Dec 9: Raglan Community Board meeting

This summary of the Raglan Community Board agenda is prepared by Whāingaroa Environmental Defence Inc. Secretary: John Lawson, 51 Cliff St, Raglan 07 825 7866 email johnragla@gmail.com

The next Board meeting is Wed 9 Dec at 1.30pm in the basement of the Community House at 43 Bow Street. Supper Room. The public forum will be part of the formal meeting, giving the usual opportunity to discuss issues. You can also contact the Community Board members:- Bob MacLeod, Chris Rayner, Dennis Amoore, Gabrielle Parson, Lisa Thomson, Satnam Bains and Tony Oosten.

Wednesday’s agenda again has verbal updates – police, Raglan Naturally and another submission put in by RCB without public input, nor revelation of “Information has been provided to the Chair”, on Coastal Reserves Management – not yet on website, though agenda includes – “We are looking at the inclusion of: o Statement of oversight/governance and RCB’s role  To ensure effective stakeholder engagement (as laid out in the draft plan) To ensure clear, concise, event management rules are in place and an effective scheduling of events through the event calendar.
 To be involved in more detailed, future focused strategy around the management and development of the reserves.o 5 year review periods of the plan”.
Much of the agenda is more cryptic than usual (probably because several discussions are now in unminuted, unadvertised workshops), so here are some quotes. If you’re able to interpret, please let me know –

1. 1.  Transport and connectivity “o The board has worked on this further at our informal workshop. WDC staff member joined us.o Updated parking map (printed and online) The Board have agreed to fund the update of this map from the RCB Discretionary Fund. Miguel from Mafia Design is doing the work.o Parking and fingerboard signso Working with WDC on improvements to areas of safety concern and congestion o Coordinating with WDC on Freedom Camping monitoring, education and commso Next Quarterly Roading & Connectivity update from WDC in Feb 2021 meeting.o Longer Term Planning: RCB plan to meet with WDC staff in December to start defining longer term planning for Transport and Connectivity. From this we can work out what data we need and observations we can do over Summer to help inform longer term planning. It will be great to have an overall community vision for transport and connectivity and connect that into current community plan (Raglan Naturally) and WDC/WRC/district strategies. From there we can work with a more coordinated approach.”
   2.  Innovating Streets – 2 Bow St parklets with seats and bike stands to be installed Jan/Feb, with road art on two crossings. Putoetoe Pl – “consultation with the affected businesses” in new year.
   3. Safety and congestion around the school – “Develop a map to show alternative drop off locations with walking routes and estimates of time to get to school. . . timing for the whole of Raglan speed zone change to 40km and when the pedestrian islands will be increased in size. .. bus survey.” [no other explanation of these]
   4. “recommendation that Joyce Petchell Park and Puriri Park toilets be wrapped outside with messaging on taking care of our environment and backyard.”
   5. Wharf Pontoon “a draft outline/proposal of stakeholder requirements has been passed to the project manager and these are being developed to prepare a package of information that can be put out to market for tender. . . A stand-alone pontoon to east of the slip pier. . . WDC and project manager are working to have a specification for this work available to go out to the market for a design build tender pre-Christmas.”
   6. Wharf west walkway – “project manager to prepare a package of information for going out to seek pricing.”
   7. Whaingaroa Harbour study – MBIE agreement for “a community-led strategic planning initiative” has become “we are preparing list individuals and groups (Stakeholders) that may be interested in this study and a note will go to them early in the new year”.
   8. Wharf Hazard Review “has been released to the PCG and stakeholders. . . some hazards that were identified in the report that will be covered via the project, eg. vehicle to vehicle incidents, risk of fall and traffic flows as an example.” Final structural report awaited.
   9.  Future RCB meetings suggested at 1.30 on Weds 17 Feb, 31 Mar, 12 May, 23 Jun, 4 Aug, 15 Sep, 27 Oct, 8 Dec. [other WDC Boards meet at 6pm]
   10.  Disabled parking – sign restored but “Pavement markings to be completed” – no date given.
   11. Footpaths – Papahua Camp paths “The camp entranceway works as well as Stages 1 and 2 from the bridge to the takeaway shop are now funded. The physical works are being planned for Autumn”.
   12.  Town Hall Committee AGM – new member needed, flooding in Supper Room due to a hail storm, Building Warrant of Fitness valid to 23 July 2020, hire income $5820.92, Radio Station rent $2600, Environment Centre rent $3120, $94640 in Westpac accounts.
   13.  Manu Bay planting “await a date for a site visit with stakeholders”.
   14. Manu Bay Breakwater – “rock maintenance of the boat ramp from monthly to weekly. Next progress report planned for early February 2021.”
   15. Service Requests – July-Sept overall 89.59% (down from 92.63%) dealt with on time, but 2 of 4 Environmental Health and 3 of 6 Dog Aggression complaints weren’t.
   16. Discretionary fund has $15,773, having spent $130 (total $1000) on Whaingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation.
   17. RCB Website – “Working to keep this updated and improved”. [it seems unchanged for at least 2 months, with no FAQs, no RCB responses to comments and questions and outdated links] “90-Day planning spreadsheet where we keep track of all the current issues, projects we are working on, RCB engagement and WDC reviews happening or coming up. . . This is an internal document and early next year I would like to create a simple version that we as a board can share through our website or meetings.”
   18. Whaingaroa Raglan Affordability Project – “Nil to report”
   19. Raglan Naturally – “Attended first meeting of the Raglan Naturally Trust board”.
   20. Cliff Street Jetty – repaired.
   21.  Sewage works consent – lengthy report on 17 Nov Zoom meeting.
   22.  Stormwater Liaison Group minutes 20 Oct – Aroaro wetland restoration as saltwater wetland, or use to treat stormwater. Next meeting Thu 18/3 17.45 Supper Room.
   23. These items are listed, but no other information is in the agenda – Memorial Seat discussion, Raglan Food – water disposal, Zoom – National Place Making collaboration discussion.The RCB agenda misses out items in these agendas, which show little more information on these –Infrastructure 30/11
   • Lorenzen Bay Playground – to be incorporated into the playground contract 30-Jun-2021 $104,755
   • Raglan Skatepark Path Connection 24-Nov-2020 $41,902
   • $26,115 bus shelters budget district wide
   • COVID wage subsidy amounting to $143,155.20 was received by Raglan Holiday Park
   • Rangitahi bridge vests in WDC 30-Dec-2020 $2,727,090Policy 23/11Alcohol ban maps show a much reduced area, but odd boundariesOther issues missing from the agenda are Gilmour St, Te Uku Recycling, paths on Greenslade Rd and Cliff St, Wainui Rd footbridge, Rose St parking, sewage repairs, Whāingaroa Catchment Management Plan, dog & horse issues, consultation with WDC on extra buses for Whatawhata, James St and Museum bus shelters, Rangitahi, Hills Rd water tower, glyphosate, volunteer worker safety, coastguard lease, Puriri Park, weedbusters, etc. Should WED be taking up these or other issues?Thanks
     John.