The AGM of The Mapua and District Community Association was held on Monday 13th August. Elena Meredith, the outgoing chairperson spoke to the Annual Report which had been circulated by email. She acknowledged the hard work put in by many and outlined the projects and interests that have been addressed during the year. One of the happenings that affected the wider community was the damage and heartbreak caused by the cyclones and the response from the whole community that was so positive and heartwarming.

Input from our three TDC councillors was acknowledged with thanks as were those who keep us up to date with reports from the various sub committees. The ‘hot spots’ preceding our general meetings are helping to give an insight into a number of different topics and mention was also made of the advantages with having an interface with the public through Facebook and the MDCA website.

The association accounts which have been reviewed by the accountant were presented by Aileen and show that the association spends money wisely and is in a sound position.

Two motions which had been circulated prior to the meeting were presented.
1. That the honorarium for the secretary be increased from $150 to $200 per month.
Passed by the meeting
2. That the annual subscription increase from $5 to $10 per member was also passed.

Elena was thanked for the hard work and able chairing she has shown over the three years and was presented with a small token of appreciation.

The positions for the executive for the next year were uncontested and are as follows:
Chairperson    Marion Satherley
Vice chair. Wayne Chisnall
Secretary.    Jolene Theron
Treasurer.     Aileen Connell

Executive members: Mike Kininmonth, Tim Hawthorne, Naomi Aporo, Elena Meredith, Helen Bibby, Trish Smith.
After the AGM, the first general meeting for the new year of the Mapua and Districts
Community Association began with TDC engineer Jamie MacPherson presenting
the recommendation for a reduced speed limit from Three Brothers Corner to
Maiseys Rd to try and lower the accident rate on this stretch of road.
Currently the speed is 100kph and the NZTA and TDC in consultation with AA
and the Police are recommending this be reduced to 80 kph. Jamie
encouraged those attending the meeting to submit their opinions before the
closing date for submissions at the end of the month.

Roads and Pathways.

Wayne advised those present that the Seaton Valley cycle/pathway is underway and passed on the comment from Jamie MacPherson at TDC that the budget for footpaths for the whole region is small in the current TDC plan.

Waimea Inlet forum Report.

DOC are looking for suitable places in the
region to relocate Brown Teal and are asking for offers of lakes or ponds
that might be available. There is to be a trapping workshop to be held in October and all who are
interested are invited to attend.

Dominion Flats.

The big autumn/winter planting is almost completed and now
the group of volunteers who come so regularly on a Tuesday morning will be
back to weeding and plant releasing. It is such a pleasant friendly group
who turn up most weeks and we love to see others join in. Jim Hosie has
constructed 2 more seats using materials donated by Motueka Community
Shop. They have now been set in place so you can stop for a rest or admire
the view over the reserve from the top.

Community Transport.

Elena referred to other areas like Christchurch and
Picton where Trusts have been formed to operate transport for those
unable to make their own way to appointments or other commitments and she
has begun discussions to have a combined committee formed with other
local areas e.g. Wakefield and Brightwater to investigate possibilities
that could help all participating areas. Age Concern and Hills Community
Church have expressed their interest to help.

AED’s in the area. Watch out for publicity about another training session
on how to use these as it is planned to hold a session before Christmas.

The MDCA meetings are always interesting, always lively and it is a
fantastic forum to keep up to date with happenings in the area and to
voice your concerns or tell us your idea. Everyone is welcome to attend
or you can follow MDCAon Facebook.

Community Transport Needs Raised: Access to convenient local community transportation was the big topic at July’s Mapua and Districts Community Association. Contact had been made with Age Concern prior to this meeting and they indicated an interest and willingness to liaise with and support local initiatives in this area. Research on loneliness and isolation amongst elderly identifies lack of access to transport as a significant issue. Meeting participants agreed that:

Though there are some private local transport options, we need to contact other community groups (Churches; Community Hall; MDCA) to discuss better co-ordination and publicity of what is available and needed. The idea of a paid co-ordinator (with donations from community organizations) was suggested to co-ordinate what is available and liaise with locals as well as Age Concern

Research had shown that there was no access to publicly funded Health/Patient transport service options or subsidies from or through Mapua. However, Motueka Regional Ambulance and Tasman Passenger Services were privately provided systems run on “user pays.”  Members suggested that we check if publicity (brochures) about such services is available at the Health Centre and explore with Age Concern the idea of co-ordinated transport around the region.

