A $1.9 million upgrade of Brightwater’s town centre will begin in September to make the heart of the village a safer, more attractive public space.
The upgrade is driven largely by the need to reduce traffic speeds along Ellis Street and create a shared space that is safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
Speed calming measures including traffic islands will combine with visual elements including plantings to contribute to a lower-speed environment. A roundabout at the intersection of Lord Rutherford Road and Ellis Street will slow traffic entering Ellis Street and will also give trucks a wider turning area to prevent the need for them to cross the centre line as they turn into Waimea West Road.
The footpaths from Lord Rutherford Road to Brightwater School will be widened to three metres – double their current width – to provide a safe shared pathway for children walking and biking to school, as well as other pedestrians and cyclists. The original concept for the upgrade would have seen the wider paths end at Starveall Street, but community feedback from consultation we carried out in 2018 led to the addition of the extra section to the school.
The consultation also identified a desire to celebrate Brightwater’s unique heritage by recognising the historical and natural features of the area.
Materials have been selected for their relevance to the Wairoa River and the cultural heritage of Brightwater, as well as being locally sourced and durable, such as wood, river stones and weathered steel. Heritage buildings and historic stories will be recognised through information panels and other streetscape elements.
We’re working with Network Tasman and Chorus to carry out the undergrounding of power lines and provide ducting for future ultra-fast broadband rollout at the same time as the upgrade construction. The upgrade will also improve drainage at the Four Square and school, which currently experience issues with ponding water after heavy rain.
Work is scheduled to take place between September 2019 and the end of June 2020.
Sign up for the project email newsletter by emailing projects@tasman.govt.nz.
It is now just on three months before the local government elections on 12 October and as such this is the last column I will pen as Mayor and after nearly 12 years in the job. We live in one of the best places in the world and it has been an honour and privilege to serve you, our community as Mayor.
Within the highlights has been the opportunity to work with and lead people and organisations committed to making Tasman an even better place to live. The level of volunteerism, selflessness and dedication is a feature this District should cherish. Exhibited in day-to-day life as well in the times of crisis we have experienced whether it be fire, floods or cyclones, Tasman people readily pull together and display a level of community connectedness and well-being the envy of many other regions in the country. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and helped others who have needed it.
This role has been a challenge – intellectually and personally, but it has also been an honour. It has, and continues to bring a number of responsibilities to bear on those of us elected to represent the people who live here and the environment in which we live.
Making decisions about the issues at hand while acknowledging our future needs is not easy. What is apparent is the need to sometimes make decisions that are not universally popular. Predominantly these decisions have a future focus or consequences affecting many people with a wide range of interests. These decisions will not go away, they are inherent in the decision-making for communities. We don’t make these decisions on our own and welcome the community to play a role. All I can ask is that people gather as much information as they can, be respectful to all parties and be kind to each other throughout the process.
We will always have challenges as one of the country’s fast growing districts with a nationally significant economy. Our ability to manage these factors has been recognized by central government of late exhibited by their willingness to apply more interest and resources our way. One of the most notable regionally significant partnerships we have shared is the Waimea Community Dam. While it is still in its early days, I have every confidence the largest dam constructed for 20 years will be delivered on time and within budget delivering benefits to the wider Tasman community.
As we enter into the local government election period I ask you all to look to those who have the courage to make the best long term decisions for our community. It may even be you. I ask you to support those who are respectful of, and kind to, others. If you know people, whatever their age and background, who you believe have what it takes to make decisions for the wider good now and in the future; who are prepared to listen and have the courage to make the right decisions for the right reasons; please encourage them to stand for the future of their community.
While this is my last comment in Newsline, I will be the Mayor until 12 October this year. I remain committed to the role and responsibilities it carries until then. Thank you for the support you have given me and Council.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne
A summary of recent Council meetings and the decisions made.
Walking and cycling access to the Pokororo swing bridge is now guaranteed into the future, with the granting of an official easement over private land in perpetuity.
The swing bridge has long been a visitor attraction in the upper Motueka Valley, providing a link over the Motueka River. It has become increasingly popular, with growing numbers of visitors benefiting from the goodwill of the landowner in allowing access from the Motueka Valley Highway through to the Council-owned bridge.
To preserve access for walkers and cyclists in the future, the landowner has now granted the Council an easement in perpetuity. This means we will take over responsibility for maintaining public access.
It’s important to remember that while there is now official public access to the bridge from the Motueka Valley Highway, this route does cross the middle of a working orchard. Farm vehicles crossing the path have right of way. New signs and fencing will alert swing bridge users to the thoroughfare tracks that enable farm machinery to continue to operate. There is no public vehicle access across the land.
Keep your fire burning cleanly and limit your contribution to winter air pollution – dry wood and a good flow of air are all you need.
Domestic fires are a major contributor to winter air pollution. Luckily, all wood burners can be operated in a way that reduces the amount of smoke they produce.
The key is:
Once your fire is burning brightly, head outside to check the smoke coming out the chimney. A thin wisp of light-coloured smoke is what you’re aiming for.
Please don’t be tempted to bank up your fire and then turn the air flow down, as this is one of the biggest contributors to smoke haze overnight.
