GB Community Board – August

Continued from page 1

Presentations

TDC climate change strategy: TDC’s senior climate change policy advisor Barbara Lewando provided a brief overview of the council’s community climate change and resilience work. Explaining that the work followed Government guidance on issues such as the Carbon Act and managed retreat, Barbara said developing TDC’s response strategy incorporated national, local and international considerations.

There were two main aspects of the strategy – mitigation and adaptation; the former focussed on programmes including tree planting, waste minimisation, e-buses, energy efficiency, and the Streets for People initiative.

Regarding adaptation measures, Barbara said “We all have a part to play, so we want to collaborate with the community… and incorporate local knowledge”. The intended output is a geospatial analysis of risks, response options, and costs.

Barbara said “local solutions” were the best way forward and consequently there would be extensive community engagement on the strategy. “We will come to Golden Bay soon to start conversations.”

While working within Government guidelines, Barbara said Tasman District, and Golden Bay in particular, had an opportunity to be in the vanguard of the response to climate change. “We have the power to lead.”

In the meantime, she noted that the strategy, along with other useful information, is available via the “Shape Tasman” portal on the TDC website.

Mohua 2042: Sticking with the theme of a sustainable future, Debbie Pearson and Reggie Leudtke from the Mohua 2042 Trust gave the board an update on Mohua 2042 strategy plan.

Debbie explained how the Mohua 2042 vision of “a thriving community and a healthy environment” had translated to a strategy which was to be implemented through a number of specific projects and initiatives, including “systems that give community a voice”.

Reggie described two of the key initiatives – “Well-Being Protocol” and “Purpose-Owned Companies”.

The protocol, he explained, operates through a smartphone app on which the community can submit ideas for small projects, eg tree planting. The ideas are then voted on by the community, again through the app, before individual awards, likely to be between $50-1000, are granted. Reggie said the advantage of this system was it “moves decisions closer to where the problem is… and does it at lower cost”.

Purpose-Owned Companies (POC) occupy a position between for- and not-for-profit organisations. Reggie explained that POCs “have trustees above the board level that hold it accountable” and help finance community projects. “They could give funds through the Well-Being Protocol.” He explained that any type of enterprise can adopt the POC model, and gave the example of a Golden Bay business which is planning to give 10 per cent of its profits to community projects.

Youth mental health and wellbeing: Two members of Golden Bay Youth Council (GBYC) took a short break from their school day to inform the board about GBYC’s activities and projects to support youth mental health and wellbeing. Two focus groups had shown that while mental health support is available at the “extreme level”, it is lacking at “lower levels”. GBYC is planning to bring an expert speaker to the Bay as part of their commitment to increasing awareness and support for local youth.

Board Report

(Formerly known as Chair’s Report)

Items from Public Forum: All items raised at last month’s Community Board meeting have been forwarded to TDC staff for their information.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) awards: The board offered its congratulations to mayor Tim King who was recently recognised as the winner of the “SuperLeader” award “for his consistent commitment to the wellbeing of his community and his forward-thinking approach to leadership” at the LGNZ conference.

CCTV cameras: Board chair Abbie Langford said that Police have requested the board’s assistance in funding the installation of additional cameras plus the upgrading of two existing units. The cameras could be funded through GBCB Special Projects funding. Suggested locations for placement are Pōhara tennis courts, Motupipi Street carpark, GBHS corner, Tasman Street in Collingwood, and one situated at the Bainham/Pakawau turn off. Abbie said that Sergeant Jonathan Davies is happy to come to a board meeting and answer any questions that the board may have on the topic – something the board was keen to progress. Abbie agreed to invite Sergeant Davies to the next GBCB meeting.

Hall Hire Guidance: TDC's Audit and Risk committee have been considering the hire and usage of council assets to ensure that when they are hired, the event is one that is not associated with hate speech or exclusion, and meets the guidelines of responsible hire and use. A letter will be sent to council facilities regarding this. The board considered whether other councilowned facilities should be subject to the same guidelines with Councillor Celia Butler stating "We're only talking about hiring".

Proposed pensioner housing at Reilly Street: The board noted that Golden Bay Mohua Affordable Housing (GBMAH) Trust had been advised the resource consent for its proposed pensioner flat development at Reilly Street was likely to be declined, due to flood risk, and the application has now been formally withdrawn.

Seats for people: The two netted “seats” installed at the junction of Meihana Street and Commercial Street as part of the Streets for People reconfiguration are looking for a new home. The board agreed to ask the community where these “seats for people” should be relocated.

Te Waikoropupū Water Conservation Order process: This topic has been widely reported on recently (see reports in The GB Weekly (4/8 and 11/8). Board member Grant Knowles wondered about the implications of a change of Government on the implementation of the WCO. TDC group manager environmental assurance Kim Drummond advised that, irrespective of the election outcome, it was likely to be a lengthy and complicated process, that included opportunities for parties to appeal.

Correspondence: Among the correspondence was a request from the Golden Bay Toy Library for a letter of support for its funding application to the Rāta Foundation. This was unanimously agreed by the board.

Other correspondence which mentioned the loss of trees on the shoreline at Ligar Bay prompted the board to state there needed to be “more dialogue on trees on reserves”.

Action Sheet: There was a brief discussion about the board providing a letter of support for a group seeking to re-instate a kindergarten servicing Collingwood. Abbie agree to follow up.

