Yesterday at Business Canterbury's South Island Election Conference, we announced National's plan for the South Island, I've included some of the most relevant details for Selwyn below.
Some of the key priorities for Selwyn in the plan focus on investing in the infrastructure, services and regulatory certainty needed to support our district’s continued growth.
This includes a $50 million investment in the shared road and rail connections for the Rolleston intermodal freight hub, improvements to critical South Island transport links including state highway bridge replacements, and the completion of Tower Three at Christchurch Hospital, delivering an additional 96 beds for patients. Our policies also include progressing Phase 1 of the Christchurch Men’s Prison redevelopment, which is expected to be operational by mid-2030.
The plan also delivers greater certainty for farmers, growers and rural communities by completing the replacement of the Resource Management Act, implementing new Crown pastoral land settings, and developing national standards for gravel extraction from rivers and on-farm quarries to reduce consenting costs and support essential aggregate supply.
To help manage growth in our district, it also proposes standardised planning provisions for small towns, while requiring new data centres to be supported by additional electricity generation to help protect households and businesses from higher power prices.
With Selwyn being the fastest growing district in the country, we know the pressures that this growth can have on infrastructure and I have heard concerns from the community around potential Fast Track projects and the impact on existing infrastructure.
I'm pleased to say the Government has announced that it is updating infrastructure funding rules to ensure growth pays for growth, giving councils stronger tools to recover the costs of roads, water and other essential services needed to support Fast-track developments.
The changes will help councils address infrastructure pressures from new developments, including those that cross council boundaries or occur ahead of planned growth, while maintaining the Fast-track programme’s focus on delivering more homes, jobs and investment.
The reforms strike a balance between supporting development and ensuring communities are not left carrying the cost of growth.
Minister Simeon Brown recently announced a new urgent care and after-hours service in Rolleston that is now open.
This will provide faster access to care closer to home for many families, not just in Rolleston, but across the wider district.
Residents across Selwyn have repeatedly told me they want better access to urgent healthcare closer to home. I have advocated strongly on their behalf, highlighting the challenges families face. This new service is a direct response to those community concerns and a great outcome for Selwyn.
I’m so pleased that from this weekend families can access urgent care for non-life-threatening injuries and medical conditions locally - saving time, reducing travel, and making it easier to get the care they need, when they need.
As a part of a nationwide programme announced by Minister Erica Stanford, nine local schools have been selected to receive rooftop solar power among 500 schools across New Zealand: Clearview Primary, Darfield High School, Kirwee Model School, Leeston School, Lemonwood Grove School, Lincoln High School, Prebbleton School, Waitaha School, and West Melton School.
This will result in lower power bills, more energy resilience, reduced emissions, and hands-on renewable energy learning opportunities for students.
Schools are expected to save around $8,000 a year on average, freeing up money that can be reinvested into classrooms and student learning.
This is a win for students, schools, taxpayers and local businesses, helping us fix the basics while building a more resilient energy future for Selwyn.
One of Selwyn’s great innovation success stories continues to grow and thrive.
It was a pleasure to visit Spex Seating and Medifab’s new Innovation Hub in Rolleston’s IZONE today, where their world-leading work was on display alongside a real commitment to supporting and investing in their staff.
From right here in Selwyn, the team manufactures specialist seating solutions that improve the lives of people with complex disabilities across New Zealand and around the world.
Thank you to Roger and the team for a fantastic tour and for highlighting the importance of backing New Zealand manufacturing, innovation, and local jobs
It's always a pleasure to get out and about within our community - recently I held a coffee catchup in Sheffield. Keep an eye out for my next one in your area!
As we ramp up towards election day, you might see me out and about in your community, please feel free to say hello and to raise what you think are the most important issues for Selwyn.
If you're passionate about returning a National-led government, reach out to my team at selwyn@national.org.nz as we have a variety of volunteering roles that we'd love your support with.
Rolleston afterhours and urgent care - Chris Lynch
Women's Health Hub - PR
Rolleston Freight Hub - Chris Lynch
As always, my team and I are here and available to help.
You can get in touch with us by emailing Nicola.GriggMP@parliament.govt.nz, phone 03 344 2800, or pop into the office in Rolleston Square between Monday and Fridays, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Kind regards,
Hon Nicola Grigg