Water and Wastewater Upgrade:
We had a very informative start to our 8 July MDCA monthly meeting when the TDC’s Project Manager Rob O’Grady gave an update regarding the progress on the pipeline project from an operational perspective. Rob explained with the new system, once it is in commission, it will no longer go from one pumping station to another as currently is the case. Instead there will be a bypass pipe that will carry all waste away from each pumping station that will go directly to the pipeline that goes under the channel to Best Island. Doing this will reduce the impact and load on each pumping station in times of heavy usage. Rob mentioned that the McKee Domain Dumping Station is now available to paid campers only with others needing to go to Motueka or other dumping sites.
Luke Donaldson, the community liaison person for Donaldson Civic, explained the process the work crew is using as they work along Aranui Rd. He explained how this work will impact residents and businesses accessing their properties, and how they intend to move as quickly and as thoroughly as possible to ensure, once they have moved on from a location, there should be no reason to revisit that location again.
While undertaking the work outside the village shopping centre Luke warned residents there will be no on- road parking in the area, meaning residents will be required to park further away from their intended destination. As the work moves further north along Aranui Rd and outside residential properties the road will be reduced to one lane with a stop/go stationed at each end. Pedestrian access will also be reduced to one side of the road. Archeologists Deb Foster and Pamela Jenkins along with an Iwa monitor explained the process of monitoring the earthworks to ensure any artefacts that may be unearthed can be catalogued for historical and cultural purposes.
Rob fielded several questions outside the topic brief regarding the storm water system and possible upgrade for Ruby Bay. Even though this was outside the prepared topic, the audience were informed that progress is being made and that all major works have to follow a process before it can become a reality. Rob stated he is willing to come back at a later date to give a more informed update with regard to the storm water. The MDCA executive committee will work toward scheduling this.
The Ngaio Tree Reserve Upgrade:
The final plans for the Ngaio Tree Reserve are now available. These have been formulated and designed with much of the community feedback in mind. Unfortunately, due to some delays, this upgrade will now not be completed by December as first hoped. Instead commencement will be during winter 2020 with completion by December 2020.
Dominion Flats Planting:
We had a really good response to our planting days with over 1100 plants in the ground so a big thankyou to all those who have helped out. A small group continues to meet every Tuesday morning to attack the weeds and free up the plants. Anyone is welcome to join us from 9-12, Tools provided.
On Wednesday 3rd of July, the Dominion Flats group was represented at a meeting at which Shane Jones and Damien O’Connor announced the government intends to spend a significant amount of money mainly on native trees in the Waimea Estuary over the next three years. The group gathered at Hoddy Park in the pouring rain where both MPs spoke briefly and planted two kahikatea trees to commemorate the event.
Transportation and other community issues:
Currently a copy of the Community Wellbeing Survey which includes a section on community/public transport has been delivered to all letter boxes in Mapua/Ruby Bay and some parts of Mahana, along with the MDCA promotion/information leaflet. The hope is that most people will respond using the on-line link provided and so far 56 people have done so. Extra paper copies are available at the Mapua hall and library. Anyone interested in being involved in future development of this project is asked to contact Elena Meredith and hopefully this will provide us with an ongoing and larger working group to develop options/proposals.
The Tasman Area Community Assn has circulated the transport section of our survey and we hope the shared data will result in a broader stronger basis for developing a transport system for our region. This project has been possible because of the willing cooperation between and communication across many community groups with special thanks to Vicki Stocker of Hills Community Church whose enthusiasm and skills have been invaluable.
If you haven’t already done so, please fill out your survey form and send it back and encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same. We are hoping for a good response.
AED’s:
A question was raised about the possible need for a device stationed in Ruby Bay, perhaps by the shops. We are keen to hear your opinion, whether there is the need for one in Ruby Bay and if so how could the $2800 – $3000 be raised.
Ruby Bay Water Infrastructure Group:
This group of local residents plan to continue their work independently from the MDCA and have agreed to report their progress to MDCA in an effort to ensure continuity of cooperation is fed into the bigger community ‘water’ picture.
Mapua Community Care Project (MCCP):
The MCCP plan to hold a community consultation meeting directly following their AGM on 23rd October at 7.30pm in the Mapua Hall. An invitation is extended to all members of the community to attend both these meetings.
The AGM of the Mapua and Districts Community Association will be held on Monday 12th August at 7pm, Bill Marris room Mapua Hall and we would love to see you there. A number of the executive are standing again but if you would like to join the committee, we would love to have your contributions.