Ways our Community Cares
HOT TOPIC – THE MĀPUA CARE CENTRE INITIATIVE
Members of the Dale Vercoe Community Charitable Trust Board – Kathryn Kingdom; Tim Manning and Ron Oliver gave a shared presentation on this venture as the hot topic at the November 2019 meeting. They acknowledged the 2016 gift of 7 acres of land by Dale Vercoe as a “valuable gift to the community ..” to be used for a community care initiative providing health and respite care to those in need in the local community, emphasizing that “ we must work together to make it happen.”
Initial Vision :
- self-sustaining model not reliant on ongoing charitable donations or government funding. build 30 small self-sustaining low-cost retirement units to fund the community care centre
- Co-location – encourage an integrated community health facility with other services on site such as Health Centre and pharmacy
- Co-operative community partnerships – co-operate and communicate with other community groups “ joining forces wherever possible”
Progress 2016- 2019 in researching & developing the concept; establishing the Trust Board and fundraising was described , supported by illustrated power-point slides .
Current situation
May-Sept 2019- TDC confirmed that while they were willing to go on supporting, there “were problems with the land being offered..” as the upgraded sewerage system would already be working to capacity when completed and “ will not be providing services on that land…”
October 2019- MNDHB indicated that in terms of the concept fitting their strategy, they:
- saw the need for respite day-care and were willing to provide planning and support for this
- did not see how they could support overnight care and cited Motueka as the next tier up for providing such care
- encouraged the concept of co-located facilities with provision of respite care; a pharmacy and a health centre in one area providing an integrated community facility
What next?
- All research, including the Māpua & Districts Community Wellbeing Survey, has supported the same coherent message
- The revised vision includes co-location with the Health Centre; the planned retirement units on a separate site ; but does not include the provision of overnight respite care
- Future work all needs to be in communication and co-operation with other community groups “joining forces whenever possible”. Trustees need to be more representative of our community
- Ongoing conversations with Dale Vercoe Family Trust members to formalize “ the gift” and decide what can be done if unable to build on that land
- Secure partnerships for more sustainability
In response to queries from the floor it was noted as “very unlikely that TDC would make an exception to Māpua Zone Urban Zoning to include the Dale Vercoe land ”. The Trust needs to explore other options and would return to TDC if unable to locate alternatives . Marion Satherley ( MDCA Chair) noted that the Association will support any further investigation into this challenge and future options.
Other Association members supported and indicated their wish to be part of the co-operative community approach in developing integrated community facilities
This presentation was live-streamed and is available for viewing on the Association’s Facebook Page (facebook.com/ MapuaCommunityAssociation)
FORUM
Christeen McKenzie was welcomed as the newly elected Ward Councillor and it was noted that she is the deputy chair of the newly established TDC Operations Committee. She affirmed the value of input from locals noting that she was “ keen to engage and participate”
Jed Hay introduced himself as a local parent/grandparent and local fire-brigade volunteer. He presented his concerns about the rollout of Telecom’s new 5G Phone system and urged residents to become informed
WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORT
It was noted that TDC would now provide a summary report of events/projects/decisions for each month to enable residents to be able to ask councillors questions about these at monthly meetings
Water/Sewerage Pipe Update– after April 2020 2 gangs will work on this to keep to the planned schedule
Dry Weather Taskforce-this was already meeting with predictions of water restrictions over the summer
TDC Reserves– all of these are being considered for re-classification . The timeframe for our local area is Nov 2019 – Feb 2020: Marion asked Cr Dean McNamara to extend this timeline to enable local input into the draft
SOCIAL MEDIA
Bruno noted the intention of providing information on the website prior to Association meetings was that those attending could identify their interests and concerns and be prepared to comment on or query these at the meeting. Facebook attracted 156 views this month with key posts being local speed limits; Project Janzoon; Ruby Bay AED give-a-little page. Bruno noted that the website was “as secure as can be” after” the Hack”
MĀPUA WATERFRONT & WHARF
Marion Satherley ( MDCA rep on the Māpua Waterfront Working Group- MMWG) ) noted that construction on the Ngaio Tree Reserve development will begin in April 2020. Motueka High School expressed interest in their students (who are studying woodwork and metalwork) making seats for the reserve as part of their assessments. This idea was enthusiastically received and the suggestion made that plaques be put onto the seats indicating this contribution.
DOMINION FLATS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
Helen Bibby reported that new tracks would be worked on and that completion of the mural in the Underpass by Māpua School students was planned for early 2020.A new rack pamphlet is available showing tracks and plantings
COMMUNITY WELLBEING/TRANSPORTATION
Elena Meredith reaffirmed the intention of working co-operatively with such groups as the Dale Vercoe Trust on community wellbeing.
Transport working group– the plan is to set up a focus group for local senior residents to discuss and suggest more specific details following up data from the community wellbeing survey. Anyone interested in being part of such a group , please contact Elena at elena.meredith@xtra.co.nz
Health working group– Vicki Stocker noted that a comprehensive list of services available in Māpua has been received from the DHB. The working group will now research the realities of the availability of such services in our own area and then publicize the results
WATER /ENVIRONMENT
Bruno Lemke reported from the Ruby Bay Coastal Homeowners’ Group – noting that following the meeting with Rob OI’ Grady ( TDC Engineering Project Manager) with local residents, Rob had undertaken to come up with a plan including the homeowners’ input by the end of the year
ROADS & PATHWAYS
Wayne Chisnall reported that :
- the extension of the footpath from Māpua Drive to Mamaku Drive will be completed in the current financial year
- the access pathway to the Bowling Club ( and other facilities) needs sealing as part of the Reserve- it has been classified as a “major capital work”
- ongoing support is needed so that the sealed pathway from Moreland Way can be extended to the Old Mill Walkway
AN AED IN RUBY BAY ?
Wayne Chisnall has set up a “Give a little “ Page to be posted onto Facebook enabling Ruby Bay residents to support and help in the $2,800-$3,000 fundraising required to purchase and install an AED in the local area. Currently $1,000 has been pledged. This would make a total of 5 in the area – residents were encouraged to support this project
FUTURE HOT TOPICS:
Possibilities for 2020 were discussed – these will be determined at the December meeting and posted on the Association’s Facebook page
MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03-1354-0356471-00 with your name & phone number as a reference.