Sep 16: Raglan Community Board meeting

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

The next Raglan Community Board meeting is Wed 16 Sep at 1.30pm in the Town Hall Supper Room, 41 Bow St, Raglan. 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.

There are 5 consultations currently. Alcohol and Places for People are on the RCB agenda below, but the others aren’t –

• WDCengagement –should WED put in this submission before 26 Sep?

The definition of ‘Decisions’ says, “Management decisions made by officers under delegation during the implementation of council decisions will not be deemed to be significant“. These are usually the most controversial decisions made by council and should be included.

Museums have been deleted because, “WDC does not invest substantial funding in museums there does not consider museums a significant activity.” However, “WDC has historically invested substantial funding” in museums in both Huntly and Raglan. 5d If a proposal does not “affect a large portion of the community“, there should still be consultation, though limited to the part of the community it does affect.

5k There are likely to be instances when some consider options viable and others disagree. There should be consultation when there is such disagreement. Viable is not defined.

• Representation review closes on 27 Sep. – have your say on whether we should keep RCB and its boundaries. If you say current representation arrangements aren’t fair and effective, you’re asked why not; an opportunity to say – FPP should be replaced by STV and Māori wards, as currently WDC has only one Māori councillor, despite 26.4% of WDC being Māori. Councillors are similarly unrepresentative by age and occupation. In the last 6 weeks our councillor had 17 secret workshops. A high priority for RCB is listed as “All committees of WDC and under delegation to RCB are open and transparent and include Hapu and Iwi representatives.”
• District Plan part 2 – should WED put in a submission before saying it should incorporate the new Climate Response and Resilience Policy, which says “The next step will be the development of a Climate Response and Resilience Action Plan with specific targets. .. . Ensure that low emission, climate-resilient development is adopted as a key tenet into development and land-use decisions, including our district plans, annual plans, long term plans, urban design and development, building control, energy use, transport planning and waste management. . . Incorporate emissions reduction targets into investment decisions that it makes on transport, fleet procurement, waste management, buildings, and energy use. . . Promote and encourage the conservation and enhancement of natural environments to aid in emissions reduction.”

Wednesday’s agenda includes –

1. Places for People – verbal update – planned workshop has been replaced with drop-ins (Thu17 Sep3–7 Supper Room), which only have the information which is on-line. Should WED put in feedback on these lines (please comment, suggest improvements and say if you think a meeting would help)? This is the last opportunity to have your say, as the next stage should be Communication of the final design to community. What, if anything, should WED do at that stage if the communication and/or design are problematic? Should there have been a vote on whether we wanted a more car dominated CBD (13 extra car parks), or more pedestrianised?
2. Soccer ground drainage “the solution is not affordable at this time and the camp’s project has been deferred indefinitely”.
3. Soundsplash “2020 Soundsplash event was very successful as it complied with all required consent rules . . . no breaches of the permitted noise limits . .. . Traffic management for the 2020 event was a success with Council receiving no complaints . . . There was no damage on Wainui Reserve post the 2020 event.”
4. Long Term Plan – list of RCB priorities include Wi Neera St youth hub (funded from sale of Manukau Rd depot), a civil defence building, Māori signage, Treaty Settlements, charges for boat ramps, bed tax, affordable housing, structure plan, Climate Action (“aim to become self-sufficient in energy”), food forests, no more wastewater to ocean, ‘this is how we do it in Raglan’ video, alternative fields for football (consider the airfield), recreation hub with swimming pool, basketball courts, meeting rooms, route to coast for cycling/walking, ways to reduce parking demand, implement Trails Strategy 2016, community patrols, “community board could manage a Town Development Fund. This could be made up of funds from Harbour Board Leases, boat ramp and parking charges etc.”
5. Wharf Last month’s “report on Raglan Harbour matters will be presented at the 16 September 2020 meeting” is now ‘verbal’.
6. Gilmour St – “These works will be undertaken in September/October.” [this ignores a promise that the residents would be informed and shown the new design]
7. Footpaths – Aerodrome Bridge to footbridge reduced from 3m to substandard for shared use cycleway footpaths, of 2.5m wide. Papahua Camp Board approved path within the camp (no route shown), so all may be built at same time.
8. Alcohol Control Bylaw – submissions to be in by 5 Oct. Ban to be extended to whole RCB area [including Karioi summit] 23 Dec-10 Feb (previously 26 Dec-6 Jan). Raglan is the only area in WDC with an additional summer ban and a large area covered by it. Disorderly behaviour reports down from 96 in 2017 to 60 in 2019.
9. Raglan Naturally – appointment of RCB trustee to RN board.
10. Freedom camping – “improvements to Freedom Camping in Raglan, to be included in RCB October meeting”
11. Cliff Street Jetty – repair likely in September.
12. Plastic Free Raglan – update on activities.
13. RCB 90 Day Plan projects unchanged.
14. Destination Management Organisation AGM minutes – to look at running info centre – support targeted rate.
15. Manu Bay Breakwater – rocks to be removed in September.
16. Whale Bay Parking signs put up.
17. Manu Bay tree planting – report same as in August.
18. Discretionary fund has $10,773. The next funding application closes on 2 Oct.

The RCB agenda misses out items in these agendas –

Infrastructure Committee MON 7 SEPT

• Minor works at wharf due to commence week beginning 24 August to replace fenders and undertake pile repair investigations
• Sports field utilisation study complete which shows that there are adequate sports field available in Raglan. Upgrade of existing assets may be beneficial to allow for maximum use.
• Reserve Car Park Renewals – In planning stage

– Raglan Recreation Reserve car park

– Marine Parade, Raglan – reseal

Strategy & Finance

Satisfaction survey low response rate

6 August LTP workshop on Population Projections and Capacity led by Mark Davey – Support was sought and received on the Population & Household numbers and assumptions that are being used for LTP, 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy and the Activity Management Plans. 

Waters Governance Board – Tuesday, 25 August 2020 (video)

Raglan best of WDC towns, with only 17% of water leaked from mains. For sewage will need to retain harbour diffuser for winter flows and need to go 20km away for suitable soils (see 21.30min & 24min into video).

Other issues missing from the agenda are sewage repairs, footpaths (other than Papahua), Wainui Rd footbridge, Whāingaroa Catchment Management Plan, Coastal Reserves Committee, dog & horse issues, Holiday Park, Affordable Housing, consultation with WDC on extra buses for Whatawhata, James St and Museum bus stops and shelters (the shelter on Main Rd is still missing), 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.