When you choose a Good Wood supplier, you're opting for a trusted source of dry firewood that will burn well, helping to keep your home warmer and our air cleaner.
Good Wood suppliers can provide seasoned firewood, suitable for immediate use.
For more tips on how to keep your wood burner burning warm and clean and a list of good wood suppliers, head to tasman.govt.nz/link/good-wood.
There are some specific rules that apply to burners because they cause significant air pollution in Richmond during winter.
The key things to know are:
We have been updating our records and over this winter will be following up with some Richmond households to ensure wood burner compliance. To check if your wood burner is compliant, head to the Ministry for the Environment’s authorised wood burner list (www.mfe.govt.nz/woodburners), or give us a call for advice.
Some eagle-eyed Newsline readers spotted that our latest recycling calendar, published in the previous issue, is missing something kind of important.
Thursday 21 May 2020 was mistakenly omitted from the calendar, which means the days and dates for May and June next year are out of sync.
We fully acknowledge the importance of 21 May in the progression of a year and can assure our community its omission was entirely unintentional. We apologise for the mistake.
An updated version of the recycling calendar, with all the days in May included, can be downloaded from our website, at tasman.govt.nz/recycling.
Network Tasman is planning a large-scale power outage in Golden Bay and during this time many of our wastewater pump stations will not have power.
To help us prevent wastewater overflows, please keep your indoor water use to a minimum from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday 7 July. Any water that runs down the drain in your home or business ends up in the wastewater system.
We’re asking you to:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Golden Bay Council service centre on 525 0020. More information about Network Tasman’s planned maintenance can be found online at networktasman.co.nz/temporary-power-interruption-golden-bay.
Maps of the key areas we’re asking to reduce water use can be found at tasman.govt.nz/link/news.
It is particularly important for residents in the following areas to reduce their water use:
We will use generators to operate critical pump stations, while flows at the smaller pump stations will be managed using septic tanker trucks.
Thank you for helping us keep this essential service operating during the power shutdown.
The Nelson Tasman Civil Defence recovery team has carried out land remediation work in Teapot Valley to stabilise the slopes after the Pigeon Valley fire.
Around 1300 hectares of land was burned. While mostly commercial pine forest, a number of smaller private landowners were affected as well.
Much of the land is steep with slopes in excess of 15 degrees. The soil on this land has no root mass left and is readily eroded, particularly in heavy rain.
To prevent fine sediment and ash being washed into streams, the recovery team developed a plan to stabilise these hillsides. Expert advice established that this would be a better approach than downstream detention dams and the like.
Civil Defence has carried out aerial sowing of grass seed and application of a polymer to the steepest, most damaged areas. The work was funded by a $754,000 Lotteries Grant for soil stabilisation to prevent longer-term environmental damage.
Recent extreme weather events have demonstrated an increased risk of flooding to property in central Collingwood.
We’re aiming to reduce flooding problems, erosion of the open drain and pipe blockages down Gibbs Road by diverting stormwater from its current route to an existing creek, through a new piped stormwater network.
Drains will be constructed from Swiftsure Street and the Gibbs Road intersection. The pipe network passes through Gibbs Road and private property including watercourses, for the stormwater to be discharged into the Aorere River. The project includes 200 metres of stormwater pipe, four manholes, a concrete lined channel up Swiftsure Street and erosion control at Lewis Street and Haven Road. The project is due to start in mid-July and is expected to take eight weeks.
Contractor Fulton Hogan will be in touch with residents on Gibbs Road and Swiftsure Street prior to any work that may affect access into their properties while construction takes place.
Over the next month we will be connecting a new water main on Headingly Lane into the live water supply network for Richmond.
At times during this work we will chlorinate the Richmond water supply as a precaution to make sure it remains safe to drink while the pipe is connected.
15 – 18 July
The work is weather dependent, so keep an eye on the Tasman District Council Facebook page and website for any updates.
You can reduce the taste and smell of chlorine simply by:
If you have fish, we advise de-chlorinating the water before topping up tanks. You can get a neutralising agent from pet stores.
In addition to chlorination, on Wednesday 9 July there will be a temporary change to the Richmond water supply that will increase the nitrate level. We recommend you do not change the water in your fish tank on this day as a sudden change in nitrate levels can be a shock to fish. The change is due to a planned shutdown of a water trunk main.
Congratulations to Taylor’s Contracting, winners of the Tasman District Council-sponsored Outstanding Environment Management award in the inaugural Top of the South Forestry Awards.
Held on Friday 14 June, the awards recognise the strides one of the District’s largest industries is making as a sustainable and innovative contributor to the local economy.
While not a forestry company, Taylors assist with design and construction logistics and practicalities alongside the forest companies they are contracted to. Planning and modifying their work methods, their staff apply their skills to the variety of different tasks and challenges that each site poses.
Taylors was recognised for their attention to detail, ability to innovate and environmental awareness across projects involving river and stream crossings, including developing solutions for reducing sedimentation.
Taylors has invested in specialised environmental training and equipment in order to help it meet the obligations of the new National Environmental Standard for plantation forestry.
