I really hope stuff posts this comment of mine.I need another licence to operate activities at Akaroa on cruise ship days. But the council wont give me one.I have made a Local Govrrnment Official Information and Meetings Act request as to why they will not issue another licence.Not only that, I have written to Lianne Dalziel bringing to her attention that the council executive have made a policy decision when it is a matter for the elected members. I am awaiting replies to both.And the council comes out with a new campaign. They cant get right what they are meant to be doing now. It is simply a hopeless situation. The people pushing these projects seem not to be aware of what the situation really is. They seem so disconnected from the real world of business. I think they exist in a bubble of their own.
It seems I am missing something here.The mayor has stated that she wants an independent inquiry into what happened.If there has been a mistake it will simply be corrected. Natural justice will see to that.But to say that the council has to wait five years to correct something when an independent inquiry has not sat and determined what the chain of events were, is very odd indeed.
There is a fundamental flaw in the interpretation and application of the Local Government Act. As councils have it, the Chief Executive runs the whole council. It is the Chief Executive who appoints the Executive Committee. Those members of the Executive committee are only answerable to the Chief Executive. Too much power is concentrated in the Chief Executive.If the Chief Executive has a certain political agenda, and that agenda finds favour with the Executive Committee, then you have a classic yes minister. So how to make it better? Firstly a Chief Executive should only be appointed for a three year term to end two months after the council elections. An incoming council should then decide on whether the Chief Executive is retained or let go. Secondly there is nothing to stop the council from adopting a policy of having all Executive Committee members being directly answerable to the elected members.The complete separation of Governance and management has been a blight on the world over the past 25 years. The two should never be entirely separated. The same applies to the commercial private sector.There was once a time when a business would have a Managing Director. He or she would normally be the major shareholder and was proactive across the divide of management and governance. They knew what was going on. The same should apply to councils.If I was ever to be elected as Mayor, I would be the Managing Mayor.
The problem with this story is that it is incomplete.Every single manager in the council should be named in relation to who personally granted each individual contract to any particular named consultant on this list.They should be required to be publicly named. Maybe the CEO will now do just that. Such transparency would lead to public accountability. And that would be a good thing. There is just too much secrecy in the council.
Mr Maxwell, ask yourself this;Why is the whole world rushing to learn English, especially the Chinese.Then ask yourself why the Chinese have given up the abacus? Rest assured it was around when I was a kid.Its called ongoing evolution of cultures, for the simple reason that the western cultures have bought more benefit to mankind than any other culture. But sadly oue western cilture is under threat by regressive thinking. Im of Irish decent, but why would I want to learn Gaelic. If I did and wanted to impose it on others, I to would be regressive.
I saw a native falcon chasing a pigeon which it eventually knocked to the ground. The pigeon cowered up against the western fence with the falcon sitting on the fence above it. After about 20 minutes the pigeon took off and flew through a broken window on the corner of a of a building and out the other side with the falcon in hot pursuit. Apparently a couple of falcons are frequent visitors to Hagley Park.
Heres a suggestion. Ask Sir Bob Parker.Sir Bob bought the former Cranmer Courts site in order to develope it into apartments.He prudently bought on board some Chinese investors, presumably to ensure both sufficient capital and to spread the risk. But he couldnt sell them off the plans. He then said that some changes would need to be made.So why could he not sell them? The answer would be that there was no one to selll them to. The price may have been too high. And why was the price too high? I would suggest that it was because the cost of the land, plus the consenting and building costs and ensuring a profitable return simply made it uneconomic.And that is the problem. And to throw ratepayers money at it by way of subsidy is simply wrong headed thinking.
Last cruise ship season I had a group of tourists on board out of Akaroa.At a photo stop whilst all standing around, I asked a young chinese looking couple where they were from and they said they were Chiwis. There was much laughter all round. I then said that by the end of the day I might get some Chossies on board. There was even more laughter.I yearn for the return of Benny Hill, Dave Allen and Ronnie Barker. Im not P.C. and its even more fun now poking fun at the P.C. brigade.So thats my contribution from a frail, stale, pale endangered male with a Paddy heritage.
Goodness me.There are remedies for the Council other than just talk.They could simply make an application to the Envorinment Court. Why have they not done it?
Councils get away with it because they have no competition.A resource consent applicant should be able to choose a consenting authority to process their application.Imagine being able to ring around for a few quotes. This could be done easily with standardisation of District/City plans..
It seems that you Johny, me and everyone else except the council has always known this. The value of the land in the CBD was nothing after the earthquakes. Government interference kept it artificially high. The land also needs considerable remediation in order to build on it keeping costs high. One solution is to wait until a few of the big developments in the CBD go bust, so as the overall land price drops. Over time it will fall to a value where somenoe can make money by developing it. And if the Fletcher development goes bust, the Government must not bail it out. The council could also abolish the myriad of zonings as to what the land can be used for. After that, the best thing it can do is nothing, and save the ratepayer a ton of money.
Its not just hospo Johny.The council has this deluded view that all cruise ships will return to Lyttelton. They wont, but they have been sucked in by 3, maybe 4 operators with vested interests. And they are the ones who havent adapted to Akaroa having cruise ships.In the meantime I need two more traders licences for Akaroa cruise ship days. Eighteen months later I am still arguing with the council over getting just one more.Here I am, a long time entrepeneur with a never ending list of new ventures. It is my money and I do not cost anyone a single cent. Im not asking the ratepayer for help, I am fully compliant in all respects with legislation, but the council cant issue an additional licence.There is not a huge queue of entrepeneuers lining up wanting to do things. Neither am I, or will I get in the way of anyone else. I am a great supporter of entrepeneuership. You would think someone in the council would say, hey great, lets get this sorted. But no.There has to be a reason. I have formed the view that the council does not want Akaroa to succeed because of their ownership of Lyttelton Port.In the meantime there is business to be done, but it cant be done. Now council read this; I am not going to go away. I will be back to the CEO next week. And yes I know you think I am a pain in the butt, but who else is bringing new tourism services to the market? And as Churchill once said; So you have enemies, good that means you have done something with your life.
I have had an enormous amount to do with the council. I never wanted to, and should never have had to.The problem is that the managers run their own personal policies. They just cant get it that they are there to administer the policy only.A further problem is that if you complain it goes to the next manager up who in turn supports the manager complained about.One can complain the Ombudsman, but that can take time and he does not investigate all complaints.Maybe the council needs a complaints panel to sit within 5 days of a complaint bring received. Im sure that any manager will sharpen up if they knew they were headed to it. Transparency and accountability would probably soar.
At the moment the Christchurch City Council holds a monopoly on waste. They also own the landfill company in the Kate Valley.The private sector would set up an incinerator quickly if it had access to the waste and council didnt make it hard to get a resource consent to build the incinerator for electricity generation.Plastics could also be burnt. We are way behind other countries in this respect. But we werent. Auckland had one in 1904
The real problem bert is the Commerce Act and the Commerce Commission. Neither Labour or National have amended the Act.The Act is too weak and not broad enough. Neither will the Commerce Commission go after councils. The Commerce Commission loves chasing the big corporates, but there are numerous daily abuses going on down the chain. But a big corporate scalp looks good. Compare this with Australias ACCC. They really get stuck in and dont take many prisoners.
I dont often agree with Rosemary McLeod, but this article goes to show that now and then sanity returns to the intellectual debate.Cycling obsession is a religion (and illness) that has afflicted the planners in councils with group think. These planners are envious socialist types who want to tell freedom lovers that they cant be free with there cars to go everywhere, anytime at normal speeds. I would just about bet that some of the young traffic planners dont even have a driving licence.And I own 14 mountain bikes and operate a commercial hire and touring business with them. I really enjoyed writing this last sentence.
I submitted on amendments to the Resource Management Act.The committee sat in Christchurch where I had sought to speak to my submission.This committee was chaired by Jeanette Fitzsimmons of the Greens.As I was about to start three members of the committee got up and went off to get coffee. Jeanette urged me on, but I refused on the stated grounds that the committee was not a full quorum. She said it was O.K. as they had all read my submission. At that point I lost all faith in the RMA ever being reformed. My view of Democracy became jaundiced as well.
So the traffic planners have already designed Colombo St with its impediments, thus leading to a call now that it has to be done.And its all because this ViaStrada outfit just loves socialist transport.I say ignore them. Lets vote some councillors in to give this outfit the heave ho.
The reason why there is a lack of night life is because Christchurchs economics have changed.Base costs of renting or leasing continue to rise. With most leases the tenant has to pay the rates. Their relentless rises are far outstripping inflation. Labour costs have been increased by successive governments over many years. Most SMEs continue to find it harder and harder to make a margin. We have seen this in the restaurant sector with many failures. We see it in the ongoing emptying out of strip retailers. We have become a nation of corporates and councils. And the two are in love with other.
The left is intolerant of the marketplace for ideas and the delivery of those ideas.And not a single one of them is asking the police to keep order by ensuring that the likes of Auckland Peace Action does not obstruct those who were to go about their lawful rights to attend a speech given by Mr Molyneux and Ms Southern.
I was stung time and time again by various councils when it came to resource consent fees.The one day I said fool me, and vowed never to apply for another one. I spent a few years submitting to Government committes to amend the RMA. More waste of time but at least I tried.I have since said that until most people get stung nothing will change. The sad thing is that most people have no idea, or think that I must have upset the council in some way. The last Government had the numbers for reform of the RMA, but Peter Dunn of United Future would not give his support.
