Significant Trees and preparing for TRMP –October 2020 issue
Māpua & Districts Community Association’s September meeting was held at the start of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and the mana of this taonga was acknowledged with a plea that the “ week” be extended into months and years so that our tamariki experience a bi-lingual living and learning environment as “ the norm”
The primary focus of the meeting was preparing members and the community to be fully informed for the coming consultation with TDC on the Tasman Resources Management Plan (TRMP) to be held in October This would ensure that the focus of the consultation would be on “what the community wants”
Different speakers explored ways of ensuring that members and the wider community were “ informed so we can influence {TDC} at a high level” with a particular focus on trees/ green & recreational spaces as well as ways of moving around the district – roads; walkways and cycle trails.
Comments along this line included :
- “is impossible really impossible or just a problem waiting to be solved “
- “the time has come for us to have some influence here “
- “We need to understand the process so that we know if we can change the process in order for the community to be involved earlier and have input into such processes as non-notifiable consents “
- “ we need to be starting the conversation before consultation with TDC “
- “ look at the process so we know what is going on” –
- we need a “planning for dummies” training session for TDC staff
Cr David Ogilvie provided a broader framework to the korero considering :
- The estimated population growth in the next 8-10 years is from 2,000-4,000 residents which will result in a likely increase in traffic from intersecting roads onto already very busy roads ( Aranui & Higgs)
- How close to the coast do we develop ?
- How much input did MDCA have on past developments in the area?
- A process of information gathering and involvement could be
- Is the information useful ? if yes- can it be made available?
- How can we engage more effectively with TDC in terms of focus/ “lines in the sand”?
- How can we most effectively engage and become informed ?
Note: Three speakers addressed areas of concern and focus – a link to a video of their full presentations as well as their accompanying power-point slides is available on the Māpua Community Association Facebook Page
This article will simply outline the main points raised by each
Paul McIntosh: – Planning Overview
- Maps indicated planned areas of future development and indicative roads planned for next 12-15years
- Avoid narrow focus on the roads alone- look at exits existing roads and potential “ choke points”
- Binary nature of access to village- only 2 main roads with impact on safety; noise; accessibility
- Need to focus on what community wants
Dave Briggs – Significance of Trees – “ all trees matter”
for fuller text , separate article in this edition
- Main message is that this is “ a very small part of a much greater problem in Tasman”
- Our area is “ devoid of any significant trees” & what we have needs protecting so “please don’t chop your own trees down”
- We need to lobby for protection of current green areas and trees and for any sort of policy relating to tree-protection and planting
- Noted that national Carbon Neutral Policy is to be carbon neutral by 2050 – TDC has the responsibility to adapt and adhere to this requirement
Bruce Gilkinson { speaking for David Mitchell) – Significant trees in relation to 160 Māpua Drive
- Noted that there had been 8 significant 100 year old trees planted by a member of the Wells family who donated their land ( Aranui Park) initially to Lands & Survey – passed onto TDC
- Contractor stopped cutting once these were evident ( 2 destroyed)
- No protocol /requirements for consent or for trees to remain once land zoned “ residential “
- MDCA passed motion urging that Aranui Park and Dominion Flats be reclassified as scenic reserves to provide this protection
- Photos of damage by vandals driving through the park – suggestion that these be passed to police and that there be “ a beef up of protection for Aranui Park to stop “hoons” getting in in the first place”
- Issue of use of uncleaned contaminated soil (with potential levels of lead and arsenic) to build up the bank
Association agreed to send email to Dennis Bush-King asking “what is the current set of rules relating to the usage and remediation of contaminated soils ?” and asking to see data on the levels of toxicity in the soils being used
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Dominion Flats – noted that planting for the season has finished –includes clematis and mamakū
2021 planting –grants applied for “ trees to bring in the birds”
Back to weekly weeding ; Tuesdays 9am with a “ leisurely morning tea”
Concern was expressed about regulations relating to developers’ rights and responsibilities in relation to
Native Bush Corridor on Mamakū Drive– TACA meeting focused on plan to plant natives roadside between Mapua and Tasman with turn-offs into a native bush corridor
ROADS & PATHWAYS-
Wayne noted that work on the Māpua Drive – Dominion Flats footpath was due to begin in September
COMMUNITY WELLBEING
- Community volunteer drivers’ service – Māpua Willing Wheels has 12 willing volunteer drivers and is beginning to receive membership subs from prospective passengers. Leaflets have been distributed throughout the district and to all local businesses . Everyone was urged to inform prospective passengers about the service and to ensure that it is well used –“ use it or lose it”
- Community Hub– noted significant progress on establishing the basis of a legal financial basis for the project in terms of a Trust ( see separate article in this issue) Work continuing on prioritizing building requirements and renovations to create a safe warm fit for purpose facility
Projects
Community Seating A group of local men have offered to dig out the foundations while at cost concreting has been arranged by Mike Kininmonth . MDCA will supply bolts and safety railing
SOCIAL MEDIA
Noted high levels of engagement with postings on:
- Application for Liquor Licence corner of Aranui Road and Māpua Drive ( 345 )
Most comments from people stating that there was previously a pub in that location.
One of the store owners objected to the graphic we posted so this was removed.
- Margaret Cotter TDC services award 176 engagements as well as 107 comments and reactions
(all “thumbs up.”)
- Decided we could post the police reports as long as members agreed not to take the report and
re-post it on Social media. If that happened we would be prevented from putting further police reports on our web site.
COMMENTS FROM WARD COUNCILLORS
Cr Christeen McKenzie :
- apologized had been unable to attend TDC Community Services Award Ceremony and congratulated Margaret Cotter on her receiving an award
- noted that under the 3 Waters Reform $3.7 million was allocated for signing up and engaging – mostly to be spent on fresh drinking water
Cr David Oglivie :
Could David Briggs’ presentation be made to full TDC Council – “ it will have far more impact than councillors’ reporting back”……….supported by Cr McKenzie – to negotiate with Dave
FUTURE HOT TOPICS:
October – community consultation on TRMP- – first chance for input; Open Afternoon at Bowling Club 4-7pm followed by presentation /discussion at MDCA meeting
November – Advanced Care Planning – what is it & why is it important ?
December – celebrating the year J
Be sure to attend/ join in our next monthly meeting: Monday, 12 October at 7 PM ( content & format to be confirmed on MDCA Facebook & Mailchimp mailout )
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.