Newsline 278 - 29 June 2012

Friday 29 June 2012

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Flood Recovery Bill Tops $10 Million 

The bill for last December’s huge flood is about $10.1 million, of which $3.4 million falls on the Tasman District Council, the rest is being picked up by insurance companies, EQC and private individuals.

Six months on, roads and services have been reinstated and thousands of tonnes of debris removed, mostly in eastern Golden Bay, says Adrian Humphries, Tasman District Council Recovery Manager. Two houses have been demolished, with protection work carried out on others.

Sixteen buildings still have Section 124 ‘Do not occupy’ notices on them. Seven are badly damaged houses that will probably be demolished. Three notices are on sleepouts, and the remaining six buildings require engineering assessment and probably some protection work and repair.

Council staff and contractors – with the invaluable help of volunteers – have reinstated walkways and reserves, plus planted countless trees and grasses. The Council has also advocated for claimants with EQC, and liaised extensively with external agencies such as the NZ Transport Agency.

Adrian says the priorities now are helping residents to remediate land and properties using their EQC and insurance payouts, and tackling the drainage problems in the wider Pohara Valley catchments. In some cases the work will need to be largely funded by private landowners i.e. the Pohara Valley stormwater system, and the pace of progress depends on the willingness and ability of individuals to do the work.

All known Council work has been costed and included in the 2012-2022 Long Term Plan.

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Message From the Mayor 

As we settle into what are always our wettest and coldest days of the year I am struck by two things.

First how short our memories are as to how chilly it can get in Tasman, beautiful as the sun shines on the snowy mountains, but chilly. Secondly the work our staff and contractors do, often in the middle of the night during the storms we experience in Tasman, like the ones in the last two or three weeks. We are often safe in our warm houses wondering what havoc is being wrought outside and these people are out there attending to the rising waters or clearing trees from roads, generally minimising the impact for the rest of us. On behalf of us all – thank you.

On a more sombre note the recent passing of Joe Bell is one of those moments where we reflect on the contribution people have made to their community. Joe was a staunch advocate for Golden Bay, a person who often led with passion for the area. I know Joe will be greatly missed and I will certainly look back with respect on his contribution to one of the true communities in our country.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne

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Submission Sought on Rates Remission Policy for Land Affected by Natural Disasters 

Following the rain event of 13/14 December 2011 the Council was requested to consider a Rates Remission Policy to provide rates relief for some properties affected by natural disaster.

The Council’s current Rates Remission policies are focused on sporting and community organisations and on land held for conservation purposes and do not allow for remissions to individuals who have properties that have been damaged or destroyed by natural disaster.

The Council has discussed the subject twice already and taken into consideration submissions to its Draft Long Term Plan, and as a result has resolved that the proposal to adopt a rates remission policy for land affected by natural disasters be publicly notified using the Special Consultative Procedure in the Local Government Act 2002. If the policy is adopted following consultation, it will apply to residential properties made uninhabitable as a result of a natural disaster.

Public Notices will be placed in Newsline and on Council’s website during July 2012 and will explain the detail of the proposal, how persons affected can get more information, make a submission, be heard and responded to. For more information go to www.tasman.govt.nz. Detail on the Special Consultative Procedure can be found at www.legislation.govt.nz

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NBus Use on the Up 

The big buses debuted in March 2012, with patronage now running at more than 16,000 users a month. NBuses run Monday to Friday, with a reduced service on the weekends. They travel via Tahunanui or Waimea Road, and buses leave every 15 minutes at peak times in the morning and evening.

Ten-trip and 30-trip concession cards, plus timetables, are available at the Tasman District Council Office in Richmond, and the Richmond library.

The GoldCard free trips are available on weekdays from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, then after 6.30 pm, and at any time over the weekend. SuperGold Card holders can ride the new NBus service from Richmond to Nelson for free at off-peak times.

The buses have racks to take bicycles, giving the option of a one-way commute. NBus says passengers are also saving money, with each Richmond-Nelson trip $1 cheaper than travelling by car.

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Murchison, St Arnaud Flagbearers for Digital TV 

Murchison and St Arnaud are leading the way for Tasman in the switchover to digital-only television. The towns, and surrounding areas, will convert on 30 September 2012 when the West Coast region ditches the old analogue signal. The rest of Tasman does not switch over until 28 April 2013.

The change means old analogue TVs need a set-top box and a UHF aerial or satellite dish to continue operating with the digital signal. Consumer magazine has done a survey of the cost of installing the equipment and found it pays to shop around.

