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Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Modern Vision For Masterton Library
Article – Emily Ireland – Local Democracy Reporter A statement from the council said the concept images showcased a modern, light-filled space that blends functionality with inspiration and that the upgrade would enhance the communitys use of the library. The ball is rolling on one of Masterton District Council's key Long-Term Plan projects: a fit-for purpose library. The council has released concept architectural images of its $10.75 million planned library refurbishment and extension, with construction set to begin at the end of the year or early 2026. A statement from the council said the concept images showcased 'a modern, light-filled space that blends functionality with inspiration' and that the upgrade would enhance the community's use of the library. Public consultation on the project was done last year as part of the council's 2024-34 Long-Term Plan. At the time, reports said the current building was no longer fit for purpose and that the current size and layout limited opportunities for the display of materials, places for study, and space for programmes and events. The library building also had a range of maintenance issues that needed to be addressed urgently. These included water damage, leaks in the building, mould in the basement, replacing the roof, heating and cooling system replacement, and improved accessibility at the front entrance to the library. The architectural concept images showed purpose-built areas for community programmes, events, and creative collaboration, and an accessibly layout offering many spaces to learn and connect. The enhanced library would feature a community classroom and lounge, meeting rooms, coffee kiosk, dedicated workroom, and a dynamic open-space office, transforming it from a traditional book repository into a community hub. Contractor procurement was planned to start in September with the project expected to be completed mid-to-late 2027. During the construction period, library services would continue at a temporary location to be confirmed by the council in coming weeks. The council was also collaborating with local iwi to create a facility that celebrated Masterton's cultural identity, including integration of te reo Māori throughout signage and navigation. Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell said the multimillion upgrade represented a major commitment to the district's cultural and educational future. 'The images we're releasing today represent more than just a building upgrade – they show our commitment to creating a vibrant hub with creativity, learning, and community connection at its heart,' Caffell said. 'While we understand the temporary move may require some adjustment for our regular library users, we're confident the end result will exceed expectations. 'This isn't just a library renovation – it's an investment in a vital community space where knowledge is shared, and the community thrives together.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Parent Calls For Better Playground Fencing To Stop ‘Runners'
Article – Torika Tokalau – Local Democracy Reporter The lack of fencing around a destination park in rural south Auckland, where 17,000 cars zoom by each day, has come under fire. After hearing the safety pleas from a local parent and principal, the local board has agreed to fence the whole of Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park. The upgrade of the historic Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park began last October, by Eke Panuku's Unlock Pukekohe High Level Project Plan. Once complete in mid-2025, Te Pae Mahara Roulston Park is expected to feature improved play facilities to cater for a wider age range. However, residents were unhappy that the playground on the corner of one of Pukekohe's busiest intersections, with a traffic volume count of 17,000 vehicles per day, was not going to be completely fenced. Valley School principal Roger Goulstone, speaking at the Franklin Local Board meeting on Tuesday, said barriers or fencing was needed to keep children safe. 'With the busyness there, and attraction of a new facility, it's going to quite a higher traffic area,' Goulstone said. 'With the high amount of families coming, they would like the security of a barrier going at least around the park to stop kids wandering from off … [It's] a very busy intersection.' The park, located at the corner of East St and Stadium Dr, is costing $1.5 million to upgrade. The local board considered three design options – initially going with the first option which included a 900mm-high wired fence at the top of the park, leaving multiple areas of the park with no fencing or gates. Option two included two additional gates with latches, including a sliding gate and a wired fence completely around the park. Resident Sam Ross said she was stoked the park was being upgraded but felt it needed to be safe and inclusive for all users. 'As a mother of two neuro-diverse children, I'm particularly concerned about the safety issue. 'My kids have a tendency to be runners as do a lot of autistic children, they're brilliant climbers so they can easily scale the fence as is.' According to Eke Panuku's overview of the project – the park was bordered by major arterial roadways that were expected to get even busier as Pukekohe grew, its website stated. The local board moved a motion to adopt option two for fencing – supported by five of its nine members. Member Logan Soole said the difference in design options was huge. 'They involve the addition of two more gates and extension of fencing,' Soole said. He said one of the main issues board members debated about was accessibility, and highlighted Auckland's only accessible playground in Weymouth. 'If we choose to retrofit later, it will cost more and the likelihood of that happening is not very high. 'The one thing I don't want to see is us opening this park, and something happens and it undoes all the good work that the Pukekohe Unlock programme has brought for our town.' Member Gary Holmes said they should upgrade the playground once, 'and do it right'.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Is This The Lowest Rates Rise In The Country? Whanganui Council Holds Firm On 2.2 Percent
