Water and Wastewater Upgrade:

We had a very informative start to our 8 July MDCA monthly meeting when the TDC’s Project Manager Rob O’Grady gave an update regarding the progress on the pipeline project from an operational perspective. Rob explained with the new system, once it is in commission, it will no longer go from one pumping station to another as currently is the case. Instead there will be a bypass pipe that will carry all waste away from each pumping station that will go directly to the pipeline that goes under the channel to Best Island. Doing this will reduce the impact and load on each pumping station in times of heavy usage. Rob mentioned that the McKee Domain Dumping Station is now available to paid campers only with others needing to go to Motueka or other dumping sites.

Luke Donaldson, the community liaison person for Donaldson Civic, explained the process the work crew is using as they work along Aranui Rd. He explained how this work will impact residents and businesses accessing their properties, and how they intend to move as quickly and as thoroughly as possible to ensure, once they have moved on from a location, there should be no reason to revisit that location again.

While undertaking the work outside the village shopping centre Luke warned residents there will be no on- road parking in the area, meaning residents will be required to park further away from their intended destination. As the work moves further north along Aranui Rd and outside residential properties the road will be reduced to one lane with a stop/go stationed at each end. Pedestrian access will also be reduced to one side of the road. Archeologists Deb Foster and Pamela Jenkins along with an Iwa monitor explained the process of monitoring the earthworks to ensure any artefacts that may be unearthed can be catalogued for historical and cultural purposes.

Rob fielded several questions outside the topic brief regarding the storm water system and possible upgrade for Ruby Bay. Even though this was outside the prepared topic, the audience were informed that progress is being made and that all major works have to follow a process before it can become a reality. Rob stated he is willing to come back at a later date to give a more informed update with regard to the storm water. The MDCA executive committee will work toward scheduling this.

The Ngaio Tree Reserve Upgrade:

The final plans for the Ngaio Tree Reserve are now available. These have been formulated and designed with much of the community feedback in mind. Unfortunately, due to some delays, this upgrade will now not be completed by December as first hoped. Instead commencement will be during winter 2020 with completion by December 2020.

Dominion Flats Planting:

We had a really good response to our planting days with over 1100 plants in the ground so a big thankyou to all those who have helped out. A small group continues to meet every Tuesday morning to attack the weeds and free up the plants. Anyone is welcome to join us from 9-12, Tools provided. 

On Wednesday 3rd of July, the Dominion Flats group was represented at a meeting at which Shane Jones and Damien O’Connor announced the government intends to spend a significant amount of money mainly on native trees in the Waimea Estuary over the next three years. The group gathered at Hoddy Park in the pouring rain where both MPs spoke briefly and planted two kahikatea trees to commemorate the event.

Transportation and other community issues:

Currently a copy of the Community Wellbeing Survey which includes a section on community/public transport has been delivered to all letter boxes in Mapua/Ruby Bay and some parts of Mahana, along with the MDCA promotion/information leaflet. The hope is that most people will respond using the on-line link provided and so far 56 people have done so. Extra paper copies are available at the Mapua hall and library. Anyone interested in being involved in future development of this project is asked to contact Elena Meredith and hopefully this will provide us with an ongoing and larger working group to develop options/proposals.

The Tasman Area Community Assn has circulated the transport section of our survey and we hope the shared data will result in a broader stronger basis for developing a transport system for our region. This project has been possible because of the willing cooperation between and communication across many community groups with special thanks to Vicki Stocker of Hills Community Church whose enthusiasm and skills have been invaluable.

If you haven’t already done so, please fill out your survey form and send it back and encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same. We are hoping for a good response.

AED’s:

A question was raised about the possible need for a device stationed in Ruby Bay, perhaps by the shops. We are keen to hear your opinion, whether there is the need for one in Ruby Bay and if so how could the $2800 – $3000 be raised.

Ruby Bay Water Infrastructure Group:

This group of local residents plan to continue their work independently from the MDCA and have agreed to report their progress to MDCA in an effort to ensure continuity of cooperation is fed into the bigger community ‘water’ picture.

