Newsline 251 - 20 May 2011

Friday 20 May 2011

This page contains articles from Issue 251 of Newsline.
Download as a PDF: Newsline 251 - 20 May 2011

New Cycle Path Opens in Old Style 

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne had the edge in style, whilst his Nelson counterpart, Aldo Miccio, was a bit faster in a pennyfarthing time trial on the new Richmond Deviation Cycleway on 9 May 2011 to mark its official opening.

The contest, using authentic bone-shakers, was declared a draw, but our regions cyclists, runners and walkers are the real winners in the opening of the 1.6km track, which provides the missing link between the Whakatu Drive path and the Railway Reserve in the south. Since it follows State Highway 6, the path was funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency, with assistance from Tasman District Council and others.

The shared path has been sited to allow for the possible addition of two more lanes to the road, which carries about 20,000 vehicles daily. Local contracting firm Fulton Hogan won the half-million-dollar path contract and apart from some minor drainage works and grassing, the project is complete.

A sweepstake promotion on the pennyfarthing race was used as a fundraiser for the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust, which aims to find $3.8 million to complete the 175km Tasman Loop, from Richmond to Motueka, down to Kohatu and back to Richmond. This will form part of the national cycleway network, Nga Haerenga.

For the track opening, eight more antique bikes and trikes were on hand for other dignitaries to ride, on loan from Village Cycles in Richmond and Lester Rowntree of NZ Heritage Farm Show and Museum, Motueka. Lester supplied the pennyfarthings.

Looking like a caricature of Medusa, a new public viewing seat sits alongside the new Richmond Deviation shared path. Made from the remnants of a macrocarpa tree stump this work of art looks from one side like any old uprooted tree stump; move to the front and there is a beautiful work of art. Donated by Trubet Holdings Ltd, a nearby building and construction company, the seat is dedicated to Paul Robinson a well-known Tapawera wood sculptor who was tragically killed in a forestry accident.

Stuart Flowerday from Trubet Holdings Ltd said that the company “had been looking for the right spot to site the seat and the new shared path with its view to the Waimea Estuary provided the perfect position”.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne with penny farthing bicycle.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne with penny farthing bicycle.

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Mayor’s Comment 

One of my key roles as Mayor is to be able to objectively review the challenges facing our District, understand the wider implications and what solutions other regions are coming up with to address similar issues, then share that information to ensure that Council is making the best decisions it can.

I am currently Chair/member of a number of committees and groups that enable me to take this wider view. The Zone 5 group that I chair, for example, is a function of Local Government New Zealand and includes elected members from Nelson, Tasman and Buller down to Westland, Christchurch and the Chathams. It is a real honour to Chair this Zone Group and what I take from our meetings and discussions is invaluable, as is my role on the Land and Water Forum. The Land and Water Forum is a group consisting of primary industry groups, environmental and recreational NGOs, iwi and other organisations brought together to advise on how water should be managed in New Zealand. Both of these groups take time and effort but are an essential contributor of knowledge and influence within my role as Mayor. They enable me to cast a wider perspective on our community issues and help identify cost-effective and beneficial solutions.

While I enjoy and take pride in these roles, the relationships and experiences have a purpose – the betterment of our District. We need to have a voice at a national level as we can be affected by the decisions made there. Through membership of these groups we can get a great deal of volume in our voice and I can best serve you, the residents and ratepayers of our marvelous District.

– Mayor Richard Kempthorne

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Council’s Website Ranked One of the Best in the Country 

Tasman District Council’s website received national recognition at last months annual Association of Local Government Information Managers (ALGIM) Web Symposium, the premier event for local and central government websites, online services and communication teams. The ranking of Council’s website moved from 71st overall to 3rd based on the quality of its information, build and usability.

