Letters to the editor
Freedom camping and street lighting
It’s that time of year again where the “problem” of freedom camping rears its head yet again. Any “problem” can be resolved either negatively (fighting) or positively (accepting).
Every year a new batch of people in vans comes into the Bay wanting to freedom camps so either you fight them or you welcome them. Recent history shows fighting doesn’t works so why not welcome them? All it requires is a few strategic toilets and signs, and a change of thinking by councillors, bureaucrats and some residents and there would be no problem. After all a “problem” is only a matter of a person’s perspective; one person’s “problem” may be another’s “gift”.
When I look out at night over Pohara and the Bay from my perch up Bird’s Road, I often wonder why we need street lights, especially ones which shine upwards and are on all night? At 3am, Pohara and Collingwood all glow away – it seems rather pointless. I thought New Zealand was trying to stop wasteful use of energy?
River Howe
Street lighting in rural areas
Questions arose last week in The GB Weekly about what standard of street lighting is appropriate in coastal and rural areas of Golden Bay. TDC development engineer, Dugald Ley, has responded:
A resource consent was granted for a subdivision in Nyhane Drive in 1997 and a condition of consent advised that “the street lighting shall be installed to the current Tasman District Council standards.” At that time the standards were to comply with NZS 6701. This has now been overtaken by AS/NZS 1158. A clause in the then engineering standards advised that “Alternative lanterns and columns may be approved by council subject to submitted evidence concerning standards, location and nature of lighting.” I am not aware that the subdivider objected to the lighting condition so the proposed lighting layout proposed by the subdividing owner was approved by council and the lights were installed.
Following the above background, I offer the following comments to the questions you raise below: [The GB Weekly’s questions are numbered 1-3 and Mr Ley’s answers follow].
1 Do the same standards apply to subdivisions, no matter where they are? Does “urban style” as per the plan take into account the surrounding area, the coastal nature of the neighbourhood etc?
Lighting is assessed on the basis of the zoning of the land, proposed vehicle and pedestrian movements, the road’s status and the health and safety of the residents and visitors. Council’s current engineering lighting standards reflect the zoning and area of potential light spill. In rural residential areas like Ironworks Road you will see low-profile bollard-style lights.
2. If someone requests an individual shade or part-shade on a particular light that is causing a problem is there a cost to that person? Can street lights be retrospectively modified to eliminate spill?
The new lights/lanterns today are an advancement on what was installed years ago with light efficiencies and better optics to direct light to the areas that need it. Shades can be installed but replacement lights are probably a better option.
3. Does a developer have some flexibility over how he or she complies with the requirements of a consent? Does Standard number 1158 allow a developer to choose lights that only shine downwards? Does TDC explain that there are different kinds of complying street lights?
The new lighting standard is specific on the standards to be met in regard to health and safety of the public and there are a number of specialised designers that submit the designs to council. Councils have a duty to meet these standards.
Integrated health facility
Over five years ago, a very well-attended community meeting heard Dr Struan Clark set out his vision of one physical unit providing extended primary health care.
Community representatives at the same time enthusiastically endorsed his vision; as did representatives of health providers. One such representative, still on the IMG, commented that if this project were to succeed it had to be a community initiative, owned by the community and driven by the community. The community needed to decide what would suit it best, but should feel assured that official resources would be able to help in the process.
Now over five years later, what has happened? And at what cost to the taxpaying community? Is this still “a community initiative, owned by the community, driven by the community”? Has the community truly been given real opportunities to decide what would suit it best? Has the IMG won “support through well-informed debate and the minimisation of issue-driven, or ill-informed comment”?
How does IMG enable “well-informed debate” when The GB Weekly continues to carry so many letters of concerns from so many? About governance, cost, location or services?
John Lee
Pakawau Beach Park
Apologies for the error in previous week’s letter. I was referring to Lot 2 where the proposed 20 apartments are to be built which, including the proposed eslanade of 3,754 sqm, measures 13,650sqm.
The proposed apartments, garages (40) and vehicle access would cover approximately 60 -70% of the site, extending along the length, ie parallel to the beach in an almost continuous line. To be constructed in (plastered) concrete and bearing in mind the loss of much of the existing vegetation in site preparation etc, particularly along the seaward side, and the time for landscape screening to be effective, the visual impact of the apartments would be significant and at odds with local dwellings.
It is a great pity that the then Minster for the Environment Chris Carter did not recognise the value of what a great public asset the Pakawau Beach Park could be, and not just from an economic point of view. This, despite national recognition of what a “jewel” it is, one of a few remaining of its kind, and strategically unique. Local public ownership would likely be more desirable in any case, and I feel would be the best outcome for all.
