meetings for next month are as follows:

Monday 2nd March

10.30am at Little River Cafe and Store, Little River

1.30pm at The Brasserie Kitchen and Bar, Akaroa

Monday 16th March

11.00am at Dunsandel Store, Dunsandel

1.00pm at Hororata Cafe, Hororata

Monday 30th March

11.00am at Tai Tapu Store, Tai Tapu

1.00pm at Coffee Culture, Lincoln

Please check my website closer to the date, as these dates can be subject to change due to unforeseen events.

Event for over 60s with guest speaker

I will be hosting a morning tea event for Selwyn residents aged over 60 on Friday 20th March commencing at 10.30am. The venue for the meeting is the West Melton Community and Recreation Centre located at 1163 West Coast Road in West Melton.

The guest speaker for this event is Mardi Postill from the Canterbury District Health Board who will be speaking about health services for older people in our region.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Sharon O’Callaghan in my office before Friday 13th March by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 03 344 0418.

I welcome your thoughts and feedback on all matters so be sure to contact me at a[email protected] or like my Facebook page www.facebook.com/MPAmyAdams and tell me what's on your mind.

Kind regards,

Hon Amy Adams
http://amyadams.national.org.nz/