97% of Tasman District residents will see their rates decrease or increase no more than $2 per week in the upcoming financial year (July 17 – June 18). That’s the good news delivered by Mayor Kempthorne at the Mapua and Districts Community Association’s March 13 meeting. Along with TDC councillors King, McNamara & Turley, CEO Lindsay McKenzie and seven executive staff members, Kempthorne praised the TDC for a significant turnaround in the TDC’s financial position from just 3 years ago. Rates on average will increase only .63% as revenue increases from $110 to $114 million and debt will decrease by $35.1 million from previous forecasts. Better results are due to decrease in interest rates, better controlled spending and tighter management.
The TDC wants to hear your views about the 2017-18 budget and the Long Term Plan (2015-25). What are the key issues the Council needs to address over the next 10 years and how should they should address them? Are there projects or improved services you would like them to consider in the future? Should the focus remain on financial prudence in the form of low rates increases (<3%) and reduced debt levels? Are there things the TDC could do better, or more or less of in the future? Review the Budgets and Plans at: http://www.tasman.govt.nz/policy/public-consultation/ . Then submit your feedback at: http://www.tasman.govt.nz/policy/public-consultation/make-a-submission/ .
In other business at the MDCA March meeting, Rob Smith, Goundwater Scientist for Tasman, indicated his team will be drilling a 400 meter bore in Mapua in April or May for monitoring water quality, levels, conductivity and pressure changes. TDC has 40 such metering bores in the District.
Bus services from Motueka and Mapua were suggested, to link in with a proposed bus service (already under discussion) from Wakefield to Nelson. The idea of a park and ride facility in Richmond was also put forward. Engineering Services Manager Richard Kirby stated the proposal could be added to the bus services discussion at the next regional transport committee meeting.
Sharon Flood, TDC Strategic Planning Manager, stated the Mapua Waterfront Survey results will be available on the TDC website from Monday, March 20; search for “Full Council Meetings” at the TDC web site, then click on the year “2017” and the latest agenda and meeting notes link.
Jamie McPherson, TDC Transportation Manager, updated current local projects: the Higgs Road footpath design has been completed from Mapua Drive to Lionel Place as has the design for the crosswalk at the intersection of Mapua Drive and Aranui Road; 6 new street lights will be installed at the wharf end of Aranui Road; and the footpath along Seaton Valley Road has been delayed until the 2017-18 year. A Higgs Road resident requested a directional sign to Mapua be placed at the Mapua Drive roundabout, directing traffic down Mapua Drive to Aranui Road so as to reduce Higgs Road traffic; Jamie thought the suggestion had merit.
Mike Schuer, TDC Utilities Manager, mentioned on-going plans to upgrade Mapua’s water system which is aging and experiencing breaks on a regular basis while the wastewater pump is inefficient and needs upgrading.
David Mitchell queried whether the MDCA was planning a collective submission regarding the TDC Long Term Plan. When Elena Meredith, MDCA Chair, asked the meeting for an opinion, it was agreed to discuss and formulate such a submission at the April MDCA meeting.
The MDCA’s April meeting will be Monday, 10 April, 7 PM at Mapua Hall. All are welcome. membership is just $5 and can be paid at the door. If you have comments, please email us at info@ourmapua.org or post your comments at our Facebook page – “Mapua Community Association.”
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