In hope, Jill Newport
Takaka’s water
Further to Gerard Hindmarsh’s interesting article (GBW 26/2) on Takaka’s water.
There is a continuous Ordovician Arthur marble seam 55km long, up to 8km wide and 4km deep from Mt Arthur to the sea in Golden Bay. The Arthur marble was uplifted by plate action out of the sea, a process that probably took several million years and was completed about three million years ago.
The marble became cracked and bent while it was at a probable temperature of about 300ºC. Many cavities and caverns were formed, some filled with liquid quartz, and others later with water, and over time the calcium carbonate dissolved, creating what I call waterways.
The Waitui River is sourced from numerous Arthur marble waterways from the Arthur Range. A large amount of the Waitui’s water returns to the Arthur marble waterways 6km from the Waitui’s sources. The water is returned at the rate of at least three, one-metre diameter pipes continuously. Recent surveys by TDChave indicated this. The water probably goes down the valley via the Pikikiruna faultline which is very open in places on the surface. Some may head out to the Riwaka Resurgence?
Mack Harwood
Bird life
I have had a lifelong interest in birds. Last week I went tramping in the Lewis Pass area and I could not help but notice the almost complete absence of bird life near the Blue-Grey River – the whole valley was mainly silent except for a few robins near the farmland. We then went down the Rough Creek track to the Lewis Pass. All the way down there was the sight and sounds of birds of various species, indicating healthy populations. On this track there were signs showing a recent 1080 drop so I contacted DOC to find out what is going on. Their abbreviated reply: “We consider the aerial 1080 job carried out in...Lewis Pass as being very successful...It has received ongoing possum control for the last decade or so...The Blue-Grey has not received 1080 except for a very narrow band around the farmland by the Animal Health Board.”
This experience confirms for me my previous observations that where there is a good number of birds it’s usually where 1080 has been used.
Note: I am only commenting on 1080 and bird life – not other aspects of the debate.
River Howe
TDC blunders that affect you
Concerning the changed stormwater rate imposed 2006 without any ratepayers being aware of any change. The following areas were also affected by this change: Pohara, Ligar Bay, Patons Rock.
As the change was a 10-fold increase and in light of what has happened for the Tata area, residents in the above areas may like to check the back of their rate notices to see the difference the new rate made. This new rate has been deemed illegal by an Ombudsman finding and his findings are now being challenged by TDC at great cost to us all.
Please, now is the time to take some action, email your MP: chris.auchinvole@national.org.nz, who is chair of the Parliament Select Committee who will decide whether to make the council’s action legal, and ask him that you want Ombudsman findings validated and that we all be returned the money that was collected illegally. Feel free to ring us.
Paul Clements, Anne Gentleman, Tata Beach.
A good friend of mine was the commanding officer of a US Navy squadron in San Diego. He posted signs around the hangar areas for his sailors, saying “Do the right thing” – and they did. He went on to have a very successful tour as a CO.
TDC needs to take heed of his message with regards to the Tata Beach stormwater rate issue. I have just received a letter from their corporate services manager indicating they have spent $26,239 plus GST for legal advice on this issue and estimate another $7,000 to be spent for the cost of obtaining validating legislation from parliament to cover their mistake. All of these ratepayer’s funds wasted over an issue for which the Ombudsman ruled that the rates were charged illegally. And then TDC indicates that overall rates will rise four per cent this year and propose a tourist tax on holiday homes in their district.
So come on TDC, do the right thing. Refund the illegally raised Tata Beach stormwater rates and restore some confidence in your ethical position for the ratepayers who fund your growing empire.
Bob Schmuke, Appleby
Cabaret in the Cave
Last Sunday I was blessed to experience/participate in the Cabaret in the Cave. I am continually humbled by the talent and the beauty of our Golden Bay community. This show was no exception. It was a wonderful experience for me to share the cave with about 150 (my estimate) of Golden Bay’s nicest/bestest/wonderful-est people who came out (and up) to see the show.
I’d like to thank all of you who made the effort, not a small effort by the way, to get out on a Sunday and trundle all the way up to the Ballroom Cave for this cabaret. I’d also like to thank Nigel Mountfort from DOC for taking the time to share his (endless) knowledge of local history with us. Mixing government and community can be such a beautiful thing.
But most of all, I would like to thank Hera, not only for the idea, but putting forth (all) the effort to organise the cabaret and then for having it come off in such a grand fashion! I can’t wait for next year’s show.
