Draft LTCCP released: submissions invited
TDC has released its draft Long Term Council Community Plan and is inviting submissions from the public.
“Public submissions determine where council decides to place its priorities,” said Golden Bay ward councillor, Noel Riley. “If people want council to take notice of the things they want money spent on, they should be making submissions.”
Cr Riley said that, from a Golden Bay perspective, he thought the two most important issues in the draft plan were cycle/walkways and the port at Tarakohe.
Cr Stuart Borlase agreed, but he also highlighted the planned provision of a community venue. “Council has a view that there’s a need for safe cycleways and walkways and we’re working on it. There are problems around the width of our roads and the depth of the ditches beside them. Nobody is offering private land for stand-alone cycle/walkways away from the roads, but we’ll get to that.”
Cr Borlase spoke of the enthusiasm with which council’s CEO, Paul Wylie, speaks about the port. “He calls it the jewel in our collective crown and I endorse that view,” said Cr Borlase. “It will bring huge benefits not just to Golden Bay but also to the district as a whole.”
Cr Riley explained that council is planning to spend money at Tarakohe replacing the old wharf. “The port’s in debt, though. The income generated by the marina covers most of the costs and there is growing demand for space. The commercial part of the port has to have its cash flows right for the future. In due course we’ll provide a food standard wharf that’s separate from the industrial sector down there, but a new food-grade wharf will have to be at least assisted by the industries that are benefiting from it.
“If people support the idea of the expenditure on the wharf at Tarakohe, for example, they should be writing in and telling the council,” said Cr Riley.
Cr Borlase mentioned the feasibility study being undertaken at the moment, investigating the possible provision of a multi-purpose community facility.
“Money has been earmarked for the project in years 12-13 of the LTCCP,” said Cr Borlase. “The facilities rate that the whole district has been paying for all these years will provide 80 per cent of the cost of the project so long as the community can find the other 20 per cent. Now it’s a case of people in the community getting enthused about the idea.”
Both councillors urged Golden Bay people to make submissions on the plan whether they support or oppose particular aspects of it. “It’s a really good opportunity to influence council’s thinking,” said Cr Borlase.
Neil Wilson
