Newsline 258 - 26 August 2011

Friday 26 August 2011

This page contains articles from Issue 258 of Newsline.
Download as a PDF: Newsline 258 - 26 August 2011

Unsung Heroes Recognised

Eleven ‘unsung heroes’ of the Tasman community received some well-deserved recognition at the 2011 Tasman District Council Outstanding Community Service Awards.

At a ceremony held at the Tasman District Council Chambers on 12 August 2011, Mayor Richard Kempthorne said the awards were aimed at “recognising the host of people throughout our District who work away quietly without pay and with precious little recognition to make our communities better places to live. Our communities simply couldn’t function without the work of volunteers like these,” he said.

The Outstanding Community Service Awards are an annual event and nominations close on 30 June each year. Nominees must be residents of the Tasman District and have been involved in a range of voluntary activities that have benefited their communities for 20 years or more.

2011 Award Recipients were:

Richmond/Waimea

Barry Bartlett
Lois Tunnicliff
Lester Royds
William Rickerby

Golden Bay

Murray Rogers
Peter Woods
Beverley Jensen

Motueka/Moutere

Shirley Lunn
Elaine Wilson
Beverley Clementson
Beverly Dyke

We will feature further details about each of the 2011 Award Recipients in upcoming issues of Newsline.

Mayor’s Comment

By the time you read this the Council’s submission regarding the Local Government Commission’s Draft Reorganisation Plan will have been delivered. You will find it on the Council’s website and in offices and libraries.

While focusing on the key issues regarding the loss of representation and the cost effectiveness of the proposed changes, the submission also asks the Local Government Commission to provide more information if they decide to prepare a final proposal for a poll of electors in both Tasman and Nelson.

The proposal has always been short on the specifics and any further requests for such information have been met with the response, ‘that is the decision of the new Council’. Quite frankly, it is too late then.

Nowhere else are people asked to make such a significant decision without the provision of such information. I urge people to continue to demand the information they want to know – asking for it does not mean you are being intransigent, nor do you have your head in the sand.

– Mayor Richard Kempthorne

Get Ready, Get Thru

Tasman District residents are better prepared than most for an emergency, according to the results of a national survey.

The poll, conducted by Colmar Brunton on behalf of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, found that 37% of Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough residents were fully prepared for emergencies compared with the national average of just 18%. Local residents were also more likely to be prepared at home for emergencies – 51% compared to the national average of 32%.

The trend over time is very positive for Top of the South residents, with over 80% having an emergency survival kit, compared to only 43% of local residents in 2010 (national average 63% in 2011).

Regional Emergency Management Manager Roger Ball says that the past 12 months have been extremely demanding for Civil Defence in the region with earthquakes and major floods, however, this poll result was a very welcome sign that the ‘Get Ready, Get Thru’ message is being heard.

“The recent events are obviously still fresh in householders’ minds as we continue to have high demand to provide speakers at events and for advice with civil defence planning”, Mr Ball says. “Places like Tapawera, Mapua, Marahau and Wakefield are all doing community response plans. Murchison’s plan is done and Golden Bay has just reviewed theirs. With the recent planning and an impending exercise in St Arnaud, the office is very busy, but it’s good to know our communities are taking their preparation seriously.”

For information on how you can ensure you and your family are prepared for an emergency go to www.getthru.govt.nz

A4A - Accessibility for All

Beach accessibility for the disabled has been high on the agenda at recent meetings of the Accessibility For All Forum.

Tasman District Council’s Community Recreation Advisor, Mike Tasman-Jones, hopes to have found a solution in the shape of an accessible beach mat that has been used by a research student at the University of Auckland. The mat, which is 10 metres long helps those with mobility difficulties get over the soft sand and on to firmer sand. However, the huge tidal range on Tasman Bay beaches might cause some issues. This can be seen at Rabbit Island, where sand under the ramps down to the beach has been washed away.

Tasman District Council intends to trial the viability and effectiveness of the beach mat at Rabbit Island over the summer holidays to see how well it works and how it stands up to Tasman’s environment. It will be located at Access point 8, which is also close to an accessible toilet. Public feedback will be welcome.

Donna Smith, a member of the forum and a wheelchair user, managed to loan an accessible beach buggy from the CCS Disability Action group based in Christchurch. These beach buggies cost about $3000 each. CCS Disability Action loans the buggy to people with mobility issues who wish to access the beaches. Donna and Sarah Downs, who manages the Accessibility for All Forum, trialled the beach buggy at Tahunanui Beach in early August 2011.

Donna commented that the wheels gave her a smooth and secure ride on to the beach whilst Sarah, Donna’s helper for the day, said she felt quite comfortable pulling the buggy along the sand. Both felt it was a great way to make the beach more accessible for people who have limited mobility.

Forum members suggested it would be fantastic if beach buggies were available to hire or loan in the Tasman and Nelson area. One member of the forum was very excited about the opportunity to use a buggy and get back on to the beach again after many years of being in a wheelchair. Donna also felt the buggies were something the local swimming pools could look into using as she personally did not like being lifted into a pool by a hoist.

For further information about the Accessibility For All forum, contact Sarah Downs on Ph. 03 543 8542 or email . Accessibility for All meets each quarter. The next meeting will be held at Tasman District Council in Richmond on 4 November 2011.

Email Sarah Downs for more information

Four Candidates for Golden Bay Seat

Four people will contest the Golden Bay Ward seat on the Tasman District Council vacated recently by long-serving Councillor Noel Riley due to ill health.

The by-election candidates are, in alphabetical order:

Laurence Boomert
Sue Brown
Paul Sangster
Mik Symmons

The successful candidate will join Cr Martine Bouillir to represent the Bay. Voting papers for the postal ballot will be delivered to all ratepayers and residents listed in the Electoral Roll for the ward, between Monday 12 September 2011 and Saturday 17 September 2011. Completed voting papers must reach the Electoral Officer by noon on Wednesday 5 October 2011. A preliminary result will be available almost immediately.

Only those people on the roll will receive voting papers or be entitled to vote. More information is available from the link below and from Lloyd Kennedy, Electoral Officer Ph. 03 543 8434 or Sandra Hartley, Deputy Electoral Officer Ph. 03 543 8554.

Golden Bay Ward By-election

Recycling Advice Just a Click Away

How do you recycle agri-chemicals or dental amalgam, your old cellphone or supermarket bags? Waste Education Services (WES), co-sponsored and co-funded by Tasman District and Nelson City Councils and run by the Nelson Environment Centre, can give you the answers. The service supports businesses, schools and the community in reducing and recycling waste.

More than half of the rubbish thrown into landfills is from business, and much of it could be reused. The A-Z Recycling Guide on the WES website now offers businesses practical advice on how to reduce their waste. The guide covers electronic goods, batteries, glass, gas bottles, cardboard and much more.

“The website is the first point of call,” says Karen Driver, Waste Manager of the Nelson Environment Centre. If businesses need further help they can phone the Environment Centre staff.

The Centre also works alongside Council staff to support ‘Enviroschools’, which now number 27 in the Nelson/Tasman region, covering nearly 8000 students. Centre staff will do ‘waste audits’ and advise on dealing with green waste and foodwaste. The focus is on educating both students and teachers.

These business and school initiatives flow through to the general community because “everyone goes home at the end of the day,” says Karen.

Community educator Mary Curnow takes the ‘reuse and recycle’ message to schools, businesses and public events. She will identify problems in a school and help to set up systems to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill.

Mary is working with three large businesses at present, identifying how materials can be recycled, and even looking at ‘procurement policies’ – heading off potential rubbish before it enters the building.

The recycling message goes out into the community through home composting workshops and roadshows under the Create Your Own Eden scheme. Roadshow stalls have been held in Richmond, Motueka and Takaka.

Mary also administers Tasman District Council’s Zero Waste Grants, which are available to schools, early childhood centres, businesses and community groups in the District for either specific waste reduction projects, or to educate people. For instance a school can apply for funds to set up a worm farm or buy composting bins.

The Wholemeal Café in Takaka received a grant to set up an ‘eco-pod’, recycling everything from plastic milk bottles to leftover food.

Three rounds of the Zero Waste Grants are held each year for funding requests of $999 or less. The next closing date is  Monday 26 September 2011 (end of Term 3). You can download application forms fromthe link below. A funding round for more expensive projects is held once a year. The next will be in 2012.

Waste Education Services Zero Waste Grants Application Forms

Karen says the Waste Education Services website is also used by many people and organisations from far outside the district.

For more information on WES or Zero Waste Grants go to the WES website

Get a Warm, Comfortable, Healthy Home

The Government’s insulation and heating programme Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart has seen over 115,000 Kiwi homes install insulation or efficient heating over the last two years. If you aren’t one of them then you could be missing out.

