News in brief 3 February
Nelson-Tasman reorganisation scheme approved by Local Government Commission
A new local government structure for the Nelson and Tasman area, to be called the Nelson Tasman District, has been approved by the Local Government Commission which will be put to the electors of both districts for approval in separate polls. If approved the new scheme will come into effect on 1 November 2012.
The new scheme was proposed by the LGC in June last year in response to the presentation of an elector initiated petition. Basil Morrison, Local Government Commission chair, says this kicked off the process of considering the proposal by the LGC. “We put forward a draft reorganisation scheme and called for submissions and sought information which was then carefully considered.
“After receiving and considering over 400 submissions, the draft reorganisation scheme has now been approved with modifications and reissued as a reorganisation scheme,” says Mr Morrison.
He says that the LGC is required under legislation to consider several factors that will ensure there are benefits for local government in the new district. These include, for example, the new district providing a more distinct community of interest, more efficient and effective local government and improved decision making. “The Commission is of the view that the structure set out in the reorganisation scheme meets these criteria.”
The Nelson Tasman District would be divided into eight wards with a mayor and 16 members. A Māori Board and rural advisory committee are also to be established alongside two community boards in Golden Bay and Motueka. The administrative headquarters for Nelson Tasman District will be located in Richmond.
Mr Morrison says that in finalising the details of the scheme the Commission has carefully considered the wide-ranging submissions, and modified proposals where appropriate from the draft scheme issued last year.
The reorganisation scheme is subject to approval by a poll of electors to be held in both Nelson City and Tasman District in April this year. A majority of electors in both polls need to be in favour of the proposal for it to proceed.
Mr Morrison acknowledged the efforts of many people through the process of considering this proposal. “The Commission has appreciated the good level of local involvement from both communities and the interest shown. This will be a significant change for local government in the area, and we value the co-operation we have received from the two councils and many people across the wider area.”
Submitted
Building contractors asked to register interest for health centre construction
The Golden Bay Community Health – Te Hauora o Mohua – Trust is asking suitable building contractors - or alliances of contractors - to register their interest in constructing the Golden Bay Integrated Family Health Centre.
Project manager Martin Ridgway says that the trust is looking to engage an experienced and appropriately resourced main contractor to do the construction work and to provide input into the final stages of the design process.
“The trust really wants locals to be involved,” he said. “Local building contractors may wish to prepare individual submissions or they may want to submit joint-venture proposals in response to the registration of interest, if they think this will improve their chance of securing the role of main contractor for the project.
“The proposed building area is about 2250m2 and comprises the existing community hospital, which is to be refurbished, the new rest home and the general practice facilities. This kind of construction requires specialist skills. The contractors (or alliance of contractors) will need to be able to demonstrate their ability to deal with complex building projects.”
A panel will consider the registrations of interest. They will be evaluated against a range of criteria such as resources, technical, management and financial capabilities. This process will produce a shortlist of suitable main contractors and they will be invited to submit tenders for the construction works.
Registration of interest requests will be issued in the first week of February and the shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit tenders in March 2012.
Submitted
New defibrillator available for Pohara emergencies
A new heart defibrillator is now housed at the Pohara Top Ten Holiday Park, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
The defibrillator, which increases the chances of survival from cardiac arrest, will be accessible 24 hours a day. Other defibrillators are at Fresh Choice, the Golden Bay Medical Centre and the Mussel Inn.
Sue Netto from St John says that having defibrillators spread around the community is a great thing.
“If someone suffers cardiac arrest, their chances of survival decrease by 10 per cent every minute they’re waiting for a defibrillator to come. Those chances are increased if they get good CPR until the defibrillator arrives. If there is a defibrillator handy, people need to be using their networks to get help to save lives. Pohara people must get to know who they can ring in the event of an emergency to go and get the defibrillator and bring it to someone who needs it, even at two in the morning.”
The Bay’s newest defibrillator, complete with foolproof instructions, is just outside the reception area of the Pohara camp. It will be maintained long-term by the Golden Bay Lions Club.
“The battery in the unit lasts about four years without any maintenance,” explained Lions spokesperson Brian Devonshire. “The pads that go between the sensors and the patient’s body have a shelf-life too, and they can only be used once. St John carries supplies of them and they can be available very quickly. The Lions are an ideal organisation to take responsibility for the defibrillator for the foreseeable future.”
Brent Clarke from the Pohara Beach Top Ten Holiday Park said that he was happy for the park to be the go-to place for the defibrillator.
“You never know how important a few minutes might be in an emergency.”
Neil Wilson
