Tuesday, Sept 17, 2019 Since Sept 27, 1879 Retail $2 Home delivered from $1.35 THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY SPORTS CAMPUS ‘Isolated, vilified’ P3 A BIG WIN BY SUE NEWMAN been aware of the project for about While the two developments were [email protected] three months, but had signed confiden- being planned and funded through the The $50 million sports campus planned tiality agreements until it was ready to Southern Parallel group, Kennedy said it for Lake Hood is the ultimate acknowl- launch. was his understanding they would oper- edgement of the lake development’s val- A deal is already on the table for the ate as separate entities. ue to the district, says chairman of the sale of the Lakehouse and an area for “I believe the developer of the lodge Lake Hood Extension Project (LHEP), the campus has been tagged on what has about 20 lodges around the world Graham Kennedy. is currently farmland beyond the stage already and this is where he wants to “This is absolutely fantastic news for eight residential development. It will run his New Zealand lodge,” he said. both Lake Hood and Ashburton. It is a include 20 homes as well as the sports Funding for both projects is intended huge endorsement of what has been campus. From nearby houses it will ap- to be confirmed by the end of the year created for the district at Lake Hood. It pear to be another residential develop- and Kennedy believes there is already is interesting that we often don’t recog- ment, Kennedy said. a funding commitment from American nise what we have until someone from “We always dreamed that some day interests that would bridge any gaps in outside tells us,” he said. something like this would happen,” he Kiwi fundraising. The Southern Sports Parallel team, said. “There’s a bit of water to go under fronted by Catherine Stuart, went pub- The LHEP owns both the Lakehouse the bridge yet and if they can pull this lic on Friday with their plans to build a and the land that will be bought for the off it will be fantastic for the lake and sports campus and to buy, renovate and sports campus and 20 houses. for the district and we wish Catherine extend the Lakehouse Restaurant com- The Lakehouse will be extended into and her team every success in finalising plex. the carparking area with an event centre their project. We’ll continue to support Something Its objective is to provide both physi- and a second level to be added and this her and her team and we’ll be doing cal and educational training for retiring will include about 20 accommodation everything we can to make sure this sports and military personnel to help in units. The area around the extension happens,” he said. D and E P15 their transition to civilian life and work. and Lakehouse would be extensively The Southern Parallel group will meet Kennedy said the LHEP group had landscaped. with Lake Hood residents tonight. Ph 03 307 7900 Mid Canterbury. to subscribe! That’s our Heartland. Earn 1.90%p.a. with Heartland’s Direct Call Account. Find out more at heartland.co.nz Direct Call Account terms and conditions apply. News 2 Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, September 17, 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz Candidates make bids for votes SUE NEWMAN [email protected] Candidates in this year’s local body elections had an opportu- nity to make a bid for votes yes- terday in a forum before a packed meeting room of Ashburton Dis- trict seniors. With elections for all three wards as well as the Ashburton mayoralty, candidates delivered well-prepared speeches and then were quick to take the opportuni- ty to answer questions. Four candidates were not on stage – mayoral candidate Tony Todd who is overseas, western ward candidate Evan Chisnall and two eastern ward candidates, sitting councillors Lynette Lovett and Mark Malcolm. Environment Canterbury coun- cillor Sarah Walters was also at the meeting. For the remaining three may- oral candidates, Donna Favel, Neil Brown and Leen Braam, all of whom are members of the cur- rent council, it became a contest of past experience, personal skill sets, heartfelt beliefs and promis- es for the future. Braam said his business skills would transfer to his role as may- or. He was a person who took Eastern ward candidate Stuart Wilson puts his case for re-election as an Ashburton District councillor at yesterday’s Ashburton everyone’s views into account and senior citizens’ meet-the-candidates afternoon. PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 160919-SN-0016 he said he felt strongly about clos- ing the urban and rural divide. “I enjoy using my skills to give “My desire is to be an enabler. the community to cut its cloth to to being open and transparent. I grand-dad around the table but back to the community and I be- If we get out of the people of this suit. Decisions need to be based believe the second bridge is in the you need age and experience. You lieve in commonsense and I offer district’s way, people will achieve,” on realism not idealism.” wrong place. In this term we’ve don’t need to be young and beau- clear independent thinking,” he she sad. John Falloon, urban ward – “I achieved a lot while keeping rates tiful, you need a cross section said. Thelma Bell, urban ward – “I have a strong focus on getting the at the third lowest in the country. around the council table.” Brown said that the urban and want to carry my experience into basics such as roading right. We I advocate for council to listen to Philip Rushton, eastern ward rural communities were separate, the next term of council. I am must ensure that rate increases the people.” – “My main objective is to drive but they were also together in that about integrating cultures and I are kept as low as possible. Every Diane Rawlinson, urban ward – costs down rather than asking for they depended on one another for have represented the Ashburton rates increase impacts on every “Roads and water are to the fore money.” survival. community well, including its person in the district. Council for me. When the CBD redevel- Roger Letham, western ward “I want what you want – a very many cultures.” might have the power to increase opment happens it will be very – “From the outside local gov- good place to live for our children Carolyn Cameron, urban ward rates but that doesn’t mean it exciting for the district. I believe ernment might look boring, but and our grandchildren. The dis- – “I am very committed to this should.” in connecting people with people it deals in the things that have to trict is in good heart and I want to town and the people of this town. Angus McKay, urban ward – “I and it is important to read all the be done – water, roads, sewage. keep rates as low as I can,” he said. If elected I wouldn’t always say have a passion for this district documents we receive.” If we get our infrastructure right, Favel said she took the skills aye, I would sometimes say no. and I’d like to see new industry Ash Shah, urban ward – “I al- private investment and economic learned in her business into her We need to tidy our town up and in this district. The council needs ways ask why we have a rate rise. benefits will follow.” role as current mayor. The job look after people in our town. This to listen to the community before We have to take into account peo- Liz McMillan, western ward – “I was a combination of chairman of is our town and it should meet our debating and deciding issues and ple on fixed incomes. Roading might be the youngest councillor the board, being advocate for the needs.” it needs to build on what past is always talked about but there on the team but I believe I have a community and a chairleader of Rochelle Castle-Wilson, urban generations have done. We need seems to be no magic answer.” lot to offer. Commonsense is what the district. Her focus was on the ward – “I want to see our com- a strong council making the best Stuart Wilson, eastern ward – is needed around the council ta- bottom line, on seeking oppor- munity grow and thrive. I’m for decisions.” “No matter where you’re elected ble, I make sure I read all the in- tunities and on the council being commonsense and fiscal pru- Selwyn Price, urban ward – in this district you take an oath to formation that’s available and I agile. dence. The council has a duty to “We’ve returned decision making represent everyone. I might be the makea sure my vote counts.” Bernina 475QE Ex-Symposium ONLY PRE-ORDER NOW $2,499 NONREFUNDABLE 10% DEPOSIT REQUIRED. MACHINES AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER 21, 2019. MACHINES CARRY A FULL BERNINA WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN SERVICED PRIOR TO SALE. MACHINE NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST. Save $700 * Conditions apply Open 7 Days | P 03 307 6277 | Main South Road, Tinwald | www.anniesquilts.co.nz News www.guardianonline.co.nz Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Ashburton Guardian 3 Gun owners feeling ‘isolated, vilified’ BY JAIME PITT-MACKAY [email protected] The Government has announced its second tranche of changes to firearms law, with an eye on en- suring responsible users have access to firearms and to stop the flow of guns into the black market, but some local firearms owners believe it is just adding to the unfair pressures being put on responsible firearms owners.