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The Council has confirmed the Waimea Community Dam will be built to provide the water our growing community needs, safeguard the regional economy, and improve the health of the Waimea River.

On Friday 30 November the Council made its final decision on the project, voting 9 – 5 to confirm its commitment to build the dam.

The key drivers for that decision include:

• The Council cannot meet its obligation to provide an urban water supply now and in the future without water storage on the scale the dam provides. Demand control measures will not reduce demand from homes and business to the extent required if there is no dam.
• The alternatives to the dam either cost more, don’t provide the same water security against droughts, don’t provide for future increases in demand or don’t meet the Council’s legal obligations under the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Some fail on all counts.
• The dam is the only option that solves all the water-supply challenges facing the Council and community in one piece of infrastructure – urban water supply needs, horticultural water supply needs and declining river health with associated environmental, cultural and recreational impacts.

For that reason it is the only option that attracts a significant amount of co-funding from other sources – from irrigators, the Government and Nelson City Council.

About the Waimea Community Dam

• A concrete-faced rock wall dam in the upper Lee Valley
• Holds 13.4 million cubic metres of water
• Stores water from the upper reaches of the river. Water can be released in a controlled way when during times of low river flows to enhance river health and recharge groundwater aquifers. No additional pipework or treatment infrastructure is needed.
• $105.8 million total project cost.
• Funded by Tasman District Council, Waimea Irrigators Limited, Crown Irrigation Investments Limited, Nelson City Council, Freshwater Improvement Fund grant

More information about the project can be found on the Waimea Dam page.

The Council voted to give the Waimea Community Dam the ‘green light’ at the Council meeting on Friday 30 November. 

The key benefits of the dam will be improved river health, a secure long term urban water supply and ongoing regional economic prosperity. It has been a long process to reach this stage. This has been a highly contentious project with people feeling strongly for and against the dam. Now that we have made this decision let’s as a community embrace it and recognise the benefits that this creates for us for generations to come. It is clear that these major water infrastructure projects are very challenging for any community to effectively deal with in New Zealand.

With the Dam proceeding, water conservation will still be important for our region. Regardless of whether there is an ample or restricted supply we need to ensure that we use water efficiently and that we do not adversely affect the environment. Looking after our water resources and use, is something that all of us in the community need to engage in constructively and work on together.

We have a wonderful environment and we want to keep it that way.

As we are now in summer, it is good to know that water quality is regularly monitored at popular swimming and recreational locations around the region. If you are wanting to check whether a beach or river spot is safe to swim in, you are welcome to have a look at the Council website's swimming water page. You can also have a look on the LAWA website at a link called “Can I swim here?”. This will give you links to our region as well as the rest of New Zealand.

Water will be gold for our future, let’s look after it.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne

A summary of recent Council meetings and the decisions made.

Environment and Planning Committee - 29 November 2018

Welcomed Ngati Tama to the meeting with a mihi whakatau and received Ngati Tama’s Environmental Management Plan. The Council must have regard to iwi management plans when reviewing its Resource Management Act plans or making decisions on resource consents.

Agreed to consult the public on a new policy for dealing with dangerous, insanitary and affected buildings. Consultation opens on 10 December.

Received information on housing and business market activity in Nelson-Tasman between April and June 2018. House sale prices continue to grow but not as steeply. Poor housing affordability continues to be a theme for both Nelson and Tasman.

Received an update on the Council’s plan for implementing national freshwater quality guidelines and approved it for public release in December 2018.

Agreed to a review of the Tasman Resource Policy Statement and Tasman Resource Management Plan. The plans must be reviewed every 10 years, and some of the current policy and rules don’t reflect national policies, standards and case law. This is a major project that will take several years and require significant public input.

Agreed to consult on charging fees for monitoring compliance with new national forestry rules. Consultation opens on 10 December.

Received information on the health of the Moutere River and its tributaries. Staff will now develop a strategy and plan as a first step towards improving the ecological health of the catchment.

A report on swimming water quality monitoring between November 2017 and April 2018 showed 94% compliance with national swimming water quality guidelines.

Full Council - 30 November 2018

The Waimea Community Dam has been given approval to proceed.

Every summer we monitor our water quality at popular swimming spots around Tasman District.

We’re fortunate in this District to have very good water quality overall – 98% of our popular swimming spots meet the Government’s “swimmable” standard. Results are posted on our website and updated regularly throughout the summer, so you can check the water quality at your favourite swimming hole or beach before you head out.