This spectacular rise was a direct result of the website relaunch last August. An entirely new website was built from the ground up with lots of public input and feedback going into its design and functionality. “It has to be said that the old website hadn’t seen much love for a number of years and had slipped behind the times in terms of its layout and the information that was displayed on there,” said Council’s online communications officer Tama Easton. “The new website is much more user friendly – from an end users point of view and also from Council’s point of view. To have moved up the national rankings so fast and so far has been a real pat on the back for us – we know from user feedback that the new site had been very well received and that people are using it more and more to find the information they want, but to get confirmation of that improvement from ALGIM is a real bonus.“

The website also picked up a “Best New Feature” special award for its integration of Google Maps, a facility that helps people find Council facilities and browse environmental monitoring information like rainfall and river flow.

Go to www.tasman.govt.nz – the online home for all of Council’s information.

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Treated Timber is Toxic Firewood 

Arsenic has been found during air monitoring in both Tasman District and Nelson City and experts have concluded that households are responsible by burning treated wood in their home solid wood burners.

Arsenic is released into the air when treated wood is burnt, and the practice is prohibited in both Tasman District and Nelson City. Arsenic is a carcinogen and also an irritant to skin, mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and throat and lungs. Over a longer period it will affect the nerves, blood cells and intestines.

Tanalised timber (CCA treatment) contains high concentrations of copper, chrome and arsenic. When it is burnt the copper and chrome stay with the ash (making it toxic to plants and animals ) and the potentially toxic arsenic goes up the chimney with the smoke. When there is an inversion layer the chimney discharges stay low to the ground and can re-enter the house through the gaps under doors and windows – you can smell it. If someone is burning treated wood then the whole neighbourhood can be affected.

Residents should be wary of burning “free” firewood and offcuts given away from outside building sites or industrial areas. These may include treated timber. Freshly treated wood has a greenish tinge and the planks are labelled with the treatment process. As it ages this tinge disappears. If you are using odd pieces of wood you have collected from various sources they may include pieces of CCA-treated timber.

The best way to prevent releasing toxins is to buy your firewood from a Good Wood or other reputable firewood merchant.

More information about air quality in Tasman District and a list of local Good Wood suppliers.

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Community Groups Get Helping Hand at Free Expo 

Do you want to learn how to raise between $200 and $200,000 for your not-for-profit organisation?

Do you want to hear presentations from some of New Zealand’s leading funding experts on topics like ‘profiling your charity’ and ‘leading volunteers, leading organisations’?

Do you want to get insight into what funders are looking for and how to make sure your application is taken seriously?

The Free Funding Expo 2011, in collaboration with the Charities Commission and The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA), is being held on Friday 3 June 2011 at the Hope Community Church, Ranzau Road, Hope and is free to all those interested in coming along.

The event runs from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm with a full programme of presentations. There will also be 20+ static displays providing information on funding schemes, accountability, best practice, grants, contracts, scholarships, training, legislation, fundraising initiatives and much more. Tasman District Council will have a display where you can get information on the grants that are available and how/when to apply for them.

To register please go to www.charities.govt.nz or phone 0508 242 748. For more information contact Bernie Babe phone: 03 546 7681
email: css@ts.co.nz. Registration is not essential but is appreciated by the organisers.

The Free Funding Expo is supported by the Charities Commission and Tasman Fundraising & Development limited.

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Pest of the Month – Cathedral Bells 

Cathedral Bells (Cobaea scandens) is a native of Central and South America. In New Zealand, this plant is a threat to open and intact forest and forest margins, natural coastal vegetation and shrub land. There are several known sites within Tasman Bay and Golden Bay.

This vigorous perennial vine can climb to canopy height (6m or higher), forming dense mats that smother larger plants and suppress the growth of desirable seedlings. It has angled stems with hook-like tips and leaves that are arranged alternately on the stems, dark green above and whitish below, with branched tendrils that are purplish when young.

