Raglan Community Board Newsletter #2, 8th March 2016
Thank you to everyone who attended our board meeting on Tuesday, it was awesome to see so
many taking an interest in what is happening in our community. We would like to acknowledge
those who spoke in the public forum, raising issues, highlighting concerns and offering possible
solutions.
A big welcome to newly appointed board member, Peter Haworth, who was sworn in officially at
our Tuesday meeting, we look forward to working together as a full team in the coming months.
The board would also like to acknowledge the awesome mural that has been completed on the
changing rooms at Te Kopua Domain, congratulations to Maryann Tuao and crew for creating such an inspiring piece of art for all to enjoy.
Application for Funding:
The board approved $2000 funding application from Raglan House that will be used towards the cost of hosting a two day workshop on suicide prevention and awareness.
Raglan Naturally Projects Update Report:
We encourage everyone to cast their eyes over Raglan Naturally Projects Update – July 2014
Report, which was tabled in our board meeting item 6.11, page 132, it lists projects, where they sit in the district plan or long term plan, who is responsible, project updates and projects completed, as a community, we should be proud of the many things that we have achieved.
West Coast Tsunami Study:
Jose Borrero of eCoast presented the findings of the study to the board, lucky for our area there is a low likelihood of a tsunami event here, it is likely that tsunami may produce strong surges and currents, particularly at the harbour entrance, making it dangerous to be on or in the water, flooding may occur in low lying areas if the tsunami happens during a high tide. The study will be invaluable to help with civil defence.
Freedom Camping Bylaw:
The Council is seeking feedback prior to 21st March 2016 on areas that it considers should be
included in the bylaw as restricted or prohibited. The board acknowledged that freedom camping is a problem in our area, and made the distinction between ‘self-contained’ campers and those without toilet facilities, it would seem that the non-self-contained vehicles pose the biggest problems.
Possible solutions for discussion:
Adequate signage and maps to camping grounds, accommodation that can accommodate
campers in Raglan.
Designated areas for freedom camping, close to amenities, for example Joyce Petchell
Park, Puriri Park, Rugby Club.
Exclusion Areas: Manu Bay and Whale Bay, in front of homes, areas with views.
Upcoming:
Raglan Residents and Ratepayers to host a stakeholder meeting on Freedom Camping
Bylaw – Wednesday 16th March 2016, Raglan Town hall supper room.
Raglan Community Board – Visitor Impact Workshop, 12th April 7pm, town hall supper
room. Every year the visitor numbers to Raglan seem to grow beyond belief, and with that,
the pressure on our community and infrastructure. The board invites you to join us in a
discussion to identify issues, and explore possible solutions. Topics for discussion; rubbish,
parking, waste water, library Wi-Fi, rates, water use, freedom camping.
Public Forum
Bus workshop feedback – what is happening? Bob McLeod reported from the council
Infrastructure Meeting that took place on Tuesday morning – issues currently being
addressed as part of the bus tender process include; Bus capacity, timetable, storage,
customer comfort.
Rubbish proliferation at Te Kopua and around town in general, lack of bins, wharf bins in
the wrong place, when they overflow rubbish goes directly into the harbour, really
disheartening to see so much rubbish. Some suggestions included a large sign for the top of
the deviation, highlighting land to ocean rubbish responsibility, encouraging rubbish bin
free zone. It was also suggested that there should be more signs that encourage people to
take their rubbish with them, include schools to help create the signs.
Bob Carter – Tasman Lands, updating the community board on rezoning of Nau Mai
Business Park, Plan Change 14.
Chris Thompson – Raglan Residents and Ratepayers, to host a community meeting on
Freedom Camping Bylaw, draft proposals close on 21st March 2016. Date and time to be
confirmed.
Bikes, skateboards, scooters on the footpath in Bow Street, causing concern.
Manu Bay break wall repair is different from what was anticipated, it is not as long as the
old one, as a result it is creating more waves, which break over the boat ramp and wall,
dangerous for everyone who uses the area. Referred to Coastal Reserves Committee, Tony
Whitaker will also follow up, also to be included in RCB Issues and Works Report.