There was a more substantive discussion about the state of the Pōhara to Tākaka cycleway. Councillor Chris Hill noted that car parking on the path continued to be a problem as well as pooling of water and the coarse gravel surface. Chris undertook to meet on site with TDC transportation engineer Robert Deck to discuss solutions.

Request for approval of a new street name – Raniera Way

A TDC staff report recommending the new street name Raniera Way, off Matenga Road, Ligar Bay was accepted by the board.

Financial Summary

After acknowledging the end-of-year financial report, the board discussed Aranav Toade’s request (see Public forum) as a late item, before the meeting concluded.

The next meeting of the GBCB is at the Collingwood Fire Station on Monday 12 September at 1pm.

Dallas Beckett

Governance and democracy

The cause of anti-racism is hindered, not helped, by abusing or redefining the word racism, crying wolf or weaponising it for political ends to intimidate or attack the person instead of the argument. A clear, accurate and unchanging definition of the word is needed in order to decide who is racist and who is not. A dictionary definition (Oxford Languages) is summarised as follows: the enactment or encouragement of prejudice, discrimination or antagonism towards certain races (and associated cultures), or the belief (or promotion of it) that some are superior to others.

The issue of co-governance is not black (or brown) and white but nuanced; the key question is co-governance of what. If it’s co-governance of public resources or policy, then it is not only undemocratic but also racist by definition, since it specifically discriminates against non-Māori. However, if it’s co-governance to remedy Te Tiriti breaches and return control to Māori of their land, treasures and sacred places, then perhaps it does not go far enough.

The Environment Court recently released its recommendation to the Minister regarding the water conservation order for Te Waikoropupū and its associated aquifers. It specifies that manawhenua iwi be given partnership opportunity with TDC on water-quality policy and enforcement affecting the springs, which seems to me appropriate and necessary. However, the correct solution to the failings of TDC and our governance system in general is democratic reform and the purging of racism and corruption from its ranks, not yet more divisive racism, however well intentioned.

Limiting rates increases

areas of concrete sticking out opposite which make matters worse. As a result, the road becomes almost one-way, and all for a pedestrian crossing for all the walkers who are going to be using it in the future?

Somebody had to be first to prove what a risky set-up this has created and I think it was me! Be warned: driving from Rural Service Centre between 4 and 5pm the sun is directly in your eyes and it is very easy to forget one has to veer right to avoid these patches of concrete edging. Result for me was a badly damaged front left wheel which promptly lost pressure resulting in a need for change of tyre. If it wasn't for a wonderful caring, kind young man called Brendan I would have been in considerable difficulties. He was wonderful, sorted all the problems and sent me safely on my way.

I intend to challenge TDC for my costs as the sticking-out concrete edging has no warning indicators, such as fluorescent paint or an upright indicator. So folks, be careful driving along Meihana Street, it's a challenge right now.

Anne Gentleman

Facing mortality

Amidst our weekly pages of the diverse goings-on important to the living, was nestled an oasis of care (GBW 11/8). Thank you, Joyce Wyllie, for your writing about empathy and grief.

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Steve Penny

As we face this election year we follow all the political parties seeking our vote and willing to spend billions of tax-payers money on such diverse projects, from harbour crossings to free dental care for all citizens.

However, residents and ratepayers in the Tasman district have to convince our council to cut back on all spending to reduce rates back to the annual average increase of three per cent. The proposed new rate of eight per cent rise in rates is unacceptable.

Last month I put out a challenge for readers of this column to think outside the box and suggest ways of reducing rates.

I will start with my suggestion that we challenge council vehicle expenses. If we restrict their travelling speeds to 80kmph we will save 15 per cent on running costs. (This finding from statistics done by the AA.) Annual fuel costs obtained from TDC for 2022 were $157,606. Estimated costs for this year, 2023, are $182,259. Changing the format of Newsline saved $1,000 per fortnight which is an annual saving of $26,000.

A speed limit of 80kmph on all council vehicles will save 15 per cent on fuel ($27,338) and also has the bonus of less exhaust air pollution and vehicle maintenance costs.

I was told by a local resident last week he counted 14 TDC vehicles, each with a single occupant, driving over the Tākaka Hill. There must be a better way of staff/vehicle use.

Reg Turner

Danger in redesigned Meihana Street

The rearrangement of parking spaces, having made Meihana Street narrower, has now been compounded by two

Researching our cultural relationship with death, I've learned the main reason so many feel awkward when someone close is experiencing a loss is that we have been discouraged from considering our own mortality. For many, it's an inconvenient truth relegated to the distant future, marked by pat euphemisms and hushed tones. Living in a culture that celebrates youth, and material success, it's not surprising that ageing and death are exiled from the mainstream as they aren't sexy enough to sell stuff.

Generations ago, elders died at home with children, neighbours and chickens attending. Our lives were touched by death and impermanence and were richer for it, I believe. When my aged father passed I found the nurse's apologies disturbing as the threshold with my be'loved Dad was expected, memorable and potent.

He was a part of the natural world and so he died as will I. Everyone dies, but not everyone "lives". Awareness of my mortality has brought more aliveness into my life. Attending monthly Death Café has made me less scared of dying and more comfortable with grief so that I can hopefully be, as Joyce wrote, the valued friend who can sit alongside in the unknown. Thank you again, Joyce, for service to the community. The next Death Café is at the Wholemeal this Sunday, all are welcome.

Aralyn Doiron

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