Cr McNamara reported on current TDC/NCC research on feasibility (need and costs) of public transport services to/from such villages as Mapua and Wakefield.

A motion was passed THAT a letter be sent to TDC encouraging them to continue exploring a feasibility study and support for a regional transport system between Motueka, Mapua and Richmond/Nelson.

 Welcome Sign Stirs Diverse Opinions

Some Mapua residents have expressed a desire to have a “Welcome to Mapua” sign on Mapua Drive and the TDC are prepared to provide this, possibly as part of speed restriction signage or directional signage.

The question is where would this best be sited? And what might it look like? Some have suggested it shouldn’t compete with the Gateway sculpture at the beginning of Mapua Drive. Signage could go at the top of the hill, up from Mamaku Drive, or at the Higgs Road Roundabout or on the corner of Mapua Drive and Aranui Road. (The latter will have signage to the Village and to the Wharf when it is agreed what the wharf area is going to be called.)

The MDCA asked locals on Facebook and Neighbourly how they feel about the welcome sign and immediately the post drew varied comments: “I think it’s a great idea but not too keen on it being a boring sign. Would be nice if it represented more of what our village is like: arty, crafts, café/restaurant culture.” “I think it would be good at the top of the hill just before where the houses start on Mapua Drive.” “Since people can enter from several directions, wouldn’t you have several signs?” “More welcoming to Mapua might be tidying up the horrible banks on either side of the road on the hill off Mamaku Drive.” “Honestly. Don’t we already have enough signs?” “It’s a waste of money.”

Waimea Dam

TDC Cr McNamara gave an update about the Waimea Dam budget in respect to recent publicity about budget overruns to which no details are being made available.  Chairperson Elena Meredith commended Cr McNamara for his publicised request for information to be available for councillors as well as the local community.   The membership supported a motion calling on the TDC to make this information available.  Subsequently a letter was sent to TDC Utilities Manager Mike Schruer stating that “All members present felt that information about [cost overruns] should be publicly disclosed and most certainly should be made available to our elected ward councillors.” Mike Drummond, TDC Commercial Services Manager responded in writing that “[the TDC is] in commercial negotiations for the Waimea Dam and the revised project estimates will be communicated to councillors at the appropriate time and made public in due course.”

 Community Relationships

Naomi Aporo continues her focus on initiatives to consult and engage with local Iwi on a variety of fronts, notably: strong engagement from three local Iwi who have supported representatives to the Waterfront Working Group; a project with David Mitchell around Aranui Park with local Iwi members being able to harvest flax for weaving; and liaising with local schools around Te Reo Maori competence.

Water Infrastructure Subcommittee

The role of this subcommittee is to ensure that the storm-water issues in the Mapua/Ruby Bay region (some of which became apparent after Cyclone Fehi) will stay at the forefront of Council planning. Bruno Lemke gave a verbal report on this sub committee’s first meeting.

The subcommittee agreed that Council seemingly has a lack of long term strategic planning regarding our infrastructure issues and we need to find out what their current stance is on long term developments in our area. Bruno introduced three motions which were passed by the membership:

THAT MDCA ask that the board walk at the end of Tait street which allows access to the beach, is reinstated to a safe, working condition.

THAT MDCA ask that the seawall from Chaytor Reserve to just north of Tait Street be repaired to that specified in the 2011 Consent that does not include the clay bund (which prevented wave overtopping water from draining back out to the sea).

THAT we write to council thanking them for the proposed storm water improvement to houses near 72 Stafford Drive and ask that it include discharging this water via a new outlet to the sea so the Broadsea Avenue outlet in Chaytor reserve is not further overwhelmed.