The Going Digital campaign says 84% of households nationwide are already digital. One of the consequences of this is that many households have or will soon have an old television to dispose of. The Government, through the national Waste Minimisation Fund, is developing plans to manage this influx of e-waste. Announcements are expected soon on options for recycling and recovery.

In the meantime, if you do decide to buy a new television, you can elect to recycle your old set through the e-cycle at the Nelson Environment Centre Recycle Centre off Pascoe Street, Nelson, or ask your retailer what recycling options they offer – you may be surprised.

Financial assistance is available to some TV owners in switching to digital. You could be eligible for the Government’s Targeted Assistance Package if you already don’t have Freeview or Sky in the household and:

  • Are aged 75 and over with a Community Services card or
  • Receive a Veterans Pension or Invalids Benefit or
  • Used to receive the Veterans or Invalids payments but transferred to NZ Super at age 65.

All those eligible will receive a letter six months before their switchover date.

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Community Patrollers Wanted 

Your community needs you. The Richmond District Community Patrol could do with a few more volunteers to be the eyes and ears of police on weekends. The Richmond group has 28 members at present, but five are not able to patrol for various reasons, meaning the others have to pick up extra shifts.

“They don’t mind the extra workload but, especially at this time of year, when it’s cold and grotty, they would appreciate a little bit of extra help,” says organiser, Mike.

Normally the patrollers work once every six or eight weeks, on a 5.00 pm to 2.00 am shift. If the night is quiet a patrol might wrap up an hour or two earlier.

Community patrollers cruise in pairs in a car equipped with a police radio. Their job is to monitor the streets after gatherings, or keep an eye out for anything suspicious, then summon police if necessary. Patrollers can also find themselves assisting at any sort of incident, and the car is equipped with first aid gear, road cones, tape, blankets etc.

Mike says new group members go through an induction and a couple of taster patrols to see whether they like it. If you are interested in helping to keep your community safe, please contact Mike on Ph. 027 286 4157 or you can call at the Richmond Police Station for an application form.

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Nelson to Wakefield Celebration Cycle Event 

On Sunday 8 July 2012 Tasman District Council and the Ministry of Economic Development, with support from the Nelson Tasman Cycles Trails Trust, will be holding a family cycling day for riders of all ages to celebrate the opening of the new bridge over the River Wairoa.

The new suspension bridge will link the Richmond and Brightwater sections of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and enable people to ride from Nelson Airport all the way to Wakefield on the purpose built cycle trail.

To celebrate a cycle ride is being organised from the I-Site in Nelson, along the cycle trail to Nelson Airport and out to Richmond before joining onto Tasman’s Great Taste Trail out to Brightwater. At 1.00 pm there will be a blessing of the bridge before the ride continues to the Brightwater Domain.

Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome and can join in with the ride at any stage along its route.

Timings for the ride will be published on Council’s website and Facebook page the week prior to the event and can also be found at www.heartofbiking.org.nz

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Youth Volunteer Recognition 2012 

Friends and families of young volunteers recently gathered in the Nelson College Hall to celebrate those who voluntarily contributed their time and energies towards good community causes.

The Nelson Tasman Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening was held on Thursday 21 June, with over 150 young people receiving recognition for their positive contribution to society. For the first time this year, the evening had no ‘winners’; instead each volunteer nominated received a certificate of recognition for their contribution to the region.

The evening had an assortment of guest speakers and performances, including a talk from Tomo Chisnall – the first person to longboard the length of the country in order to raise money for Canteen.

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Community Recreation 

Way2Go

The Victory and Moutere Hills Community Centres have recently taken over responsibility for coordinating the region’s Way2Go project. Gareth will fulfil the Way2Go role at Victory in Nelson and Vanessa Mairs from Moutere Hills will cover Tasman.

Statistics collected by the region’s hubs show that over 10,000 people took part in Way2Go activities between January and March this year. The numbers taking part in Way2Go activities shows that Way2Go hubs are successful in making the active choice the easy choice.

Gareth says when Marty Clark vacated the Way2Go regional advisory role to become the Ride On Cycle coordinator, it was an good opportunity for the two community centres to step into the coordination role.

Vanessa says a benefit of the joint coordination role is that it brings a rural and urban perspective to the Way2Go leadership.

“One of the strengths of the Way2Go project is its ability to break down barriers to physical activity,” she says. “It’s about connecting with local people, strengthening community networks and providing affordable and accessible programmes specific to an area.”

The Way2Go has Tasman Hubs in Motueka, Murchison, Golden Bay, Richmond, Golden Bay, Tapawera, Brightwater/Wakefield and Moutere.

