Summary
of
2009 – 2019 Whangarei District
Council - Long Term Council Community
Plan
The
W.D.C. LTCCP submission hearing process was held in May from Monday 25th till
Thursday 28th inclusive. The full four days were necessary to hear the 163
submitters wishing to speak to their submissions.
Monday
morning and the rules were explained but going by the next three days it was
obvious the rules were not to be adhered to.
During the course of the four day submission process it was most interesting
to see that the ‘rules’ as described on both, the Whangarei District Council
website and in the pamphlet supplied to submitters “At
the conclusion of your 10 minute address Councilors may ask you questions” and “There
is no debate or discussion at a hearing”, were indeed not obeyed on many
occasions. Statements were made, some in fact very confrontational, were made
not only by the chair persons of the proceedings but also regularly by a small
number of councilors. The majority of councilors were either very quiet,
leaving it to their peers, or asked questions in accordance with correct
procedure.
Morning
break, Monday, we were fortunate to be invited for a cuppa, but as has been
reported in the papers since that offer was a once only and public were not
invited to participate for refreshments again over the four days. The coffee at
McDonalds, Robert Harris and the library had the sweet taste of enjoyment, so
the lack of hospitality, we experienced, had its advantage.
Another couple of examples that were not seen over the
total 4 days were the presence of activists. Previously the Save Our Harbour
group had been tarnished on occasions with being a group of ‘activists’ or
those having ‘hidden agendas’. We failed to witness any of these so maybe those
previous accusations are totally unsubstantiated.
On
to the more positive and that was indeed the quality of the submissions. The
chamber was filled with enthusiasm, not seen as often there as should be, as
submitter after submitter aired their sentiments in the council chamber. The
many varied submissions were presented to the ever cautious councilors, some poised
to pounce on those whose opinions were definitely not made in their interests.
Ideas
for safe cycle ways and footpaths to link the city together were many and
varied with suggestions to tap into the funds offered for the project by
central government. It was apparent it was not just ‘Greenies’ asking for these
considerations. Recreational bike tracks were also a topic proposed by a number
of submitters.
The
Hatea River and Town Basin are both the jewels in the crown for Whangarei. The
financial importance to the town by providing good access to the many visiting
sailors from abroad, wishing to spend the much valued dollars in our community,
reaping in the benefits and expertise of our marine industry, which results in the
financial reward for our town.
How
to cross the Hatea River had many comments. Many were against a second harbour
crossing, at the present time, until debt and essential basic infrastructure
was first fixed. One presentation of a loch system had much merit and the
enthusiastic presentation on day two had many smiling.
The Events Centre still
has an air of discontent with many. How some of the sports codes were now being
treated, after construction had started to the rugby stadium, received much
criticism, as the involvement of these groups was instrumental to its initial
approval. People appear to be still festering over the way things have been
done on this project. Some of these other sports groups need to join in with
others to ensure the provision of venues is made more affordable with careful
planning to enable summer and winter sports being able to possibly share
facilities.
Tourism
and the importance to capture the many, who transit our town, was at the hearts
of many submitters as the dollars earned from their visits can enhance the
community. The business community had ideas on a commercial rating differential
and the building of a healthy economy by encouraging incentives to the
community and businesses. Some believed that council managed projects needed
better control to captivate better income for the well being of the whole
community.
The
entire LTCCP process was taken to task by one submitter and his lavish presentation
allowed him to return, totally unchallenged, to his seat in the public gallery,
whilst another asked the Mayor if he had been put to sleep by his submission.
Another stated the ticking of boxes was not adequate as ratepayers would go for
the cheapest option and there were double standards and nonsense statistics
coming out of this council. A comment on
a submission below the option section which they had crossed out was “I can
think for myself” is just another example of the feelings of some in our
town. It is great to see people
expressing their own opinions.
The
museums and arts sector in our district are all begging to retain the
assistance previously granted or for even a betterment of such grants to help
preserve our history. An old quote of ‘how do you know where you are going if
you don’t know where you come from’ highlighted the importance of our museums
and the safe keeping of our heritage. One
submitter compared the funding of the Otago Museum with Whangarei, suggesting
the loss of our curator to Dunedin and the swapping of mayors to enhance our
museum funding as Mayor Peter Chin had raised
$35million for the museum. Mayor Semenoff quoted ‘he did not believe the china man
could have done any better than he had’.
“Claphams
clocks” was discussed by a number of submitters. Hopefully when we have refreshments
e.g. a café at the Whangarei museum in Maunu, we will
have an increase of tourist traffic, increasing the interest of this
magnificent venue while not just using Whangarei as a comfort stop. Congratulations
must go to Waipu Museum that we all learned, had captured a 3rd in New Zealand
award.
The
‘Save Our Harbour’ group had instigated many submissions. The presentations of
some of these were emotional to say the least. The expired resource consent had
not been adhered to by the Whangarei District Council despite years of
consultation and little action. While it was touching as one sung a Maori hymn,
it was superb to see a small number of councilors and senior staff and most of
the public gallery rise to their feet in the chamber to support the sentiments
of the submitting group. These people know who they are, as we do, so bouquets
to you as indeed you have earned our respect. Some sat with heads hung and
possibly ashamed, as they should be, through their lack of action in this issue
and the health of the harbour that has suffered.