Social Media

In May and June, the MDCA posted 16 different news items on our Facebook page. Topics ranged from an invitation to “walk the New Tasman Reserve and Clifftop Walkway” to “More Plants Available for Ruby Bay Flooded Properties” to “Dominion Flats Planting Success stories.” Our most viewed post was announcing Tiger Lilly’s Farewell event on June 7 which had 1,951 views and 14 comments and 14 shares, so quite good engagement. And our May 22 post about the Free Metal Waste Disposal for Recycling at Perry’s Auto reached 1,059 people. In total, the MDCA posts in May and June attracted 10,770 views.

Digital activity increased significantly from April to May for our web site www.ourmapua.org. Just 29 visitors viewed 51 pages in April but 87 visitors viewed 229 pages in May. 91% of all visitors were new to the web site vs. 72% in April.

And the MDCA has launched its own Instagram page. Just search for “mapuacommassoc” on Instagram then be sure to follow us.  We already have a few photos posted and are looking for more. Please email any of your photos to info@ourmapua.org.

 Miscellaneous Business

Gateway Sculpures. Fundraising for the Gateway Project’s third sculpture at the top of Mamaku Drive is about to start.

Civil Defence. Seven volunteers’ names have been sent to Civil Defence to form the basis of a local team of people available to respond in the event of another civil emergency.

TDC Engineering Report. The Ruby Bay sea wall, which was overtopped during the Fehi ex-cyclone event, has been repaired to a similar standard as to that prior to the event.

Replanting Mapua Drive Roadside & Dominion Flats Mamaku Dr.  Reports have been sent to Rata Foundation, NetworkTasman and Pub Charities regarding grant money we have spent. A reminder to all that donations of native seeds are welcome which can then be scattered.

Waterfront Park Upgrade. A grant has been submitted for purchasing a community BBQ to be located in the park. Repair to the Mapua School’s aquarium dedicated “photo frames” is still waiting for follow up from school.

Waterfront Working Group (WWG).  It was MOVED that the MDCA nominate Mike Crehan as Chairperson.

AGM in August

Our AGM is coming up on Monday 13^th August AGM, 7pm Bill Marris Room, Mapua Community Hall.  All members are encouraged to think of possible nominees for vacant positions on the Executive Committee, particularly secretary and chairperson.

Matariki was acknowledged at the beginning of the meeting of the Mapua and District Community Association and reference was made to the wonderful art display by the pupils at Mapua School which is currently in  the main room of the Mapua Hall and was part of their Matariki celebrations. Naomi Aporo said one of the Maori historical traditions associated with Matariki was to dig and stand in a trench like those used for planting kumara in, karakia to the cluster of stars known as the wishing star and state a wish for the year ahead. A nice tradition to continue perhaps.

Naomi is continuing with collecting stories to reflect the history of the area and shared how some of the traditions come about. It is planned to have information boards at various places in the community to show case our past stories.

Roads and Pathways. There was general discussion about roads, lighting and footpaths and it was agreed that we all need to be better at sharing the space on our footpaths with a suggested slogan being SHARING NOT GLARING. It was felt that we need to ask for some clarification on which pathways are shared and which are only for pedestrians. Some felt that the lighting could be better while others enjoy the village feel and the stars in the dark night skies.

TDC LTP submission summary and correspondence. Bruno spoke to this submission summary as previously circulated, clarifying some specific areas of the summary and TDC responses, particularly around sea walls, storm water and the TDC’s noted responsibilities around protection of private property. He also commented that the submission put in on behalf of the MDCA,   only counted as one submitter, noting it is possibly better for members to submit individually in future.

Waterfront Park. Those responsible for Waterfront Park spoke of the progress made with the planned playground facilities which is now moving forward and the BBQ funding application that is set to go.

Environmental Issues. There was a really good response to the call for help with planting at Dominion Flats with over 100 helpers over the four mornings and about 3000 plants put in the ground. Now you really can see where we have been as there is a sea of new green covers in patches amongst the trees.  When you walk along the tracks now you can be hidden from sight under the height of the previous plantings. What a great feeling that is.

The community were also involved in plantings at Tasman so the whole area is going to have a great green image in a few years’ time.

Civil Defence. More volunteers added their names to the list to be sent through to Richmond. If you feel you could help in times of emergency but have not yet put your name forward it is not too late. Phone Helen Bibby 035403830 and she will send your name on.