In a free market you dont have to worry about greed. What you should be concerned about is the lack of a free market and the barriers put in place to participate in that market.Competition sets prices. In a free market a business will not have an enduring monopoly. I will name a few; Sky TV, video rental shops, Motels and Hotels now we have Airbnb, Taxis now we have Uber and so on.The worst thing is for councils and Governments to prevent competition by protecting selected market participants. And New Zealand is rife with it.And everyone participates in maximising their returns (or greed as you call it). I have yet to see the most ardent Socialist sell their car or house for less than the market price.
Im in the tourism business and this is an accurate assessment.But it is not just the earthquakes that has brought about changes. The changes started happening pre-earthquakes. The Queenstown and direct international flights phenomena is creating a bigger impact than most people have realised.Christchurch will take another hit when Wanaka extends its runway to cope with Boeing 777s, 787s and Airbus A350s. Will it happen? Yes it will as Auckland Airport are involved. Latest rumour is that they are also sniffing around Pukaki Airport (Twizel).Flying into Queenstown allows tourists to do everything you can do in Christchurch, and lots more, within a smaller radius. The only thing unique about Christchurch now is that it is new with lots of new buildings. This aspect needs to be promoted. In my opinion most of the new buildings look great.Food tourism has a future in Christchurch and Mr Peebles new market development on the old restart mall site could be the catalyst to something much more extensive.Christchurch traditionall had a broad based economy which sustained it well during and after the earthquakes. But it has to be accepted that its tourism sector has changed forever.
Another Minister who has never owned or run a profitable businesss.What Mr Lees-Galloway hasnt said, is the cost to a business if the business gets it wrong in making an employment decision, and ending up in the Employment Tribunal or the Employment Court fighting a union funded emplyee.And the process to make someone redundant is time consuming, procedurally fraught with high risk and costly.If there was no cost to getting it wrong then there would be no issue.
Yesterday I pulled onto the tour coach stand on Rolleston Avenue outside the museum so as I could go across to the public toilets in the carpark behind the YHA on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Worcester Street. But they are gone. The only one left that I can think of is in the Square.Summers coming and thousands of people will be arriving onto Rolleston by coach with their legs crossed and then - nothing!If central city planners cant get this basic amenity right, what hope is there for the residential CBD.
Dropping prices when your supplier wont, your landlord wont, your council wont will end up in the customer not being able to afford to go to the retaurant as the restauranter is unable to meet the market and make a profit let alone pay the bills.As with the big corporates, they can spread their costs across many outlets. New Zealand is now a country of Corporates and Councils.
Im in the tourism sector of the economy.When it comes to investing in anything new the first question is what and where is the market. Second question is whats the competition. Third question is can I get a return on capital employed.Lets put bike share to the tests. Traditionally people have used bikes when they need to go somewhere that is a bit longer than a comfortable walk. Locals have their own bikes or alternative transport such as cars or buses. Disabled people generally dont ride bikes. So that leaves only tourists. The CBD has shrunk in size. It does not take long to walk round it. So here is the No 1 competitor. Yes it is walking. Hiking and walking is huge amongst the under 30s tourists. Beyond the CBD people will take a bus, taxi, Uber, shuttle or carshare to the likes of Riccarton Mall or an Attraction. And finally does the market exist to get a return on capital? In the case of bike ride share in Christchurch, the answer is no. And this has been proven with the current scheme not being able to continue without ratepayer subsidy going into the future. Councillors should not be wasting ratepayers money yet again.
I have taken a number of conference goers on my tours over the years. One of the most frequent comments was that their conference was boring, but they came along because of the freebies. Quite a few wagged a conference day to get out and about. That in itself is good for the local economy. More wagging could be the answer for greater spend.
The whole purpose of publicly funded transport decades ago was to get people to the factory for work in an era when people couldnt afford cars.. Factories were immovable objects, whereas labour was the opposite. Rates were levied on the factory as a cost to providing the service.Now move on a few decades and nearly everyone has a car. Manufacturing has declined, but has spread over a greater geographical area. Publicly funded transport is no longer seen to be a utilitarian service to transport workers from where they live to their offices or factories. It has become a virtual signaling model of being good for the environment, promoting healthy choices of communal sharing and lessening congestion on the roads. And all these are nothing other than finding excuses for putting off the inevitable day when a change has to be made to stop this insane bankrupt model.As it is, modern factories are providing transport for their workers. Synlait down the road is one gvery good example.For many people in councils pubicly funded transport has become a group think religion, and it is very difficult to shake their beliefs and make them think objectively. Dont want to the outlier.
Just a teeny weeny bit of sanity has blown through the council.There is not a sufficient market to justify spending even $1 of ratepayers money.And the council says it has learnt a lot. All they had to do was phone a few long term businesspeople. But no, they had to find out themselves how tough negotiations can be with hard nosed businesspeople. And all at the expense of ratepayers. When will the council get out of being everything to everyone? It has to stop seeking to control every aspect of peoples lives. The people need to regain their freedom from council.
Mr Overton knows nothing about the flora on this station, yet he is wanting to establish an edible forest on it.There is no way an edible forest can be established on this high country land. Some of the gullys have ribbonwood in them. The original forest was beech and totara but that was gone before Europeans arrived.
Councillor Manji chairs the finance committee.He has come out all wishy washy about uncertainties and outcomes and still hopes that it will be money well spent when something gets done.When a project goes awry in business, a good manager says stop. Why is councillor Manji not convening the finance committee and doing just that?
As soon as I load up, my cruise ship passengers ask me if seatbelts are compulsory.I say no, but we recommend that you put them on. Then they all do so.
Vancouver taxpayers (ratepayers) paid Mobi $5m for a 5 year contract. They also contribute $500,000 annually for costs.To me that is a business failure of epic proportions.
With some of CCHLs companys borrowing money to pay dividends and now with City Care losing money surely alarm bells have to be ringing.It is not the role of a council to be owning businesses unless it is a public good where a profit cannot be generated.
Londons santander cost taxpayers €200m over 8 years.Seattles pronto had public funding pulled last year.Failure all round.Hawaii says its scheme is reliant on donations, sponsorship and fares. Now this is an improvement on the others, but I wonder who is making the donations.
This is an irrational idea by someone who has never been on the property. And for the record l have been on it on numerous ocassions, first as a hunter in my youth, then as a visitor to the ski-field and someone who trialed a heli-sking operation from the top of Foxs Peak incorporating the neighbouring Foxs Peak Station.50% of the South Island is now under the control of DOC at huge cost to the taxpayer. Mr Overton now wants the taxpayer to chip in again. It is clear that Mr Overton does not like private ownership, especially foreign private owners. But they own it at no cost to the taxpayer. They pay the rates and taxes from the propertys commercial activities.We are going the same way as the U.K.. Estates held in private ownership were taxed to death. Many ended up in the National Trust (a socialists dream). They have not returned $1 back to the State.
Voyager of the Seas has been into Akaroa.Its physical dimensions are 311.1 metres in length with a draft of 9.1 metres.The Ovation of the Seas is 348 metres long and a lesser draft of 8.5 metres.The Ovation could come in but it hasnt.
You paid for 10 minutes.Then you say that it works out at $200/hour. You assume that this car then picked up someone else from your place who was also paying, and then again at the next place. Put frankly, that is not what is happening.The car that you hired then has to travel to the next persons place so as it can pick them up. This could be back to the airport. Thats 10 minutes of non revenue cost. Or it could be to the city centre. That is 20 minutes of non revenue cost. Now hire a plumber or electrician at $80 - $130 per hour and most will also charge for travel time. And you will gladly pay them.Your assertion is wrong, and the reality is that the person who took you to Hornby is barely making any money.
I have always advocated for partial asset sales at least.But I absolutely disagree with Lianne Dalziels preferred option of seeking out strategic partners. David McKenzie, chairman of Christchurch International Airport Limited also supports this option.The best method is to partially float it on the stockmarket. A fluctuating market value is a great discipline for both the board and management. Make a bad decision, the market will punish you with a drop in share price. Make a good one, and the market will reward you.Seeking strategic partners does not give the same discipline. Neither can a 1 value of the assets be obtained. Selling to strategic partners absolutely smacks of political expediency, rewarding mates and entrenching the elites of society through privelaged selection. And that is not the best way to run a business.
The weather is not as extreme as it has been since I have been alive.A report came out the other day confirming that the worlds wind has dropped 30% since 2013. When was the last big nor-wester, followed by a screaming southerly that you can remember? Extreme winds are a result of pressure differentials caused by big differences in the temperature of the air interacting between the South and the North in the southern hemisphere. What we have today is instant reporting of weather events. Only 150 years ago we would not have known what the weather was like on any one day in the North Island, let alone on the other side of the world.
Akaroa lacking in facilities could have been fixed years ago. Elections are coming up next year. People will have a chance to dump reactive councillors and elect proactive councillors. Akaroa, Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula need more representation. I would suggest three councillors. The population is small, but the area is big.
Interesting comment.Pre-earthquakes when cruise ships came to Lyttelton, I would get a few cruise ship customers say to me that they were sick of cities.Thats what led to my countryside tour. And they loved it.
