Golden Bay Community Board’s June meeting
West Coast/Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole was a guest at the Golden Bay Community Board’s June meeting on Tuesday. TDC community services manager Lloyd Kennedy was in attendance, together with councillor Noel Riley, but councillor Stuart Borlase had to apologise because he was at a Richmond West planning hearing.
“We advised Mr Auchinvole that Tuesday was our scheduled monthly meeting day and that he was most welcome to attend,” said Mr Bell. “We sorted out four issues to discuss with him. They are the ones where central government policy decisions could have an important bearing.”
Golden Bay economic input/output study. The board has been requesting such a study to gather accurate and up-to-date information about the economy here. Lincoln University has the capability to conduct the study but it needs to be funded. Regional bodies have declined to fund the study but, according to Mr Bell, Mr Auchinvole was positive about the idea.
“He was aware of a similar study that had been done on the West Coast and he said that it had been helpful,” said Mr Bell.
Tradeable water rights. The board had expressed its opposition to the idea of water rights being traded away from the property to which they had been allocated and was interested to engage Mr Auchinvole in a discussion on the matter. The issue arose elsewhere in the media on Tuesday because the Government announced that it would be assuming control of water resources rather than leaving them in the hands of local government.
Tourist access roads. For some time the board has been requesting special subsidies for a number of Golden Bay roads. These roads provide access to popular tourist destinations like Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach and their upkeep should be more heavily subsidised than it is at present.
Cr Riley observed that Golden Bay’s situation was very similar to that of the West Coast, with which Mr Auchinvole is familiar. Golden Bay roads attract a subsidy of only 47 or 48% while West Coast roads reportedly get 73%.
“Mr Auchinvole was sympathetic,” said Mr Bell.
Broadband access. The board was keen to raise the issue with Mr Auchinvole but had received a letter from the Minister of Telecommunications, the Hon Stephen Joyce. The letter arrived too late to be included in the meeting’s agenda but it spoke of the $48 million dollars that the Government has pledged to “address broadband coverage issues in rural areas such as Golden Bay.” The minister went on to say that he expected soon to be able to announce how that money would be allocated.
Public Forum
Labyrinth Rocks and Pohara footpaths. Ross McDonald reported on progress at Labyrinth Rocks, and also put in a plea for a formed footpath in front of the Pohara camp between Selwyn Street and the store. Mr Kennedy explained that there were logistical problems, especially at the busiest time of the summer. There is guaranteed access for pedestrians through the camp, from both its Abel Tasman Drive entrance and the entrance at the end of the Selwyn Street walkway. If more people used that access it might solve the safety issues.
Stock effluent. Duncan McKenzie spoke about stock effluent in response to an item in the board chair’s report. Mr McKenzie said that cartage firms recognise that effluent is a problem, especially in “gypsy week” when plenty of stock is being transported. He identified two contributing factors: farmers not standing stock long enough before transporting them and the absence of effluent disposal facilities this side of the Hill.
The board added this as an agenda item and later resolved to send letters: to TDC’s environment and planning committee about the need for a bylaw; to Federated Farmers asking for a reminder to members of the stand-off code of practice; to New Zealand Transport Agency formally requesting the provision of effluent disposal facilities here; and to the Road Transport Forum asking it to remind its members about their obligations.
Takaka flooding. Paul Sangster spoke about flooding in Takaka. It was explained that the LIDAR mapping the board had requested for Golden Bay had been completed, but that there was a glitch in downloading the information obtained.
Stormwater drainage. Board member Karen Brookes spoke about the continuing stormwater drainage problems in Commercial Street. The board questioned whether there was the will for the problem to be solved. “If this was in Richmond it would have been fixed by now,” Mr Bell said.
Targeted rates. Sara Chapman asked whether the targeted rate for communities with community boards was going to be revisited as part of council’s LTCCP process. It was explained that council’s strategic manager’s report to this week’s full council meeting made no mention of the issue.
“Our submission on this issue has just been bundled up with all the other submissions that they’ve heard and decided to do nothing about,” said Mr Bell. “We feel quite let down. We were told in no uncertain terms that this was the way to approach the issue. With charge-out rates of up to $336 an hour from the targeted rate, council’s decision to ignore our submissions again is like trying to normalise the unthinkable.”
Neil Wilson
