What Happened at the February MDCA meeting

CHANGES- COUNCIL; CLIMATE; COMMUNITY

At the Mapua & Districts Community Association’s February 2020 meeting, the emphasis for the coming year was on change – new local council; national elections in September; growing urgency to address local climate change and community projects and concerns – looks like another busy year ahead !!

OPEN FORUM

Where local residents can raise their issues of concern/interest :

Māpua Rise new development –

issue of “ noise pollution’ where “scrapers” are being used all day making a “ horrendous noise” and preventing residents from going outside.
acceptable limits were checked with TDC = 70 decibels 6%of the time. Currently the sound level 120 metres from machines is 78 decibels averaging 42% of the time.
TDC has been asked to visit the site to check – no response.
Cr Christine McKenzie undertook to follow this up

Lake Aranui proposal – concerns raised over this proposal were :

Risk of stagnant water becoming “ green soup”; if not shaded becoming warm & toxic for native fish
No catchment plan concerning nutrient loads
Risk of sea-invasion which would destroy fresh-water eco-systems
Mike Kininmonth will follow up TDC conditions for future development of this area

Petanque Piste at Māpua Waterfront Park

Speaker introduced self as member of Māpua Waterfront Improvement Group who made picnic tables and created a petanque piste at the Park.
Noted that vandals destroyed the petanque piste over the summer & it needs restoring
Appealed to TDC to do so –
Mayor Tim King took details to check this out and Marion will take issue to MWWG meeting next week

HOT TOPIC- NEW LOOK TDC

Mayor Tim King (was Ward Councillor) & Cr Christine McKenzie spoke on changes made & agenda for 2020

Crs Dean McNamara & Anne Turley will present at the March monthly meeting .

Main points noted:

major reorganization of TDC system of committees so that TDC councillors and staff now working across issues and projects reducing “ silo” mentalities and ensuring inter-departmental communication and co-operation- noted that this has “ been a huge learning curve” with constructive and positive results
Annual Plan – biggest focus for year _ “ the most challenging plan I’ve ever been involved in”- “ rates and debt will loom large” (Tim). Noted that the next 12-18months will hugely influence the plan over the next 10 years. There will be no formal consultation but pre-engagement March to May leading to new LTP- earlier feedback appreciated ; TDC Council meetings will be held in different areas of the district ( eg Murchison)
Impact of September National Elections-noted that local authorities administer massive amounts of government legislation and that elections create uncertainty in terms of proposed & potential changes. Specific focus on Resource Management Reform particularly access to and management of water and regulations relating to climate change. Tim stated that the Waimea Dam “ will solve water problems for Māpua
Rates vs Investment in infrastructure – when asked what council will do raising debt so that can address the backlog in infrastructure Tim noted that “it is difficult to find the balance” and their disappointment in the region missing out on the Government’s 12 billion infrastructure provincial growth fund .

Cr Christine McKenzie spoke on the two aspects of being on council”

Governance – chairing Commercial and Operations Committees and a member of the Audit Committee
Specific issues & challenges– being a rep for this particular ward. Noted that she is impressed by the contributions made by community organizations. Sees this as the main channel for connections; building capability; becoming more involved. Noted the importance of the TDC Customer Charter- would like to keep this alive .

Forefront for her is mitigating the impact of climate change & supporting “a resilient ,thriving community for businesses, communities and individuals “while for herself she “wants to be available, responsive, reactive”

Long- Term- Plan [ LTP] TDC was asked if the “ community drop-in” meeting for the area on this could be held prior to the MDCA April ( 6^th) meeting

ROADS AND PATHWAYS

Noted the focus on completing the section of the Māpua Inlet Pathway from the Old Mill Walkway to the “kissing gate” which would complete the walkway through Ruby Bay . Wayne Chisnall noted that “we work best from the inside so need to get a representative resident from there “ – any offers?! The connection to the causeway is “still a project to be worked on”

DOMINION FLATS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT

Volunteers meet every Tuesday between 9-12am. Helen Bibby noted that more were needed to help with the weeding; “ we will happily share the glory with anyone else who is willing…”

COMMUNITY WELLBEING/TRANSPORTATION

the potential “ coastal corridor route” -Elena Meredith reported that a presentation had been made in December to the Motueka Community Board about a community transport service and the importance of having people from all sections of the route involved in the scoping and planning a community hub in Māpua-a meeting of those interested in developing will be held at “ the old church” on Sat 7^th March at 10am- please contact Vicky Stocker gvstocker@gmail.com if your group is interested in attending

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE

Rob O’Grady ‘s ( TDC Project Manager) Report on the walk-through the region with members of this group at the end of last year has been received with comments from TDC staff on the issues raised. This will be posted on Facebook and Bruno stressed the importance of feedback comments on this before the next meeting ( March 9^th)

CIVIL DEFENCE

Helen Bibby’s resignation as the MDCA rep resulted in some discussion on what is Māpua’s responsibility in relation to the central control and what are the expectations of the local working group. Tim King undertook to check this with the CD Co-ordinator and give feedback

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Bruno noted that the Association’s Facebook page was by far the most effective way of getting messages out

Historical records – Mike Kininmonth noted that this project had two parts:

Digitalize paper records
Interview Māpua’s “ old-timers” about early times in Māpua – anyone interested in being interviewed or with a suggestion of a prospective interviewee/s

please contact Mike at warm_sand@xtra.co.nz

MARCH MEETING HOT TOPIC SPEAKER

At 9^th March 2020 MDCA meeting, the other two Ward Councillors ( Dean McNamara & Anne Turley) will present their vision for the year . The issue of the Reserves in this area and how best to develop/use them will be the main hot topic.

Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting: Monday, 9 March 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.

Elena Meredith