Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said the 150th celebration of Central Otago’s gold mining history is a great opportunity for the people of the area to celebrate its past.

This year-long festival will provide plenty of opportunities to celebrate Central Otago’s heritage and to reflect on how that has impacted on the area today.

It’s a chance for the community to get together and look back on the past, reflecting on the events which shaped Central Otago.

There are a great range of events planned across many the region with towns from Clyde and Cromwell, to Ophir and St Bathans taking part.

I would encourage people to get out and enjoy themselves, celebrating the history of the region at the same time.
 

Jacqui talks about how bountiful the electorate is, earthquake threats to iconic buildings - and sends Christmas wishes to viewers.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was delighted that Paerau School would remain open.

A decision was made last week by Education Minister Anna Tolley to keep the school open.

“No doubt the students and staff at Paerau School will be delighted at this news. It’ll create a positive atmosphere for them as they work towards the end of the school year.

“This school is extremely important to the community and I know they’ll be relieved that its future is now secure,” Mrs Dean said.

“Paerau School provides an important focal point for the community, but more than that it allows children to avoid long distance travel and attend a school that is close to home.

“The Paerau community has done all that it can to ensure that it retains its local school and it has been rewarded with this positive decision.

“I would encourage families to continue to support their school and allow it to grow into the future.”

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was pleased construction of the first stage of the new $3.3 million Roxburgh Gorge cycle trail looked set to begin and urged the community to get behind it.
 
Work was scheduled to start on the first 10 Km of the 34Km trail, from Alexandra to Flat Top Hill this week.

“This new trail will complement the hugely popular Otago Central Rail Trail and will only enhance Central Otago’s reputation as the cycling capital of New Zealand.

“I’m pleased that this trail is starting to take shape, although there continue to be issues around negotiating access for sections of the ride, I think it’s positive that work is set to get underway on the initial stages.

“I’m hopeful negotiations over land access for the rest of the trail, to the Roxburgh Dam, will progress smoothly and that cyclists will soon be able to enjoy this fantastic journey.

“The Government approved $2 million in funding for this trail, as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, because we saw its potential to create jobs and growth in the Central Otago area.

“I would encourage the local community to support the Roxburgh Gorge trail because it has the potential to enhance tourism growth in Central Otago and boost the economy of the region.”

Jacqui talks about Golden Oldie rugby in Oamaru this coming Saturday and what it means for the community, congratulates the Blossom Festival organisers, and other electorate activities.

Jacqui talks about the implementation of National Standards in Waitaki and Rugby World Cup activities in the electorate - particularly in Oamaru.

Jacqui shares some "great news" about Hon Peter Dunne's moves to outlaw Kronic and similar substances.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said changes to the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill, approved by Cabinet today, should go some way towards addressing community concerns about the sale of synthetic cannabis products like Kronic.

“I’m aware of a wave of community concern about these synthetic cannabis products right across the Waitaki electorate and I believe that the amendments made by Cabinet will protect young people from the dangers that exist.

“This sends a clear message to communities, like Alexandra, Wanaka and Oamaru, that the Government is listening, that we acknowledge that products like Kronic are dangerous and that they need to be removed from sale.

“I think it’s a significant breakthrough that Kronic, and other synthetic cannabis products of this kind, will be taken off the market while the Government works on an even more detailed response.”

The ban on synthetic cannabis products will be in place by Friday, and all 43 current products will be expected to be out of shops just over a week later, she said.

“The Government reviewed the Misuse of Drugs Act because it is out-dated and doesn’t adequately address the rapidly expanding market for new psychoactive substances, including party pills and Kronic.

“The Government has now sent a clear message that any product that causes potentially lethal risks to young people will be banned.”

Crime Statistics—Trends

7. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Police: What reports has she received on the latest trends in the level of crime in New Zealand?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) : I am very pleased to report that total recorded crime per head of population dropped by 6.7 percent in 2010. This result is a tribute to the dedication and tenacity of our law enforcement officers. The police have put more officers on patrol on the front line and are working closely with communities and other agencies to prevent crime happening in the first place. The Department of Corrections is also playing an important role by keeping the most dangerous people in our society securely locked away. At the same time it is focusing its efforts on rehabilitation in order to help offenders to stay out of trouble when they are released. I commend our law enforcement officers for these results and for the important work that they are doing to keep our communities safe.

