Golden Bay Ward by-election candidates: Part 2
The GB Weekly is publishing the second in a two-part series for the by-election in the Golden Bay Ward.
This week the candidates have been invited to answer questions (the question about the Ligar Bay baches was submitted by a reader).
Mik Symmons
What do you think is the biggest priority (eg issue, project, initiative) for TDC in Golden Bay for the rest of this term?
The biggest issue is the resolution of the Outstanding Natural Landscapes reference. Although it hasn’t made the headlines this potentially redefines some of the rights and responsibilities of landowners in parts of the Bay. How council manages this process to come up with a resolution that everyone can “own” is going to be a big challenge and needs time, tact and diplomacy.
The biggest project is a toss-up between the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant and the proposal to develop a multi-purpose community and recreation facility.
The biggest initiative will be community consultation over development and flood protection options for Takaka once the flood modelling is completed.
What do you think is the best way for Golden Bay to obtain a constructive relationship with TDC and what would you do to bring it about?
As a current community board member I believe I am already part of developing a more constructive and collaborative relationship with TDC. We have all worked hard to achieve this, and I hope I can build on this foundation, maintaining good working relationships with councillors and staff, and resolving misunderstandings before they develop into major issues. The team approach with the board and ward councillors working together to resolve Bay concerns has proved really effective. The TDC-Bay relationship works best when people feel that council is doing things for them, rather than to them, and clear and timely communication from both sides is essential to this process.
What role do you think TDC can play in increasing employment in Golden Bay?
I don’t believe it is the council’s role to try and pick winners, so I don’t support any direct investment in business, apart from those assets council already owns such as Port Tarakohe and the campgrounds. Council does need to provide a planning and infrastructure framework to allow new businesses to get up and running more quickly. There is currently no commercially-zoned land available to allow a new business to set up in the Bay, and the resource consent process can be tortuous and time consuming with no certainty of the outcome. So having an adequate supply of suitably zoned land, reviewing car parking requirements and working with Telcos to provide high speed broadband would help provide the conditions for entrepreneurs to set up businesses, and the successful ones will create jobs.
What is your position on TDC’s planned destruction of Golden Bay heritage baches and homes at Ligar Bay?
In 1989 I supported the then bach residents getting their licences to occupy extended. Since then all the baches have changed hands and everyone bought in knowing the licences would expire in March 2014. I was at the council meeting in February when the decision was made not to review the licences and I know it was a tough time for both the applicants and many of the councillors. I’ve spent a lot of time going over this decision and all the background to it and I think it was the right call. The 1989 agreement gave certainty and time to the occupants, I don’t think it was ever envisaged that the licences would then be sold. I have also seen how the Pohara/ Selwyn Street foreshore has been transformed by enhanced public access, and how many people now use the walkway especially at high tide.
Paul Sangster
What do you think is the biggest priority (eg issue, project, initiative) for TDC in Golden Bay for the rest of this term?
As I see it there are two big priorities.
1.The proposed amalgamation
a. The concerns I have are the loss of one councillor. b. What powers and responsibility the community board will get if this comes about. c. The reduction in the roads subsidy, which I understand could be around two million dollars less from Transit New Zealand per year, over the district.
d. Which rating system that will be used. Under capital rating as we have now, Tasman Districts’ rates will go up by around 15 per cent owing to the fact that Tasmans’ rateable value is 65 per cent of the total Nelson/ Tasman region.
2. The second priority is planning and consents.
a. I believe that in this term there should be a review of the planning procedures, the consent process and the way applications are handled. b. There is a desperate need for more factual knowledge on the flood heights. c. The availability of land for development and its respective values . d. A user-friendly environment for those making applications.
What do you think is the best way for Golden Bay to obtain a constructive relationship with TDC and what would you do to bring it about?
We were told at the “meet the candidates” meeting that this “constructive relationship” is now happening and I would endeavour to continue this by working with councillors and staff in a friendly manner and by giving them the facts and history on any subject about Golden Bay or the Tasman region.
What role do you think TDC can play in increasing employment in Golden Bay?
I have always seen tourism as one way of increasing employment in Golden Bay and it has been very successful to date. I believe we have lost a major tourist venture to Nelson because of the lack of help, foresight and fair administration of our regulatory conditions.
a. I would continue to lobby government for more special purpose roads, ie government-funded tourist roads where there are few or no rate payers. I would also continue lobbying for more funding subsidies for new tarseal so that council can upgrade other tourist destinations. b. I would promote historic and natural sites and encourage more seasonal cycling destinations as well as the Heaphy Track. c. Another potential for employment is aquaculture and I would try hard, through council, to encourage the continued development of this industry.
What is your position on TDC’s planned destruction of Golden Bay heritage baches and homes at Ligar Bay?
As the decision to remove them has already been made and I have not been privy to the discussion or any new information I can only answer like this:
I was involved with the discussion and decision in 1989 and then, as now, I saw no need to remove them so I fought to give them as long as possible under the legislation at the time. I feel it is sad that part of our Kiwiana is to go and the income from them to be replaced with a cost to the rate payer to maintain and develop the ground. If successful in this election I will endeavour to represent this community in an honest, firm and logical way.
