Community board meeting this week
Santa Parade.
Peter Woods, president of the Collectable Vehicle Club, sought support from the board for the organisation of the annual Santa Parade. “The parade is not really the club’s business,” he said. “We’ve set a model for the parade, which is a popular community event. Someone else needs to take over the organisation.”
One suggestion was that community recreation co-ordinator Dave Myall might be able to take over the organisation if he was paid a few extra hours in the month or so leading up to the parade.
The board will support a request for funds from the Grants From Rates scheme and Cr Borlase agreed to take the matter to the next meeting of the GB Promotions Association.
TDC community services manager Lloyd Kennedy explained that the Motueka Christmas Parade is organised by Our Town Motueka, which is funded by a targeted rate.
Labyrinth Rocks.
Ross McDonald spoke on behalf of the Friends of Labyrinth Rocks, seeking a progress report on the carpark design. Mr Kennedy explained that council’s hands had been tied until 1 July when new budgets were set.
“The engineers are waiting on final details from Montgomery Watson Harza,” said Mr Kennedy.
“Month by month goes by and we’re getting nowhere,” said Mr McDonald.
“I’m not overly concerned yet,” said Mr Kennedy. “It’s only halfway through July. The main thing is to have it done by summer. I have the contact name of the person at MWH and I will chase them along.”
Takaka building.
Paul Sangster asked about building platform heights in Takaka township.
“A house is being built on ‘the pinnacle’ at the top of town,” he said. “Has the Lidar mapping been completed so that everyone will know about the flood plain? Also is it possible for the board to ask the engineer where he got the height from for the two sections? I find it ridiculous that the inhabitants of the new house will have to walk uphill to go in and come out.”
Board chair Joe Bell explained that building standards had been reviewed and the flood level raised.
Aquaculture.
Alan Vaughan reported on recent developments to do with fishing, aquaculture and scallop harvesting.
“A number of parties have sought a judicial review of the MFish decision about extra aquaculture space in Golden Bay. If the High Court upholds the MFish decisions, the expanded mussel farms might proceed, but if the court overturns the decision, the matter could drag on for months.”
Mr Vaughan also reported that only a very small area will be harvested by commercial scallop fishers this coming season. “It’s because of very poor recruitment of harvestable scallops,” he said. “It’s thought that the method of harvesting might be a factor in the decline but it’s not the whole answer.”
Mr Vaughan is on the Challenger Inshore Finfish Fisheries Plan Advisory Group. He explained that the current legislation does not allow for separate management of discrete areas like Golden Bay. “It can be done,” he said. “But it’s tricky. Lots of groundwork is being done in other areas like southern Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sounds and we should be able to take advantage of that.”
Pakawau Store. Board member Leigh Gamby expressed dismay at the closure of the Pakawau Store and Camp.
BMX Track.
Cr Noel Riley contributed to public forum to answer an accusation at last month’s board meeting that council had done nothing about the proposed BMX track.
“I took offence at Mr Sangster’s comment. There’s plenty happening and we’re making good progress. Merv Solly has agreed to clear the site for nothing, I have organised the right sort of clay from the Ruby Bay bypass and 30 metres of Armorail will be provided to keep vehicles off and prevent the dumping of rubbish that’s been going on.”
Community facility.
On behalf of the Golden Bay Workcentre Trust, Geoff Rennison and Linda Sanders presented the results of the feasibility study into a community facility. The community, as represented in this study, is about equally supportive of, and opposed to, a new facility. A summary is published on page 1.
Pohara Store lease.
The board resolved to recommend to council that where the conditions of a tenancy have been met, a new lease is negotiated in the first instance with an existing tenant rather than putting such leases out to tender.
Ligar Bay. Ligar Bay resident Andrew Tilling wrote to the board suggesting that an integrated plan be developed for the land and foreshore in Ligar Bay. Dr Tilling, who is a natural resource and conservation adviser, suggested that the plan be developed by the local community itself, in conjunction with TDC’s local planner, Ina Holst. The board resolved to hold a workshop on the issue to take account of recently obtained information and to “sort out the next step”.
Neil Wilson