It seems that people in New Zealand have forgotten that it was built on foreign capital.Here are just a few; Ivon Watkins Dow, ICI, Norwich Union, Tasman Empire Airways, Union Steamship Co, P&O, Ford New Zealand and so on. Even Mt Hurt ski-field was owned by the Japanese for many years.Anyone can buy shares in a property company listed on the stock market in London. I bought property in the U.K. and I was neither a resident or a citizen at the time.Foreign capital is needed in New Zealand as we dont have enough. And the reason being is that people cannot build their capital bases due to excessive taxation.
Thankyou Mike Yardley. You have said everything I wanted to say.And the only tour I did in Christchurch last week was, wait for it - an earthquake tour. I remember when the old CCT bought Phil Koeghan to be an inspirational ambassador to Christchurch in order to boost tourism. It was a complete waste of money. I hadnt even heard of him. And I couldnt remotely see how a tourist would connect and be inclined to spend money here because of his presence.And here I am, beavoring away investing a ton of money (about $80,000 recently) as a private tour operator ready for the coming tourist season starting October 1st, 2018.
City Care is not an oddity.Council also owns Red Bus which incorporates Akaroa Shuttle, Aaron Travel, and Red Travel. These three companies compete with all the other privately owned tour operators.
Glenk: So what if those cars are only carrying 1.1 to 1.2 people. You make it sound sinful and we should be guilty. Well Im not.Has it ocurred to you that many of these people are probably going to Rolleston, Darfield, Timaru, Dunedin or Tekapo. But the bikes wont be. You are comparing apples with pears.
Ultimately this motorway will be needed. Forward thinking would see it built now. And another one may not to be built for a century, or ever. It has the advantage of allowing traffic going North or South to leave the motorway onto the existing arterials to Rangiora, Ohoka Darfiled (milk tankers) and West Melton. If this motorway was built, heavy traffic already using Johns/Russley Roads would use the new motorway instead. The current bothleneck in Hornby/Templeton would be resolved. There might not be any need for the extra lanes on the existing Waimakariri bridge either. I would like to see some boldness and leadership by the NZTA.
Righton, my business receives no government or council subsidy.Furthermore it is my business to run how I see fit. I hold the property right to it. I will not be compelled by a third party at my cost to force me to do something against my will.
Another question that should also be asked, is how many managers in ChristchurchNZ have ever ran their own business with their own capital at risk?At the moment I am getting a few down ticks, but I would hope that someone will come on and debate the issues that I have raised so we can all see why you are making those down ticks.
I just cannot see the doomsday scenario of a warming New Zealand.If it gets warmer our growing season is extended. There is lots of grass around this winter. A bloke in Gisborne is alreay growing bananas. Heating bills will be lower. Less electricity for heating will be required. There will be less need for new power stations. More rain has seen the hydro dams full well into this winter.Sea levels wont just suddenly rise. A slow retreat can take place over a hundred years. As houses depreciate in condition due to time, there will be next to zero cost. If wharves have to be raised 50 cms, so what. The old one would have deteriorated over time and needing maintenance or replacing anyway.The negative impacts on New Zealand are a massive exageration. Or is it simply feeling guilty for being a sucessful country and a need (by some people) to fund a poor country through carbon tax. And poor countries are forever receiving billions of dolars in aid from the rich western countries and they remain poor. The best aid is to observe how rich countries got rich and emulate them. Until they do they will stay poor no matter how myuch they receive.
To direct hordes of tourists into both the museum for toilets provided for patrons would soon annoy both establishments. Furthermore the toilets in the museum are upstairs and not easily accessible. And both of these close about 5.00 - 5.30 pm.The toilets in the botanical gardens are not in the CBD. The one behind the museum is a pigsty.
But they do.Every restaurant, tourism front shop, cafe, rental operation, retailer, gas station, accommodation, pub, attraction and activity has young people working in them.
In the end I did speak to my submission but I thought that I had wasted my time and money in coming to Christchurch. It has been sime now, but from memory my submission focused on objections, especially by those with vested interests abusing the consent process to keep competitors out. Another problem was that only one objection could lead to a costly public hearing and it should be stopped.Many objectors such as Forest and Bird are to some extent publicly funded. It was an unfair contest.In the event that the objectors prevailed, the applicant did not benefit from his/her application, so the objectors should be required to pay for the cost of the hearing.I proposed that objectors should be required to make a financial deposit, with strict conditions on any refund. This would likely end frivolous objections.
In this example its gone past a select few to 22 different companies. There must be a hell of a lot of smoozing going on behind the scenes for all this to happen. Another question is why does the council not have its own expertise?It has been known for a long time that the council does not always put everything out to public tender. Two good examples are the Antigua Boat Sheds and the Tram.
My paragraph 5 says that the Executive Team should answer directly to the elected mermbers.That way the elected members can get straight to the point through questioning them. It puts an element of scrutinising accountability on senior managers. It also adds a further public spotlight on the CEOs performance. Sure the CEO might not enjoy such an arrangement, but it would certainly sharpen up their performance for all to see.And after all, if you are in the top spot, that is what you get paid for.
I forwarded an FYI to the CEO today and I geot a reply from someone who I believe is part of the media team.My FYI was sent back to staff to investigate. I then had concerns that it may have gone back to the very people causing the problem.I responded by asking if the CEO gets to know what is going on. I have had no futher response.
My vehicles have 12 passenger seats and operate under a Large Passenger category. Anyone can have a look at my windscreen.I havent mentioned Red Bus or inferred anything about Red Bus. I would welcome an explanation.
Over time less and less people have exercised their right to vote in local body elections. Furthermore there is an ongoing decline in the percentage of people who own their own house. Rates might be one reason why.The way to change this is to ensure a direct connection between people and paying for the services provided by the council and their use of those services.In the U.K. they introduced the Community Servises Charges. Everyone had to contribute. Beneficiaries and students over 18 only had to pay 20% of the charge. My rates dropped by about two thirds.For the first time, people really thought about who they would vote for. The hard core socialists hated it and kicked up a real fuss. But over time the percentage of people refusing to pay their council taxes rapidly declined as prosecutions progressed. When Margaret Thatcher was deselected by her own party, John Major as the new leader of the Consetvatives promised to abolish the community services charge if elected. And that is what happened. It was a dreadful step backwards for local Government and its accountabiliy.
Correct.They have suceeded by making a good strategic decision. And for that I applaud them.The question then has to be asked is would all these businesses have suceeded without ChristchurchNZ and MBIE?.
If someone wants to drive a big car that is their choice and they pay for it.And autonomous cars will not crash? And if they replace current cars, there will still be the same number.
Here is a history lesson for people.Councils often evolved out of entities that were set up where there was a need for infrastructure. An example was the Mt Cook Roads Board which became the Mackenzie District Council. An early infrastructure road had no chance of making an economic return. It was deemed to be in the public good. In the United States a new railroad was funded by issuing shares in private companies. Their methods were a little different. Today many early infrastructure entities make a commercial return. Their purpose of being in the public good has long past. There is no point in councils holding capital in these entities. It is in societys best interests to have that capital returned for new public good projects. Christchurch has a number of projects requiring capital. That capital can come from selling down stakes in the likes of Lyttelton Port and Christchurch Airport.
It did not fail in the U.K. from a fair and equitable taxation method.It failed due to politics. After Margaret Thatcher was deselected by her own party having arrived back from Maastirch where she opposed what the Germans were up to, John Major became the leader of the Conservative party.With an election looming and a desire to stay in power, he promised to abolish the Communnity Services Charge (wrongly referred to as the poll tax).The Conservatives won and he did as promised. John Major has since become an arch Remainer.I lived through the Community Services Charge (CSC). My rates dropped by about 66%. I also paid the CSC.Those who had never had to directly contribute moaned and moaned. But compliance was improving all the time and the very few who didnt were prosecuted.The CSC was very fair. Beneficiaries and students only had to pay 20% of the CSC. It had another great benefit, in that for the first time it made all the people focus on who they would vote for in council elections.It was a sad day and a lost opportunity to have continuing responsible local government.
I have not applied for any funding.I sought to have the i-Site both promote and sell my tours for which I am required to pay ChristchurchNZ a fee plus a commission on all sales.I will now file an application for an Injunction in the High Court. I should not have to do this.
The real villains when it comes to public sector salaries are those of the Chief Executives of councils and managers. Some are on eye watering salaries with all the perks as well.And its a cosy old merry-go-round of the same people going from one council to the next one. There was one that went from the council to a sporting organisation and then recently back to a council again. And it doesnt seem how hopeless some are, they still get employed by another council. It has to have something to do with the recruitment industry.And none of them have hordes of competitors breathing down their necks everyday as is the case with a private business. And with the council hopping going on, doesnt seem much competition there either.Although we need them they are simply paid far too much. And not one of them creates any wealth.
Rates are already high with ownership of the airport..Do you really believe that the current crop of councillors can slash the cost of running the council. If they could, they would have done but cant and havent.The capital released by selling the airport would make a good dent in the councils overall debt and interest payments.Collecting rates on the capital value of the airport would be a good return without capital tied up or being at risk.If sold the council would never have to think about the airport again except for rating purposes and resource consents. CCHL could be trimmed back considerably.