Resignation .Elena acknowledged the contribution Colin Walker has made to the Association during his time on the executive and asked that a formal letter of thanks be sent to him now that he has resigned.

AGM REMINDER Elena reminded those present that we need to fill the positions of both the chairperson and the secretary at the AGM in August and asked that we consider stepping in or asking someone we feel could be a suitable candidate to fill the positions. The secretary does receive an honorarium.

Next Meeting. The hot topic for the July meeting is to be public transport so come along and hear others ideas and add your own . Mapua Hall , 7pm on Monday 9^th July.

The 12 February MDCA monthly meeting drew a sizable audience with strong opinions voiced about many issues.  Chairperson Elena Meredith began by expressing condolences, sympathy and support to the Ruby Bay and Mapua residents impacted by the 1 February flood.

Boat Ramp

Martyn Barlow spoke of the Boat Club’s short term aim for access to the current  boat ramp be maintained as they campaign to get a regional boat ramp for the region to replace it.  Maritime safety has been and will remain a key issue.  In respect of the MDCA stance on the boat ramp issue, it was moved and carried that the TDC ensures it maintains access to the current boat ramp for maritime safety and access by Tamaha Sea Scouts.

It was also noted that during a recent commercial event at the wharf (a concert attracting hundreds of spectators), access to the boat ramp was cut off for the Tamaha Sea Scouts and the Boat Club, nor were either organizations notified of the event. There was a robust discussion about access to the wharf area during commercial activities and whether the licensed consent for such activities should require consultation with Tamaha Scouts and Boat Club so that those groups might maintain their access to the ramp during these events.

Community AED’s

Currently there are public AED’s outside Cushla’s, the Mapua Hall, the Four Square and the Apple Shed. The medical centre has agreed to be the drop off point for any AEDs which might be used.  A grant will be sought to cover maintenance costs.

Waterfront Update

It was with great delight we saw the two aquarium art stands installed. People were using them within minutes, taking photos etc. However it is with great regret that within a week we were getting reports of people allowing children to use them as climbing frames and therefore breaking the attached ceramic fish art. The wooden sea life art is surviving the rough treatment but the ceramics are gone. The MDCA is seeking help from anyone in the community who could jig saw cut wooden fish shapes as replacements (to be securely screwed on) which the children would then paint. Please email info@ourmapua.org if you can assist. The MDCA is also securing “Please do not climb” signs for the area.

We are still waiting to install additional play equipment, expected to happen soon. We’re waiting for the TDC to install wooden stump steps and a volunteer to build the frame for the  kids’ tunnel. If we go for a new BBQ, the TDC will install it and shade it properly. Many have said that shade is an important need in the park. The Ruby Coast Initiative Trust (RCIT) is looking to expand its focus in terms of supporting fund-raising and funding applications to include the waterfront park development and the wider  community as a whole. RCIT has the capability to raise large funding amounts.

Roads and Pathways

The Higgs Road footpath is well underway with construction being in concrete which is a bonus as it was expected to be a gravel path. Some owners have expressed concern that trees at the top corner are blocking the view of drivers and hindering parking. The TDC will be approached to authorise the contractors to fix the problem.

Work is scheduled to start on the Mapua School crossing late in February. It was emphasised that this is a “refuge” crossing and traffic will not have to give way to pedestrians to avoid traffic build up. The School has taken ownership of this solution and will staff the crossing before and after school.

The plan for the crossing has been modified due to scheduled water and sewer pipework being brought forward to the end of 2018. This will go through the existing island and the planned island refuge will be fully reconstructed at that time. The corner will be asphalted after completion of that work.

There are still concerns within the community about the siting of the school refuge crossing. This will be revisited with the TDC if pathways from Jessie Street and Higgs Road to Aranui Road eventuate. These along with the pathway exit from Aranui Park would make an Aranui Road refuge crossing closer to the exit from Aranui Park a viable project.

Dominion Flats Restoration Project

The growth on the plants is fantastic with many of them now above head height and winning against the weeds. There have been flowers on manuka, kowhai and coprosma which means they will start to do their own propagating before too long, the tuis have enjoyed the nectar in the flax flowers, and it is not uncommon to disturb skinks amongst the grasses and stones. Just what we are hoping to see happen.

