News Release
Monday 4 February 2013

Drivers urged to take extra care around schools as kids return from holidays

ROTORUA 04.02.13: Now that school is back for the year, Rotorua District Council (RDC) is reminding drivers to take extra care with speed and parking around schools or face being fined.

The council enforces fines for parking offences such as parking on the footpath, in or within six metres of a bus stop, on a broken yellow line, and within six metres of a pedestrian crossing. Fines range from $40 to $60 per infringement.

RDC road safety coordinator Jodie Lawson said driver behaviour can either protect or endanger children when they arrive at school and leave each afternoon.

“Drivers and children need good visibility around schools to be able to see each other. Kids can appear out of nowhere and with the school year recommencing around now it’s timely to remind drivers to travel at safe speeds and park safely so our children’s safety isn’t compromised.

“Parking restrictions are in place near schools for a reason. They protect our community’s children against possible injuries,” she said.

The legal speed limit past a stationary school bus is 20kph. When a bus is stopped to collect or drop off children 20kph is the legal passing speed in both directions.

“Hopefully by being more aware we can reduce some of the traffic chaos and improve safety for students travelling to and from school each day. Our kids’ lives depend on it.”

[ENDS]

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage