The next Raglan Community Board meeting is Wed 9 February at 1.30pm. This summary of the agenda was prepared by John Lawson, Secretary of Whāingaroa Environmental Defence Incorporated, 51 Cliff St, Raglan 07 825 7866 email johnragla@gmail.com
The public forum before the meeting should give the usual opportunity to discuss issues, but again there’s secrecy; John thinks the link to join the public forum is this Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5111086998 . If you want to be more certain, let John know and if he gets a different link he’ll send it to you. It will probably also be on YouTube. You might prefer to contact the Community Board members:- Chris Rayner, Dennis Amoore, Gabrielle Parson, Lisa Thomson, Satnam Bains and Tony Oosten.
Wednesday’s agenda continues to lack information, which I’ve highlighted in orange, but includes –
- Airfield, Soundsplash, Local bus, Manu Bay planting, CCTV, Raglan Naturally, Councillor – “verbal update” – the minutes say, “Once the [airfield] fencing was completed, a breakdown on the fencing costs would be provided to the Board”, but there is no information in the agenda.
- Wi Neera Walkway study says, “Most locations with defects present are likely to fail further over the next five years . . . The concrete footing present is insufficient and undermining the structure of the seawall in some locations.” The Annual Plan may be used to fund repairs in 2022/23.
- Register of interests no longer in agendas – it first appeared in May 2021.
- Community Led Development Workplan – formerly Placemaking and Blueprints – workshops planned. Discretionary fund has $16,049 and is now managed by RCB. Growers Market wants $3,000 for staff.
- Papahua Footpath – final 96m to be finished after Waitangi Day.
- Wharf Structural Repairs, Pontoons and Walkways request for tenders to be sent on 25 February. No detail of what the tender is for.
- Government/Bayview Road Giveway sign change to Stop sign will be included in the Public Places Bylaw review this year. No explanation about inaction on RCB’s request for urgency.
- Greenslade Road Neighbourhood Park work to be done this year. No detail of what work.
- Manu Bay Breakwater – forum workshop again postponed due to COVID.
- Civil Defence Emergency Management “plan could be ready to present to the Community Board in November/December” no detail.
- Service Requests – Oct-Dec 88.62% overall (up on previous quarter of 88.47%), but only 4 of 7 Wastewater Overflows, 1 of 4 aggressive dogs, 2 of 4 reserves urgent toilet issues and 5 of 9 wastewater pump alarms were dealt with on time.
These council items are not on RCB’s agenda –
Waters Governance Board 1/2/2022
Assessment to address the suspended solids and Faecal coliforms breaches is underway including:
• Investigation of appropriate solution to measure TSS or turbidity to improve understanding of the discharge and condition of the final effluent pond at Raglan wastewater treatment plant. Options being investigated include a recirculated flow loop from the wet well to supply an instrument.
• A more intensive cleaning program for the final effluent pond has been implemented to improve the quality of discharge.
• The Watercare team is in progress of reviewing the Raglan wastewater sampling procedure to ensure no further sampling errors. The Watercare team is also considering an autosampler set-up for Raglan wastewater treatment plant discharge sampling to demonstrate compliance.
• The Watercare team aim to review and submit the O&M plan to Waikato Regional Council by March 2022 to meet condition 4 of Raglan discharge consent.
Sewage consent – engage a valuer to prepare business case for private land, discussions progressed regarding the co-use of Wainui Reserve for sub-surface drip irrigation. A January meeting has been set
There were two overflow events in Raglan that entered the ground floor of a house. The first blockage was cleared by jetting, on the second blockage, CCTV was carried out and more extensive jetting undertaken. The floor level of the house is below the lid level of the manhole. Additional mitigations are being investigated including adding the line to a frequent maintenance schedule.
Other issues missing from the agenda are Cliff St, Park Dr/Long St crossing, Rose St parking, Places for People, Town Hall Committee, Wainui Rd wooden footbridge, freedom camping, coastal erosion, unsealed roading, Climate Response Plan, parking, Energy Project, WRAP, stormwater, Town Hall Warrant of Fitness, Calvert Rd parking, Te Uku Recycling, Whāingaroa Catchment Management Plan, dog issues, Hills Rd water tower, volunteer worker safety, Puriri Park, weedbusters, Joyce Petchell and Puriri Park toilets to be wrapped with environment messaging. Should WED be taking up these or other issues?
Ngā mihi
John (he/him).