Work over the hot summer months has been a bit sporadic as individuals dodged the heat and worked at times that suited their commitments instead of the regular Tuesday morning working bees, but Ash Oliver who does contract work when asked, has done some blackberry and other weed control and has moved a big pile of mulch from by the bottom entry to further up the track to make it easier for us to spread round the base of some of the plants to help retain moisture and give the roots some protection from the sun. And, of course, there is the ongoing weeding around the plants to give them some breathing space that we continue to do, and track clearing that is quite a mission just now as the paspalum grasses try to hold hands across the pathway.

We will shortly collect stakes from Waimea Nurseries which just cost the time and energy but no dollars, this in preparation for the planting of 4000 more plants in a few months for which we hope to get lots of volunteers as it will be a big job, but as is now very obvious from previous plantings, it is well worth the effort.

We as a community can be so proud of this space and the changes that have happened over the last four years. Do keep up the good work and join us from 9am- ish on Tuesdays to help with the weeding or if it suits you better just go at a time that suits you and clear weeds from round the plants. What a difference it would make if lots of people just did an hour a week. Enjoy Dominion Flats Reserve – it belongs to us all.

Long Term Plan.

Consultation on the TDC’s Long Term Plan begins on 1 March until 5 April. TDC staff and councillors will attend the 12 March MDCA meeting to discuss the LTP with attendees. Everyone is invited.

A request was made for the TDC to paint a yellow “no parking” line on the North side of Aranui road just before the roundabout at Tahi street.  Cars, trucks and large trailers have been parking there obstructing traffic flow and making the intersection dangerous during high traffic times at the wharf.

David Davison spoke about establishing a croquet club in Mapua.  A club may be established if land can be found.    He feels the sports ground in Mapua should be available for croquet but the TDC are unwilling to provide land.

Join us at for our next meeting: 12 March, 7 PM at Mapua Hall.

Tasman District Council on Thursday Nov 16 unanimously supported a master-plan for the Mapua Waterfront area for the next 20 years, including a rejection of the Mapua Boat Club’s boat-ramp proposal. This follows a year of vigorous advocacy by the club for a new ramp, turnaround area and vehicle access along the southern side of Waterfront Park. The new ramp was intended to replace a small boat ramp on the north side of the wharf that was closed by the council last year.

The new Mapua Waterfront Master Plan was adopted quickly at the council’s November meeting, with no substantive discussion by councillors. This was because councillors had earlier been involved in wide-ranging discussions during a hearing committee stage and considered reports and submissions on an earlier draft of the plan. The committee, including one iwi representative, had before them reports arising from five weeks of public consultation and a total of 386 submissions from residents on various issues.

Shortly before the hearing committee’s report was tabled, Tasman Deputy Mayor Tim King told the council that the Mapua boat ramp issue was one of two on the agenda that had resulted in deeply divided opinions in the communities affected, the other issue being a proposal to demolish the historic grandstand at the old Golden Bay showgrounds. Mr King said that in both cases, whatever the resulting decisions, councillors were likely to leave half the community unhappy over the result.

Tabling the Mapua waterfront report, TDC strategic manager Sharon Flood said councillors were sympathetic to the needs of the Mapua boating community for a ramp. However, their “over-riding reasons for rejection of the club proposal included:
 The location of the council’s high pressure sewer main near the proposed ramp site;
 Marine health and safety issues;
 High estimated project costs;
 Parking issues and traffic congestion and
 The fact that nearly half the public submissions were strongly against the ramp plan.

The report said the hearing committee had delayed its hearing to allow the Mapua Boat Club more time to present revised drawings and costs for its proposal. However, it noted that the club did not support an option of a regional study to determine the best site for a new regional boat-ramp. The club’s “strong view was that proposed ramp (at Waterfront Park) was not a regional solution, but a Mapua solution only”, the report said.

