Feb 12: Raglan Community Board meeting

This summary of the agenda for the February 12th Raglan Community Board agenda prepared by John Lawson, Secretary of Whāingaroa Environmental Defence Inc., 51 Cliff St, Raglan 07 825 7866 email johnragla@gmail.com

The next Raglan Community Board meeting is Wed 12 Feb at 1.30pm in the Raglan Town Hall Supper Room. The public forum will be near the start of the formal meeting, giving an opportunity to discuss issues. You might prefer to email/phone the Board.

Wednesday’s agenda includes –

1. Structure Plan “The community board expressed a desire to consider more commercial space around the town centre and more industrial land on the fringes of Raglan” [see also LTP below]
2. Community Board Plan environmental “Success looks like…A meeting with Council, Waikato Regional Council, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua, to discuss opportunities for native planting and ecological restoration is held. The Board is actively advocating for the protection of our natural environment and significant heritage. Board members have established a group of passionate individuals within the community to support and assist with environmental initiatives within the community. Resilience planning which includes climate mitigation measures within the Whaingaroa community has been promoted through various channels.” . . . Social Wellbeing . . . “Advocate for walkways and green spaces to enable connectivity within our community. Advocate for public transport to enable connection. . . Engage with our community on plans  . . . Regular communication to the community following Community Board meetings and on matters directly relating to the Whaingaroa community is made.”
3. Alcohol ban WDC is reviewing the Alcohol Control Bylaw 2020 prior to April/May 2025 formal consultation. Before making a ban WDC has to be satisfied that there is evidence of a high level of crime or disorder in the area  Police data for Raglan shows 192 crimes over 5 years, including 46 traffic offences in 2022. 
4. Wi Neera South End walkway “Consents have been lodged with Waikato Regional and Waikato District Council”
5. Sewage “Wastewater – Coastal Reserve Stakeholder Meeting” – no date set. 
6. Civil Defence “Next Meeting is 18th February”. 
7. Over flow parking at Wainui “working well with contract in place”.
8. Soundsplash “went well with minimal incidents”.
9. CCTV “design is underway to understand the estimated cost and the necessary documents to go to the market to find a supplier”.
10. Greenslade Rd Reserve playground “going to the market to select a contractor”.
11. Camp ground – stormwater “complete. . . Additional works to fill low spots around camp will progress once peak period is over.”
12. Discretionary fund has $9,696.04. The Old School wants $1,000 for ‘Live & Local’ music, Ngunguru i te po me te ao Safety Education Trust want $60,195.50 for a waka shed, Youthtown Ltd. want $10,797 for cycling education in Raglan, Waitetuna and another school (part of agenda missing). At the last RCB meeting it was agreed to support funding for the Town Hall, but it’s not in this agenda.

    These items are not on RCB’s agenda –

Waters Governance Board 4/2

Sewage The 2 primary ponds at the Raglan WWTP have been overloaded during the holiday period, resulting in the depletion of oxygen, creating an environment for bacteria to turn the ponds pink and generate odour. In late Dec 2024, a red/orange bloom appeared in Pond D generating community complaints. sampling 1-9 Jan – elevated levels of bacteria and algae, likely contributing to the bloom. By 4 Jan, Primary Pond A also began to show signs of bloom. The Secondary Ponds did not. Samples from both Primary Ponds A and D indicated elevated bacteria and algae. During a site visit on 6 Jan, it was noted that there were no significant odour issues at the time. Aeration was maximised to improve dissolved oxygen (DO) and promote mixing. conductivity monitoring showed minor intrusion at the Wallis St pump station, a potential contributing factor. Streamline Environmental skimmed sludge from Ponds A and D on 8 Jan to aid. 7 Jan sampling by Watercare Laboratories had critically low DO (0.2 mg/L), which promoted anaerobic conditions. the secondary ponds maintained higher DO (4.3–5.1 mg/L). Salinity levels were significantly lower than seawater concentrations, ruling out salinity. SCO Consulting analysis suggested the pink bloom could be caused by purple sulphur bacteria (PSB), potentially linked to elevated water temperatures and higher organic loading during the holiday season. By 13 Jan, the auto sampler project with Watercare Laboratories was finalised, with sampling scheduled to begin on 15 Jan. The goal is to collect 24-hour composite samples from the influent and grab samples from the primary, secondary, and final effluent ponds between 16 and 23 Jan for a comprehensive analysis. Biodet has been contacted to identify the bacterial species. The findings indicated that organic overloading was the main driver. awaiting the results of analyses before committing to any treatment option. chemical treatments may have effects such as nitrate levels. On 14 Jan an H₂S sensor was scheduled for installation to ensure no public health risks. Although the new treatment plant is set to be commissioned in March, this sensor will help mitigate health risks in the meantime. In light of the reduced odour levels, we have been advised that further aeration could disturb sediments. Therefore, we are proceeding with caution. In Dec 2024, results from the Raglan WWTP show elevated levels of cBOD5, Total Suspended Solids, Faecal Coliforms, and Enterococci.-The Operations Team has a scheduled cleaning of the Final Effluent Pond, Jan 2025 -the cleaning frequency of the Final Effluent Pond has been increased to bi-monthly. An odour canon was setup to reduce the impact of the odour on the community. Sampling of Resource Consent parameters has been increased from monthly to fortnightly, allowing for improved proactive changes. The treatment plant upgrade is well underway it is expected for the project to be completed by June A public drop-in session was held at Wainui Reserve on 3/12/2024 evening attended by about 5 members of the public who were supportive of the land contact option. Further geotechnical studies should be completed by Feb. Again in Public excluded agenda. CCTV inspections of the Raglan network during 2023-2024 had not revealed any significant defects. Minor issues were repaired, manhole sealing and raising mitigate the potential for saltwater intrusion.

