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Back to basics Grow your own: New Zealand’s gardener of the year Jade Temepara showcases her vegetable garden Digging the Future at the Ellerslie International Flower Show which opened yesterday. The Ashburton designer created her garden with $100 to support a family of four. For more on Ellerslie see pages 2, 20 and 21. Photo: Gilbert Wealleans
Ready to go another round Calling for change: Ilam and Upper Riccarton Residents’ Association chairperson Jane Tyler-Gordon has put a lot of time into anti-alcohol campaigns in her community. She’s one of those having to do it all again, when the Christchurch City Council consults on its Local Alcohol Policy in the New Year. She is pictured outside a new liquor outlet which is being established on the corner of Yaldhurst and Avonhead roads. Photo: Samantha Early
Let’s get the eastern arsonists
Samantha Early samantha@mainlandpress.co.nz
A CHRISTCHURCH residents group which has fought hard to due to open early next year. Construction on the site has already alcohol industry, which is very well-heeled, will be right in there, right from the word go, lobbying and working out the best address alcohol-related problems in its neighbourhood is among begun. Gina McKenzie She said the new legislation would put a huge strain on way of delaying anything because the status quo is what really those preparing to go another round, with new laws requiring “Something that seems insignificant be very even in those areas with large sections of empty COMMUNITY action could help solve a spate two of the properties people were asleep inside local councils to consult with their communities about the sale communities where energy and expertise was required to fight benefits them.” important so I would encourage people in the houses. of eastern suburbs arson attacks, according to their houses at the time. However, Justice Minister Judith Collins said the new laws, big business interests. and supply of alcohol. “If someone calls the fire service we will aim The residents escaped uninjured but the area to report anything suspicious.” Fire Service Christchurch area commander Jon “Our community was prepared to speak up but it is easy to which will come in to force in stages, would bring lasting change The alcohol reform legislation passed its final reading in Overgrown vegetation and abandoned houses to be there within six minutes so we are still escalation in the arson attacks had alarmed Mr Graham. become dispirited when the Government openly flies in the face to the country’s drinking culture. Parliament on December 11. in the eastern suburbs provided fuel for arson very much a part of eastern Christchurch.” The series of arson attacks over the past three Graham. “For the first time in more than two decades Parliament has The changes included giving local communities, through of all the expert advice. Mr Graham said the fire service was still “We’re very concerned that these attacks are attacks and Mr Graham said residents needed to weekends razed the landmark 52-year-old “I think they just didn’t have the strength, to do it and go acted to restrict, rather than relax, our drinking laws.” councils, a say on things like trading hours and the location of carrying out an ongoing investigation into the Leander Building at Kerrs Reach in Avonside creeping into properties while residents are monitor vegetation growth. The Christchurch City Council’s planning committee liquor outlets. Liquor licences would also be made harder to get against the business. Nobody was prepared to say no and yet “People need to be aware that even if they arson attacks in conjunction with the police. Drive and damaged Aranui High School, asleep. they are prepared to accept all the related costs on health and the chairperson Sue Wells said the council looked forward to drafting and easier to lose. “We are analysing the scenes of the fires and don’t live in their house anymore if they still “It’s gone too far and needs to be stopped.” Avondale Primary and Aranui Kids First its Local Alcohol Policy and consulting the community about it, Ilam and Upper Riccarton Residents’ Association chairperson damage that is done from the abuse of alcohol.” Mr Graham hoped Wainoni and Avonside own the property they are responsible for the results will contribute to the investigation.” Kindergarten. National Addiction Centre director Professor Doug Sellman now the law had been passed. Jane Tyler-Gordon said the law did not go far enough and it If anyone has any information regarding the The attacks stepped up a notch at the weekend residents would be able to provide further keeping vegetation under control. Strategic Policy Unit manager Alan Bywater said council would now be left to residents to lobby their councils, which said new laws did not contain any substantial reforms and did “If the property is owned by Cera then the arson attacks or has noticed any suspicious with seven fires lit in the early hours of Saturday information. staff members have already been carrying out background work nothing to address the commercialisation of alcohol. were now working on their Local Alcohol Policies. activity in the Wainoni, Aranui or Avonside “People are our eyes and ears and even a council will take care of the vegetation.” morning in Aldershot and Portsmouth streets Prof Sellman said it showed a lack of leadership by the with key stakeholders, such as the Medical Officer of Health, Ms Tyler-Gordon spent many hours helping lead a campaign Mr Graham said the fire service still had a areas please contact the Christchurch central small detail such as seeing an unfamiliar person and Ben Rarere Avenue in Aranui. against a new Henry’s liquor outlet being established on the government by leaving it up to communities to take on the the Police and Hospitality New Zealand, along with randomly very active presence in the eastern suburbs, police on 363 7400. Four of the fires were lit at properties and at in their street could provide a breakthrough. surveying more than 4000 residents to get their views on alcohol alcohol industry. corner of Yaldhurst and Avonhead roads. “It’s going to be an enormous amount of hard work and the in the community. The store’s liquor licence was issued in April and the store was
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