|
MINUTES of the Submissions Hearing MEETING
held 1.00 pm, Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at Tasman Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond, Topic: Annual Plan |
Present: Mayor T King, Deputy Mayor S Bryant, Councillors C Butler (via Zoom), B Dowler, C Hill (via Zoom), K Maling, C Mackenzie, D Ogilvie, T Tuffnell, A Turley and T Walker
In Attendance: Group Manager – Service & Strategy (S Edwards), Group Manager – Information, Science and Technology (S Manners), Community Policy Advisor (A Smith), Strategic Policy Manager (D Fletcher), Team Leader – Community Policy (Alan Bywater), Graduate Policy Advisor (N Lindsay), Community Policy Officer (S Hartley), Motueka Community Board Member (D Armstrong), Executive Assistant (T Fifield), Executive Support Officer (G Drummond), Chief Executive (L Rae), Group Manager – Community Infrastructure (R Kirby)
2 Apologies and Leave of Absence
3 Reports
Margie Little (31895) Onetahua Marae and Kura Stafford (31894) Ngati Tama
Ms Little and Ms Stafford spoke on behalf of Onetahua Marae:
- gave a brief history about the Marae;
- their main priority is for a new ablution block within the next two years;
- Ms Stafford said Ngati Tama supported Onetahua Marae’s submission;
- Ms Stafford said Onetahua is Ngati Tama’s principal marae and it is not only a whanau, hapu and iwi marae, but a wider community marae.
In response to a question about funding from central government agencies, Ms Little said Te Puni Kokiri is their main funder.
In response to a question, they would appreciate any funding support from Council. The Marae does support the community a lot and it is used as a shelter in emergencies. Another support to them would be for Council to waive building and development fees.
In response to a question if any of the community groups contribute towards electricity etc, the groups get charged a fee.
Ms Little said the Marae has had restricted use over the last two years due to Covid but with the support of the Trust, they have managed to keep going.
Dr Roger Frost (31792)
Dr Frost spoke to his submission:
- he thanked Council and staff for the work they put into the Annual Plan – he enjoys living in the Tasman District;
- he’d like Council to reconsider Option 1 rates increase of 7.66% rather than Option 2;
- when he looked at his rates the difference between the two options amounted to $1.21 increase a week.
In response to a question, he believes there would be a diversity of views in Murchison regarding the rates increase.
Tony Thomas and Nigel Muir (31888) Sport Tasman
Mr Thomas and Mr Muir spoke on behalf of Sport Tasman:
- Sport Tasman is grateful for the ongoing support of Council in endeavouring to get more people more active;
- there are a number of great partnership areas between Council and Sport Tasman;
- the need for our community’s wellness has never been greater;
- the Regional Top of the South Spaces and Places Strategy is going strong and it’s great having Council staff involved;
- they are grateful for the continued support and development of cycleways and walkways around the region;
- they commend the work being done with the environmental programmes.
In response to a question, Sport Tasman have done surveys and Tasman topped the charts in the country for cycling and hiking per head of capita. In terms of young people, there are less young people involved in organised sport and more young people involved in active recreation compared to the rest of the country.
Hendrik Vermeer (31863)
Mr Vermeer spoke to his submission and he doesn’t believe the rates should increase – he feels there are enough walkways/cycleways in the District.
Gail Jewell (31850)
Ms Jewell’s main concern is that people are financially hurting in the District, especially the elderly with increases to fuel and food and now a rates increase. She questioned when the value of properties have gone up, why there should be any need to increase the rates.
David Armstrong (31859) Motueka Community Board
Motueka Community Board member, Mr Armstrong, presented the submission on behalf of the Board. He said the Board met recently and discussed Option 1 vs Option 2 for the rates increase, with the majority of board members favouring Option 1. They felt the margin between the two options was small. They do believe that any rate increase is unaffordable but agreed that any reduction in services to the Ward is of greater concern.
The Board couldn’t see what services would be compromised under Option 2, so wondered what other Council operations could be scrutinised to save money.
They recognised that to delay essential investment and upgrading key infrastructure, especially stormwater and wastewater systems, would result in longer term cost increases and higher rate increases in future years.
The meeting adjourned at 1.54 pm
The meeting reconvened at 2.19 pm
Margaret Cotter (31857)
Ms Cotter acknowledged Councillors and staff. She’d like to see Council addressing climate change more and is worried about the planned subdivisions near Mapua and Tasman because it will put so many more vehicles on the road and increase emissions.
