Pool objections flood in to Waimairi council

Press, 6 May 1988, Page 9

Pool objections flood in to Waimairi council

The Waimairi District Council could be stretched if the number of requests for exemptions from the new swimming pool fencing law continues at the present rate.

About 240 pool owners have so far returned the self-certification forms which were sent to ratepayers, and of these 53 have sought exemption from a law requiring that a pool be fenced. A further 46 people have asked for property inspections by council staff. The District Engineer, Mr John Lamb, told the council’s town-planning committee last evening that it would probably be necessary to employ a part-time officer to keep up with the inspections. “We think there are about 2500 pools in our area and only about 10 per cent of owners have replied so far. We are going to have to act on it fairly smartly to get things sorted out before the summer.” Mr Lamb said council staff had been unable to take action any earlier, because they were unsure how many replies would be received from pool owners.

Some of those seeking exemptions have their pool fenced on three sides, with a patio facing the remaining side. Others objected to having to fence their pool when there was already an unfenced creek or stream running through their property. “A sub-committee will also have to meet soon to set a policy on exemp-

tions,” Mr Lamb said. “If they keep coming in at this number we could really be in trouble.” Several councillors said they had received telephone calls from residents confused by the law and concerned about the pool certification fee. The council is charging $lO for certification, and $4O for exemptions or inspections. Cr Fred Blogg described the act that requires swimming pools to be fenced as stupid. “I think the public are very confused and indignant. The sooner it is clarified, the better for everyone.” Cyanide business A Papanui resident has been given permission to set up a small cyanidemanufacturing business at his home. Cr John Hanafin said that the cyanide jelly made by Mr R. R. Bushby

would be sold through telephone and mail orders ,_r use as bait to kill opussums. The business will function only between the months of May and August, when Mr Bushby will make a year’s supply of the jelly. Cr Hanafin said that both the Christchurch Drainage Board and the North Canterbury Catchment Board had originally objected to the business because of uncertainty about the treatment and disposal of effluent from the process. However, the Drainage Board had agreed to accept treated effluent and this had allayed fears that there could be contamination of ground or surface water. Cr Ted Arundel was concerned about whether children would be able to get hold of the poison, but was told that the manufacturing premises would be kept locked. Cyanide can only be

bought by people licensed to use it. Kindergarten A kindergarten adjacent to Avonhead Park may be built within the next year. Councillors last evening gave planning approval allowing the CanterburyWestland Free Kindergarten Association to build the kindergarten on a block of land to the northeast of the park. The original application by the association to build in Pinehurst Reserve drew several objections. Cr Blogg said the new site meant a satisfactory result for both the applicant and objectors. The application had shown there was a great need for another kindergarten in the area, he said. The town-planning committee decided to encourage and speed up the priority for the building of the kindergarten.