Sue Brown
What do you think is the biggest priority (eg issue, project, initiative) for TDC in Golden Bay for the rest of this term?
The “Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes” (ONF&L) policy is. Some residents may not be aware of this as it’s still at pre-community consultation stage. Currently a representative stakeholder forum is working with TDC staff to develop a draft document. ONF&L policy is required by the RMA. It affects both public and private land equally. The concept is based in good intent of protection of special spots and vistas. However it is another overlay of regulation that, if we don’t get right, could see the good intent of protection become both “stealth by regulation” and “strangulation by regulation”.
I see the ONF&L’s policy as our biggest priority assuming that the TRMP Part IV, (Lakes & Rivers) policy works as intended to ensure active maintenance of flood pathways is restored to river management. Flood events (Tapawera, May 2010 and Aorere, December 2010) have highlighted the increased expense of repairs caused by allowing gravel build-up in crucial spots as well as increased risk to community safety. Fortunately repair work is well advanced and the annual TDC RiverCare meetings, to be held in October, will address the Annual Rivers Activity Management Plan.
What do you think is the best way for Golden Bay to obtain a constructive relationship with TDC and what would you do to bring it about?
I suggest Golden Bay’s near ready to talk about maintaining, rather than obtaining, a constructive relationship with TDC. My approach as councillor would be to take responsibility for what I take to the table. I acknowledge that’s easier said than done too - from time to time frustration tempts the best of us to dwell in what can become quite comfortable negative attitudes! I would approach TDC with respect, in good faith, without accusation and keep dialogues open when local knowledge conflicts with external expert opinion.
What role do you think TDC can play in increasing employment in Golden Bay?
TDC’s role in Golden Bay, and indeed across the region, is in increasing employment via enabling new enterprise. Such a commitment is expressed in statements in council plan documents. For example: “Our business-friendly processes assist businesses to set up in Tasman District.” Increased success in this role will come from a council willing to ask itself questions like “do entrepreneurs find TDC services approachable and helpful? Are TDC policies written in user friendly style? Are consents appropriate and affordable? Or, is the experience of dealing with council more like an expensive exercise in frustration?” Councils are renowned for bad habits that add time and expense to scoping and planning ventures. Being open to feedback, constructive criticism and constantly striving to improve its processes will ensure TDC supports enterprise that increases employment.
What is your position on TDC’s planned destruction of Golden Bay heritage baches and homes at Ligar Bay?
I support the difficult decision that was made by TDC as the correct one.
Laurence Boomert
What do you think is the biggest priority (eg issue, project, initiative) for TDC in Golden Bay for the rest of this term?
I see the democratic representation of the Golden Bay community within TDC as the biggest issue to be mastered.What level of fair and rightful representation we get on the issues that effect us and how our rates are used effects all other issues.
At the recent amalgamation meeting Mayor Kempthorne publicly stated his support for increasing delegation to the GB Community Board. Now is the time to get that increased delegation mapped out and confirmed by the Board, TDC and the Golden Bay community. If amalgamation goes ahead then we have the framework to put on the table.
A full public disclosure of TDC’s true financial position is my second biggest priority. TDC’s runaway debt freight train inevitably overshadows many issues with an increasing percentage of annual rates going into servicing just the interest on this disaster story.
What do you think is the best way for Golden Bay to obtain a constructive relationship with TDC and what would you do to bring it about?
I believe confirming the maximum delegated decision making power to the Community Board will be good for the working relationship between the Bay and TDC. The people of Golden Bay are constructive and fair minded and I will always convey the goodwill and respect of this community to TDC but if TDC attempts to compromise this community’s democratic rights then I believe it is my duty as our representative to do what ever it takes to get them to see differently. Sometimes we must be prepared to fight if we are to be respected.In continental Europe local governments know they are there to serve the community or face the wrath of politically active communities, - it works!
What role do you think TDC can play in increasing employment in Golden Bay?
TDC needs to support the appointment of a Golden Bay Enterprise Development Officer to; organise regular business forums, conduct research and bring greater representation within the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency.
I especially see opportunities for the Bay in maximising the power of the internet and in new green industries, (current world markets est at $6 Trillion dollars).
Expanding the reach of our rich arts community and maximising local food self reliance go hand in hand with a cottage industry base that offers multiple values beyond just income creation and that fits with the lifestyles of many people of the Bay including semi-retired people and parents of young children.
TDC needs to maintain good dialogue with the representatives of our existing industries and be attentive to their needs especially in times of challenge from global impacts such as rising oil prices and economic crisis.
I invite your ideas on my discussion forum website www.bayvision.ning.com <http://www.bayvision.ning.com/>
What is your position on TDC’s planned destruction of Golden Bay heritage baches and homes at Ligar Bay?
The bottom line is that everyone has knowingly been party to the agreements that led to this eventuation and those formal agreements have to be upheld. That said, I would prefer to see the occupants granted their lifetime (non transferable) rights to the baches but that would require the agreement of other Ligar Bay residents, otherwise it would not be fair or legally correct. The baches have a poetic value and are people’s homes. I believe TDC must and can retain the flexibility to pursue wise and humane decision making.