Gillian Bishop (31891) Tasman Environmental Trust
Ms Bishop, Chair of Tasman Environmental Trust:
- gave an update on what is planned for the Pest Free Onetahua project;
- she said it would make a big impact if Council financially contributed $50,000 per year for the four year project;
- Onetahua Farewell Spit is the highest ranked ecosystem in the District and it has a national and international significance;
- the project has $3 million committed by Predator Free 2050 but they need raise an additional $2.85 million;
- other partners including Department of Conservation have been consulted over the last year and there is a high level of support from the community.
In response to a question, the Trust will collaborate with DOC to make sure they can access their expertise, in particular with 1080.
Councillors thanked Ms Bishop for her leadership in regard to blue carbon.
Randolph Waller (31879)
Mr Waller spoke about:
- the Local Government Act - operating revenues being set at a level to meet expenditure for the year but the Act doesn’t mention whether money should be borrowed to achieve that. He questions the intent about what is meant by that statement in the Act;
- concerned with the rates increase for ratepayers - people are facing a higher cost of living;
- he outlined some initiatives in his submission which would support finding money within rather than borrowing it;
- focus should be on the safety of cycleways and roadways;
- a rethink on how rates are calculated and applied is overdue;
- the Waimea Community Dam should have an independent review.
Chris Sutton (31796) Motueka District Museum Trust
Ms Sutton, Chair of Motueka District Museum Trust, spoke to their submission:
- there are four new trust members and they are currently drafting a five year strategic plan;
- the available space is problematic and there is no storage space elsewhere;
- there is a critical need for a building for storage space for artifacts;
- in the five year plan they’d like a specific diversity area which would showcase the different nationalities and cultures of Motueka;
- it’s also a health and safety issue to staff as they are having to store artifacts on mezzanine floors, only accessible by ladders;
- they believe the best solution is to have the use of the old Motueka Library in Pah Street otherwise building a new storage facility by the Toy Library in Pah Street;
- noted that Council provided funding for Nelson Provincial Museum for storage space.
In response to a question, it is too far to travel if the artefacts were stored jointly at the Nelson Provincial Museum storage.
In response to a question, the Museum have a Collection Management Policy which they stick to because they don’t have enough storage to collect everything.
Karen Johnson (31882) Golden Bay Museum
Ms Johnson spoke on behalf of the Golden Bay Museum and they’d like Council to fund more resources so that the Museum can increase their hours.
In response to a question, Nelson Provincial Museum do help with technical advice, however, the Golden Bay Museum have a significant collection and they need more resources.
Lewis Soloman (31880)
Mr Soloman spoke to his submission:
- the proposed increase of volumetric charge of Richmond’s water supply is too much and he believes they are the highest in New Zealand;
- 88% of nitrates are coming from the agribusinesses on the Waimea Plains and they are not paying anything;
- the urban water supply network has to be there to supply firefighting in the area - it shouldn’t come through the volumetric charge but should be part of the fixed charge component;
- he believes a new funding model is required.
Crs Tuffnell and Turley left the meeting at 3.12 pm.
The meeting adjourned at 3.13 pm.
The meeting reconvened at 3.21 pm
Ian Gardiner (31881) Pohara Boating Club
Mr Gardiner, Regional Development Manager for the South Island for Yachting New Zealand, spoke on behalf of Pohara Boating Club:
- requested funding for upgrading and sealing the roadway from the main road to the ramp gateway, Council to provide the Club with security of tenure on the existing leased area and providing a floating jetty in the marina;
- noted they are a not for profit organisation;
- they provide learn to sail courses and club sailing;
- it’s a social venue and community hub in the Bay.
Maree Dunlop (31887) Neighbourhood Support
Ms Dunlop spoke on behalf of Neighbourhood Support:
- Neighbourhood Support aligns perfectly with Council’s expectations and hopes for community development;
- spoke about the importance of opportunities for community led responses to get to know one another;
- would like more funding for operational costs;
- the investment for Tasman should be equal to both Nelson and Marlborough councils.
In response to a question, Ministry of Social Development fund programmes.
In response to a question, apart from Community Grants funding, they have received no additional funding from Council (except a Covid support project).
Anthea Garmey (31862)
Ms Garmey and her husband are owners of Bingo Skip Hire in Motueka and they’re concerned about the increase of waste charges in Council’s Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges. She is worried about where people’s waste is going to go if they can’t pay for disposing it.
The meeting concluded at 4.13 pm
|
Chair: |
|
|
|
|