Mapua Community Care Project (MCCP):

The MCCP plan to hold a community consultation meeting directly following their AGM on 23rd October at 7.30pm in the Mapua Hall. An invitation is extended to all members of the community to attend both these meetings.

The AGM of the Mapua and Districts Community Association will be held on Monday 12th August at 7pm, Bill Marris room Mapua Hall and we would love to see you there. A number of the executive are standing again but if you would like to join the committee, we would love to have your contributions.

 

 

DOMINION FLATS BLOSSOMS AFTER 5 YEARS OF PLANTING

 

 

After the bypass highway through to Motueka was completed in 2008 the area now called Dominion Flats Reserve, adjacent to Mapua Drive at the bypass, was surplus to the needs of Transit who were looking to sell an area of approximately six and a half hectares. The TDC, with a lot of encouragement from the local community, and with the understanding that the community would be very involved, agreed to buy it as a reserve to be restored, as near as possible, to its original state of lowland kahikatea forest. A sub-committee of the Mapua & Districts Community Association was formed to research the type of suitable trees and the first applying for grants began. At the time of the bypass work a survey of the streams was done which showed that at least 8 different native fish were there and so it was important that their habitat was protected.

Then in September 2013 Nelmac offered several thousand plants which were no longer needed for a project and so the work began in earnest. Our first public planting day on 3^rd November 2013 saw 90 people from young children to grandparents all helping to get plants in the ground and many have helped at every planting day since. There are now over 60,000 plants in the ground mostly paid for with money from grants. We have applied to many different sources for money and are very fortunate to have received over $75,000. We have also had many plants donated, grown from locally sourced seeds.

We have had and still get tremendous help from the community. A group of about 10 regulars go every Tuesday morning to weed or use weed eaters to control the weeds and to plant new plants. We have had help from Mapua School, Lower Moutere School, Waimea Intermediate, Crombie Lockwood workdays, Jonathan Kennett’s group from Wellington, family groups, Cubs, Scouts, a Geocache group, and the women’s walking group. We have traps lines that are monitored by volunteers and have caught stoats, weasels, rats and hedgehogs, (and we regularly deal with wasp nests). We are also well supported by the TDC with advice, materials and our share of the reserves budget.

The first of the boardwalks were built by DOC cadet trainees at NMIT using materials supplied by TDC and subsequent bridges were built by community volunteers. The tracks have been made by a contractor to the TDC with materials from TDC and from grant money. Recently fresh gravel has been laid on some of these using donated material. Work has been started on the last part of track which will complete the circuit of the reserve. These are used by walkers, runners, cyclists and school children and some lead further afield to connect with other communities. One connection is through an underpass which has vibrant murals drawn, at our request, by Mapua school pupils, decorating the entrances. We have a donated picnic table at the first resting area and 2 more tables and 2 seats further through the reserve which were made by one of our volunteers with donated material.

This project has now completed the first five years with wonderful results to show for all the hard work. It is beginning to look like a natural patch of bush but still will need several more years of planting and nurturing before we can hand it back to nature. In time we hope there will be an obvious patch of native forest that has increased bird life and that offers protection for the native fish that inhabit the streams. Already tui, fantails, silvereyes, pukeko and kingfisher are enjoying their new habitat and the native fish numbers are increasing in the streams.

If you would like to add your bit to the project come and join us on 9^th June 9am-12md and bring your spade. We have 1000 more plants to get in the ground.

In other Mapua & Districts Community Association business:

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

The TDC messaged the MDCA that work on the Mapua Water and Wastewater system will begin soon. The contract for this upgrade work has now been awarded to Donaldson Civil Ltd and work is planned to begin in mid-June. The work will begin at the Mapua Wharf and progress back up Aranui Road to Stafford Drive and on to Pine Hill Road. To minimise disruption, construction will be done in sections and work outside the school will be done during the winter school holidays.