Steve Weir; Pretty good.Queenstown sold down a stake of their Airport to Auckland International Airport Limited. New capital, new ideas. Queenstown Airport has boomed with all their improvements. They have now taken a long term lease over Wanaka Airport as well.Auckland Airport was floated. It has boomed with new management. And Auckland City Council doesnt have to think about it anymore, orher collect heaps of rates at no capital risk.Prime Port Timaru was sold to Port of Tauranga. Its going well with new capital and management. They are giving Lyttelton a hurry up with their new inland Port at Rolleston. Timaru District Council doesnt have to think about it anymore other than collect rates.Mackenzie District Council sold its maintenace LATE to Whitestone. Now their work goes out to tender. They dont have to think about it anymore other than collect rates.And all the capital released can be, and has been generally used for new infrastructure. And thats my argument, if it is profitable sell it and use the money for new public good investment.
Correct.Debt levels amount to $25,000/houshold. Debt servicing is $1,337/ household.Lianne said that they dont need to sell assets as they have had a capital release. Rubbish. For a capital release you have to borrow and pay interest on it. More debt and more interest. And a bank gets the security. Dunedin went down the road of a a capital release. A one off financial boost. Then they complained about the reduction in dividends. Then its lines company Aurora skimped on capital maintence. Their power poles started falling over. Then they recorded a nett $8m loss.I set out my policies and they were rejected. But the election was skewed by the media and some debate organisers only inviting three so called leading candidates.Populism and socialism has won. But it will be costly. However that is what the electorate wants..
I suspect that the $15,000 from the council is for the resource consent fees and costs.If so, why would anyone now pay the council consent application fees.
The world changes.Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) is lukely to come under some commercial pressure in the not too distant future. Wanaka Airports runway will be extended. It could be extended to a length that could handle Beoing 777X, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. These aircraft have ranges much further than Australia. CIAL cant now buy into Wanaka Airport, as Queenstown Airport has recently taken a long term lease. They have also bought some of the surrounding land. Pukaki Airport (Twizel) can now build a longer and re-aligned runway. It has been incorporated as part of the Mackenzie District Councils District Plan. If that was to happen, aircraft could fly in from Australia. 24% of CIAL should be put up for sale on the stockmarket without delay.
Lets try and consider why managers did not tell their boss about the problems which they were aware of.There may exist a culture of fear where they consider that telling the CEO will lead to disciplinary action for allowing the situation to evolve in the first place. Management may have considered that they could fix it without letting the CEO know. But this seems unlikely as it required a request for funding. Another reason might be because the management may consider that they have no faith in the CEO.Whatever the reasons, there are obviously problems within the council. We only ever get to hear about the CEO when problems arise. I havent read a good news story about the council executive. It would be nice to read a headline such as; CEO saves council $20 million or CEO sacks infrastructure managers. When it came to taking action over consenting issues, it wasnt the CEO being proactive, it was the Government. There are problems in Governance and Executive at CCC when they adopt the living wage policy without an increase in productivity and the CEO puts a statue in the river, being just two examples of incompetence.Nothing much will change until a new bunch of councillors are elected. But even then, if the peoples choice candidates prevail, again not much will change.
The 1 cost of power generation and distribution was hidden in a myriad of structures.After being sold there was an initial adjustment where prices rose.Competition has been very keen over the past 10 years. There are always deals being offered and electricity prices for domestic users are not contributing to inflation. There is variation in spot prices when generation fluctuates due to low lake levels or demand exceeds supply. The market is working more transparently than ever.
It was called the Community Services Charge.I would welcome a Community Services Charge.Margaret Thatcher was effectively deselected as leader of the Conservatives when she returned from Maastrich and made it very clear that the Germans wanted control of a pan European construct through the Euro.Not only that, but the Germans pulled off the biggest financial heist in history when the Berlin wall came down and they bought about currency parity between West and East Germany. Full integration when the exchange rate was 5 to 1 resulted in a massive subsidy at the expense of the rest of Europe. The bank of England sold most of its gold to keep the value of sterling up. Overnight interest rates went to about 84% (I stand to be corrected on this precise figure). Currencies fell out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism bands. And all this without any mandate by the peoples of Europe.We have seen the debacle over Greece, and again the German currency involvement by them not allowing Greece to break free and reintroduce the Drachma.And again most recently where Germany opened the gates to refugees (many of whom are not refugees) for a labour force to make up for an ageing population.As Margaret Thatcher said, you cannot trust the Germans. She paid a heavy price for speaking her truth.
Buses - Hmmm. Lots of negative comments about them, but I have a solution. It will really wind up the egalitarian socialists. So here goes.Aeroplanes have first class, business class and cattle class. Much the same with cruise ships.So lets have first class compartments, business class and then cattle class on buses.I think this is an elegant solution.
What a complete waste of money.It is acknowledged that Timaru has seen a major decline in bus patronage, yet it has not had the earthquake disruption that Christchurch has had. So why has the truth not been sought as to why people are not using buses? Consultation will normally get responses from those who would use, or had used buses. And everyone else doesnt bother. But that is where the answer lies. And that answer is that people use other forms of transport that suits their needs.This religious obseession with subsidised transport is costing both taxpayrrs and ratepayers dearly. By introducing impediments on other forms of transport to force people onto buses is confirmation that this expensive idealogical experiment is corrupt.
The council needs to create a descending prriority list of what is in the public good and what is not, reviewable at the Annual Plan.Obviously roads, water, sewerage would be at the top of the list. A covered stadium might very well be at the bottom. If so it would receive no council funding. But it could be nearer the top, at which point it might receive some council funding. The list would be truly democratic.
Again someone pops up and taps into the bank of last resort, the council. And the council obliges.This man claims to have a lot of bookings. Then he should go it alone and prove to the world that he is a savvy businessman. With lots of bookings he doesnt need the ratepayers money.In any event the council should make the $15,000 it has given him an interest bearing loan secured against this mans assets. Otherwise dont do it.
"Christchurch invites investors and newcomers to 'explore the opportunity'",
I really hope stuff posts this comment of mine.I need another licence to operate activities at Akaroa on cruise ship days. But the council wont give me one.I have made a Local Govrrnment Official Information and Meetings Act request as to why they will not issue another licence.Not only that, I have written to Lianne Dalziel bringing to her attention that the council executive have made a policy decision when it is a matter for the elected members. I am awaiting replies to both.And the council comes out with a new campaign. They cant get right what they are meant to be doing now. It is simply a hopeless situation. The people pushing these projects seem not to be aware of what the situation really is. They seem so disconnected from the real world of business. I think they exist in a bubble of their own.
Last government under fire as council seeks to throw off shackles to change district plan
It seems I am missing something here.The mayor has stated that she wants an independent inquiry into what happened.If there has been a mistake it will simply be corrected. Natural justice will see to that.But to say that the council has to wait five years to correct something when an independent inquiry has not sat and determined what the chain of events were, is very odd indeed.
Follow the leader: Why did America fall for the alt-Right?
And no one on the conservative right has sought to stop Alt Left journalist David Neiwert from either entering or speaking in New Zealand.
Executive decision: The movers and shakers running Christchurch City Council
There is a fundamental flaw in the interpretation and application of the Local Government Act. As councils have it, the Chief Executive runs the whole council. It is the Chief Executive who appoints the Executive Committee. Those members of the Executive committee are only answerable to the Chief Executive. Too much power is concentrated in the Chief Executive.If the Chief Executive has a certain political agenda, and that agenda finds favour with the Executive Committee, then you have a classic yes minister. So how to make it better? Firstly a Chief Executive should only be appointed for a three year term to end two months after the council elections. An incoming council should then decide on whether the Chief Executive is retained or let go. Secondly there is nothing to stop the council from adopting a policy of having all Executive Committee members being directly answerable to the elected members.The complete separation of Governance and management has been a blight on the world over the past 25 years. The two should never be entirely separated. The same applies to the commercial private sector.There was once a time when a business would have a Managing Director. He or she would normally be the major shareholder and was proactive across the divide of management and governance. They knew what was going on. The same should apply to councils.If I was ever to be elected as Mayor, I would be the Managing Mayor.
Christchurch City Council spends $780,000 on 22 consultants for performing arts precinct
The problem with this story is that it is incomplete.Every single manager in the council should be named in relation to who personally granted each individual contract to any particular named consultant on this list.They should be required to be publicly named. Maybe the CEO will now do just that. Such transparency would lead to public accountability. And that would be a good thing. There is just too much secrecy in the council.
Joel Maxwell: Simon Bridges could set an example by learning his language
Mr Maxwell, ask yourself this;Why is the whole world rushing to learn English, especially the Chinese.Then ask yourself why the Chinese have given up the abacus? Rest assured it was around when I was a kid.Its called ongoing evolution of cultures, for the simple reason that the western cultures have bought more benefit to mankind than any other culture. But sadly oue western cilture is under threat by regressive thinking. Im of Irish decent, but why would I want to learn Gaelic. If I did and wanted to impose it on others, I to would be regressive.
Does this video prove cats are living in the ruins of Christ Church Cathedral?
I saw a native falcon chasing a pigeon which it eventually knocked to the ground. The pigeon cowered up against the western fence with the falcon sitting on the fence above it. After about 20 minutes the pigeon took off and flew through a broken window on the corner of a of a building and out the other side with the falcon in hot pursuit. Apparently a couple of falcons are frequent visitors to Hagley Park.
Thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of growth - the new blueprint to revitalise Christchurch
Heres a suggestion. Ask Sir Bob Parker.Sir Bob bought the former Cranmer Courts site in order to develope it into apartments.He prudently bought on board some Chinese investors, presumably to ensure both sufficient capital and to spread the risk. But he couldnt sell them off the plans. He then said that some changes would need to be made.So why could he not sell them? The answer would be that there was no one to selll them to. The price may have been too high. And why was the price too high? I would suggest that it was because the cost of the land, plus the consenting and building costs and ensuring a profitable return simply made it uneconomic.And that is the problem. And to throw ratepayers money at it by way of subsidy is simply wrong headed thinking.
Dumpling restaurant offends with 'Dump Rings' bags
Last cruise ship season I had a group of tourists on board out of Akaroa.At a photo stop whilst all standing around, I asked a young chinese looking couple where they were from and they said they were Chiwis. There was much laughter all round. I then said that by the end of the day I might get some Chossies on board. There was even more laughter.I yearn for the return of Benny Hill, Dave Allen and Ronnie Barker. Im not P.C. and its even more fun now poking fun at the P.C. brigade.So thats my contribution from a frail, stale, pale endangered male with a Paddy heritage.
Fears over threat to city drinking supplies from water bottling plant
Goodness me.There are remedies for the Council other than just talk.They could simply make an application to the Envorinment Court. Why have they not done it?
Woman 'flabbergasted' at cost of consenting granny flat for her deaf brother
Councils get away with it because they have no competition.A resource consent applicant should be able to choose a consenting authority to process their application.Imagine being able to ring around for a few quotes. This could be done easily with standardisation of District/City plans..
There's a reason people aren't flocking to the central city
It seems that you Johny, me and everyone else except the council has always known this. The value of the land in the CBD was nothing after the earthquakes. Government interference kept it artificially high. The land also needs considerable remediation in order to build on it keeping costs high. One solution is to wait until a few of the big developments in the CBD go bust, so as the overall land price drops. Over time it will fall to a value where somenoe can make money by developing it. And if the Fletcher development goes bust, the Government must not bail it out. The council could also abolish the myriad of zonings as to what the land can be used for. After that, the best thing it can do is nothing, and save the ratepayer a ton of money.
Johnny Moore: Rebuild roosters hurting CBD hospitality
Its not just hospo Johny.The council has this deluded view that all cruise ships will return to Lyttelton. They wont, but they have been sucked in by 3, maybe 4 operators with vested interests. And they are the ones who havent adapted to Akaroa having cruise ships.In the meantime I need two more traders licences for Akaroa cruise ship days. Eighteen months later I am still arguing with the council over getting just one more.Here I am, a long time entrepeneur with a never ending list of new ventures. It is my money and I do not cost anyone a single cent. Im not asking the ratepayer for help, I am fully compliant in all respects with legislation, but the council cant issue an additional licence.There is not a huge queue of entrepeneuers lining up wanting to do things. Neither am I, or will I get in the way of anyone else. I am a great supporter of entrepeneuership. You would think someone in the council would say, hey great, lets get this sorted. But no.There has to be a reason. I have formed the view that the council does not want Akaroa to succeed because of their ownership of Lyttelton Port.In the meantime there is business to be done, but it cant be done. Now council read this; I am not going to go away. I will be back to the CEO next week. And yes I know you think I am a pain in the butt, but who else is bringing new tourism services to the market? And as Churchill once said; So you have enemies, good that means you have done something with your life.
Letter writing skills, how to be friendly on the phone and a new font... Christchurch council's new charm offensive
I have had an enormous amount to do with the council. I never wanted to, and should never have had to.The problem is that the managers run their own personal policies. They just cant get it that they are there to administer the policy only.A further problem is that if you complain it goes to the next manager up who in turn supports the manager complained about.One can complain the Ombudsman, but that can take time and he does not investigate all complaints.Maybe the council needs a complaints panel to sit within 5 days of a complaint bring received. Im sure that any manager will sharpen up if they knew they were headed to it. Transparency and accountability would probably soar.
Mayors want taxpayer cash to explore keeping all paper and cardboard recycling onshore
At the moment the Christchurch City Council holds a monopoly on waste. They also own the landfill company in the Kate Valley.The private sector would set up an incinerator quickly if it had access to the waste and council didnt make it hard to get a resource consent to build the incinerator for electricity generation.Plastics could also be burnt. We are way behind other countries in this respect. But we werent. Auckland had one in 1904
Development Christchurch gets $3m-a-year in public funding, but what has it achieved?
I will believe that these organisations are wonderful the day that all the managers put $100,000 of their own money into these companys.
Bunnings knocks out rival 'trade competitor' from objecting to Queenstown outlet
The real problem bert is the Commerce Act and the Commerce Commission. Neither Labour or National have amended the Act.The Act is too weak and not broad enough. Neither will the Commerce Commission go after councils. The Commerce Commission loves chasing the big corporates, but there are numerous daily abuses going on down the chain. But a big corporate scalp looks good. Compare this with Australias ACCC. They really get stuck in and dont take many prisoners.
McLeod: Ive lived the carless dream and its a nightmare
I dont often agree with Rosemary McLeod, but this article goes to show that now and then sanity returns to the intellectual debate.Cycling obsession is a religion (and illness) that has afflicted the planners in councils with group think. These planners are envious socialist types who want to tell freedom lovers that they cant be free with there cars to go everywhere, anytime at normal speeds. I would just about bet that some of the young traffic planners dont even have a driving licence.And I own 14 mountain bikes and operate a commercial hire and touring business with them. I really enjoyed writing this last sentence.
The rise and rise of council consent costs
I submitted on amendments to the Resource Management Act.The committee sat in Christchurch where I had sought to speak to my submission.This committee was chaired by Jeanette Fitzsimmons of the Greens.As I was about to start three members of the committee got up and went off to get coffee. Jeanette urged me on, but I refused on the stated grounds that the committee was not a full quorum. She said it was O.K. as they had all read my submission. At that point I lost all faith in the RMA ever being reformed. My view of Democracy became jaundiced as well.
Calls for section of Christchurchs Colombo St to become pedestrian mall
So the traffic planners have already designed Colombo St with its impediments, thus leading to a call now that it has to be done.And its all because this ViaStrada outfit just loves socialist transport.I say ignore them. Lets vote some councillors in to give this outfit the heave ho.
Christchurch: Where is the nightlife?
The reason why there is a lack of night life is because Christchurchs economics have changed.Base costs of renting or leasing continue to rise. With most leases the tenant has to pay the rates. Their relentless rises are far outstripping inflation. Labour costs have been increased by successive governments over many years. Most SMEs continue to find it harder and harder to make a margin. We have seen this in the restaurant sector with many failures. We see it in the ongoing emptying out of strip retailers. We have become a nation of corporates and councils. And the two are in love with other.
Coalition trying to defy history with backing of wind-up merchants
The left is intolerant of the marketplace for ideas and the delivery of those ideas.And not a single one of them is asking the police to keep order by ensuring that the likes of Auckland Peace Action does not obstruct those who were to go about their lawful rights to attend a speech given by Mr Molyneux and Ms Southern.
Consent for nine-metre retaining wall as much as construction
I was stung time and time again by various councils when it came to resource consent fees.The one day I said fool me, and vowed never to apply for another one. I spent a few years submitting to Government committes to amend the RMA. More waste of time but at least I tried.I have since said that until most people get stung nothing will change. The sad thing is that most people have no idea, or think that I must have upset the council in some way. The last Government had the numbers for reform of the RMA, but Peter Dunn of United Future would not give his support.
There's a reason people aren't flocking to the central city
In a free market you dont have to worry about greed. What you should be concerned about is the lack of a free market and the barriers put in place to participate in that market.Competition sets prices. In a free market a business will not have an enduring monopoly. I will name a few; Sky TV, video rental shops, Motels and Hotels now we have Airbnb, Taxis now we have Uber and so on.The worst thing is for councils and Governments to prevent competition by protecting selected market participants. And New Zealand is rife with it.And everyone participates in maximising their returns (or greed as you call it). I have yet to see the most ardent Socialist sell their car or house for less than the market price.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
Not much.And it is not a hoax, as climate has always changed and it always will.
Quake survivor The Villas closes as downtown Christchurch looks for its 'mojo'
Im in the tourism business and this is an accurate assessment.But it is not just the earthquakes that has brought about changes. The changes started happening pre-earthquakes. The Queenstown and direct international flights phenomena is creating a bigger impact than most people have realised.Christchurch will take another hit when Wanaka extends its runway to cope with Boeing 777s, 787s and Airbus A350s. Will it happen? Yes it will as Auckland Airport are involved. Latest rumour is that they are also sniffing around Pukaki Airport (Twizel).Flying into Queenstown allows tourists to do everything you can do in Christchurch, and lots more, within a smaller radius. The only thing unique about Christchurch now is that it is new with lots of new buildings. This aspect needs to be promoted. In my opinion most of the new buildings look great.Food tourism has a future in Christchurch and Mr Peebles new market development on the old restart mall site could be the catalyst to something much more extensive.Christchurch traditionall had a broad based economy which sustained it well during and after the earthquakes. But it has to be accepted that its tourism sector has changed forever.
"On-demand buses mooted to solve Canterbury's public transport woes",
It is user pays now.I pay RUC, registration and excise taxes.
Minister says campaign against labour law reform is 'deliberately misleading'
Another Minister who has never owned or run a profitable businesss.What Mr Lees-Galloway hasnt said, is the cost to a business if the business gets it wrong in making an employment decision, and ending up in the Employment Tribunal or the Employment Court fighting a union funded emplyee.And the process to make someone redundant is time consuming, procedurally fraught with high risk and costly.If there was no cost to getting it wrong then there would be no issue.