The
presence of young children reading their submissions in regards to our harbour
and environment brought an air of concern from the mouths of the innocent to
have some listeners becoming prone to a little emotion.
Many
groups had Treaty of Waitangi issues that needed to be fully respected and not
to be ignored. The culture of our citizens needs to be and must be respected.
The
Ngunguru Sandspit and its long term protection are still high on the agenda of
many in the wider community. The protection of some of our heritage and pa
sites was relayed to council. Our cemeteries, new ones in growing areas, were also
a contentious issue to some.
Global
warming, its effect on the protection of our shorelines and GE were brought to
the chamber by people who had researched these issues. Developments must follow
a cautious approach and concerns for our sea and land must be taken seriously.
The
dust nuisance, safety factors and general annoyance factor was the initiative
behind many submitters placing the sealing of some roads as actions required by
council.
You
won’t believe it but one person was still having sewage problems since
originally complaining in 1988, with little action from council, since then
after numerous complaints. Her presentation was certainly well justified and I
felt councilors had to understand her terminology as her patience had run out.
Rubbish
Disposal and its effects had many varied comments and it appears there needs to
be more discussion before plans can be set in concrete for this item.
The
health and well being of our community were the concerns of many in the health
organizations. Projects for non smoking, exercise, aged and disability sector
issues were of the utmost importance. Wishing for concessions, to help those on
fixed and low incomes, preventing the fear of being in poverty or homeless by
some were presented to council.
Some
of our tourist areas had nothing at all to go on, so public toilets and
changing facilities certainly need to be addressed to cater for the needs of
locals and visitors to avoid the needs to go in our bushes. Parking and traffic
issues are also on the minds of many. Let’s
be realistic if we want people to visit our shores and visit our town these
amenities must be readily available. Better signage appeared to be a top
priority for many with business, or facility interests. The bus services would
improve with more seats and shelters at bus stops as the passengers need these
additional services to make them more attractive.
Animal
welfare was of a concern, as the districts pound has had the administration area
upgraded, the dog care areas appear to have been overlooked in its planning and
are a big concern. Surely authorities need to be held accountable to such Acts
as set down by central government. We are watching this with interest. Some
felt that council should ban Rodeo in their district as other councils have
done, others want more done to protect our endangered species, kiwi etc.
In
my opinion the major points that were portrayed to Council during the process were;
‘Dialogue
Costs Nothing’ and ‘Nothing about us - without us’, especially when planning
the future, with safety and security in mind, to cater for the many needy in
our community. The simple statement ‘Dialogue Costs Nothing’ echoed from a
number of submissions so let us hope it is taken on board. The art of listening
to the community rather than having the ‘we know it all’ approach to the future
of our town was another issue. A question made to an ex-councilor which
produced comments of ‘lack of transparency’ and ‘council are referred to as a
secret society’ created a pregnant silence in the chamber and the embarrassed
sheepish look from the questioner, of perhaps I shouldn’t have asked that one.
The
ongoing funding of the many sports groups, organizations and social agencies is
of utmost importance to their survival in these becoming tough economic times.
The
protection of our harbour and waterways from the pollution of raw untreated
sewage and the necessity to prioritize the spending of money on basic
infrastructure or core business projects before the plans of grandeur, muted by
many in council, are implemented. ‘Do it once, do it right, do it now’ was the
inference to our sewage and other basic infrastructure issues. There needs to be better and more stringent
monitoring and controls of the water quality in our harbor and its tributaries.
The harbour has many qualities, it is a life source, it is a place for some to worship,
a source of business for many, others a place for healing, as a food source and
for some an area of cultural significance. All have their place and must be
respected. The numbers of spills were well beyond being accidental, with 10 so
far this year, being totally unacceptable. Infiltration of storm water has been
discussed for many years as a major player in the sewerage system inherent
failures but it appears there needs to be more action rather than more
consultants as the answers have been provided in the past with little or no
action and results. Because you can’t see a sewerage system or really unveil a
nice plaque on it doesn’t mean it is insignificant. The problems are a community
responsibility and the community has had its say on this and many other issues.
Many
of the staff at council were complimented, them being experienced, helpful and
courteous to the ratepayers. There were a couple of exceptions, only to be
expected in a large organization, but by far the culture of the majority was
superb and has been recognized by many.
It
was possibly a little unfortunate that the mayor may have overlooked the
hearings procedure, having bookings for other engagements conflicting with the
LTCCP process hearing times. He was only able to be there for 30% of the
hearing. Listening to the people who elected you, one would have thought, was a
fairly important part of the job. Councilor Sutherland chaired for about 50 %,
with Councilor Halse the remaining 20% and his fine closing of the process on
Thursday complimenting the staff and councilors on their fine efforts and
thanks of support to those still in the public gallery.
We
can now, only wait eagerly, to view the changes made to the draft copy of the
2009 – 2019 Whangarei
District Council - Long Term Council Community Plan and sincerely hope the ink
was not already dry and the copy had gone to the printers beforehand.
Warren Slater
Maunu