Some facts you should know about insulating your house:

Insulating prevents dampness and mould invading your home or rental property, and a dry home is a healthier home that is cheaper to maintain.
A typical Kiwi home without insulation loses at least 50% of its heat through the ceiling and the floors. Insulating helps make your home warmer, more comfortable and can save you money on your energy bills.
You can save 1/3 off the cost of insulating your home and once you have adequate insulation you can receive a further $500 in funding for an efficient heater.
Once the ENERGYWISE funding has been subtracted, you can pay the remainder through your property’s rates. This gives you an affordable way to have a warmer, healthier home.
An approved heater produces little or no air pollution, is efficient to run and helps to reduce air quality problems, which is especially relevant in the Richmond airshed.

Whether you own your home or you rent, you shouldn’t have to put up with a cold, damp house over winter again. Less damp and mould can reduce maintenance costs and help improve the value of your property.

The offer for homeowners and landlords:

If you are a homeowner or a landlord and your property was built before the year 2000 you can get ENERGYWISE funding of 33% (up to $1300) off the cost of insulating your property and $500 towards an efficient heater.
To make having a warm and healthy home even easier, you can add the additional cost, up to $2,600, (for insulation) and/or $3,500 for the efficient heater, to your rates – and can pay it off over a period of 9 years! For example, if the insulation cost $1300, with interest that would currently cost approximately $50 on top of your quarterly rates bill.
If you are a homeowner with a Community Services card or a landlord with a tenant holding a Community Services card, you may be able to get ENERGYWISE funding of 60% off the cost of insulating. However the 60% funding is limited so make sure you check this with the insulation provider(s).
If you are a tenant, ask your landlord about insulating the property.

For more information about the offer see the link below or call Ph. 03 543 8400 . To find a provider now for a free no-obligation quote, call ENERGYWISE on Ph. 0800 749 782.

Warm Homes Heating Subsidy in Tasman District

‘Green’ Farming a Winner

When you are next out at Cable Bay, take a closer look at the picturesque farm on Pepin Island, where native bush regeneration and pest control have created an award-winning environment amid testing coastal conditions.

Over the last 15 years farm manager Andrew Newton and team have enriched biodiversity and the landscape, including smartening up the farm buildings. Gains include weed and pest management, soil conservation and coastal margin protection. Native bush nestles in the gullies between rich-green paddocks. Good stewardship has nurtured and enhanced productive farmland.

The Pepin Island Sheep Station won the Rural prize in last year’s Tasman Nelson Environment Awards. The farmer is happy to host visitors, but please contact them first on Ph. 03 545 1440 or email pepin@scorch.co.nz

Rob Francis, Tasman District Council’s awards coordinator, says many people and groups are doing amazing, innovative work to build strong communities and a healthy environment, “but they see it as nothing out of the ordinary”. The Environment Awards “not only allow us to recognise their efforts and give them a chance to win both financial and community recognition, but also to share their knowledge with others.”

The awards are open for nominations (and self-nominations) until Friday 16 September 2011 in eight categories:

Sustainable Design
Best Use of Renewable Energy
Heritage/Culture or Heritage/Sites
Environmental Leadership
Commercial
Schools
Rural
Community Groups

Download a nomination form (or two) from the link below and make sure you return it by 16 September 2011.

Tasman Nelson Environment Awards 2011

Funding for Eco-Friendly Bikers

“It’s not a race,” says Ihatove trial riding promoter Stephen Oliver. The motorcycle riders pick their way carefully through rugged terrain, losing points if they put a foot on the ground. Low-pressure tyres and quiet motors make it “the most eco-friendly” motorsport.

In 2010, Stephen and wife Deborah ran the first Ihatove trial event outside of Japan, financing it themselves. Japanese devotees had approached the bike-loving family to stage an event because the main Idemitsu ride back in Japan was attracting about 800 participants and they wanted to test that level of interest in New Zealand.

Stephen says Tasman District Council got in touch with the family wanting to be part of the sport-tourism event, held on rural properties at Wakefield, and to help secure its future in the District. This year the Council gave $1500 from its Community Development Fund to assist with costs.

The next Ihatove motorcycle event is in February 2012. Stephen says they hope to build towards 150 participants, but it’s more about the quality of the event than numbers. Half a dozen riders will come to the District to take part in the event from Japan and Britain.

