Inside this issue: A Day In The Life Of A Vet News In Brief Keeping Our Community Informed Long Term Plan Autumn Colours At Terrace Station
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Natured Inspired Art Exhibition 5 Darfield Garden Club Report Concern Over Nitrate Levels
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Historic Hororata New Wards, No Community Boards Watch Artists At Work
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9 Artists Unite For Support Community Shows Warmth and 9 Care 10 Government Update Visit To The Pines Resource 10 Park Literacy Begins With 11 Storytelling
She Loves Golf
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Well Done Jody
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Golf Results
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Public Notices
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Save The Date
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Classifieds
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Trades
1515 -16
Email Column
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ISSUE 1,132 Friday 26th April 2024
A COMMUNITY IN FEAR
When it rains heavily, it floods. That’s what comes to mind when Hororata residents hear storm rain in a forecast. Those who live in the areas prone to flooding struggle with sleeping easy at night with the knowledge that there are major issues with nearby streams that are blocked with willows, shingle, and debris. Concerned community spokes - people Dave Askin and Mike Davies want effective action. The community is frustrated with the inadequate responses from the Selwyn District Council (SDC), Environment Canterbury (ECan) and the Department of Conservation (DoC). “We all know that climate experts tell us to expect bigger storms with more damaging floods,” says Dave. “So, it beggars belief that almost nothing is being done to reduce the flood risk for Hororata. It wasn’t always like this.” In the past, the waterways were kept clear of shingle and willows by a catchment board
where qualified officers were trusted to work with landowners and contractors. “That’s long ago,” says Dave. “Think 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Some of those contractors still live in the area and they are surprised and dismayed at the lack of action to prevent flood disasters, even when nature has given us examples of flood damage up north.” He says that families in Hororata fall between three ‘all-powerful’ agencies – ECan, DoC and SDC. “A key controlling document is the Land and Water Regional Plan with hundreds of pages of regulations that limit what anyone can do to increase flow in rivers, thereby reducing flood risk.” He says that DoC is more concerned about mudfish than people and their homes; ECan has no budget for the Hororata streams; and SDC has shown over the years that they also have inadequate budget and commitment to the community’s flooding needs.
Asked to comment, Councillor Lydia Gliddon says, “I have been working with Dave and Mike over the past 18 months to seek solutions for Hororata. Currently, SDC is working through what operating to Ecan’s code of practice looks like instead of needing a costly and time-consuming resource consent to undertake works in the riverbed. Ecan’s Long Term Plan also aims to address a lot of the issues here around rating for river protection including gravel extraction and willow removal.” She says she is dedicated to finding a solution for the
Hororata residents; residents’ homes and livelihood should be a priority. In the meantime, Hororata residents live in fear that the next heavy rainfall may end in another disastrous flood, affecting their health, homes, and livelihoods. They say they continue to feel the pain of fear and frustration that so little is done before an event. “Sandbags feel entirely inadequate.” Look out for updates on Facebook – The Official Hororata Community Page.
Out of frustration, a group of concerned Hororata locals recently banded together to do some tree clearing work in the Hororata river to help reduce future flooding issues in the township. Locals are sick of waiting for the Council, DoC and ECan to act before the next big flood.