Jacqui Dean: What other factors have influenced the drop in recorded crime?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: One of the key factors is that this Government is determined to reduce the number of people who become the victims of crime. We have put extra police officers on the front line, passed new legislation to strengthen their ability to fight crime, and given them new tools such as Tasers and digital radios. We have also increased our focus on reducing the number of people who reoffend. There are now more prisoners than ever before undertaking drug treatment, work training, and education. However, these results do not signal that we will be relaxing our efforts to fight crime. Although the drop is consistent with a long-term trend, we will continue to back our law enforcement agencies, to keep up their great work.
 

Economy—Reports
1. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the economy?

Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) : Today the latest release of GDP data shows that the economy grew by 0.2 percent in the December quarter and by 1.5 percent in the last calendar year. This largely confirms what other indicators are telling us: that the economy was growing very moderately through the second half of last year, as New Zealanders increased their savings and paid down debt. However, it was the highest annual growth in the last 2 years, and the economy has expanded in six of the past seven quarters.

Jacqui Dean: How does this compare with growth in the recent past and expected future growth?

Hon BILL ENGLISH: In the 2008 calendar year the economy contracted by 0.2 percent, and in 2009 it contracted by 2.1 percent. However, most commentators and forecasters agree that growth is likely to accelerate over the next couple of years, driven by a combination of lower interest rates than expected, strong commodity prices, continued Asian growth for our export markets, quake rebuilding, and the Rugby World Cup. They are forecasting growth reaching 4 percent or 5 percent over 2012 and 2013.

Jacqui Dean: What implications does today’s data have for interest rates and inflation?

Hon BILL ENGLISH: It certainly does not signal any particular change. Both interest rates and inflation are likely to stay low for some time, reflecting the fact that the economy has been pretty flat and there is plenty of spare capacity.
 

Corrections System—Private Sector Investment

8. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Corrections: What progress has been made toward the Government’s commitment to encourage private sector investment in the New Zealand corrections system?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) : I am very pleased to report that three private sector consortia have been invited to tender for the provision of a new men’s prison at Wiri through a public-private partnership. The new facility will ensure that there are enough beds to cope with the forecast growth in prisoner numbers and the need to replace ageing prisons. The three consortia are led by experienced international prison management companies and each one includes a major New Zealand construction partner. A number of other New Zealand firms are members of, and advisers to, the consortia. It is expected that a final contract with the successful consortium will be in place by July 2012.

Jacqui Dean: What benefits will the new prison bring to the local community and to the wider region?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The 960-bed prison is a major project for the Auckland region and will bring significant economic benefits to the local community. It is expected that the development will inject approximately $1.2 billion into the region’s economy over the next 30 years. The construction and ongoing operation of the prison is expected to sustain 1,900 jobs and inject approximately $100 million in wages and salaries into the construction sector.
 

JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) : I want to begin by extending my thoughts and best wishes to the people of Japan who are enduring the worst calamity possible, with the major earthquake followed by a tsunami, and now a developing nuclear crisis.

In our own country, the aftershock in Christchurch on 22 February brought fresh sadness to the people of Canterbury. We got away with only property damage in the September earthquake, but the February earthquake was indeed a tragedy for the families and friends of those people who died in New Zealand and throughout the world, including some folk from Japan. Also, there was a sadness for all of the rest of us throughout New Zealand and further afield.

I want to pay tribute today to the Prime Minister, John Key, and his Ministers for their swift, decisive, effective, thoughtful, and compassionate response to this tragedy of ours. The job now is rebuilding Christchurch. Mayor Bob Parker and the Minister of Civil Defence, John Carter, have been absolutely tireless in their efforts to restore essential services to the people of Christchurch, because once we begin to deal with the shock, the grief, and the horror of what has happened to people, we then have to get down to the more mundane aspects of this tragedy and start thinking about, and acting on, the challenges of the practicalities of providing essential services.

A massive recovery operation is required, and the declaration of the extension of the state of national emergency ensures that the maximum possible coordination and cooperation between central and local government and between central and local resources will be most effective in response to this disaster. Essential infrastructure throughout Christchurch was absolutely devastated. Power services, reticulated water, and sanitation ceased for many, many people in Christchurch.

