Minutes of Wainuiomata Community Board

2 8 April 2019

Wainuiomata Community Board

Minutes of a meeting held in the Wainuiomata Community Library, Queen Street, Wainuiomata on

Monday 8 April 2019 commencing at 7.00pm

PRESENT:	Mr G Tupou (Chair)
	Cr C Barry	Cr J Briggs
	Ms K Brown
	Ms S Tuala-Le’afa	Ms J Winterburn

APOLOGIES: Mr R Sinnott, Mr T Stallworth

IN ATTENDANCE: Ms J Randall, Committee Advisor

PUBLIC BUSINESS

1. APOLOGIES

Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Ms Tuala-Le'afa) Minute No. WCB 19201

“That the apologies received from Mr Sinnott and Mr Stallworth be accepted and leave of absence be granted.”

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Comments are recorded under the item to which they relate.

Speaking under public comment, Ms L Olsen advised of rubbish and tyres dumped at the top of Antrim Crescent. She added that storm water had brought toxins from the rubbish down into gardens and the local creek. She asked that Council investigate the problem. She asked for signage at the end of the Marae driveway to slow down traffic and create a safer intersection.

The Chair agreed to follow up with officers regarding the issues raised by Ms Olsen.

Resolved: (Cr Barry/Ms Brown) Minute No. WCB 19202

“That the Board requests that officers report back on issues at the Parkway extension.”

Speaking under public comment Mr Gatherer expressed concern about footpath safety in Wainuiomata. He explained footpaths were hazardous for older citizens because of scalloped and sloping footpaths and wheelie bins. He added that work done to replace footpaths was often of inferior standard.

Resolved: (Ms Brown/Cr Briggs) Minute No. WCB 19203

“That the Board asks officers to report back on the safety of the footpaths of the main arterial routes around Parkway, Fitzherbert Road and Moohan Street.”

Speaking under public comment, Ms Innes and Mr Innes advised that a significant area of the forest understorey around Wainuiomata had been destroyed by deer, pigs and goats. They expressed concern that some of the wild pigs were domestic breeds that had been released into the bush. They added that the foraging had allowed weeds to dominate. Mr Innes suggested a bounty system might be a cost effective means of controlling the animals.

In response to questions from members, Mr Innes and Ms Innes confirmed they had invited hunters onto their property but noted animals took a considerable time to catch. Ms Innes said Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) had sent a representative to listen to their concerns but she had since heard that no action was to be taken to address the problem. She confirmed both herself and Mr Innes belonged to the Rural Ratepayers Group but suggested that an independent pest control committee might be needed to deal with the problem.

Cr Briggs agreed to follow up the issue with GWRC.

Speaking under public comment, Ms D Clark advised that GWRC allowed hunters annually into the area of the forest that was once part of the Regional Water Board. She suggested this be extended to give hunters longer to reduce the population of deer.

Cr Briggs agreed to follow up the issue with GWRC.

3. Presentations

Presentation by a Representative from Love Wainuiomata (19/224)

Ms King outlined some of the projects undertaken by Love Wainuiomata (the Group). She explained Council had provided less funding than in previous years with a request that they postponed bigger projects and instead focussed on community engagement. She said the Group was now focussing on activating spaces for the community to use and encouraging community engagement. She said some of the projects undertaken were ‘pop-ups’ and others were longer term but not necessarily permanent.

In response to questions from members, Ms King said the Group would be undertaking projects that trialled simple cost-effective equipment and ideas. She explained that by trialling simple installations and engaging with the community, the Group could advise Council what was wanted in Wainuiomata. She expected the Group would see what worked best in the area and add value to future development. She added the Group hoped to install a pop-up sign on the Wainuiomata Hill and some simple children’s play equipment. She outlined some of their current projects, including engaging with local residents.

In response to a question from a member, Ms King said the Group maintained good communication with Council. She hoped the relationship would bring more significant benefits for the local community and its children in the future.

Presentation on Dog Exercise Areas in Wainuiomata (19/364)

Mr L Dalton, Regional Manager, Animal Services advised Council had purchased an old industrial site at Parkway to create an adventure park (the park) for dogs. He explained the park was linked to the shared pathway over the Wainuiomata Hill. He said Council was working alongside contractors creating the shared pathway so that earthworks and off-cuts from the path could be used to create mounds and build equipment in the park. He noted the site was elevated and would be fenced with double gates for safety. He believed the park would become a regional attraction for dog owners.

Ms C Robilliard, a landscape architect working on the site, considered the park would be a pleasant place for dogs and people and an area for both to socialise. She advised the site would have three entrances, a wetland, plantings, and a number of paths including one through the trees above the site. She added there would be dog agility equipment, seating, dog fountains and information boards. She concluded the park would be divided into three areas to separate large and small dogs.

In response to questions from members, Mr Dalton explained the fencing above the park would not impact native bush but would be an opportunity to improve the ecology of the area by removing blackberry to accommodate a path. He added he expected the park to be opened by early 2020. He said the park would be open to all breeds of dogs. He anticipated the park would have a committee of local dog owners to oversee it and could be used for dog training.

Cr Briggs congratulated Mr Dalton and Ms Robilliard on their work and thanked them for providing a safe place for local residents to exercise their dogs.

