Māpua & Districts Community Association held its first meeting with combined “on-line and on-seat” attendees present with positive feedback from both groups. It is interesting to note that Tasman Area Community Association (TACA) has now accessed MDCA’s ZOOM format for their past two meetings so this system may well become the “ new normal”!!
OPEN FORUM:
Council requirements on subdivision – a local resident ( supported by others) noted that it was important that other residents were aware of the requirements on applicants when subdividing a section under the TDC Development Plan 2019 to provide and pay themselves for a footpath in front of the properties. Cr Anne Turley is supporting and advising the resident in relation to this issue .
Thank you to the landowners adjacent to the pathway alongside Māpua School to the ocean – who allowed walkers and cyclists to use their private driveway during the Covid Lockdown period – MDCA will write to thank them for their neighbourliness.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
- Dominion Flats : Helen Bibby reminded the community that the local planting for “The billion trees project “will be June 27 & 28 – see details on MDCA Facebook Page
- Dedicated section on local environmental issues for MDCA Website page– Bruno and Gillian will are working together to help set this up .The plan would be to include links to other relevant environmental groups .
- Local Wild life Areas – work is continuing on developing a local map showing the local coastal areas that are of significances in regard nesting birds and wildlife locations to inform the local community of these locations so that they can avoid disturbing them.
COMMUNITY WELLBEING
- Community directory – MDCA will apply for funding for the collection of correct data and the software required for its input onto the Webpage
- Community drivers – provisional name Māpua Willing Wheels – now have 12 volunteer drivers . See advertisement for a co-ordinator to establish and co-ordinate the scheme in this issue of Coastal News and on MDCA Facebook Page info@ourmapua.org
- Community Hub– noted current discussions happening on developing/accessing formal structures for meeting legal and financial requirements as well as considering relationships around accessing the “ old church” plant – all needed before can begin applying for funding
RELATIONSHIPS –
“ Good sorts” how to enhance the sense of community in our districts was discussed with the suggestion of encouraging nominations of local “ good sorts” for publication – a posting advertising this will be prepared for the MDCA Facebook Page
Sharing information between community groups – the model of Community and Whānau group meetings was noted as a successful model running in Nelson; Richmond & Motueka . Local community groups and services meet regularly to exchange information and identify shared projects; areas of concern to co-operate in. This could develop as part of the proposed Community Hub outreach.
Projects
1 Interviewing long-term local residents – a list of 30 possible interviewees was noted. Marion Satherley has indicated an interest in doing the interviewing with Esme Palliser offering assistance with framing the approach and questions. There is still a need for access to experienced support for the editing process – anyone willing to assist or offer suggestions of where to access such technical assistance please make contact on info@ourmapua.org
2 MDCA Historical Documents – The brief is now completed – anyone interested and with the skills for this project can access it on the MDCA Facebook page
3 Community Seating – MDCA agreed would explore options and spend up to $1200 on these ( including the concrete bases)
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Noted high levels of engagement with postings on the Kai Kitchen; Grossi Point discussion paper and the pathway to Mamakū Drive
- Bruno will work on adding new options in drop-down menu to enable the inclusion of the community directory as well as the new “ Our Area” option
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL/COUNCILLORS
Cr David Ogilive – noted that the impact of the agreed 0% rates increase would include:
- a reduction in revenue of between $3-4 million – from lost business property rentals and lower Airport and Port returns :
- no extra staff unless relating to resignations
- no increase in staff salaries Future Council staff presentation (during winter) could also be undertaken by the Zoom link.
He confirmed that :
- there would be no fewer capital projects than those agreed to
- operational services will remain the same
- Waimea Dam costs- any increases will be covered in the 21-22 rating year
His responses to questions were: :
- About TDC’s intentions and changes to their structures – Encouraged input into the “early engagement : and change processes of the LTP
- About TDC’s need to have more immediate responses from TDC to residents’ concerns/complaints – make use of your Ward councillors
- How much input do you councillors actually have in impacting on these issues? –“considerable I would say “
Is council in an era of cultural change ? – yes
FUTURE HOT TOPICS:
July : Q & A session on Stormwater and Coastal Inundation issues with :
Rob O’Grady; Richard Kirby; David Stevenson and Jamie McPherson
Be sure to attend/ join in our next monthly meeting: Monday, 13 July at 7 PM format to be confirmed on MDCA Facebook & Mailchimp mailout )
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.
Submitted by: Elena Meredith