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The Engagement
Contractor elaborated on the process to date.
Mayor Wallace reminded members that
Council had agreed to the process in December 2018 as there were no proposed
changes to the Long Term Plan (LTP) and this year represented year two of the
three year LTP.
In response to a question from a member,
the Engagement Contrator supported the changed process. She added that
next time the architecture of the online site should be more carefully
devised and there should be more work with the members prior to the
launch. She fully endorsed the process and would support it being used
again.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms P Hanna, Chair, Ms K Yung and Mr B Dyer representing the
Petone Community Board elaborated on the Petone Library site and future
planning, environmental issues, The Esplanade, traffic and parking and
further pointers for the future.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms K Brown elaborated on the homelessness situation.
She explained she was passionate about the issue and worked for the children
caught up in the problem. She commended Council on its work to date and
urged continual investigation of all available data, including statistics
involving children.
In response to a question from a member,
Ms Brown explained there was not one solution to the issue but a series of
responses from local to central government.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Apps and Ms Philp, representing the Citizens Advice
Bureau (CAB) Lower Hutt, expressed concern at the requirement for the CAB
to apply for contestable community funds. They requested CAB continue
to be assessed under the Annual Plan funding. Mr Apps described the
many sectors of the community CAB supported highlighting that they did not
deal with just elderly or youth, but with all. He added CAB was the
only organisation to “tick all the boxes” when assessing
accessibility, depth and quality of services, confidentiality, independence
and empowerment of people. Mr Apps advised CAB was facing an uncertain
future if Council did not support CAB. He noted that CAB was working to
reduce costs including negotiating with the War Memorial Library for a
permanent space.
In response to a question from a member,
Mr Apps explained the uncertainty CAB faced as there were no guarantees it would
receive any funding from the contestable funds round. He further
explained CAB appeared to meet most of the criteria (collaborative, well
managed, strong Board, good governance, innovative approach and community
ownership). He added officers had been neutral in their responses and
had offered assistance with making applications to other funding sources.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms Allan, representing the Petone Historical Society,
elaborated on the future of the Petone Wharf and Petone Library site,
requesting full public consultation for the Petone Library site’s
future. She concluded most respondents to the survey were not opposed
to development. They had requested the Petone Library retain its
community function and the open nature of the site and to ensure the trees were
not lost. She added the design and scale of the redevelopment of the
site was important, and requested the current proposal be put on hold until
full consultation had been undertaken. Ms Allan requested clarification
of the extent of the Petone Wharf refurbishment, explaining the Petone Historical
Society supported full restoration of the Petone Wharf.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr A Bentley, representing the Petone Historical Society (‘the
Society’) requested the little blue shed be reinstated on the
wharf. He invited members to the Society’s Annual General Meeting
tonight and the launch of the book commmorating Mr Roy Hewson.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms Coleman, President, representing the Maungaraki Community
Association stressed the need for improved roading in the hills,
particularly due to increasing population growth and traffic congestion on
the valley floor. Ms Coleman further requested the Maungaraki Shopping
Centre be included in the Suburban Shopping Centre upgrade programme and that
urgent health and safety work be undertaken on the driveway entrance to
Maungaraki School. She also requested drainage work be completed on the
Dowse Drive Reserve to ensure year round use.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms Coleman, Chair, representing the Western Community Panel,
congratulated Council on the changed approach with the on-line forum.
She stated that this encouraged youth to respond. Ms Coleman reiterated
her earlier comments regarding upgrading of the hill roads.
In response to a question from a member,
Ms Coleman described the accessway to the school. Cr Cousins added that
the steel handrail separating pedestrians and vehicles was not fit for
purpose.
In response to questions from members, Ms
Coleman confirmed the school zone had been extended, the school roll was
quickly growing and that there was confusion concerning ownership of the
accessway.
Cr Lewis left the meeting at 12.10pm.
Mayor Wallace left the meeting at 12.10pm
and Deputy Mayor Bassett assumed the chair.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Kowalczyk, Mr Page and Mr Hughes, representing the Hutt
City Emergency Response Team (‘the team) sought confirmed
funding from Council. The funding was made up of $80,000 per annum to
meet the team’s ongoing operational costs, $66,000 per annum as an
annual grant to cover equipping and training the professional team of
responders, maintaining the new facility and vehicles and insurance cover.
Cr Lewis rejoined
the meeting at 12.13pm.
Cr Barry left the
meeting at 12.14pm.
In response to a question from a member
regarding cost benefits, the team explained there were significant benefits
to the team purchasing equipment as they had local contacts and knowledge of
the resources of neighbouring organisations.
Cr Barry rejoined the meeting at 12.17pm.
In response to a question from a member
concerning Wellington Water Ltd, the team advised they were not in contact
with Wellington Water Ltd and advised they would follow up with them.
In response to a question from a member
regarding the success of applications to other sources for funds, the team
advised they had been very successful for example three 4 wheel drive
vehicles had been donated by the NZ Defence Force, rescue rope equipment had
been donated as part of a pub charity and Fund the Hood through Z service
stations provided cash.
Mayor Wallace rejoined the meeting at
12.25pm and assumed the chair.
