Community board submits on Draft Annual Plan
Port Tarakohe, rates, community services, engineering, and environment and planning considerations were just some of the issues on which the Golden Bay Community Board (GBCB) has made final submissions on TDC’s 2011/12 Draft Annual Plan.
Representing the board at last week’s planning meeting were Mik Symmonds, Leigh Gamby and Karen Brookes. Mik Symmonds said the board’s submissions had been formulated after holding meetings around the district, plus they looked at what was outlined in the Ten Year Plan.
“The Local Government Act makes it quite hard to introduce any radical changes to the Ten Year Plan. Anything major, such as replacing the James Road Bridge, triggers what is known as the ‘significance policy’, which requires a special consultation to authorise the expenditure. But this year there is a review of the Ten Year Plan, which is an opportunity to bring new things on board.”
Rates. Both specific rates and targeted rates were raised as an ongoing concern for residents on low and fixed incomes. The board nevertheless expressed their support for a 1.98 per cent rate increase to replenish the disaster fund and to replace the James Road Bridge, and a 18.64 per cent increase required in river Z classification areas to fund increased protection and river training works. “All these measures give the message to ratepayers in the more remote areas of the region that although they may have limited access to many council services, they are supported by the rest of the district,” said Mr Symmons. The reduction in targeted rates was noted but the board made it known they would be making a comprehensive submission on the issue for the Ten Year Plan.
Port Tarakohe. Acknowledging that the port was vital to the health of the Golden Bay economy, the board strongly supported the new marina going ahead. Mt Symmons said: “The long-term financial benefit to all ratepayers from this strategic regional asset needs to be considered in the same way as council’s forestry assets. Tasman ratepayers need to appreciate that just as the forestry investments took 30 years to start making a return, the long-term dividends have had a considerable impact in maintaining services without the need to increase rates. A similar long-term view is required for Port Tarakohe. The board encourages council to consider running the port as a council-controlled organisation with an independent board and a clear statement of intent that acknowledges both the recreational and commercial aspects of the port.”
Tasman Bays Heritage Trust (TBHT). Mik Symmonds said on behalf of the board that it did not accept that the TBHT is in a strong enough financial position to repay the $67,080 it owes this year, and supports the extension of the current loan under the same conditions.
TDC public relations. The board supported a review of communications expenditure. While there is a statutory component to some communications, in constrained financial times the more discretionary aspects of communication are not core services. Separating the non-statutory communications spending as a separate line on the rates notice would allow further public feedback on the level of spending.
Engineering issues. Support was expressed for all proposed roading expenditure in the Bay, including the Cobb Road reseal; Swiftsure Street and Gibbs Road drainage improvements and legalisation of road access for Swiftsure Street; Yellow Pine and Awaroa No1 bridge replacements; and also the investigation of additional works along Beach Road to alleviate present flooding problems. The board also supported the resolution of ongoing drainage issues at Patons Rock and continued design work on Takaka’s wastewater treatment plant subject to the working party report.
Discussion with DOC was encouraged to see if the swingbridge providing temporary access to James Road residents can be later relocated either to the site of the Salisbury Bridge, or used to provide safe access across the 19 Mile on the Heaphy Road. While the loss of cycleway funding was a blow, the board hoped the TDC engineering department could still work with TDC community services to develop opportunities for off-road cycleways, especially between Takaka and Pohara. The board also indicated they would like to see some progress on identifying an indicative route for a bypass around Takaka township, which will help inform planning work on the location of any future stopbanks on the Takaka river downstream of the Kotinga Bridge. Similarly, the identification of an indicative route between Clifton and Ligar Bay will help inform any future rezoning planning.
Environment and planning. Board support was given for the completion of the Takaka Valley water study as well as the enhancement of the flood warning and notification systems for all Golden Bay rivers, especially the Aorere. Following on from the inundation study, strength testing is required on the stopbank downstream from the Kotinga Bridge. It also supported the ongoing work on strategic development planning in Golden Bay, including follow-up work from the Strategic Planning Meeting at Tarakohe, and development planning in Takaka South. The board also encouraged close liaison with the NZ Transport Agency in this area to ensure any state highway work meshes with potential growth, and supported planning in western Golden Bay – the continuation of Dr Campbell’s soil mapping work is seen as an essential part of this project.
The board also noted that the appointment of a compliance officer in Golden Bay for the height of the summer season was very successful. Whilst it appreciates budgetary constraints, the board wants to see the reallocation of resources within the compliance contract to enable this good work to be continued.
Community services. The board hoped that priority was being given to the refurbishment of the Milnthorpe wharf. It also supported the continued negotiation with landowners at Collingwood Campground and keeping the Golden Bay Community Facility project on the radar.
The board supported the redevelopment of the old library site and reserve, including the renewal of the playground. On this matter, it asked that council take into account the recommendations from the community board following the public submission process, and from playground users.
Amended treasury management policy. The board also supported the establishment of the New Zealand Local Government funding agency and supports the amendment to the Treasury management policy to enable council to lend to and borrow from the fund.
Gerard Hindmarsh