The bell-shaped flowers (6-7cm long) are produced from December to May. These are green when young, changing to deep purple after pollen production. There is a less common white flowering form (Cobaea scandens alba). The fleshy green pods (5-8cm long) contain winged seeds (10-15mm). The seeds are transported over short distances by wind, and further afield by water or in soil and gravel. Fragments of the vine can also be spread by water and in dumped garden waste.

This plant can be readily controlled by pulling the stem/root system from the ground or by cutting and treating the stump. The vine should be placed in a plastic bag or air-dried.

Cathedral Bells is listed as a Total Control Pest in the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Strategy with the goal of eradication. This plant is also listed in the National Pest Plant Accord, meaning that it cannot be propagated or offered for sale throughout New Zealand.

For more information on identification and control, contact a Council Biosecurity Officer.

 

Photos of Cathedral Bells

Left: Close up of Cathedral Bells flower. Right: Cathedral Bells plant

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Rates Rebate Scheme 2011/2012 Adjustments 

The Rates Rebate Scheme for the 2011/2012 financial year has been reviewed by central government and as a result the following changes will come into effect from the 1 July 2011:

  • The income abatement threshold will increase from $22,340 to $23,240
  • The maximum allowed rates rebate will increase from $570 to $580

Further information on the Rates Rebate Scheme, and to see if you qualify.

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Council Seeks Public Feedback 

As part of its on-going commitment to service delivery, Tasman District Council is once again conducting its annual survey of residents to ask what you think of the service Council provides you and the District as a whole.

“We have a responsibility to track how effective our services, and the delivery of them, are," says Chief Executive Paul Wylie. "The best way to do this is through an independent and impartial interview of a representative cross-section of people from our District.”

The National Research Bureau (NRB) has been commissioned to undertake the survey. Using a random selection method residents from across the District will be telephoned and asked their opinions on the services Council provides, and how well it delivers them. The survey is totally confidential and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Council appreciates the assistance of those residents chosen and would like to thank you in advance for your time.

Interviewing for the survey commences on Friday 27 May 2011, and is expected to be completed on Wednesday 8 June 2011.

The results of the survey will be made public and form part of the Council’s formal reporting, they will also be a critical ingredient in planning for further improvements to Council’s delivery of services.

For further information please contact Sandra Hartley.

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Crescent Street Intersection Option Confirmed 

At the Engineering Services Committee meeting in November 2010 a report recommended that public consultation be carried out on two proposals for changing the intersection between Crescent Street and Wensley Road in Richmond.

It is Council’s view that local residents are the best people to comment on the issues surrounding their local roads and is was this group that consultation material was sent. The proposals were also advertised in Newsline and through local newspapers, as well as being displayed in Council offices and libraries. The two proposals consulted on were:

Option 1 – the closure of Crescent Street and Wensley Road to all vehicular traffic;

Option 2 – the partial closure of Crescent Street at Wensley Road to traffic turning out-of Crescent Street.

The reason for the review was to improve safety at the intersection for both drivers and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, wheelchair and mobility bound users. The Crescent Street approach on to Wensley Road is steep and there are limited sight lines for drivers entering on to Wensley Road. Also, the steep pedestrian ramps and road cross-fall at the intersection create problems for footpath users.

Council received 42 submissions with 29% in favour of Option 1, 64% in favour of Option 2 and 7% opposed to both Option 1 and 2.

Taking the consultation results into consideration with other relevant factors Council has decided to adopt Option 2.

The work will be carried out in Council’s 2011/2012 financial year with notification going out prior to any work commencing.

Map of Option 2

Map of Option 2 - View larger image

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Mapua Waterfront Precinct 

The Mapua Waterfront Precinct Advisory Group consists of local business owners, community association members and individuals from Mapua and was set up to help give insight into the future development needs of the Mapua business precinct and visitor focused amenities and services. They most recently met at the end of March 2011 where discussion focused around the Mapua Waterfront Park. Below is an update from that meeting:

Car Parking:

  • The car park now has 33 car parks plus two areas at each end that are suitable for longer vehicles/buses.
  • The car park also allows for long vehicles such as cars and boat trailers.
  • The car park formation was completed in early April 2011 and is now available for public use.
  • Landscaping of the car park area has been completed.

