Community Board meeting
Reflective cats-eyes. In the Public Forum, Phyllida Mead spoke about the hazard posed by the reflective cats-eyes in the middle of Commercial Street in Takaka. She fell over one while crossing the road and suffered a nasty injury. Board member Karen Brookes said that the cats-eyes are 17mm high and easily capable of tripping someone up. Board chair Joe Bell said that the cats-eyes are removable and entirely unnecessary in an urban area. Apparently other people have tripped on them. The matter will be taken up with the appropriate authorities.
Rototai speed limit and fencing. Ivan and Lilian McKay are still seeking appropriate action on the speed limit at the corner of Rototai Road and Arapeta Place. They have raised the matters before but Mrs McKay said that it was even more important now that the Golden Bay Housing Trust is going to be building four more homes in the subdivision.
Mr Bell said that engineering services were reviewing the speed limit again. "We're dealing with changed circumstances now that more building in the subdivision is proceeding. The advisory speed limit on the new sign is 45 kmph but that's too high."
The board will continue to pursue this matter with engineering services.
Funding for weeds. Jo-Ann Vaughan spoke about the Community Conservation Fund for locally driven projects on public land. The fund is managed by DOC for the Ministry for Environment.
"It would be ideal for two projects here - the reserve area at Puponga, which is infested with weeds, and the Labyrinth Rocks," said Mrs Vaughan. "Forest and Bird will apply for the funding. We have two nurseries with thousands of appropriate plants but I'm daunted by the application process. I hope to find a way through what feels like patch protection." Later, the board resolved to write to council's engineering services and reserves departments seeking their support for community groups to apply for funding for the control of weeds and restoration of agreed areas of council land.
Mr Bell said that he hoped that both departments would respond positively to the application, especially given Forest and Bird's really good track record.
LTCCP consultation concerns. Alan Vaughan read a statement written by Penny Griffith, who was unable to attend the meeting. Ms Griffith had three concerns about the public consultation phase of council's Long Term Community Council Plan (LTCCP). They concerned the time constraints, the fact that submissions could be made only on-line or at council offices, and the design of survey form itself. Ms Griffith said she felt that this represented a "token gesture towards consultation".
Fireworks. Sarah Chapman told the board that the fourth annual fireworks display would take place on Saturday 25 October.
Heritage vehicles. Ms Chapman also spoke about a proposal to install cut-out models of two heritage vehicles on the outside of the Aorere Heritage Centre in Collingwood.
Rototai developments. NgAng reported on developments at the Rototai walkway/cycleway. A mural, mosaic works and a Monet lake are all planned, and planting of fruit trees and other food crops is already under way. "We're a very small group, just 12 people in all, but we'd like to be a role model for other communities," said Ngang.
Swiftsure Street. BJ White complained about lack of progress and lack of communication from council about the stormwater issues in Swiftsure Street in Collingwood. Mr Bell pointed out that progress is being made on the issue.
Community board issues
Speed limits. The board resolved to write to council's engineering services manager, Peter Thomson, seeking a more pro-active response to setting appropriate speed limits. Mr Bell cited examples in the North Island where 20, 30 and 40kmph speed limits were imposed in places. He also mentioned Napier City's status as a self-declared 40kmph zone.
School bus speeds. In line with a Rural Women initiative, the board will write to local school bus operators suggesting that signs be placed on buses reminding the public of the 20kmph speed limit on vehicles passing stationary school buses.
Special tourist roads. The board will also write to the major political parties seeking their policy positions on the restoration of central government funding for special tourist roads.
LTCCP assistance. In a bid to attract more people to LTCCP consultation meetings, TDC strategic development manager Susan Edwards invited the board to assist with their running. The board was pleased to agree.
Collaboration. The Motueka Community Board is keen to meet with our board to discuss reorganisation and delegated functions.
Neil Wilson