Councillors were concerned about additional information about the proposed ramp site from the TDC harbour master, Mr Dan Cairney. He had raised issues over “the strong tidal currents in the area, the known build-up of logs and flood debris in the eddy there and the proximity of the proposed boat-ramp to Mapua Wharf”. The report noted that the wharf was “well-known as a popular location for wharf jumpers and swimmers”. The committee also noted that the boat-ramp would need to be wider than the planned 11 metres.

Councillors were particularly concerned about the proximity of the proposed ramp to the wastewater pumping station and main sewer from Mapua to the Bells’ Island treatment plant. Also in the same area was the council’s gravity sewer located along the existing rock sea wall.
“Both of these pipes are strategic council assets and, if broken, would create significant environmental contamination issues with raw sewage being directly discharged into a highly populated area and into an estuary of significance,” the report said.

The hearing committee said it felt Boat Club estimates of the cost of the proposed boat-ramp and associated works were “best case scenario costs,” “Its quote and the two quotes provided in support….did not take into consideration the location of the waste-water mains pipe or any associated mitigation measures and costs,” it said. A quote from the firm Opus of approximately $918,000 for the boat ramp was seen by the council as “more realistic, with the report noting that some of the works may be able to be carried out for less, depending on the contractor, but that other costs would need to be factored in with regard to the waste-water main”.

Another issue raised was the expected increase in boat and trailer traffic to the area, bringing with it potential congestion. The proposal was for boat owners to park vehicles and trailers in the carpark at Waterfront Park as well as additional parking on the council-owned remediated land on the western side of Tahi St.
“This would potentially create parking difficulties and conflicts during peak periods with other visitors to the Mapua Wharf,” the hearing report said.

Submitters to the draft plan were concerned over the loss of community space for families, added noise, traffic congestion, parking conflicts and pedestrian safety issues that a boat ramp would bring to the Waterfront Park site. “Many were also concerned about the contaminated nature of the site and the potential for toxic chemicals contained under the ground to leach into the estuary as a result of any soil disturbance.”

“A large number of children submitters from Mapua School did not support the boat ramp option and preferred to see the area used for a playground and other recreational facilities”, the report said.

The committee considered other local boat ramp facilities in the area and noted that “a significant number of submitters strongly opposed any upgrade of Grossi Pont boat-ramp, as they wanted the reserve kept for swimmers, walkers, picnickers and small craft, with minimal vehicle use”. Councillors recommended that Grossi Point boat ramp be left as is and retained as a launching site for only smaller craft.

In presenting the report, Ms Flood said that the committee had set short and medium term goals for the main areas covered by the Waterfront Plan. Other key areas dealt with in the plan were:
1. The area between the Golden Bear Brewery and the estuary: The plan proposes to rezone the area from commercial to a reserve, to restore the grassed area, add additional seating and ensure ongoing protection of the ngaio tree there.
2. Mapua Wharf area: Preserve the vibrancy of the Mapua Wharf and surrounding area as a visitor destination. In the short term the council will maintain ownership of buildings and land and enhance delineation of the shared zone. It will continue to work with Tamaha Sea Scouts to find a solution for their boat and gear storage needs
3. Waterfront Park: Council will retain the open park space and explore improvements to enhance community facilities and park use. In the short term, improvements include picnic tables, seating, barbecues, rubbish bins, shelter and investigation of a low-key playground.

 Grossi Point: While the committee agreed to minimal change to the Grossi Point Reserve, the council would undertake clearer identification of the areas for different activities and prevent car and trailer parking in the reserve area of Grossi Point.
 Another change was to work with iwi to develop an archaeological plan to “preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the reserve”.
 The plan proposes that boat owners using Grossi Point for launching boats will need to park their cars and boat trailers on council-owned remediated land further north on Tahi St

Main changes the council made to the earlier draft Mapua Waterfront Master Plan were decisions:
 Not to sell council-owned land or buildings at Mapua Wharf in the short term.
 Not to sell remediated council-owned land on the western side of Tahi St in the short term but to retain the land for parking in the short-term and as a future strategic asset
 Not to put a boat storage shed at Grossi Point for the Tamaha Sea Scout Group and to retain a boat storage area and facilities for the Scouts at the wharf. The Scout Group did not favour moving to Grossi Point.

Report written and submitted by David Mitchell