Project 8011 plans to repopulate central Christchurch
Yesterday I pulled onto the tour coach stand on Rolleston Avenue outside the museum so as I could go across to the public toilets in the carpark behind the YHA on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Worcester Street. But they are gone. The only one left that I can think of is in the Square.Summers coming and thousands of people will be arriving onto Rolleston by coach with their legs crossed and then - nothing!If central city planners cant get this basic amenity right, what hope is there for the residential CBD.
Executive decision: The movers and shakers running Christchurch City Council
Another article of who the other 50+ senior managers are would also be of public interest.Maybe we should also know their C.V.s as well.
Disaster a 'defining strand within the Christchurch story'
The next six down from the CEO are on an average of $187,500.
Quake survivor The Villas closes as downtown Christchurch looks for its 'mojo'
Dropping prices when your supplier wont, your landlord wont, your council wont will end up in the customer not being able to afford to go to the retaurant as the restauranter is unable to meet the market and make a profit let alone pay the bills.As with the big corporates, they can spread their costs across many outlets. New Zealand is now a country of Corporates and Councils.
Bike share ending as council negotiates with new provider
Im in the tourism sector of the economy.When it comes to investing in anything new the first question is what and where is the market. Second question is whats the competition. Third question is can I get a return on capital employed.Lets put bike share to the tests. Traditionally people have used bikes when they need to go somewhere that is a bit longer than a comfortable walk. Locals have their own bikes or alternative transport such as cars or buses. Disabled people generally dont ride bikes. So that leaves only tourists. The CBD has shrunk in size. It does not take long to walk round it. So here is the No 1 competitor. Yes it is walking. Hiking and walking is huge amongst the under 30s tourists. Beyond the CBD people will take a bus, taxi, Uber, shuttle or carshare to the likes of Riccarton Mall or an Attraction. And finally does the market exist to get a return on capital? In the case of bike ride share in Christchurch, the answer is no. And this has been proven with the current scheme not being able to continue without ratepayer subsidy going into the future. Councillors should not be wasting ratepayers money yet again.
Conference numbers drop when we're building big new convention centres
I have taken a number of conference goers on my tours over the years. One of the most frequent comments was that their conference was boring, but they came along because of the freebies. Quite a few wagged a conference day to get out and about. That in itself is good for the local economy. More wagging could be the answer for greater spend.
Mike Yardley: Fuel tax 'mauling' looms for Christchurch motorists
The whole purpose of publicly funded transport decades ago was to get people to the factory for work in an era when people couldnt afford cars.. Factories were immovable objects, whereas labour was the opposite. Rates were levied on the factory as a cost to providing the service.Now move on a few decades and nearly everyone has a car. Manufacturing has declined, but has spread over a greater geographical area. Publicly funded transport is no longer seen to be a utilitarian service to transport workers from where they live to their offices or factories. It has become a virtual signaling model of being good for the environment, promoting healthy choices of communal sharing and lessening congestion on the roads. And all these are nothing other than finding excuses for putting off the inevitable day when a change has to be made to stop this insane bankrupt model.As it is, modern factories are providing transport for their workers. Synlait down the road is one gvery good example.For many people in councils pubicly funded transport has become a group think religion, and it is very difficult to shake their beliefs and make them think objectively. Dont want to the outlier.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
Just a teeny weeny bit of sanity has blown through the council.There is not a sufficient market to justify spending even $1 of ratepayers money.And the council says it has learnt a lot. All they had to do was phone a few long term businesspeople. But no, they had to find out themselves how tough negotiations can be with hard nosed businesspeople. And all at the expense of ratepayers. When will the council get out of being everything to everyone? It has to stop seeking to control every aspect of peoples lives. The people need to regain their freedom from council.
First buy the beach, now buy the South Island high country station
Mr Overton knows nothing about the flora on this station, yet he is wanting to establish an edible forest on it.There is no way an edible forest can be established on this high country land. Some of the gullys have ribbonwood in them. The original forest was beech and totara but that was gone before Europeans arrived.
Regenerate Christchurch spent $500,000 on red zone exhibit
Councillor Manji chairs the finance committee.He has come out all wishy washy about uncertainties and outcomes and still hopes that it will be money well spent when something gets done.When a project goes awry in business, a good manager says stop. Why is councillor Manji not convening the finance committee and doing just that?
McLeod: Ive lived the carless dream and its a nightmare
I dont.I think cars are only a couple of notches down from heaven.The only two in front during my dreams are aeroplanes with helicopters at the top.
Much of NZ bus fleet a 'disgrace' says critic, calling for safety improvements
As soon as I load up, my cruise ship passengers ask me if seatbelts are compulsory.I say no, but we recommend that you put them on. Then they all do so.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
The trial has not been a financial success. If it was, there would be no need to seek ratepayers funding.
Bike share ending as council negotiates with new provider
Vancouver taxpayers (ratepayers) paid Mobi $5m for a 5 year contract. They also contribute $500,000 annually for costs.To me that is a business failure of epic proportions.
Christchurch City council-owned Citycare posts its first-ever loss
With some of CCHLs companys borrowing money to pay dividends and now with City Care losing money surely alarm bells have to be ringing.It is not the role of a council to be owning businesses unless it is a public good where a profit cannot be generated.
Bike share ending as council negotiates with new provider
Londons santander cost taxpayers €200m over 8 years.Seattles pronto had public funding pulled last year.Failure all round.Hawaii says its scheme is reliant on donations, sponsorship and fares. Now this is an improvement on the others, but I wonder who is making the donations.
First buy the beach, now buy the South Island high country station
This is an irrational idea by someone who has never been on the property. And for the record l have been on it on numerous ocassions, first as a hunter in my youth, then as a visitor to the ski-field and someone who trialed a heli-sking operation from the top of Foxs Peak incorporating the neighbouring Foxs Peak Station.50% of the South Island is now under the control of DOC at huge cost to the taxpayer. Mr Overton now wants the taxpayer to chip in again. It is clear that Mr Overton does not like private ownership, especially foreign private owners. But they own it at no cost to the taxpayer. They pay the rates and taxes from the propertys commercial activities.We are going the same way as the U.K.. Estates held in private ownership were taxed to death. Many ended up in the National Trust (a socialists dream). They have not returned $1 back to the State.
Cruise line to avoid swamping small towns with thousands of passengers
Voyager of the Seas has been into Akaroa.Its physical dimensions are 311.1 metres in length with a draft of 9.1 metres.The Ovation of the Seas is 348 metres long and a lesser draft of 8.5 metres.The Ovation could come in but it hasnt.
Uber reaches access deal with Christchurch Airport
You paid for 10 minutes.Then you say that it works out at $200/hour. You assume that this car then picked up someone else from your place who was also paying, and then again at the next place. Put frankly, that is not what is happening.The car that you hired then has to travel to the next persons place so as it can pick them up. This could be back to the airport. Thats 10 minutes of non revenue cost. Or it could be to the city centre. That is 20 minutes of non revenue cost. Now hire a plumber or electrician at $80 - $130 per hour and most will also charge for travel time. And you will gladly pay them.Your assertion is wrong, and the reality is that the person who took you to Hornby is barely making any money.
Council can 'have its cake and eat it' by getting cash from asset sales
I have always advocated for partial asset sales at least.But I absolutely disagree with Lianne Dalziels preferred option of seeking out strategic partners. David McKenzie, chairman of Christchurch International Airport Limited also supports this option.The best method is to partially float it on the stockmarket. A fluctuating market value is a great discipline for both the board and management. Make a bad decision, the market will punish you with a drop in share price. Make a good one, and the market will reward you.Seeking strategic partners does not give the same discipline. Neither can a 1 value of the assets be obtained. Selling to strategic partners absolutely smacks of political expediency, rewarding mates and entrenching the elites of society through privelaged selection. And that is not the best way to run a business.
Zero-carbon economy may not be worth the cost
The weather is not as extreme as it has been since I have been alive.A report came out the other day confirming that the worlds wind has dropped 30% since 2013. When was the last big nor-wester, followed by a screaming southerly that you can remember? Extreme winds are a result of pressure differentials caused by big differences in the temperature of the air interacting between the South and the North in the southern hemisphere. What we have today is instant reporting of weather events. Only 150 years ago we would not have known what the weather was like on any one day in the North Island, let alone on the other side of the world.
$8.5 million for freedom camping fixes this summer
Akaroa lacking in facilities could have been fixed years ago. Elections are coming up next year. People will have a chance to dump reactive councillors and elect proactive councillors. Akaroa, Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula need more representation. I would suggest three councillors. The population is small, but the area is big.
Christchurch has much to celebrate - but what next?
Interesting comment.Pre-earthquakes when cruise ships came to Lyttelton, I would get a few cruise ship customers say to me that they were sick of cities.Thats what led to my countryside tour. And they loved it.
Crowdfunding campaign to buy high country station from US billionaire abandoned
It seems that people in New Zealand have forgotten that it was built on foreign capital.Here are just a few; Ivon Watkins Dow, ICI, Norwich Union, Tasman Empire Airways, Union Steamship Co, P&O, Ford New Zealand and so on. Even Mt Hurt ski-field was owned by the Japanese for many years.Anyone can buy shares in a property company listed on the stock market in London. I bought property in the U.K. and I was neither a resident or a citizen at the time.Foreign capital is needed in New Zealand as we dont have enough. And the reason being is that people cannot build their capital bases due to excessive taxation.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
See photo in heading of this article.If you havent seen them, it proves my point.