Deputy Mayor
Bassett left the meeting at 12.26pm.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Diver, representing the Delaney Park Sports Association,
Stokes Valley Football Club Inc and Stokes Valley Cricket Club Inc
elaborated on replacement of the water cylinders and electrical board, the
driveway and drainage, security camera and bins. He explained the
organisations were happy to collaborate with Council to undertake the works
required by providing labour and specialists and jointly meeting the costs.
Deputy Mayor Bassett rejoined the meeting
at 12.30pm.
Cr Bridson left the meeting at 12.30pm.
In response to a question from a member,
Mr Diver confirmed officers were aware of the cyclinder, driveway and
drainage issues.
In response to a question from a member
concerning the ownership of the buildings, Mr Diver confirmed Council owned
the land and the organisations owned most of the buildings although Council did
own a portion of one.
Cr McDonald left
the meeting at 12.37pm.
Cr Bridson rejoined
the meeting at 12.37pm.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr B Pitman, Principal, and Mr Cross, representing Wellesley
College, Eastbourne requested Council assistance to redevelop Williams
Park to provide all new turfed courts with fencing. Mr Cross provided
background information to the co-funding request, and confirmed the same
partnership with Council was proposed as was existing (the school would have
exclusive use of the turfs during school hours and the community could use
them at all other times). He added low level lighting may be added at a
later time. Mr Pitman explained the turf would be multipurpose to allow
for tennis, hockey, basketball, soccer and rugby to be played, opening the
turf to wider usage.
In response to questions from members, Mr
Cross confirmed the quotes received would run out shortly and they included
the cost of fencing. He added the turf was expected to last 10 years.
In response to a question from a member,
Mr Cross advised the usage of the turfs would be managed by a centralised
booking system, and that mobile tennis nets would be installed.
Cr McDonald
rejoined the meeting at 12.53pm.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Hall, representing Great Harbour Way Trust
highlighted the recent NZTA decision to fund the Petone to Ngauranga (P2N)
cycleway, and the $8M shortfall in Council’s LTP for the Eastern Bays
Pathway (EPB).
Mayor Wallace confirmed Council’s
commitment to the EPB and advised members of an upcoming workshop for
cycleway funding.
In response to a question from a member,
Mr Hall confirmed the 2024 P2N completion date. He added the immediate
positive impact this would have on Petone, opening up the area to more visitors
and associated businesses eg e-bike and scooter hire, food carts etc.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Ms V Horrocks Chair and Mr M Gibbons, representing the
Eastbourne Community Board, expressed concern with the Williams Park
proposal, explaining no residents had yet been consulted. Ms Horrocks
stated support for the P2N and Eastern Bays cycleways. Mr Gibbons
explained the proposed Eastbourne Heritage Trail project to refurbish the
courtyard area between the RSA and the Community Centre. He added that
officer input had created a practical design for the space, which was not
currently lit at night.
In response to a question from a member,
Mr Gibbons agreed other sources of funding may be available for the project,
including Lotteries and the Lion Foundation. He agreed a partnership
operation with Council would be acceptable.
Cr Barry left the
meeting at 1.10pm.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Bicknell, representing the Wellington Bluegrass Society
explained the unique meeting room in the current Petone Library building and
requested the building be retained. He added the Petone venue regularly
hosted international Bluegrass acts and expressed concern at the lack of
public consultation on the possible future of the building. He
requested any future plans recognise the heritage values of the area.
Mayor Wallace explained numbers of
submissions concerning the Petone Library building were not yet available and
asked officers to circulate Mr Bicknell’s information to members.
He explained the proposal for the building was being instigated by Urban Plus
Ltd, and that no design decisions had yet been made. He acknowledged
the concerns regarding consultation.
Cr Barry rejoined the meeting 1.25pm.
Cr Briggs noted that Urban Plus Ltd was
100% owned by Council.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Z McCormick questioned Council funding processes and
asked for details concerning the support Council provided for sports
clubs. He expressed concern at the forcing of sports clubs to join
together into sportsvilles and that now those clubs who were not part of a
sportsville could apply for funding for their own buildings. He
requested a Regional Sports Plan be developed, and advised there were many
examples of successful sports clubs (who had sound financial
management). He gave several examples of the inequalities in funding he
believed was happening and stated that nationally, the sportsville concept
was not working. He expressed frustration at the redesigned changing
rooms at Te Whiti Park, explaining they were now a dangerous area for
children due to lack of sightlines. He questioned why the Petone
Cricket Club was not included in the proposed new grandstand plans.
Cr Briggs asked
for a report covering off Mr McCormick’s concerns.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’ Mr M Young expressed concern at the lack of disabled access
to the War Memorial Library. He requested urgent pedestrian
safety work commence in Te Puni Street, Petone. He supported all
suggestions to improve cycle access throughout the city and requested an
integrated Transport Plan be implemented. He cautioned that unless
changes occurred today, the city would not meets its carbon zero 2050 target.
Cr Barratt encourage Mr Young to attend
the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Subcommittee meetings.
Speaking under ‘have your
say’, Mr Vinnie Tamihere expressed concern with the projected budget
blowouts and the handouts to only some sports clubs noting that Randwick
Rubgy League still operated with container changing rooms. He expressed
support for the reinstatement of the Naenae Pool. He requested additional
housing on the Eastern Hills.
Members requested officers to investigate
the land on the Eastern Hills for possible housing development noting there
were concerns of instability of the steep ground.
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