The GB Weekly - 13 August 2021

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Friday 13 August 2021

Vision for Waitapu emerges

Feedback from the Golden Bay community is helping to shape the future of the Waitapu Bridge site. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS

The initiative to improve the Waitapu Bridge site passed a key milestone last week with the publication of a report by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (WKNZTA). Titled Waitapu, Takaka: Summary of public engagement 30 April-10 May 2021, the six-page document summarises, and comments on, feedback from the consultation process (GBW 7/5) jointly run by WKNZTA and Manawhenua ki Mohua (MKM). The report represents an important step in the collaborative development of a coherent plan for the site. The overarching issue identified in the report is how to ensure public use and access while enhancing and protecting the riparian environment and river water quality. The latter is particularly important for MKM, who place high cultural significance on the location (Waitapu translates as “sacred waters”). Up to and including the summer of 20192020, an increasing number of freedom campers had seriously disrupted the balance between these aspirations due largely to the chronic use and abuse of the site. Although a

combination of the Covid pandemic and the joint WKNZTA/iwi initiative has significantly reduced freedom camping activity over the past 18 months, there is currently no long-term management plan for Waitapu. The public feedback that informed the report was collected at three public events and via email. On 30 April, MKM led events at Waitapu and the Rec Centre that each attracted around 25-30 people. WKNZTA took the lead the next day, setting up a stall at Takaka’s Village Green, where around 40 community members contributed ideas and comments. The report highlights shared values revealed by members of the community when asked why Waitapu was so special. Paramount amongst these is an expressed wish to protect and respect the site, which is clearly valued for it beauty, clean water and cultural qualities. The site is also identified as an important location for a range of recreational activities such as boating, swimming and picnicking, and as a place to connect with nature. In some cases, respondents mentioned coming to

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Waitapu as children and wanted to be able to enjoy it with their children and grandchildren in the future. In addition to providing broad-brush feedback, the community also painted a more detailed picture of its vision and concerns, which are summarised in the report’s thematic table. The themes used to organise the wide variety of thoughts, ideas and issues include public access; site design and layout; important launch spots for small boats and kayaks; environmental issues; and freedom camping. In the same table, WKNZTA provides comments relating to specific issues. Regarding public access, for example, the report states that WKNZTA and MKM “have agreed to continue to deter people camping overnight” but there are currently “no plans” to close the gate at the site entrance. Fur thermore, there is an assurance regarding the popular launch spot. “Our intent is to retain boat access and allow for parking and maneuvering of boats and trailers within... Continued on page 4

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JO RICHARDS

Golden Bay’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout is on a roll. Figures supplied by Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) last week show that, by the end of June, more than 3,300 doses of the Pfizer jab had been administered in the Bay. “ The uptake from the Golden Bay community has been amazing since the beginning of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, “ says Golden Bay Community Health (GBCH) manager Linzi Birmingham. “The initial clinics were held at GBCH and these clinics ran like a well-oiled machine.” Out of the total number of vaccinations given, GBCH administered around 2,200 doses onsite, plus between 300-400 doses at each of three large-scale clinics run by Nelson Bays Primary Health (NBPH), along with GBCH staff, at the Rec Centre. The total should get another significant boost at the fourth large jab session which is scheduled for tomorrow. GBCH’s quality service improvement lead Ruth Robson says the large events have proved a great success. “The clinics have been popular and have been a social affair with neighbours and friends having catch-up conversations while waiting their 20 minutes post vaccine.” Breaking down the NBPH statistics reveals that 35.6 per cent of all patients enrolled with GBCH, have received either one or both of doses, a figure which rises to 81 per cent for those aged 65 and over. In addition, GBCH practice data shows that, thanks to dedicated vaccination clinics organised in collaboration with Manawhenua ki Mohua and conducted at GBCH, 33 per cent of the Bay’s enrolled Maori have had either one or both doses. Given the high level of uptake in the Bay, NBPH’s vaccination booking team have already issued early invitations to the over40s and are now extending it to everyone aged 16 and over. Despite the current success of the rollout, Ruth counsels against complacency. “People shouldn’t think that we are immune here in Golden Bay as we are as vulnerable as other parts of New Zealand because people travel… We continue to have a steady demand for Covid testing at GBCH from people living in the Bay which increases when there is an outbreak elsewhere.” Anyone not enrolled with a GP, or new to the region, or would rather not wait to be contacted, can book online at: https:// bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ using code EA7U4D5BYP or phone 0800 28 29 26.

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