Raglan Stormwater Spell Filter Cleaning and 360 Devices contract to Streamline Drain. 2 x 360- chambers were inspected and cleaned before Christmas, while the cleaning work for the remaining 10 spell filters is underway. [I’ve asked when the community stormwater meeting, due last year, will be held]

LTP workshops

Consultation on WDC’s Long Term Plan will start on 28 Mar, but these items were in a January agenda –

• Raglan Structure Plan 45,093, 33,331, (3,986,680) 2027, (3,734,281), (388,767)
• Wastewater treatment plant $22,370,000 2025, $200,000 2026, $518,000 2027, $5,713,734 2028
• Raglan Museum land and building is owned by the Council, with the former museum building used for collection storage. $112,519 capital spend in 2028/9
• 3 Bow St $9,056 + $8,277 pa
• Wharf $110,967 $766,278 over 9 years
• Raglan Walking and Cycling $107,478 (2027), $112,149 (2029), $116,795 (2031)
• A reduction of $10k from 2026/27 onwards for maintenance of the Raglan Aerodrome, as it is anticipated this will be closed. Aerodrome fees (34,147) (5,113) 29,034 (5,113)(5,113)(5,113)(5,113)
• A reduction of $10k from year 3 (2027/28) onwards for maintenance of the Papanui Point walkway, as this area is predicted to be closed
• A reduction of $25k pa monitoring environmental impacts of Raglan waste site no longer required
• The carparks renewal budget has been reduced by $400k pa, down from $1.9m to $1.5m, for all 9 years of the plan
• Manu Bay breakwater $2.2m to $59,500, due to proposed remedial works not being supported by stakeholders. The existing structure already has a resource consent and is structurally sound.
• Lorenzen Bay Rd/Main Rd roundabout 6,448,687 2027
• Te Hutewai Rd roundabout 537,391 2027
• Wainui Rd roundabout 537,391 2027, 6,590,559 2028
• Raglan Traffic calming 107,478 2027, 549,213 2028 560,746 2029
• Raglan library 352,678 2028

New chief executive appointed WDC 18 December 2024

WDC is pleased to announce Craig Hobbs as its new CEO. Mr Hobbs has decades of experience working in local government including as CEO of Paralympics NZ, National Maritime Museum CEO, CE of South Waikato DC, and most recently as regulatory services director at Auckland Council. Mr Hobbs will take over from long standing CEO Gavin Ion on 3 Feb.

Hamilton City Council staff recommend forming a joint water company with WDC to deliver water Dec 7

WDC staff are on board, agreeing in their own, independent report it is the best way forward. On Fri 13 Dec, WDC will also confirm which option it prefers. This is by no means a final decision, explained CEO, Gavin Ion. The recommendation from staff is a joint Waikato Water Done Well CCO with HCC.

Other issues missing from the RCB agenda – aquaculture, Bushpark cycle access, WRC LTP, Papahua erosion, bus publicity, Cliff St pohutukawas, development next to 4 Square, freedom camping, footpath obstruction by cafes, Wainui Reserve 30-50 year plan, Wainui cattle, old Harbour Care site, Manu Bay planting, Raglan Naturally, overflow car parking, waste collection, fluoride, Community Energy Whāingaroa, roading, Blueprints, organic waste, rubbish on SH23, Area School road safety, 3 Bow St, Greenslade Rd SH23 junction, Connectivity Strategy, Surf2surf walkway, speeding on Main Rd, WEL EV Charger, Harbour Strategy, Animal Control late responses, cycle counts, Bayview Rd safety, Canada geese, Cliff St, Park Dr/Long St crossing, town square, Town Hall Committee, WRAP, Calvert Rd parking, volunteer worker safety, Puriri Park.

Should WED be taking up these or other issues?