MINOR ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA – wainuiomata sportsville

Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Cr Briggs) Minute No. WCB 19204

That in terms of Standing Order 10.13, the Board agrees that a minor matter relating to Wainuiomata Sportsville which was not included on the agenda due to lateness be discussed at this meeting.”

Mr D Head, a representative of Wainuiomata Sportsville (Sportsville), explained the work Sportsville was undertaking with the local community. He advised Sportsville had been allocated $4.8M from Council but it was yet to obtain support and agreement from some sports clubs. He noted the Sportsville concept had support from the baseball community, and there had been interest from indoor sports codes in Wainuiomata. He confirmed the local rugby club had decided not to support the concept. Mr Head noted the revenue approach to sports had moved from a reliance on bar takings to running programmes. He said he was keen to progress Sportsville in Wainuiomata.

In response to questions from members, Mr Head said most residents had indicated they would like an indoor sports facility. He considered it important to develop a plan that was supported by both the community and local clubs. He advised that many sports clubs wanted an area to display their memorabilia and a café area. He said he expected the Sportsville plan would be reviewed to ensure it met the needs of the community. He added he would be meeting with officers from Council’s Leisure Active in the near future.

4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

5. Minutes

Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Ms Winterburn) Minute No. WCB 19205

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Wainuiomata Community Board held on Wednesday, 20 February 2019, be confirmed as a true and correct record.”

6.	Community Engagement Fund 2018-2019 (19/309) Memorandum dated 15 March 2019 by the Community Advisor - Funding and Community Contracts
	Speaking under public comment, Ms S Hutchison, a volunteer at the Remutaka Conservation Trust (the Trust), reported on funding the Trust had received in November 2018 through the Wainuiomata Community Engagement Fund. She advised the Trust had used the funds to encourage community involvement and showcase the park through their Wild Kiwi Family Day. She said approximately 250 people had attended the event in December, and the Trust hoped to make it an annual or biennial occurrence. She added the Trust was considering advertising wider than Facebook and flyer distribution next time so it could better anticipate numbers. The Board discussed the eligibility of Love Wainuiomata’s (the Group) application. Crs Briggs and Barry advised that the Group’s operational budget from Council did not cover their costs. They noted that projects of the kind proposed by the Group would not be possible without additional funding sources. In response to questions from members, Ms King from the Group agreed the flags were not a capital expense in the sense of being a long term asset. She confirmed that if the organisation used Council funding for the flags project it would increase their funding shortfall even further and reduce what they could deliver for Wainuiomata. In response to a question from a member, Cr Briggs advised that any funds not allocated through the Community Engagement Fund would be returned to Council.
	Resolved: (Cr Barry/Ms Winterburn) Minute No. WCB 19206 “That the Board approves the application from Love Wainuiomata from the Community Engagement Fund for the total of $900.00 for the purchase of x10 Wainuiomata Town Centre Community Flags, subject to advice from the Funding officer to ensure it falls within the purview of the Community Engagement Fund.”
	Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Cr Barry) Minute No. WCB 19207 “That the Board: (i) notes that the Community Engagement Fund closed on 4 March 2019 and five applications had been received; (ii) agrees that the applications were considered according to the merits of the application criteria and priorities of the fund; (iii) approves the application from Wainuiomata Tennis Club from the Community Engagement Fund for the total of $1,000 for the purchase of x 5 new nets for their courts; (iv) approves the application from Wainuiomata Little Theatre from the Community Engagement Fund for the total of $2,621.00 for marketing and advertising costs for the production of Mamma Mia in October 2019; (v) approves the application from Te Awakairangi Access Trust from the Community Engagement Fund for the total of $480.00 for hire of a bus to transport people from Wainuiomata to attend the free Symphony in the Hutt event to be held at Walter Nash on Friday 17 May 2019; (vi) declines the application from Youth Inspire from the Community Engagement Fund for the total of $499.00 for the purchase of an office filing cabinet; and (vii) agrees that the organisations granted funding will be required to attend a meeting of the Board once the project has been completed.”
7.	Chair's Report (19/418) Report No. WCB2019/2/38 by the Chair
	The Chair elaborated on the report. He noted that Wainuiomata had generated 160 visitors to Council’s Annual Plan Online Forum. He added that engagement from the Wainuiomata community had exceeded that of other areas in Lower Hutt. In response to a question from a member, the Chair explained that in an earthquake or tsunami emergency, individuals were expected to have enough water stored for seven days. He added Wainuiomata was one of most resourced areas in Lower Hutt with regard to water. He advised there were a number of large water tanks at schools, the medical centre, the marae and reservoirs. He noted there were 75,000 litres of water stored in the Wainuiomata Valley.
	Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Cr Briggs) Minute No. WCB 19208 “That the Board notes the report”.
8.	Committee Advisor's Report (19/362) Report No. WCB2019/2/33 by the Committee Advisor
	Resolved: (Mr Tupou/Ms Winterburn) Minute No. WCB 19209 “That the Board notes the report.”
9.	Whaitua Committee Update The Chair advised the next Whaitua Committee meeting would take place on Thursday 11 April 2019. He added he would provide an update for the Board’s next meeting to be held on 26 June 2019.

10. QUESTIONS

There were no questions.

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.05 pm.

Mr G Tupou

CHAIR

CONFIRMED as a true and correct record

Dated this 26^th day of June 2019