Life changed immediately for the people of Christchurch, who, as well as being traumatised and fearful of what happened and of the aftershocks still to come, were also coping, maybe for the first time in their lives, with having to deal with the very practical business of going about living, drinking, eating, going to work, and using essential services. So it is encouraging, and it is to the credit of all those involved, including those I have named, that the services are well on the way to being restored. The job is not done, obviously, and a lot of work still needs to be done in the short, medium, and long term, but there is a plan and many, many gains have been made.

Power has been restored to nearly 100 percent of customers, and that has been done by the power companies working tirelessly 24 hours a day, day and night, on restoring that essential service to customers.

Inside the central business district, the area that has been absolutely devastated, 50 percent of central business district customers have been reconnected. As we know, those services are fragile and fluctuating, and the system is still not secure. However, it has certainly made many gains. Approximately 95 percent of households on a mains water supply have now been reconnected, and I know that the lack of reticulated water—water still has to be boiled—has been of particular concern to people. They cannot cook, they cannot bathe, and they cannot wash their hands without water. I know that the connection of that service was the highest priority, and 95 percent of that has been achieved.
 

The MacKenzie Basin encompassing Omarama to Tekapo is an iconic and treasured part of New Zealand but there are real pressures and tensions over its future.

The MacKenzie is valued for its unpolluted night sky, its wide vistas, glacial lakes and tussock lands and it is our strongest brand. The recreational and tourism attractions are huge -  stargazing, hiking, tramping, fishing and all water activities. There are special habitats and wildlife some of which are unique to the Mackenzie. The Mackenzie and Waitaki catchments make a huge contribution to hydro generation, and farming operations run from dry-land sheep and beef farming through to dairying and dairy support.

There are a number of issues.

There is a degrading natural environment. The land is experiencing a loss of tussock cover. Wilding pines, rabbits and weed are all spreading; some farm operations are marginal at best and are looking into increased use of water.

Investment in irrigation makes it possible to turn frost-broken arid land into green pasture, making farming operations more profitable and weed and pest control more affordable.

Many of those same farmers have a keen sense of stewardship over the land; a number of run-holders seek to protect and enhance environmental biodiversity on their properties, provide access opportunities for visitors while maintaining their farming operation. Those are the locals and their view is important.

There is the desire by those in the wider community also to protect biodiversity, recreation opportunities and possibilities such as the establishment of a dry land park. Recreational water users want clean rivers and streams teeming with life and with decent flows. Generation companies are also very keen on maintaining decent water flows and good water quality in the catchment.

There are real competing pressures and tensions over the future of the Mackenzie and the risk is that these will be fought out in years of divisive legal battles. This adversarial climate was highlighted in the proposal for cubical dairy farms causing not only local consternation, but which also caught the attention of wider New Zealand.

I think there is sufficient good will and common values to bring the key players together to develop a shared vision for the basin in what is a “A Big Picture Look”.

I am in the process of establishing the MacKenzie Sustainable Futures Trust and am working on the terms of reference with respective parties to progress the plan.

The key to the success of this will be a broad membership, wide buy-in and a real commitment of people working together on a collaborative process that incorporates economic development and environmental sustainability.

We need to recognise that there are important landowner’s rights as well as broader public environmental values in the MacKenzie that need to be brought together.

There are a number of Crown leases undergoing tenure review, and the interests and priorities of those farming families must be recognised.

The Trust’s working group will comprise of people who live in the area and others with a strong association to the area.

The benefits of adopting a collaborative approach have been highlighted by the work of the Canterbury Strategic Water Study.

Both the Mackenzie Sustainable Futures Trust and the Canterbury Water Management Strategy seek a different approach to break away from the dispute and adversarial procedures that have dominated the debate in the past.

The collaborative process is being well supported by groups and individuals and its aim is to achieve a high level integration of land and water issues, to guide other processes, avoid duplication and work to keep everyone informed.

I will be working hard in February to get details finalized and the Trust has engaged the services of Guy Salmon in finalizing the details of this collaborative Blue-Green initiative.

All of this work will help inform but in no way replace the work of the two local Authorities, Waitaki and Mackenzie District Councils and Environment Canterbury.