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Friday 24 January 2020
Bay Show is a cut above
TDC Speed Limit Bylaw Review and Hearing CHRIS HILL, GB WARD COUNCILLOR
Battle axes: John Waters and Ray Biggs compete in the spectacular jiggerboard contest at Saturday’s A&P Show. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
For many attending Saturday’s A&P Show, the Golden Bay event is “one of the best” and “a true country show”. Takaka’s annual celebration of rural life continues to draw visitors, exhibitors and competitors from over the Hill and far away. The traditional townmeets-country festival provides a welcome opportunity to catch up with old friends, chat to suppliers, watch top-quality competitions and generally enjoy a good day out – just like locals have done for over 120 years. Although attendance fluctuates from yearto-year, the show remains the Bay’s largest annual single-day event. A&P Committee vicepresident Noel Baigent is delighted with this year’s figure. “There’s a lot of guess work with kids under 15 admitted free, but we estimate somewhere around 4,500. People came earlier this year and stayed longer.” Noel says the show committee were very satisfied with the day - and so were the trade stall holders. “I spoke to most of them at some stage during the day and all were very happy with the layout, the crowd, the sales, and we’ll be back was the most common response. We even had a stall from Oamaru - Whitestone
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Cheese - who had good sales.” On Saturday, before the hordes descended, a cool start allowed traders to set out their stalls at the Rec Park without breaking into a sweat, but by mid-morning, the temperature had reached a seasonal norm. A gentle breeze, which fanned the showgrounds for most of the day, created the perfect climate for a relaxed summer show. Starting early, horses and riders competed in several classes over a well-set up jump course on the rugby paddock. The going, naturally, was firm, but appeared to cause few problems for the contestants, including Motueka’s Bridget Peter, riding “Windrush Digby”, who collected several ribbons during the day. A shor t distance away from the showjumping arena, the sound of clucking, quacking and crowing guided visitors to the poultry shed where an impressive display of prize-winning ducks, drakes, bantams and heavy breeds were showing off their fine feathers. Keeping cool in the shade under the trees on the far side of the park, sheep and goats corralled in pens watched others parade
around the show ring. Having entered a twoyear-old Toggenburg in the dairy goat class, young Brianna Heine from Upper Moutere was lavishing praise on her “Thistle”, who had been awarded top spot by judge Clive Bird. Head steward for the goat entries Vicki Spiers had travelled from Richmond and was full of admiration for the handlers. “It takes a big effort to turn up on show day; all the preparation and unloading.” She summarised the attraction of Golden Bay’s event. “I enjoy coming back to the show and catching up with people. I used to live in the Bay. It’s a lovely show – a true country show.” Next door to the goat pens, wannabe digger drivers were signing up to test their skills in a series of tricky challenges set by Tristan Graham of TG Contracting. Wielding a heavy hydraulic arm with a delicate touch, operators attempted to drop a small ball into a narrow pipe, hang a pair of boots on a waratah and take the cap off a bottle of cold beer. Age was no barrier to success; 12-year-old Hayden Bruning got most things right, but then he has already accumulated more experience than most. “I started when I was four years old,” ... Continued on page 2
Chris Hill was a member of TDC’s speed limits review hearing panel and is a member of the speed limit working group.
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INSIDE: A&P photos Ecosanctuary opening Movie review THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2020
In September 2018 a TDC survey was undertaken and 46 suggestions were received for local roads where community members thought there would be benefit from a speed limit change. The proposed roads were selected following a review that considered community suggestions and risk assessment. Proposed speed reductions for 67 roads, including some in Golden Bay, were put out for community consultation, which saw 205 submitters provide 485 submissions. Most were generally in favour of the proposed changes. The roads put forward for the Bay were Seddon Street and Freeman Access, Puponga, Wharariki, Burnside, Battery, East Takaka and Glenview. Community feedback indicated that lower speed limits than had been proposed were preferred for some roads. However, a speed limit that is significantly different to the one proposed and consulted on cannot be legally set. It is intended to consult locally on lower speed limits for these roads, including the unsealed section of Wharariki Road, in the near future. Where changes have been adopted, the new speed limits will come into effect from 17 February 2020. It was clear to panel members that there was significant concern over a number of other roads that were not included in the review so a further review is necessary. A speed limit working group has been formed and approved at the last Council meeting. Next steps include reviewing the Speed Management Plan in conjunction with a further speed limit bylaw review. This will be an opportunity for Bay residents to have further input into speeds on roads they are concerned about. The community will be kept informed of this process and given the opportunity to contribute. The NZTA review of SH60 from Upper Takaka to Takaka is a separate process. NZTA detail the proposed changes on their website, along with comments from the Bay community. Most people indicated a wish to maintain the current speed limit from Upper Takaka to Paines Ford but see a reduction from Paines to Takaka. NZTA intend to carry out formal consultation on a detailed proposal. Link to NZTA comments: https://nzta. mysocialpinpoint.com/sh60-speedreview#/sidebar/tab/feedback
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