The risk of catching an infectious disease from swimming in clear, clean water is usually low. However, after rainfall, contamination occurs through runoff into waterways.

To minimise the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria it is best not to swim in discoloured water, for at least the first 24 hours – and preferably 36 hours – after heavy rainfall.

Toxic algae

We also keep a close eye on rivers for toxic algae during the summer months and post results to our website.

See our toxic algae monitoring page for more information.

Extended periods of warm weather and low, slow river flows create conditions where algae is more likely to become toxic. Mats of algae can produce toxins which are dangerous for children and pets. Keep an eye on children and dogs near the water – and don’t let them eat any algae. You can report large mats of algae by emailing trevor.james@tasman.govt.nz with a photo of the algae attached, or by phoning us on 03 543 8400.

Find out more: Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) collects environmental data from regional and unitary councils and presents it in an easy-to-follow format. Visit www.lawa.org.nz to check it out.

We have budgeted just over $3 million for town centre upgrades in Brightwater, Collingwood, Takaka, Mapua and Motueka between 2020 and 2028.

First up is Brightwater, where a new concept design for Ellis Street aims to create safe and accessible pedestrian, cycling and vehicle linkages, improve the streetscape and recognise local stories. Network Tasman have recently confirmed they will contribute to undergrounding the overhead power lines along Ellis Street.

We carried out community consultation in Brightwater in 2017, which included discussions with a working group made of representatives from local business, Brightwater School, the residents’ association, police, heavy haulage companies and others.

We also did an interactive brainstorming session with Brightwater School pupils, and a public drop-in session for the wider community to contribute ideas. Construction of the upgrade is scheduled for late 2019.

One of the elements of the upgrade is construction of a roundabout on the intersection of Ellis Street and Lord Rutherford Road. Currently turning trucks have to cross the centre line to get around the corner, which is not safe. The intersection will be widened and a small roundabout installed to prevent this happening. Detailed design for the street upgrade are nearly finished, so we expect to be able to share more details soon.

Next is Motueka town centre, scheduled for 2022/2023, followed by Mapua town centre in 2024/2025, with Takaka’s town centre scheduled for 2026/2027 and Collingwood finishing it off in 2027/2028.

The aim for all the town centre upgrades is to create safe and accessible pedestrian, cycling and vehicle linkages and improve the streetscape.

The Tasman Street Ambassadors are back for the summer, helping to keep our streets safe for everyone after dark and connecting you with what’s going on in the region.

Skilled youth workers will be out on the street in the Motueka and Richmond areas from early December to early February, between 8:30pm to 2:30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Street Ambassadors team will patrol public places, delivering safety messages, offering advice and assistance when needed and intervening with the aim of stopping trouble before it starts. They work in partnership with local police, community patrols and Māori wardens to keep our communities safe.

They also engage with the public and provide information on Council bylaws and regulations, facilities and services, as well as events taking place across the district.

The Street Ambassadors service is provided by Tasman District Council and delivered by Youth and Community Works.

Things to remember

Please place your recycling bins and bags on the roadside in a location where our drivers can see them clearly. If you leave the area prior to collection day or have an excess, you can drop your official rubbish bags and recycling at any Resource Recovery Centre free of charge.

Make sure you do not overfill your recycling bin or glass crate, or it will not be collected.

If you need a second crate for glass, you can buy one from any council office or RRC for $20.

Changes to collections for Christmas and New Year

Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday this year so most rubbish and recycling collections will be one day later:

• Monday collections will be collected as normal
• If your normal collection day is Tuesday 25 December 2018 then your rubbish will collected on Wednesday 26 December 2018;
• If your normal collection is Wednesday 26 December 2018 then collection will be Thursday 27 December 2018 and so on throughout the week;

The same changes will apply for New Years Day week.

Kerbside recycling and Resource Recovery Centres

The timetable for the Christmas / New Year holiday period is as follows:

Extra Kaiteriteri collections

From Monday 17 December 2018 to Sunday 10 February 2019 there are extra collections in Kaiteriteri.

• Daily rubbish collections (7am start) from Tapu Bay to 166 Kaiteriteri Sandy Bay Road.
• Recycling is collected weekly.
• Recycling drop-off available in the public car park

Resource Recovery Centres - Extended Summer hours

Friday 21 December 2018 to Friday 15 February 2019

Takaka Resource Recovery Centre

• Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4pm
• Saturday / Sunday 9am to 4pm

Collingwood Resource Recovery Centre

• Monday – Sunday 9am – 12noon

Find out more and have your say on any of these topics at www.tasman.govt.nz/feedback.

