If you see smoke, please pause before dialling 111 and ask yourself if it is really a reporting matter. Calling out the fire brigade is an expensive business – especially if it is unnecessary.

You should only dial 111 if a fire is clearly out of control. Otherwise, dial Environment Canterbury’s Pollution Hotline (03) 366 4663, if the fire is:

• in a restricted area (e.g. a town), or
• causing smoke nuisance

Fire risk is high

The hot dry weather may force us to put rural fire restrictions back on. In the meantime, before striking that match, please check our safe burning guidelines.

Have your say at a public meeting

In its Draft Annual Budget, to be released for public submissions on 24 March, the council will propose some rates increases for:

• Sewerage
• Swimming pools
• Water
• Refuse collection
• Reserves
• Libraries
• Community centres and halls

Although the economy is gradually improving, the council is mindful of the strain that rate increases might place on some ratepayers and is carefully considering which rates to increase and by how much.

Unfortunately some increases are necessary to ensure adequate funding for the services which the council provides to the community.

You are invited to a public meeting in your area to hear about and comment on the proposed rate changes.

Key discussion points will include:

• whether smaller rate increases spread over time are better than large catch-up increases; and
• a revised proposal for a Selwyn District Indoor Pool at Rolleston;.

For more information, contact Manager Corporate Services Douglas Marshall draft.budget@selwyn.govt.nz

Earth Hour, 27 March

Last year, 67% of Selwyn homes switched off their lights for Earth Hour to show concern about climate change and unsustainable energy consumption.

This year, we’d like to hear from anyone wanting to organise or collaborate with others on an “unplugged” Earth Hour event in your town. It could be a concert or social event, a business open day, candlelit dining or happy hours, star-gazing, bingo by candlelight, mummers by moonlight, etc.

Contact: Rowan Taylor on 347 2807 or 318 8338, or email earth.hour@selwyn.govt.nz

These days, new driveways must have drainage systems to stop rain and hose water from washing oil and other toxins into streams and groundwater. So, if you are putting in a new driveway, here are some things to watch for:

1. Driveway Covenants. Some new subdivisions have covenants on each property saying how the driveway must be constructed. Check to see if your property title has one.
2. Building Consents. By default, we include the driveway in building consents for new homes, garages, etc. But we can omit it if you wish. Just make sure to tell us, in your consent application, if you want the driveway left out.
3. Builder’s Contracts. If your consent includes the driveway, but there’s no mention of it in the builder’s contract, you could end up with a project that is deemed “incomplete”. This means that your new home will not get its Code Compliance Certificate until the driveway is done. So make sure it is in the builder’s contract.
4. The NZ Building Code. Even without a covenant or consent, your driveway must meet the code requirements. So, to avoid costly mistakes, check the code first, or ask us. Just call our Building Team on 347 2839 or 318 8338.

No more “sorry we’re fully booked it will have to be…”

Due to popular demand we have changed the way we handle building inspection bookings. Now, if you book before 3pm and one working day clear of the time you
want the inspection, we’ll guarantee that you get one.

To get a Wednesday inspection, for example, just ring us before 3pm on Monday.
For a Monday inspection, phone us before 3pm Thursday.

When booking, you will be asked if you want a morning or afternoon inspection. If you want a more specific time, an inspector may have to ring you back once the inspections for that day have been allocated.

All other aspects of booking building inspections stay the same, including the phone number – (03) 347 2839 (or 318 8338 if you’re on the Malvern exchange).
 

Selwyn’s free seminar programme for small businesses is paid for by NZ Trade and Enterprise and coordinated by the Selwyn District Council. The only cost is a $10 food and refreshment fee for seminars at Rolleston and Darfield.

To register for the following seminars, please contact our Business Training Advisor Julia Osselton at btadvisor@selwyn.govt.nz, ph. 347 2719 or fax 03 347 2799.

Seminars available

The new primary school in Rolleston has a school zone that encompasses the southern end of Rolleston township. The zone border is Edwards and Selwyn Roads in the south, Lincoln Rolleston Road in the east, and Brookside Road in the west. The northern edge of the zone is a little more complicated, cutting through the township residential area via Rolleston Drive, Rembrandt Drive, Michelangelo Drive and Tennyson Street.

The following maps indicate the school zone for the new primary school:

Complete school zone [JPG 691kb]

Northern edge of the school zone [JPG 703kb]

We are often asked for a copy of a street map of the Rolleston township, as it is growing rapidly and purchased maps can very quickly become out of date.

The maps commercially produced by the map book companies are very comprehensive and regularly updated, and we encourage all who require a good quality map of Rolleston to consider popping in to a service station or your local bookstore to pick up a copy.

However, we have had produced a double-sided one page map file which will show you the Rolleston streets and the location of some key points of interest.

Rolleston Street Map [PDF 350kb]

Notes to the map:

• Bernini Lane is incorrectly shown as Bernini Place on the map side, but is correctly listed on the index side. This will be corrected in the next printing.
• The Springfield Visitor Information Buro is the correct full name of this informative organisation.

Have you seen the billboards and school bus backs yet?

Remember “20 is Plenty” when passing a school bus that has stopped to let children on or off. This rule applies to traffic on both sides of the road.

As part of this campaign we have had a limited number of the above bumper stickers. If you are passionate about this issue too and would like to spread the word by having a sticker on your car, then please contact me, Carolyn Bennison, Ph 3472944.

Have you thought about using the Centre for your next function? We have a great lounge suitable for weddings, 21sts and club prizegivings, and a smaller room at the back, ideal for kids’ birthday parties.

The stadium is perfect for large functions, shows and larger club events .

Our rates are very reasonable so call the Centre on (03) 347-2882 to view or to book.

Statistics on Selwyn District are available at the Local Councils website. Information available is taken from the most recent Census.

You can find out about Selwyn's population, age profile, ethnicities, employment statuses, income levels, and various bits of info about households.

None of this data is identifying - it is all accumulated from the Census results by the Department of Internal Affairs.