Board chair’s report brings issues to monthly meeting
Golden Bay Community Board chair Joe Bell’s monthly report will form an important part of next Tuesday’s board meeting. Some of his recommendations are summarised here. Mr Bell has also prepared a separate report on last month’s Community Board Conference in Christchurch.
Sealing outside of sidelines. With the lack of progress in developing off-road cycleways, practical suggestions have been made to improve safety for vulnerable road users. Wider roads can result in higher speeds, but the provision of one metre of seal beyond the sideline would make the roads safer for vulnerable road users and provide a bigger margin of error for motorists. The current narrow lane width would be maintained because the sideline would remain. It would be a cost-effective way of mitigating risk.
Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board supports a 1 metre sealed strip beyond the marked sideline of SH60 and other arterial roads as a means of providing improved safety for vulnerable road users in areas where dedicated off-road cycle/walkways are not provided.
State Highway 60 Onekaka. During the meeting on 11 March the following initiatives were requested: A reduced speed limit through the area; advisory speed signs and chevrons for the two corners at Otere Stream; a “Welcome to Onekaka” sign to denote entry to a settled area; and improvement to the sightlines where possible. Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board supports and endorses the initiatives requested by Onekaka residents during their meeting with NZTA on 11 March 2009.
Collingwood boat ramp entry and parking proposal. While there is general support for the proposal in principle, some concerns have been expressed. They include opposition to the parking proposal, the amount of infilling of the estuary and the proposed layout of the parking. The proposed rock wall is apparently designed to reduce debris build-up but concern has been expressed that it may cause more build-up in the corner behind Beachcomber Motel. Consultant Stuart Hughes has advised that these concerns will be addressed before the final plan is submitted for planning approval. Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board studies the final plan before deciding whether or not to make a submission to the Resource Consent Application for the Collingwood Boat Ramp entry, infilling and car-park proposal.
Labyrinth Park process. When board members met with the staff engineer and a representative of the Labyrinth Park Group on site on 16 December 2008 there appeared to be agreement on the car park project. There was the opportunity to have the work done at a good price with the machinery available nearby. Four months later, the same basic proposal is being revived. Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board seeks the development of policies to ensure timely consideration, decision-making and outcomes for local projects such as the Labyrinth parking area.
Tourism vevy. The actual figures for the proposed rate from the unconfirmed minutes of the 5 March 2009 council meeting are: Tier 1: $322.87 and Tier 2: $79.87. Within the tiers there is a wide range of businesses. There needs to be a mechanism to take into account the disparity between businesses. Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board makes a submission on the proposed tourism levy suggesting a mechanism to improve the fairness of the proposed rate.
Broadband. The Government has closed down its Broadband Investment Fund. The board had submitted to, and was relying on, this fund for the Riwaka-to-Takaka broadband link. The Government has proclaimed support for extending broadband as recently as the Community Board Conference. Subsequently a new proposal for broadband has been made, which excludes West Coast /Tasman (and Golden Bay). There is apparently a separate $48m fund ‘to extend rural broadband’ in undefined areas. Recommendation: That the Golden Bay Community Board writes to Prime Minister John Key, Communications Minister Steven Joyce and electorate MP Chris Auchinvole, expressing the need for improved broadband services to Golden Bay and asking how the Government intends that this be achieved.
