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8.1 Saxton
Field Activity Report
Tasman District Council Reserves and Facilities Manager, Richard
Hollier presented the report which was taken as read.
He referred to a recent incident where an elderly woman cyclist
was badly injured after she struck a bollard at the Bunnings end of Saxton
Field. He noted that the Nelson City Council roading team has investigated
the incident and also inspected other bollards within Saxton Field to ensure
they meet the required standard.
Nelson City Council Parks and Facilities Planner, Jane
Loughnan added that the particular bollard where the accident occurred will
be removed and replaced with painted markings. She also noted that Nelson
City Council Health and Safety staff are also checking for any other health
and safety issues at Saxton Field and similarly, bollards on Tasman’s
Great Taste Trail are being checked.
It was agreed that both councils need to be cognisant of the
different bike modes being used on cycleways.
The two councils’ schedules of fees for recreation areas
were included in the agenda. It was agreed that these two different sets of
fees need to be discussed further when both councils complete their next Long
Term Plans and Activity Management Plans in 2024.
The development of a shared path in front of the hockey
fields was discussed. Ms Loughnan noted that the development will result in a
few trees being removed however new trees will be planted elsewhere at Saxton
Field to replace the lost trees. In response to concern regarding the loss of
the trees, Parks and Facilities Asset Planner, Andrew Petheram noted that a
row of trees will remain behind the trees that are being removed and this
will help with their growth.
In response to a question, Mr Petheram confirmed that staff
are undertaking a continual replacement tree planting programme at Saxton
Field and the trees planted are of 2.5 metres and above.
Responding to a question regarding the funding of $20,000
for the programme of works to ensure improved accessibility, Ms Loughnan
agreed that there needs to be an ongoing check list of what work may be
needed to ensure ongoing accessibility is maintained.
In response to a question, Ms Loughnan noted that while the
BMX Club was disappointed that the funding for the construction of a BMX
track at Saxton Field had been deferred, they did understand the reasons for
the deferment. She also noted that staff are working with the BMX Club to see
what work can be done to improve the main BMX track at Tahunanui.
Venues and Events Adviser, Stuart Dalton spoke to the
proposed Signage and Wayfinding section of the report. He noted that the
signage was still in draft form and staff are working on the te reo translations
and finalising the signage icons. It is hoped that the work will be completed
before the end of the financial year and the committee will be consulted
again before the signage is finalised.
Several committee members expressed concern about the
quantity of text, the lack of gaps and readability, the lack of consistency
and basically too much information being included on the signage boards. In
response, Mr Dalton said that the blind citizens and low vision groups were
happy with the designs with a rider that the contrast needs to be very clear.
Staff are also working with the Nelson City Council Māori partnerships
team to ensure consistency of the te reo
translations.
Responding to a comment, Mr Petheram noted that several
seats, built by the local MenZshed, had been installed and staff are looking
to obtain more of this seating to ensure there are plenty of places where
people using the facilities can have a comfortable area for conversation.
The recent street naming of Kerry Marshall Drive at Saxton
Field was noted. Mr Petheram agreed that staff could look at the option of
naming other streets within Saxton Field.
Referring to the update of the Saxton Field Development
Plan, Mr Shaw said he would like a draft of the plan to be presented at the
next committee meeting.
Mr Shaw noted that he had attended the recent opening of the
bike hub which is based at Saxton Field. He noted that the group had
allocated 17 bikes in the week prior to their official opening.
Mr Shaw also noted two upcoming events at Saxton Field
– the New Zealand Secondary School Cross Country Championships being
held between 18-19 June 2022 and the Tasman Secondary School Championships on
24 May 2022. He added that up to 800 competitors are expected over the two
days of the national championships along with parents, coaches and
supporters.
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