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 13th 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.