Proposed Age-Friendly Policy

Consultation closes 25 January 2019

We want your views on our proposed Age-Friendly Policy, which will guide our planning to explicitly consider the needs of the growing number of older residents in our communities.

The proposed policy sets goals and objectives across a range of areas where the Council has a role in developing an age-friendly community.

New Control of Alcohol in Public Places Bylaw

The Council has adopted a new Control of Alcohol in Public Places Bylaw 2018. The new bylaw comes into force on 17 December 2018, and replaces the previous Control of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw.

The places and times covered by the bylaw remain the same. Changes to the bylaw reflect administrative changes imposed by changes in underlying statutes brought into effect by the alcohol reform legislation of 2012.

The new bylaw is available for inspection in Council offices and libraries and online at www.tasman.govt.nz.

Alcohol licence applications

Current applications for alcohol licences, including information on how to object, are advertised on our website.

Dangerous, Insanitary and Affected Buildings Policy

Consultation open 10 December 2018 – 22 February 2019

For a variety of reasons buildings may become dangerous or insanitary, or be affected by other buildings, over their lifetime. This could be caused by natural disaster or extreme weather, because of illegal building work or lack of maintenance.

We want to make sure Tasman District is a safe place to live, visit, and work in.  To do that, we need to make sure buildings don’t pose a danger to people going about their daily lives.

We have reviewed our Dangerous, Insanitary and Affected Buildings Policy, which outlines how we will identify and take action to address any dangerous, insanitary or affected buildings in Tasman District.

Have your say

Consultation on the proposed policy is open from 10 December 2018 until 22 February 2019 Head to www.tasman.govt.nz/feedback to find out more and make a submission.

Information and submission forms are also available at Tasman District Council offices and libraries.

Look for the Good Wood tick

Summer is the best time to buy and store your firewood, so you have dry, seasoned wood ready for next winter.

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.

What you can expect from a Good Wood supplier

• Dry seasoned firewood for immediate use OR
• Unseasoned or wet wood delivered far enough in advance for it to season before use.
• Information on proper wood storage and better burning tips.
• A moisture meter available to measure the dryness of your wood.
• A written description of the wood, including recommended storage time before use.

Head to www.tasman.govt.nz/link/good-wood to find a list of local suppliers.

Check out the summer events lineup

This year's Summer Events programme is full of fun and entertainment for all ages with something for both visitors and locals to savour. A printed guide is produced by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.

Highlights include:

• Summer Movies Al Fresco, Friday 14 December – Sunday 27 January – classic films screened in our beautiful parks and reserves.
• Children’s events, including Teddy Bears’ Picnics at Isel Park, Stoke, on Sunday 6 January and Decks Reserve, Motueka, on Sunday 27 January. Plus the ever-popular family favourite Children’s Day event at the Richmond Aquatic Centre on 3 March.
• Skatepark Tour visits skateparks around the District starting at Takaka on Saturday 5 January through to the finale at Nelson on Sunday 20 January.
• Motueka Kai Festival - Sunday 7 April.

You can also pick up copies of the guide at Council offices and libraries.

Download your copy of the Summer Event Guide

Swap your old lifejacket for a discounted new one

The Old4New lifejacket swap run by Coastguard returns to our region this summer, offering the chance to upgrade your old lifejacket for a safe new one at a discounted price.

Where and when

The Old4New team will be visiting our region in January.

• Sunday 6 January, 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm, Akersten Street Boat Ramp, Akersten Street, Nelson
• Sunday 6 January – Sunday 13 January, Bays Boating, 15 King Edward Street, Motueka
• Sunday 19 January, 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm, Classic Boat Museum, St Arnaud

Find out more

Head to the Old4New website for more information about the Old4New lifejacket swap, including prices and discounts.

Temporary speed limit change - Martin Farm Road, Kaiteriteri

A trial temporary speed limit change will apply on Martin Farm Road, Kaiteriteri, over the busy summer period. The speed limit will be reduced for the full length of Martin Farm Road from 50 kmh to 30 kmh, from Monday 3 December 2018 to Friday 2 March 2019. The 30kmh speed is in line with other existing speed restrictions within Kaiteriteri township, and follows feedback from residents with safety concerns due to the increased number of pedestrians, cyclists and cars over summer.