Tenzin Kalden
Congratulations to the organisers of the cabaret in the cavern. It was a wonderful event enjoyed by all.
Colleen Byrne
I wish to extend a huge thank you to all those involved in the Cabaret in the Cave last Sunday. To all the performers who so generously offered their time and talents, and especially to Selena Serra, Mark Callagher and DOC, who helped to make the event possible. We had a wonderful turnout and would love to put on another show next summer.
Hera Livingston, event co-ordinator
I wish to give praise to Hera and her helpers in organising the Concert in the Cave on the last day of February. The tea party was well catered for, the weather perfect, the talent musical and the Ballroom Cave a unique venue.
I offered my Toyota to transport instruments and some people along the 10-minute walk to the cave. It was the first time I had taken my vehicle along the so-called “4WD” access to this cave.
This access should not be signed as such, as it is unfit for “recreational“ 4WD vehicles. It would be excellent if this access was simply addressed by a blade that would fill in the crevasses and ravines. This would allow elderly and infirm visitors with limited walking ability to visit this natural wonder by vehicle. I successfully negotiated the short return trip to the car park by taking my Toyota slowly, without incident, ignoring the advice of “do not go that way”.
If this area is a historical gold mining region and controlled by DOC, as the signage indicates, why not upgrade this 4WD access? Who is responsible for the creation of this track and maintenance? The 4WD access does not conflict with the walking track for those who want a great hike.
Reg Turner
Children’s Second Hand Clothing and Toy Sale
Our now famous second-hand sale is on again. Our six-monthly second-hand clothing, book and toy sale will be held on Saturday 27 March at the Senior Citizens’ Hall, starting at 9am. Our aim is to help people buy and sell items quickly. It’s open for anyone to sell any items relating from babies to teenagers. You drop off your named and priced items and we sell them on the day for only $5 all up (not per item). So spend a couple of hours over the next few weeks having a sort out and make yourself a few dollars. Anything from trikes to T-shirts. For further information phone Fleur 525 6116.
Fleur Murray, for Golden Bay Toy Library
Sports clubs museum exhibition
The Golden Bay Museum is planning a major exhibition to open in October focusing on the various sports clubs that have existed in the past.
We are keen to locate any minute books that may be under beds or in cupboards in private homes. The museum has condition-controlled storage for the preservation of paperworks and photographs, and we encourage the donation of such public information to the museum for safekeeping.
This material will be used for research and will be of interest to locals and visitors. Undertaking research for the exhibition will begin soon and material loaned to the museum would be gratefully received.
If you recall information or anecdotes about playing sport in the Bay in the past, please contact Jane or Karen at 525 6268, Golden Bay Museum or email goldenbaymuseum@xtra.co.nz
Jane McDonald, collection/archives manager
Rototai Food Stall
In reply to Elizabeth Warren (GBW Letters 26/2).
I’m unsure about the “real New Zealand definition” of the word organic (is it different if spelt in capitals?) but the UNIVERSAL definition is broader than you are inferring (with all due respect to global organic compliance organisations and much power to them for their efforts).
Anyway, countless backyard growers have been growing organically (chemical and spray-free etc) for years (in some cultures for millennia). So how about those who can prove they are organic, label their produce “Certified Organic” and the rest of us can grow in peace?
Paul Frika
Parenting teenage boys
As parents we play a crucial role in determining whether our teenager grows up emotionally, or remains stuck as a child in an adult’s body. The better prepared we are as parents for the turbulence of our child’s adolescence, the easier it is on the family.
Tracks Trust is hosting a public presentation on “Raising Teenage Boys” as advertised in this issue of The GB Weekly.
This talk looks at the modern-day world of boys and provides practical tools and tips to help parents best support their sons to grow and thrive. It is also an opportunity to learn more about Tracks, their model of rites of passage, and hear from local people who have been on an event.
Three experts, who for years have worked with adolescent boys and have a wealth of theoretical and practical knowledge to share, will present this talk in a lively and entertaining manner (more information see display ad).
Maria Koch, Tracks Trust
Change to the The GB Weekly’s Upcoming Events
Advertisers who wanted one advertisement under one date in the Upcoming Events section of the paper were very easy to accommodate. It was the advertisements that had no date or several dates that were proving to be a problem. A few weeks ago, seven of the 15 advertisements were like this (either no date or related to more than one day).
The new layout with no dated headings means that our readers look for an event that interests them instead of reading the dated headings. Previously the dated heading dominated and the events that were advertised a month or two ahead could easily be missed.
I hope that explains our reasons for making the change.
Marg Braggins, manager, The GB Weekly