The TDC’s aim is to complete work in November 2020, but there will be a work shutdown on Aranui Road over the busy summer period between 4 December 2019 and 13 April 2020. For up to date information on the project progress, please subscribe to the email newsletter by emailing: projects@tasman.co.nz  with the subject line: ‘Subscribe to Mapua upgrades’

Residents can also visit the project page on the Tasman District Council website at www.tasman.govt.nz and search for ‘Mapua upgrades’ or copy and paste this link: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/…/m…/mapua-engineering-projects/…

Donaldson Civil will be in touch with businesses and residents directly to discuss any individual requirements prior to works beginning in their location. In the interim, questions not answered in the website project page can be directed to Council’s project manager Rob O’Grady on 03-543 8634 or 027-579 3146 or by email rob.o’grady@tasman.govt.nz.

Mapual Upgrades Project webpage:
https://www.tasman.govt.nz/…/m…/mapua-engineering-projects/…

MAPUA WATERFRONT & WHARF

The MDCA presented its feedback to the TDC regarding the Ngaio Tree Reserve (green space by the Golden Bear) based on a brainstorming session at the April monthly meeting.  Some of the key recommendations were: Add low planting between Golden Bear boundary and western edge of grassed area and be sure the area is managed well to preserve a family friendly concept. Ensure that bike racks are well located for cyclists coming off the ferry. Provide a good increase in seats with backs and picnic tables in the area. Remove all but triangular section of planting between the Ngaio Tree and the grassed area for ease of movement for children between grass, Ngaio Tree and under 5yrs play area. Clearly define where the Sea Scouts trailer and cars can park. Insure dinghy racks are provided with sufficient space. And possibly provide space for older kids play area and buskers.

The complete list of recommendations can be found on the MDCA website at: https://www.ourmapua.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ngaio-Tree-Feedback.pdf

ROADS AND PATHWAYS

Jamie McPherson, TDC Transportation Manager, has provided the TDC Footpath Priority List for the community to provide feedback on. Mapua has a number of pathways near the top of the list of 85 projects: Mapua Drive connection across #125 is ranked #2; Mapua Drive to the Highway is ranked #5; Pomona Road from Crusader Drive to Korepo is ranked #11; Seaton Valley Road pathway extension to Dawson Road is ranked #18; Tahi Street is ranked #30.  We have suggested that the path to the Highway is of a higher priority to #2 and have asked for indicative timelines. The MDCA has asked that the resurfacing of the new Seaton Valley pathway be made a high priority.

TRANSPORTATION

Elena Meredith, working with the Nelson/Tasman Community Transportation Trust and volunteers from Hills Community Church, has been focusing on developing transportation infrastructure for our area.

Vicki Stocker reported on behalf of the group that they are working with other community groups on a survey that addresses needs by community members with transport, health provisions, support agencies etc and they hope to  distribute it in the next two months – with responses by email or on paper. Mapua Hall and library willing to receive written responses on behalf of group

MAPUA RESERVE PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

The TDC’s Glenn Thorn is waiting for more information from playground equipment suppliers. Some of the delay is may be due to how to incorporate Iwi symbolism. Glenn has been investigating this as a possibility; however he is not having much luck in finding a playground equipment supplier who provides such equipment. Unfortunately, the cost of making such specific playground equipment on site, because of OSH, is cost prohibitive.

SAFETY TRAINING ON JUNE 6

Motueka Districts Neighbourhood Support Society (MDNSS) is presenting a FREE training session open to the public with representatives from the police, fire, civil defense and paramedics. In the Bill Marris room at Mapua Hall, 6.30p on 6th June.

• Paramedic Demonstration On CPR
• Learn How to Operate AED Equipment
• Police – Keeping Safe and Crime Prevention
• Fire – Preventing and Surviving House and Rural Fires
• Civil Defence – How to Prepare and Deal with Adverse Events

JUNE MEETING HOT TOPIC SPEAKER

At the 10 June MDCA meeting, the Mapua Boat Club’s (MBC) Martyn Barlow will present the club’s latest boat ramp plans and David Scott from Tamaha Sea Scouts (TSS) will talk about the local scouting group and how the MBC plans link in with the future growth and security for the TSS group. Come and hear directly from a Venturer Scout how the Scouting movement can add value to an individual and influence our youth into their early adult years.

Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting:  Monday, 10 June 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.