Estuary Amphitheatre:

  • Tenders for this work have been received and a contract has been awarded to Coman Construction Ltd of Richmond.
  • Work commenced on 2 May 2011 and will be complete by the end of September 2011. Spring planting will then commence.
  • Please note that there will be limited work onsite during the school holidays.

Pumping Station:

  • The pumping station location has been confirmed by Council.
  • The Resource Consent on the pumping station is on hold as the stormwater issue needs to be resolved. There will be some test bores drilled to determine the ground water level and amount of containment of the ground water, if any. It is proposed to drill five small bores to carry out tests sometime in May 2011.

Public Toilet:

  • The proposed location for the public toilet remains the same. This is between the western end of the park and the future commercial area. It will approximately be opposite Iwa Street, at the western end of the old Coolstore, which currently houses the Delicious Gift Shop.
  • As the construction for the public toilet is outside the pumping station works, the toilet may proceed before the pump station is completed.

Pontoon:

Spatial Planning

As the Community is aware the Mapua Waterfront Precinct is important to the District and there have been a number of concerns and issues relating to the area. The Waterfront Park will provide a fantastic facility to the region and there is a need to ensure the adjacent areas provide an equally pleasant experience. Some work was done in 2008 and the advisory group wants to hear of any other ideas on the future of the wider Mapua Waterfront Precinct as it starts to plan the integration of the waterfront precinct with the Waterfront Park.

To do this we need your ideas, thoughts, concerns and input into this process. An open day is planned for 25 May 2011. Please come and gives us your constructive and positive views to improving this space.

There will be an open forum on Wednesday 25 May 2011 from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The meeting will be held at Mapua Boat Club.

This meeting will give the community the opportunity to look at the plans, plus discuss issues and ideas on a one to one basis with the advisory group and Tasman District councillors.

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Nominations Open for Nelson Tasman Community Awards 

The once a year opportunity to celebrate and recognise local volunteers has arrived, with nominations now open for the TrustPower Nelson Tasman Community Awards .

The awards, which are run in conjunction with Tasman District and Nelson City Councils, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make the Nelson Tasman region a better place to live.

Since the TrustPower Nelson Tasman Community Awards began in 2000 more than $55,000 has been given away to deserving voluntary groups and organisations. This year more than $6,500 is up for grabs.

“Every year when I see the groups and organisations who are nominated for the TrustPower Community Awards I am proud of the dedication and support that volunteers give to the Nelson Tasman region. These groups deserve recognition for the work they do in our communities and the awards are a fitting tribute to the thousands of volunteers who tirelessly and willingly give their time,” says Mayor Richard Kempthorne.

Anyone can nominate a voluntary group for the Awards – groups can even nominate themselves. Last year 116 nominations were received for the TrustPower Nelson Tasman Community Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Pip Tschudin says it is estimated that more than 1.2 million New Zealanders are involved in voluntary work and that deserves recognition.

“The Nelson Tasman region is a leader in terms of the number of people who volunteer and the creative, community-driven, volunteer-run initiatives that are underway right throughout the District. This unpaid work keeps the Nelson Tasman region vibrant and thriving and the TrustPower Community Awards offers an opportunity to ensure these voluntary groups and organisations get the recognition they deserve.

“Nominating a group for the TrustPower Community Awards will take just five minutes of your time but will make a very real difference to the volunteers you are recognising,” says Mrs Tschudin.

The Awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Educational and Child/Youth Development. Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the TrustPower National Community Awards, being held in March 2012.

Nomination Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from the Tasman District Council office and service centres or by calling Pip Tschudin at TrustPower on 0800 871 111 extension 0. Nomination forms can also be downloaded from the TrustPower website or can be completed online at www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards.

Nominations close on Friday 15 July 2011.

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