RESERVES ; RESOURCING ; ROADING & RECREATION
RESERVES
A TDC Review of Parks & Reserves was The “ Hot Topic” at the Māpua & Districts Community Association’s (MDCA) March 2020 meeting. The full presentation by Richard Hollier [TDC Parks & Reserves] was videoed so can be viewed on MDCA’s Facebook page.
The present Ward Management Plan for TDC – owned Reserves in the Moutere/Waimea Ward was developed in 2000 when there were 83 Reserves – there are now 153 in the Ward! The consultation process ((which closed March 31) sought residents’ ideas on how all the reserves might be classified & managed . The classifications are :
- recreational-the most common
- esplanade for coastal areas and
- scenic reserves for those with bush & high ecological value
Submissions will now become the basis of a TDC draft reserves management plan which will go out for consultation Sept/Oct 2020 . At the end of 2020 a hearing on the final plan ( incorporating feedback on the draft) will go to a Hearing where the councillors will make decisions .The new plan will be adopted early 2021.
Richard was questioned as to what process checks how (& if) the current reserves meet the identified principles under which they were classified – it appears that there is no current TDC process for this to occur. Richard noted that the TDC Long Term Plan [LTP] is the vehicle for considering new reserves.
Richard and Marion ( MDCA Chairperson) urged residents to engage with the consultation process of the draft plan in Sept/October 2020- reserves are an essential ingredient and special feature of our region
B Dominion Flats Environmental Project – a recent local conference on planting natives included a visit to Dominion Flats as a positive example of this initiative . Autumn is the major planting time ( extra help needed please!!)
RESOURCING
A TDC Ward Councillors Anne Turley & Dean McNamara spoke of their focus on & concerns for the year ahead
1 Anne – Waimea Dam noted and expanded on her concern at the huge cost increase in estimated costs for completion of this noting that “ratepayers are solely responsible for any changes in cost over $3million – “many are unable to afford face the bill.” Anne has requested the Mayor& CEO to address the issue by hiring an independent consultant to research and estimate the costs for dam completion. She noted that the LTP involves long-term projects and costs asking “how can we determine this when we don’t know the costs for the dam? ” so she will “ continue to vote to keep the cap down”
This resulted in a lengthy conversation resulting in the MDCA deciding to invite Mike Scott ( CEO Waimea Water Ltd) to speak at a future meeting on the specifics of the Waimea Dam development and costs.
Anne also noted that she is: Deputy Chair of the Tasman Transport Committee ( will lobby for the bypass); the TDC rep on the Māpua Waterfront Working Group and is increasingly concerned at the growing problem of homelessness in the area largely due to the lack of affordable houses available or being built
2 Dean-same ambitions & goals for this term as last time- fiscal responsibility
He is interested in:
- how to keep rates down while staying under the debt cap
- seeing the Māpua Boat Ramp “ settled one way or the other”
When asked about “the standard of living in the area “he replied that “ other councillors have a social focus and are concerned about this; my role is fiscal responsibility – to remind us of the cost-: can we afford it?”
B AED located in Ruby Bay
Celebrated the fact that the recent neighbourhood leaflet drop and MDCA Facebook focus have meant that on give-a-little we have finally reached the total amount required to purchase the AED- not all $ are in the Bank yet
ROADING
A Footpath Māpua to Mamakū Drives –this is on the TDC works programme for this financial year which will especially please local school students and their families for providing a safer route to catch the school bus
B Sealed driveway Aranui Road past Domain to Bowling Club – also planned for this year
C Cycle-way on Stafford Drive– Rob O’Grady ( TDC) noted no budget for this but will discuss placement of the white line ( when pipe instalment complete) to provide a wider off-road space for cyclists
D Public seating– for walkers between Ruby Bay and Māpua Village the ideal spacing between these is 750 metres . Steve Elkington (TDC) suggested a letter from TDC to adjacent residents seeking their approval for placing a seat outside their property. Māpua Hall Committee has agreed to a seat outside the facility
RECREATION & WELLBEING
A Māpua Waterfront Working Group – noted the need for the community to consider the nature of Ngaio Reserve ( could be classified alcohol free) and make submissions to Reserves Management. This could address the issue of licensing encroachment/s over holiday period . TDC has indicated that future applications for liquor licences will include clear & enforceable dimensions .
Still awaiting archaeological assessment of the area before the reserve can be developed.
Seating – brief for this nearly ready to send to Motueka High School
B Māpua Reserve Playground – Glen Thomas ( TDC) is nearly ready to send the order for most of the equipment . Re-alignment of the Great Taste Trail will provide increased space for the playground and decreased costs ( less lawn-mowing )
The playground’s rubber underlay will have a simple relevant Māori design- the suggestion was made for a plaque explaining the meaning of this
C Playground Exercise Stations– the idea of having these available somewhere in Māpua will be investigated further by MDCA
D Community Hub– the possibility of the “old Church” building on Aranui Road being set up under a Trust and local management group as a Community Hub, was the focus of a meeting of interested individuals and groups early in March. There was positive interest in moving forward on this project noting that to access funding we would need a clear vision and legal structure to attract the funding. It was also noted that those at the meeting were “all of a similar[older] age group” and that it was essential in such a project to be inclusive and meet the needs of families and young people. The next meeting on this will be April 6th – all are welcome to attend, Please contact Vicky Stocker gvstocker@gmail.com if you are interested – we need your involvement and support to turn this exciting possibility into an amazing reality
E Communication systems ( problems with your landline? )
Some residents have approached MDCA complaining of their unreliable landlines. Much of the feedback is anecdotal so we need to gauge the experience of residents before approaching the providers (Spark and Chorus).
It seems that some residents are experiencing difficulty in receiving calls on their landlines. Callers advise that they cannot connect being greeted with messages such as “Line Disconnected”. Outgoing calls are usually not a problem. The problem seems to have occurred since Chorus installed the UFB fibre.
Please let us know if you are experiencing problems with your landlines. It would help if you recorded your experiences in a consistent format:
- Name (optional)
- Address (Street as a minimum)
- Phone number
- Provider
- Problem(s) being experienced
Email us at info@ourmapua.org – the more specific information we can provide, the more likely there is to be a helpful response
APRIL MEETING HOT TOPIC SPEAKER
At the 6 April MDCA meeting, the topics will be TDC focus on :
- Water including the Waste Water Upgrade ;
- Roading and
- the Long Term Plan –
TDC presenters will be : Richard Kirby; Jamie McPherson and Sandra Hartley
Note change of date for our April meeting ( 6 not 13) as the usual second Monday is Easter Monday
Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting: Monday, 6 April at 7 PM, Bill Marris Room, Mapua Hall.
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.
Submitted by: Elena Meredith