Community Board targets targeted rates, aerodrome, driver licences and Pupu signage
Nearly 20 people filled the public gallery at this month’s Community Board meeting, held in Collingwood on Tuesday 14 February at the Fire Station.
Public forum
Aorere Catchment. Sue Brown, Dairy Chair of Golden Bay Federated Farmers, gave an update on progress regarding flood protection in the Aorere Catchment, saying there had been a general failure to repair and maintain river protection works after the Dec 2010 flood and that was “a general disbelief amongst farmers that more paperwork was still being required.”
Street banners. Liza Eastman began Public Forum by advising that the holiday banners that had been put up in town were ripping themselves to pieces and needed to be taken down urgently.
Rototai Health Trust. Liza also advised that the Rototai Health Trust has had “amazing support”, including many donations from people still worried about the siting of the new community health facility out of town, now budgeted to cost $7.5m. She said the trust would be most happy to have a community board representative on their committee, a suggestion that received support in principle from Cr Paul Sangster.
Targeted rates. Peter Foster got up to ask about targeted rates, advising that he had been unable to get any information whatsoever from TDC staff on the matter.
Salisbury footbridge. Historical advocate Penny Griffith then spoke about the washed-away Salisbury footbridge, the signage for which she suggested should be amended to “the site of …” rather than removed altogether, plus the need for a substantial new information panel to be erected there. A modern swingbridge could be considered as a potential tourism site, she said.
Cycle lanes. Victoria Davis reminded the board of its “Too-Hard Basket” issues, notably cycle lanes in the Bay, for which she requested council support.
Christmas lights. Vicki Lawson asked the board if they could make up the $120 shortfall for putting up the Christmas lights up in Takaka.
Weed spraying. Cr Martine Bouillir expressed her personal concern and that of many others about the spraying of herbicide around town, notably that planned around the Village Green only the day before Mardi Gras.
Totaranui Road and tourism. Paddy Gillooly asked about the Totaranui Road, and if the council’s Maori and rural representation planned after amalgamation could also be extended to include a tourism rep, especially considering that tourism employs one in 10 people in the Bay.
Recent flooding. Recent flood damage in eastern Golden Bay was the subject for Don Mead, who stressed the need for natural solutions rather than engineering ones.
Civil Defence debrief. Sara Chapman reported on the Civil Defence operational debrief held last week.
Industrial safety at Tarakohe. Joan Butts got up to talk about industrial safety at Tarakohe. In particular, she referred to the unauthorised cyclists, pedestrians and even campervan users who explored the old GB Cement Company site. The quarry there is presently full of pine logs ready for transport.
Swiftsure Street. BJ White spoke once again of the nearly five-year-long saga of access through Swiftsure Street in Collingwood.
Letter tabled about table. A letter from Wendy McLellan was tabled advising that the old and ornate GB County Council meeting table would find a welcome home at the Rockville Settlers and Machinery Museum since the museum in Takaka had no room for it.
Port Tarakohe update. Harbour manager Allan Kilgour updated the board on Port Tarakohe, notably that it had escaped the latest floods unscathed. He attributed this to surface water diversion works from the old GB Cement Company site. He also addressed the “negative publicity” about family fishing, which he pointed out only applied to the fenced-off 120m length of commercial wharf as now required by maritime law. He also reported on the new barrier arm, which had to date had had 1285 “transactions” along with 230 annual passes issued, generating roughly three times the income expected since entry was voluntary.
Passengers on the daily ferry to Totaranui had dropped substantially since the end of the school holidays. Allan pointed out that the service had been a real alternative to holidays by car and had been enjoyed by many. “It could be marketed like Fraser Island is in Australia,” he said, reporting also that 33 barge loads had been landed at Tarakohe from Totaranui this summer. The port’s marina, designed for 61 berths, now accommodated 71 vessels, with another 70 on the waiting list. The 19 moorings were also all taken.
New Police officer welcomed. Arthur Clarence’s replacement, Sergeant Kane Haerewa, and his wife Kylie were officially welcomed at morning tea.
Other business
Bird’s Hill road. The board will contact the NZTA requesting that two lanes be restored as quickly as possible on Bird’s Hill. Concern was also expressed about the lack of - and wrong - information that was made available when it did reopen as one lane after the flood. The board adopted a recommendation for an additional width for a cycle lane when final repairs were being done.
Driver’s Licence practical tests. The board also passed a motion to write to the NZTA about the dropping of Driver’s Licence practical tests in Golden Bay from 27 February, when new practical tests will require more complicated driving conditions including traffic lights and merging lanes. The board will be suggesting that they at least be available in Richmond and not in Nelson as planned. Cr Paul Sangster spoke strongly about the inconvenience for country folk and the fact that far more young people die on country roads rather than in town, where they will now be required to prove they can drive.
Targeted rates (community board and tourism).The issue of TDC’s planned targeted rates also drew a strong reaction from board members, who expressed their extreme disappointment and intention to submit against TDC’s intention to now change the $100 targeted tourism rate to one of $20 across all rateable properties. The board also lashed out against the community board targeted rates, due to be set at $13.24 for Golden Bay ratepayers and only $5.73 for Motueka, a move described by board chair Carolyn McLellan as “an absolute and deliberate onslaught on Golden Bay”.
TDC’s intention to reduce level of service on aerodroome. Takaka’s aerodrome also came up for discussion after it was revealed TDC now almost certainly intends “reducing its level of service” there as part of its Draft Long Term Council Plan. In particular this would mean closing the cross-wind runway, which has in recent years received no maintenance anyway. Said board chair Carolyn McLellan: “We have not been part of this important discussion.” The board will now write to the Mayor asking to be involved in the governance and decision-making involving the aerodrome.
Roads’ names changes. Regarding the proposal to change Pupu Springs Road and Pupu Valley Road to Te Waikoropupu Springs Road and Te Waikoropupu Valley Road. In view of the feedback received, the board decided to recommend to TDC engineering services that the names Te Waikoropupu Springs Road and Te Waikoropupu Valley Road be used on signage in addition to the existing Pupu names. This recognises that changing the names completely could cause confusion for visitors and locals alike. The board also recognised that acceptance and familiarity may take a long period of time, especially when a place name is part of a residential address.
Other matters. Other topics at the February meeting were a request that the review period for dogs in Takaka’s CBD be brought forward; the installing of “Welcome to Golden Bay” signage; funding for Rockland Road Weedbusters; and a community sign at the entrance to Collingwood.
Gerard Hindmarsh