First Encounter 375 documentary screening

Village Theatre Takaka, Sunday 16 December, 5.00 pm. Koha Entry

375 years after Abel Tasman and his crew came face to face with Ngati Tumatakokiri in Golden Bay/Mohua, descendants of Ngati Tumatakokiri and people from Abel Tasman’s birthplace meet again. The film records the 2017 4 day event of the coming together of people from different lands: local iwi Manawhenua ki Mohua, who welcomed Ngati Tumatakokiri descendants back to what was once their tribal land and official visitors from Grootegast in the Netherlands.

Proposed charges for plantation forestry monitoring

Consultation open 10 December 2018 – 1 February 2019

The new National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry has significantly changed the way we monitor forestry activities in Tasman District. Under the new standard, the Council is now responsible for monitoring permitted activities such as earthworks, crossings, quarrying and harvesting. The extra monitoring comes at a cost, so we are proposing to introduce charges on the individual or company being monitored so these extra costs don’t fall solely on general ratepayers.

The proposed charges are:

Charging for processing and monitoring of resource consents is separate.

Have your say:

More information, including the full proposal and how to make a submission, is available at www.tasman.govt.nz/feedback.
You can also find copies at Council offices and libraries.

Water survey winner

Congratulations to Margaret Miller of Richmond, who was the winner of our water conservation survey prize draw.

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey.

Happy holidays

Another year has flown by and the summer holidays are rapidly approaching. Library hours for Tasman District Libraries over the festive season are:

Monday 24 December – closing at 5pm

Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 December – closed

Thursday 27 December – Motueka and Takaka Libraries close at 5pm, Murchison Library closes at 4pm, Richmond Library closes at 6pm.

Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 January - closed

We look forward to seeing you over the summer and in 2019.

Summer school holiday adventures

We’re excited to bring you a fantastic schedule of events to keep your children occupied over the six-week summer break. Taking place at Motueka, Murchison, Richmond and Takaka libraries, we have fun events ranging from making origami bookmarks, scavenger hunts, construction maker spaces, giant outdoor games, a stitching workshop for teens and much more. Most of the events are free but some do require booking. Read on for further information.

Summer safari reading programme

This year’s summer reading programme for 5 - 12 year olds, Summer Safari, is a great opportunity to read about the things you love and be rewarded. Take 15 minutes a day to read this summer. Relax and enjoy our books, magazines, comics, audio and e-books and grow that reading muscle. Choose from our range of fun activities and visit any of our four libraries to complete your Summer Safari check-in three times over the holidays. You can register on the library website from 9am on Monday 10 December, and library check-ins open from 10am Monday 17 December.

Summer fun at Takaka Library

Highlights of the Summer School Holiday programme at Takaka Library this year include Beading Fun on Tuesday 8 January from 10:30 am - 12pm. Participants will be able to create wonderful pieces of original jewellery using thread and a selection of new and recycled beads. This workshop is for 7 - 12 year olds, costs $4, and bookings are essential. A not-to-be-missed summer event in Takaka is a visit from Levity Beet, who will bring along his quirky Kiwi-made music and fantastical musical instruments. This will be fun for everyone on Wednesday 9 January, from 10:30am - 11:15am.

Richmond fun-times ver summer

At the Drop-in Chalk Art Family Storytime and Picnic on Friday 11 January, 11am-12pm, we’ll share gorgeous new picture books and get creative with chalk. There will also be a great selection of giant games – like Jenga and giant pick-up sticks! Bring hats, sunscreen and a picnic lunch to enjoy in the sunshine.

Preschoolers Play and Create will run on Thursday 24 January 2019, from 10:30am-11:30am. Bring your preschooler, enjoy a story or two, and then play and create a work of art to take home. Places are limited in these sessions, so please contact the library for further information.

Making great things in Motueka

Suffragette Stitchy is a workshop for teenagers on Thursday 10 January from 1pm - 4pm. Participants can expect to get creative with textiles and contribute to a nation-wide effort to commemorate history’s amazing women. It’s free but you need to phone Motueka Library

03 528 1047 to book your spot. Another creative workshop is the Drop-in Techy Time between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesday 16 January. Tech-lovers age 7+ are invited to come and try out our ‘Bots, 3Doodler pens and more!

Murchison in the holidays

Murchison Library will also be a hive of activity over the summer school holidays, with a drop-in Origami Fox Bookmark making activity every day between Tuesday 8 January and Friday 11 January. Visit Murchison library between Friday 13 December and Friday 1 February and keep your eyes peeled for safari facts we’ve hidden around the library! It’s a fun, free activity for children aged 5+.