Elections for Tasman’s mayor, councillors, Community Board members and Nelson/Marlborough District Health Board members will be held in October this year.
Candidate nominations open on 19 July and close on 16 August 2019. To stand for Council, you must be: a New Zealand citizen aged over 18 and enrolled on the electoral roll.
For more information head online to tasman.govt.nz/link/elections.
Public access to the eastern half of Moturoa/Rabbit Island will be closed while an organised game bird hunt takes place. The closure includes all the beach front at the eastern end of the island. Fish and Game organise the hunts, which are timed to coincide with low tide to avoid any effect on shore birds. No hunting is allowed within 100 metres of the high tide mark.
Closure dates 2019:
Fonterra would like to invite you to its annual community meetings:
At the meetings Fonterra will:
If you would like to attend either community meeting, please RSVP to
Emily Macdonald by calling or texting 027 836 2538 or by email:
Please also let us know if there are any specific questions you have about the Takaka and Brightwater sites, or Fonterra, that you would like to be answered at the meeting.
The deadline for applications for a rates rebate for the 2018/2019 rating year is 30 June 2019. Rebates are based on your household income, the amount of your rates, and the number of dependents you have. You can estimate if you’re eligible for a rebate using your income for the year ending 31 March 2018 at dia.govt.nz – search phrase ‘rates rebate’.
Application forms and more information available at Council offices or online at tasman.govt.nz.
Submissions close on Monday 15 July 2019
You're invited to comment on the proposed Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual (NTLDM) Plan Change. The new NTLDM is proposed to be referenced in the Tasman Resource Management Plan, replacing the former Engineering Standards.
The proposed amendments are available to view at the Council’s Richmond, Takaka, Motueka offices and libraries. Submission forms are also available at Council offices.
You can also head online to learn more and make a submission – visit tasman.govt.nz/feedback.
Proposed Plan Changes 60 (Rural Land Use and Subdivision), 67 (Waimea Water Management Technical Amendments) and 68 (Omnibus Amendments) have been approved to commence as Operative Changes to the Tasman Resource Management Plan.
You can view them online, tasman.govt.nz.
There are surplus units available on Dovedale Water Supply Scheme. If you are interested in additional units or connecting to the scheme, contact Shane Jellyman Shane.Jellyman@tasman.govt.nz or call 543 7260.
The spare units will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Submissions close on 5 July 2019
We’re considering an amended bylaw for managing Tasman District’s community water supplies and future summer water restrictions – and we want to know if you think we have it right.
Have your say: Head to tasman.govt.nz/feedback to learn more and make a submission.
Consultation closes on 12 July 2019.
Consultation is now open on proposed changes to the rules for boat moorings and other coastal structures in Tasman District. The rule review will lead to changes to the provisions for moorings in the Tasman Resource Management Plan, and the introduction of a new bylaw.
Have your say: Head to tasman.govt.nz/feedback for more information and to make a submission. Information is also available at Council offices and libraries.
If you know of individuals or groups that deserve recognition for all their hard work, you can nominate them for an Outstanding Community Service Award.
The Outstanding Community Service Awards allow us to formally acknowledge individuals who have volunteered on behalf of their communities for 20 years or more. Nominees must be residents of Tasman District.
Find out more: Nomination forms and criteria are available at tasman.govt.nz/link/outstanding. Nominations close on 30 June 2019.
Take representatives from 18 agencies, including Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology trainee rangers, Nelson Provincial Museum, Landcare Trust and Motueka High School Enviro-leaders, and mix them with 120 students from 15 different Tasman schools and what do you get? Chaos? Not at all – we got a fantastic day of learning and fun.
Last month we hosted the 2019 Tasman Mission sustainability challenge in partnership with Whenua Iti Outdoors. Students worked their way around various stations, learning, problem solving and answering questions to earn points for team work and task completion.
The event, formerly known as Moturoa Mission, gives students a range of hands-on learning opportunities and provides a fun way to promote the wide range of environmental opportunities on offer to schools in the region.
A group of keen volunteers has transformed the exterior of the Dovedale Hall with a mural of an agricultural scene reminiscent of the area at the turn of the last century.
The Dovedale Resident Committee and local artist Caroline Jones came up with the concept, which was turned into reality with the help of a group of local volunteers who prepped, scraped, sanded and painted the hall wall. Volunteer artist Cathie Hughes says the mural depicts a tobacco kiln and agricultural scene that would have been typical in Dovedale during the early 1900s.
“Tobacco was the primary crop grown and dried in the valley until the 1980s. A few derelict tobacco kilns are all that’s left of what was once a booming industry, however it’s still common to see livestock being herded along the road in Dovedale and Thorpe.”
Cathie said the committee was grateful for the awhi and support of the many volunteers, and for contributions from Resene Paints, Guthrie Bowron and Tasman District Council.
Tasman District Council was proud to support the Dovedale community mural project.
Community grants applications are open until 31 July. Head online for more information and to apply – tasman.govt.nz/grants. There is one remaining information session coming up for anyone who would like a hand completing their online application:
Motueka Library – Wednesday 3 July, 1.00 – 3.00 pm.
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