Disaster a 'defining strand within the Christchurch story'
Thankyou Mike Yardley. You have said everything I wanted to say.And the only tour I did in Christchurch last week was, wait for it - an earthquake tour. I remember when the old CCT bought Phil Koeghan to be an inspirational ambassador to Christchurch in order to boost tourism. It was a complete waste of money. I hadnt even heard of him. And I couldnt remotely see how a tourist would connect and be inclined to spend money here because of his presence.And here I am, beavoring away investing a ton of money (about $80,000 recently) as a private tour operator ready for the coming tourist season starting October 1st, 2018.
Christchurch City council-owned Citycare posts its first-ever loss
City Care is not an oddity.Council also owns Red Bus which incorporates Akaroa Shuttle, Aaron Travel, and Red Travel. These three companies compete with all the other privately owned tour operators.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
Glenk: So what if those cars are only carrying 1.1 to 1.2 people. You make it sound sinful and we should be guilty. Well Im not.Has it ocurred to you that many of these people are probably going to Rolleston, Darfield, Timaru, Dunedin or Tekapo. But the bikes wont be. You are comparing apples with pears.
"North Canterbury road safety still a priority despite 10-year wait for bypass",
Ultimately this motorway will be needed. Forward thinking would see it built now. And another one may not to be built for a century, or ever. It has the advantage of allowing traffic going North or South to leave the motorway onto the existing arterials to Rangiora, Ohoka Darfiled (milk tankers) and West Melton. If this motorway was built, heavy traffic already using Johns/Russley Roads would use the new motorway instead. The current bothleneck in Hornby/Templeton would be resolved. There might not be any need for the extra lanes on the existing Waimakariri bridge either. I would like to see some boldness and leadership by the NZTA.
"Calls for Christchurch to fast-track zero-emission buses",
Righton, my business receives no government or council subsidy.Furthermore it is my business to run how I see fit. I hold the property right to it. I will not be compelled by a third party at my cost to force me to do something against my will.
Opinion: Christchurch is an entrepreneurial hotbed of rapidly growing businesses
Another question that should also be asked, is how many managers in ChristchurchNZ have ever ran their own business with their own capital at risk?At the moment I am getting a few down ticks, but I would hope that someone will come on and debate the issues that I have raised so we can all see why you are making those down ticks.
Zero-carbon economy may not be worth the cost
I just cannot see the doomsday scenario of a warming New Zealand.If it gets warmer our growing season is extended. There is lots of grass around this winter. A bloke in Gisborne is alreay growing bananas. Heating bills will be lower. Less electricity for heating will be required. There will be less need for new power stations. More rain has seen the hydro dams full well into this winter.Sea levels wont just suddenly rise. A slow retreat can take place over a hundred years. As houses depreciate in condition due to time, there will be next to zero cost. If wharves have to be raised 50 cms, so what. The old one would have deteriorated over time and needing maintenance or replacing anyway.The negative impacts on New Zealand are a massive exageration. Or is it simply feeling guilty for being a sucessful country and a need (by some people) to fund a poor country through carbon tax. And poor countries are forever receiving billions of dolars in aid from the rich western countries and they remain poor. The best aid is to observe how rich countries got rich and emulate them. Until they do they will stay poor no matter how myuch they receive.
Project 8011 plans to repopulate central Christchurch
To direct hordes of tourists into both the museum for toilets provided for patrons would soon annoy both establishments. Furthermore the toilets in the museum are upstairs and not easily accessible. And both of these close about 5.00 - 5.30 pm.The toilets in the botanical gardens are not in the CBD. The one behind the museum is a pigsty.
It's crunch time for Queenstown - let tourist numbers double, or shut the gate?
But they do.Every restaurant, tourism front shop, cafe, rental operation, retailer, gas station, accommodation, pub, attraction and activity has young people working in them.
Christchurch City council-owned Citycare posts its first-ever loss
Your comment is predicated on the assumption that new competitors will never come into the market.Real life is such, that someone else will.
The rise and rise of council consent costs
In the end I did speak to my submission but I thought that I had wasted my time and money in coming to Christchurch. It has been sime now, but from memory my submission focused on objections, especially by those with vested interests abusing the consent process to keep competitors out. Another problem was that only one objection could lead to a costly public hearing and it should be stopped.Many objectors such as Forest and Bird are to some extent publicly funded. It was an unfair contest.In the event that the objectors prevailed, the applicant did not benefit from his/her application, so the objectors should be required to pay for the cost of the hearing.I proposed that objectors should be required to make a financial deposit, with strict conditions on any refund. This would likely end frivolous objections.
"Calls for Christchurch to fast-track zero-emission buses",
Was this because of the deliberate Labour led Government policy of increasing fuel prices which hurts the less well off the most?
Councillors accused of 'sticking heads in sand' as asset sales talks hit stumbling block
Where do you get the 8% return from, as I dont see this in the article.
Christchurch City Council spends $780,000 on 22 consultants for performing arts precinct
In this example its gone past a select few to 22 different companies. There must be a hell of a lot of smoozing going on behind the scenes for all this to happen. Another question is why does the council not have its own expertise?It has been known for a long time that the council does not always put everything out to public tender. Two good examples are the Antigua Boat Sheds and the Tram.
Executive decision: The movers and shakers running Christchurch City Council
My paragraph 5 says that the Executive Team should answer directly to the elected mermbers.That way the elected members can get straight to the point through questioning them. It puts an element of scrutinising accountability on senior managers. It also adds a further public spotlight on the CEOs performance. Sure the CEO might not enjoy such an arrangement, but it would certainly sharpen up their performance for all to see.And after all, if you are in the top spot, that is what you get paid for.
"Management failings left council and public in the dark for months over unsafe wells",
I forwarded an FYI to the CEO today and I geot a reply from someone who I believe is part of the media team.My FYI was sent back to staff to investigate. I then had concerns that it may have gone back to the very people causing the problem.I responded by asking if the CEO gets to know what is going on. I have had no futher response.
Much of NZ bus fleet a 'disgrace' says critic, calling for safety improvements
My vehicles have 12 passenger seats and operate under a Large Passenger category. Anyone can have a look at my windscreen.I havent mentioned Red Bus or inferred anything about Red Bus. I would welcome an explanation.
Rate rises continually outstrip incomes and inflation - do they need an overhaul?
Over time less and less people have exercised their right to vote in local body elections. Furthermore there is an ongoing decline in the percentage of people who own their own house. Rates might be one reason why.The way to change this is to ensure a direct connection between people and paying for the services provided by the council and their use of those services.In the U.K. they introduced the Community Servises Charges. Everyone had to contribute. Beneficiaries and students over 18 only had to pay 20% of the charge. My rates dropped by about two thirds.For the first time, people really thought about who they would vote for. The hard core socialists hated it and kicked up a real fuss. But over time the percentage of people refusing to pay their council taxes rapidly declined as prosecutions progressed. When Margaret Thatcher was deselected by her own party, John Major as the new leader of the Consetvatives promised to abolish the community services charge if elected. And that is what happened. It was a dreadful step backwards for local Government and its accountabiliy.
Opinion: Christchurch is an entrepreneurial hotbed of rapidly growing businesses
Correct.They have suceeded by making a good strategic decision. And for that I applaud them.The question then has to be asked is would all these businesses have suceeded without ChristchurchNZ and MBIE?.
Christchurch City Council pulls out of negotiations with bike share giant Mobike
And where did the spoke snd hub bus system start? Right here in Christchurch.Looks like the pied piper mistook Wellington for Hamlin.
Executive decision: The movers and shakers running Christchurch City Council
I know what I am talking about.And yes I meant the Executive Team. Thankyou for bringing the matter to my attention for correction.
Executive decision: The movers and shakers running Christchurch City Council
That is what happened.The council is yet to sell any assets.
Mike Yardley: Fuel tax 'mauling' looms for Christchurch motorists
If someone wants to drive a big car that is their choice and they pay for it.And autonomous cars will not crash? And if they replace current cars, there will still be the same number.
Zero-carbon economy may not be worth the cost
It was Bill Clinton.
Crowdfunding campaign to buy high country station from US billionaire abandoned
I have noted my spelling error. It should read Mt Hutt.Happened with r being next to t on my phone keyboard and fat thumb.
Councillors accused of 'sticking heads in sand' as asset sales talks hit stumbling block
Here is a history lesson for people.Councils often evolved out of entities that were set up where there was a need for infrastructure. An example was the Mt Cook Roads Board which became the Mackenzie District Council. An early infrastructure road had no chance of making an economic return. It was deemed to be in the public good. In the United States a new railroad was funded by issuing shares in private companies. Their methods were a little different. Today many early infrastructure entities make a commercial return. Their purpose of being in the public good has long past. There is no point in councils holding capital in these entities. It is in societys best interests to have that capital returned for new public good projects. Christchurch has a number of projects requiring capital. That capital can come from selling down stakes in the likes of Lyttelton Port and Christchurch Airport.