Kaka Beak Sculpture Unveiling

Tasman District Council commissioned the Kaka Beak sculpture by artist Bruce Mitchell in September 2009. The sculpture is a stylised representation of a Kaka’s beak (native parrot that was abundant in the region and can still be seen in the Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks). The work is a significant piece of art, further added to due to the unfortunate death of Bruce prior to completion of the work. The Kaka Beak site looks up at Takaka Hill - the source of the stone, the site of Bruce’s home and the residence of Kaka’s. We invite you to join the unveiling and celebration of this art work. The Corner of High Street and Wallace Street, Motueka. 2.00 pm Sunday 1 July 2012.

Tasman District Council Grants From Rates Available for Community Projects

Tasman District Council allocates funds for grants to community organisations. These grants are made to organisations whose services and projects provide wide community benefit and wellbeing. Applications close 31 August 2012.

Tasman Creative Communities Scheme

Creative Communities is a local arts funding scheme to support projects that increase access and participation in arts activity.

There are two more rounds in 2012 closing on 10 July and 10 November.

Application forms for both are available from Tasman District Council’s Richmond Office, Service Centres or www.tasman.govt.nz/council/grants-funding.

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Tasman Band Tour Rocks On 

The Tasman Band Tour came, saw and conquered with 34 young musicians, all from the Nelson-Tasman region, representing eight different bands playing live to 500 screaming fans.

The three epic shows over three consecutive weekends, in three different venues has provided Tasman and Nelson’s finest up and coming rock bands with the fuel to keep rock alive in the Top of the South.

The bands that took part were ‘Fire Without Permit’, ‘Paper City’ all girl group ‘The Black Spots’, and headlining act, ‘Recommended by Your Mom’. ‘Black Water’ also jumped on tour for a couple of shows along with ‘Temple Henge’ and Garin College’s next big thing ‘Speaking in Silence’.

Besides the great learning experience for these young bands associated with playing music in front of their peers, they were also given the opportunity to work alongside music and event professionals and further develop skills associated with sound engineering, setting up sound and lighting equipment, stage management, promotion, marketing and event management. The professional mentoring component of the Tour was made possible via a $6000 funding grant received from the Ministry of Youth Development.

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Special Events Mark 370 Years of Shared History 

Two cultures came together in an afternoon concert to mark the 370th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s 1642 voyage to New Zealand, says co-organiser Penny Griffith. That journey, of course, was the first meeting of two worlds, Maori and European.

Penny says the “terrific” concert at the Nelson School of Music on 17 June 2012 blended Douglas Lilburn’s ‘Landfall in Unknown Seas’, written to mark the 1942 tricentenary of the voyage, with waiata from a Ngati Koata group, and songs and poi routines by students from Nelson College for Girls.

A busy four days of events began with the opening of the Abel Tasman 370 Display at Nelson Provincial Museum, with items from the museum’s collection plus a recently purchased 1726 engraving depicting that first meeting with Maori, in Golden Bay, and Tasman’s D’Urville Island anchorage.

Netherlands Ambassador Arie van der Wiel opened the exhibition, with Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne and Chief Executive Lindsay McKenzie in attendance.

The following day Arie hosted a seminar of 10 invited scholars at the Honest Lawyer in Monaco. Penny says the presentations on Tasman were followed by “animated discussion” that extended into the evening. About 30 members of the public attended, and “all the feedback I’ve had was that it was fascinating and they were delighted to be part of it”.

Next up in the celebrations is a talk in Takaka on 28 June 2012 by Tony Richardson, of Hamilton, on the Abel Tasman Memorial, at Ligar Bay, and the architect who designed it, Ernst Plischke.

Penny says a boat trip is planned for later in the year to the spot in Whariwharangi Bay where Tasman’s ships, the Zeehaen and Heemskerck, dropped anchor.

See the website www.abeltasman370.com for details and other events.

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Schools Plant Out for Arbor Day 

Students, teachers and parents swarmed across St Paul’s School in Richmond to celebrate Arbor Day by planting nearly 1000 native saplings and grasses.

The aim is to create a native biodiversity corridor over three years, dovetailing with a patch of lowland bush at neighbouring Salisbury School. Georgina and Grant Pahl from Mainly Natives supplied the plants – plus their expertise on where to place them.

Arbor Day was officially celebrated on 5 June 2012 but activities extend over the entire month with Golden Bay and Motueka High Schools, Salisbury and Parklands (Motueka) also carrying out plantings in June.

Tasman District Council supports schools by providing them with fruit and nut trees or natives. Council Horticultural Officer Kathy Tohill says the seedlings are sourced from private nurseries such as Titoki, Waimea and Mainly Natives. The plantings normally take place on public sites. Every second year the Council offers plants for the schools’ own grounds.