Because of the slow nature of the ride, injuries are low. Ihatove aims to be a lifelong source of fun for both amateurs and highly skilled riders.

Another recent group to benefit from Council’s Community Development Fund is the Mapua Boat Club, which received $2868 to refurbish photos and photoboards in its museum on Mapua Wharf.

The Community Development Fund allocates about $20,000 a year in two disbursements. Applications close on 31 October and 30 April each year. The grants provide assistance for projects that demonstrate clear public benefit and support, plus contribute to social, economic, environmental and/or cultural development.

Applicants must be from non-profit organisations and the projects must be for charitable purpose. Projects in communities with a population of 4,000 or less receive priority.

Application forms are available from Council’s office, Service Centres and from the link below.

Community Development Fund

Promote Your Summer Event in Hummin’

Would you like to promote your summer event to thousands of visitors and locals for free?

Every year, the Tasman District Council produces Hummin’ in Tasman, a guide for locals and visitors to help promote the events, attractions and businesses of the Tasman District. 20,000 copies of Hummin’ in Tasman are distributed free through i-Sites, libraries, Council offices, A&P shows, campgrounds, the Richmond Mall, Nelson Airport and other outlets across the region.

This year, event details (of events running between 1 November 2011 to Easter 2012 and based within the Tasman District) will be taken from the It’s On website, the region’s free events guide. So if you want your event included in Hummin’, make sure it’s listed on ‘It’s On’ before Friday 7 October 2011.

It's On

If you are unable to add details to the It’s On website, please email through full event details to Mike Tasman-Jones at Tasman District Council before Friday 30 September 2011.

Email Mike Tasman Jones

New Heights in Playground Fun

When you have just completed a new playground, the equipment must be tested for safety. So Glenn Thorn, Tasman District Council Reserves Officer, and Rachel Pike, of the ASB Aquatics Centre, scaled the 7.5m height of the rope play tower recently to give it the final tick.

The structure is the only one in the Top of the South. Officially named Coronet Peak, it looks more like the rigging of an old sailing ship, the resemblance enhanced by ‘crow’s nest’ type platforms around the central pole. A couple of swing seats at the bottom should amuse young ones while their more adventurous siblings clamber skywards.

The play area beside the swimming pool complex in Richmond also boasts a slide and ‘basket swing’. Rachel predicts that the addition of seating it will be a popular lunchspot. Parents can munch away while the children play.

Installation and landscaping was carried out by Nelmac and Glenn is very pleased with the end result.

Karaoke Superstars Wanted!

Could you be the Tasman District’s next Karaoke Superstar?

The hunt is on again for the next ‘Tasman Karaoke Superstar’. Last year’s event attracted over 100 pop star wannabes across the District, who sang and danced through their quest to be crowned local karaoke kings/queens of the stage.

Ester Terrill (Nelson), Ella Atkinson (Richmond), Hannah Gibson (Upper Moutere) prevailed as karaoke champions in the junior, intermediate and senior sections respectively in last year’s competition and will most likely return to defend their titles.

Four regional local heats will take place across the Tasman District over the coming months, with the Grand Final at the Motueka A&P Show on Sunday 4 December 2011. The competition will once again be split into three age group categories, with Junior (8 years and under), Intermediate (9-12 years) and Senior (13-18 year) age groups likely to be tightly contested. 1st, 2nd and 3rd heat places will gain automatic entry into the Grand Finals.

The event is sponsored by Tasman District Council as part of the Council’s commitment to providing creative outlets for young people to contribute to their local communities.

“There is a lot of great, young musical talent out there, and Tasman Karaoke Superstars is the perfect platform for these young singers to gain the necessary public exposure and confidence to launch their careers to the next level. I’m expecting this year’s intake of contestants to surpass the already high level that last year’s competition produced,” said Paul McConachie, Community Recreation Officer at Tasman District Council.

2011 Tasman Karaoke Superstar dates:

Motueka – 16 September 2011, 5.00 pm, Motueka Recreation Centre

Murchison – 4 October 2011, 12.30 pm-1.15 pm and 3.00 pm-5.00 pm, Murchison Area School Auditorium

Moutere – 23 October 2011, 5.00 pm, Moutere Hills Community Centre

Golden Bay – 5 November 2011, 10.30 am, Takaka Village Green

Grand Final – 4 December 2011, 10.00 am, Motueka A&P Show

For more information contact Paul McConachie on Ph. 03 543 8525, or visit The Nelson Tasman Youth JAM Website