Council assets might not have been sold – but they have been mortgaged
It did not fail in the U.K. from a fair and equitable taxation method.It failed due to politics. After Margaret Thatcher was deselected by her own party having arrived back from Maastirch where she opposed what the Germans were up to, John Major became the leader of the Conservative party.With an election looming and a desire to stay in power, he promised to abolish the Communnity Services Charge (wrongly referred to as the poll tax).The Conservatives won and he did as promised. John Major has since become an arch Remainer.I lived through the Community Services Charge (CSC). My rates dropped by about 66%. I also paid the CSC.Those who had never had to directly contribute moaned and moaned. But compliance was improving all the time and the very few who didnt were prosecuted.The CSC was very fair. Beneficiaries and students only had to pay 20% of the CSC. It had another great benefit, in that for the first time it made all the people focus on who they would vote for in council elections.It was a sad day and a lost opportunity to have continuing responsible local government.
Christchurch City council-owned Citycare posts its first-ever loss
He is right, as profit margins are being squeezed in all business sectors.
Opinion: Christchurch is an entrepreneurial hotbed of rapidly growing businesses
I have not applied for any funding.I sought to have the i-Site both promote and sell my tours for which I am required to pay ChristchurchNZ a fee plus a commission on all sales.I will now file an application for an Injunction in the High Court. I should not have to do this.
Editorial: Oh, to be an ordinary MP on average pay
The real villains when it comes to public sector salaries are those of the Chief Executives of councils and managers. Some are on eye watering salaries with all the perks as well.And its a cosy old merry-go-round of the same people going from one council to the next one. There was one that went from the council to a sporting organisation and then recently back to a council again. And it doesnt seem how hopeless some are, they still get employed by another council. It has to have something to do with the recruitment industry.And none of them have hordes of competitors breathing down their necks everyday as is the case with a private business. And with the council hopping going on, doesnt seem much competition there either.Although we need them they are simply paid far too much. And not one of them creates any wealth.
Christchurch airport profit well ahead, $40m dividend
Rates are already high with ownership of the airport..Do you really believe that the current crop of councillors can slash the cost of running the council. If they could, they would have done but cant and havent.The capital released by selling the airport would make a good dent in the councils overall debt and interest payments.Collecting rates on the capital value of the airport would be a good return without capital tied up or being at risk.If sold the council would never have to think about the airport again except for rating purposes and resource consents. CCHL could be trimmed back considerably.
Council assets might not have been sold – but they have been mortgaged
Steve Weir; Pretty good.Queenstown sold down a stake of their Airport to Auckland International Airport Limited. New capital, new ideas. Queenstown Airport has boomed with all their improvements. They have now taken a long term lease over Wanaka Airport as well.Auckland Airport was floated. It has boomed with new management. And Auckland City Council doesnt have to think about it anymore, orher collect heaps of rates at no capital risk.Prime Port Timaru was sold to Port of Tauranga. Its going well with new capital and management. They are giving Lyttelton a hurry up with their new inland Port at Rolleston. Timaru District Council doesnt have to think about it anymore other than collect rates.Mackenzie District Council sold its maintenace LATE to Whitestone. Now their work goes out to tender. They dont have to think about it anymore other than collect rates.And all the capital released can be, and has been generally used for new infrastructure. And thats my argument, if it is profitable sell it and use the money for new public good investment.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel holds on for another term
Correct.Debt levels amount to $25,000/houshold. Debt servicing is $1,337/ household.Lianne said that they dont need to sell assets as they have had a capital release. Rubbish. For a capital release you have to borrow and pay interest on it. More debt and more interest. And a bank gets the security. Dunedin went down the road of a a capital release. A one off financial boost. Then they complained about the reduction in dividends. Then its lines company Aurora skimped on capital maintence. Their power poles started falling over. Then they recorded a nett $8m loss.I set out my policies and they were rejected. But the election was skewed by the media and some debate organisers only inviting three so called leading candidates.Populism and socialism has won. But it will be costly. However that is what the electorate wants..
Mike Yardley: Fuel tax 'mauling' looms for Christchurch motorists
Mustbetheplace: the Kapiti Expressway now carries more traffic than before.That is a success.
Christchurch airport profit well ahead, $40m dividend
But the divedend will not pay off the councils ever esculating debt.
Little Andromeda theatre pitches tent for Christchurch city centre
I suspect that the $15,000 from the council is for the resource consent fees and costs.If so, why would anyone now pay the council consent application fees.
Political group puts stake in ground to keep asset sales on the table
The world changes.Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) is lukely to come under some commercial pressure in the not too distant future. Wanaka Airports runway will be extended. It could be extended to a length that could handle Beoing 777X, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. These aircraft have ranges much further than Australia. CIAL cant now buy into Wanaka Airport, as Queenstown Airport has recently taken a long term lease. They have also bought some of the surrounding land. Pukaki Airport (Twizel) can now build a longer and re-aligned runway. It has been incorporated as part of the Mackenzie District Councils District Plan. If that was to happen, aircraft could fly in from Australia. 24% of CIAL should be put up for sale on the stockmarket without delay.
"A bad taste: council may not have approved chlorination if told of well problems earlier",
Lets try and consider why managers did not tell their boss about the problems which they were aware of.There may exist a culture of fear where they consider that telling the CEO will lead to disciplinary action for allowing the situation to evolve in the first place. Management may have considered that they could fix it without letting the CEO know. But this seems unlikely as it required a request for funding. Another reason might be because the management may consider that they have no faith in the CEO.Whatever the reasons, there are obviously problems within the council. We only ever get to hear about the CEO when problems arise. I havent read a good news story about the council executive. It would be nice to read a headline such as; CEO saves council $20 million or CEO sacks infrastructure managers. When it came to taking action over consenting issues, it wasnt the CEO being proactive, it was the Government. There are problems in Governance and Executive at CCC when they adopt the living wage policy without an increase in productivity and the CEO puts a statue in the river, being just two examples of incompetence.Nothing much will change until a new bunch of councillors are elected. But even then, if the peoples choice candidates prevail, again not much will change.
Council assets might not have been sold – but they have been mortgaged
Steve Weir; You hae asked how this approach has worked out for other councils. But you still havent given an aswer for those other councils.
Councillors accused of 'sticking heads in sand' as asset sales talks hit stumbling block
The 1 cost of power generation and distribution was hidden in a myriad of structures.After being sold there was an initial adjustment where prices rose.Competition has been very keen over the past 10 years. There are always deals being offered and electricity prices for domestic users are not contributing to inflation. There is variation in spot prices when generation fluctuates due to low lake levels or demand exceeds supply. The market is working more transparently than ever.
Are Orion's dividends a windfall or just another tax?
It was called the Community Services Charge.I would welcome a Community Services Charge.Margaret Thatcher was effectively deselected as leader of the Conservatives when she returned from Maastrich and made it very clear that the Germans wanted control of a pan European construct through the Euro.Not only that, but the Germans pulled off the biggest financial heist in history when the Berlin wall came down and they bought about currency parity between West and East Germany. Full integration when the exchange rate was 5 to 1 resulted in a massive subsidy at the expense of the rest of Europe. The bank of England sold most of its gold to keep the value of sterling up. Overnight interest rates went to about 84% (I stand to be corrected on this precise figure). Currencies fell out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism bands. And all this without any mandate by the peoples of Europe.We have seen the debacle over Greece, and again the German currency involvement by them not allowing Greece to break free and reintroduce the Drachma.And again most recently where Germany opened the gates to refugees (many of whom are not refugees) for a labour force to make up for an ageing population.As Margaret Thatcher said, you cannot trust the Germans. She paid a heavy price for speaking her truth.
Calls for section of Christchurchs Colombo St to become pedestrian mall
Buses - Hmmm. Lots of negative comments about them, but I have a solution. It will really wind up the egalitarian socialists. So here goes.Aeroplanes have first class, business class and cattle class. Much the same with cruise ships.So lets have first class compartments, business class and then cattle class on buses.I think this is an elegant solution.
Canterbury public transport gets funding boost in Government's transport funding
What a complete waste of money.It is acknowledged that Timaru has seen a major decline in bus patronage, yet it has not had the earthquake disruption that Christchurch has had. So why has the truth not been sought as to why people are not using buses? Consultation will normally get responses from those who would use, or had used buses. And everyone else doesnt bother. But that is where the answer lies. And that answer is that people use other forms of transport that suits their needs.This religious obseession with subsidised transport is costing both taxpayrrs and ratepayers dearly. By introducing impediments on other forms of transport to force people onto buses is confirmation that this expensive idealogical experiment is corrupt.
Council assets might not have been sold – but they have been mortgaged
I was busy and hadnt seen it.Thankyou for bringing it to my attention.
Christchurch City council-owned Citycare posts its first-ever loss
The council needs to create a descending prriority list of what is in the public good and what is not, reviewable at the Annual Plan.Obviously roads, water, sewerage would be at the top of the list. A covered stadium might very well be at the bottom. If so it would receive no council funding. But it could be nearer the top, at which point it might receive some council funding. The list would be truly democratic.
"Peter Griffin on climate change: Without geo-engineering, we are imperiled",
A lot of climate change advocates say we must plant more trees to soak up the carbon.Well, grass and weeds to the same thing.
Little Andromeda theatre pitches tent for Christchurch city centre
Again someone pops up and taps into the bank of last resort, the council. And the council obliges.This man claims to have a lot of bookings. Then he should go it alone and prove to the world that he is a savvy businessman. With lots of bookings he doesnt need the ratepayers money.In any event the council should make the $15,000 it has given him an interest bearing loan secured against this mans assets. Otherwise dont do it.