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter The council is holding firm on an increase of 2.2 District Council is sticking to an average rates increase of 2.2 percent following deliberations on its draft Annual Plan. Mayor Andrew Tripe believes it's the lowest rise in the country for the year ahead. The plan for 2025/26 will go before the council in June to be adopted. Tripe said the council has focused on doing the basics well, investing in core infrastructure, and involving the community in decision-making. The big topics thrashed out by the council in this week's deliberations were creating a standalone housing entity to grow housing stock, adopting a new strategy for Whanganui, changes to fees and charges, and increasing loan repayments. In each case, community feedback aligned with the council's preferred options. On Thursday, the council confirmed it would: Continue to consider a standalone housing entity Consider all submissions and feedback to inform any minor changes ahead of adopting the draft Strategy for Whanganui Proceed with proposed changes to fees and charges for the year ahead Pay off an additional $590,000 of debt. Operational budget changes have also been made since the council opened its draft Annual Plan 2025/26 for consultation. This includes water levies set by water services authority Taumata Arowai to recover the cost of regulatory functions. These levies will take effect from 1 July, 2025 and are expected to cost around $16 per household. Tripe said it was 'incredibly frustrating' to receive news of the levies just as the council was about to adopt its budgets for the year ahead. 'It is yet another example of central government shifting costs to local councils and communities – when it should be administered and funded at a national level.' These levies, along with proposed Commerce Commission levies, would be incorporated into the Annual Plan budget for 2025/26 and would affect three waters rates for connected households. To ensure full transparency, the levies would be identified on rates notices. However, they would not increase overall rates due to additional income from other council revenue streams. The Annual Plan will be adopted on 26 June, with the plan taking effect from 1 July.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Hurunui Environmental Projects Receive Funding Boost
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Six environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost from Environment Canterbury's Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget. Six North Canterbury environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost. The Hurunui District Council gave its support to funding totalling $50,000 from Environment Canterbury's (ECan) Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget, at a council meeting on Tuesday, May 27. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said she was impressed with the ''grassroots regeneration activity'' happening in the district. ''I felt quite excited when I read the report,'' she said The funding is usually allocated by the local zone committee, but the Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee was disbanded in 2019. In the absence of a zone committee, ECan staff considered eight applications totalling $143,549 and sought feedback from the council and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. A weed control project on the Conway River, to stop the spread of purple willow (Salix purpurea) and false tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), has been allocated $9000. The project will be led by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd, the business arm of the rūnanga, which provides employment opportunities for local youth. The Hurunui District Landcare Group applied for $50,000, but has been allocated $9605 to continue work implementing a catchment plan for Countess Stream, a subsidiary of the Waiau Uwha River. Funding of $10,000 has been allocated to continue a project to fence off waterways and complete riparian planting at Mt Palm, a 1918ha hill country property in the Amuri Basin. The Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group Nga Manu o Conway has been allocated $8625 to support ongoing work to protect native bush. Northern Pegasus Bay (Hurunui) Coastcare Inc applied for $29,914 and has been allocated $10,870 to support the protection of wetlands at Ashworths Beach, and protect bird nesting areas in the lagoons / estuaries of the Kowai and Waipara rivers. The remaining $1900 has been allocated to stage one of a $10,000 restoration project at Woolshed Creek. ECan land management and biodiversity advisor Andrew Turnbull said staff will work with the two unsuccessful applicants to explore other funding options. Those projects include the restoration of Moelean Swamp, in the Blythe River catchment, and efforts to protect the Spey Stream wetland. The remaining zone committees, which were established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), are due to be disestablished next month. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's 10 mayors and ECan, is due to meet on Friday, May 30, to decide on the future leadership under the CWMS. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Gisborne Council Awarded $51k From Forestry Company In Environment Court Decision
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Environmentalists call for stronger regulations to prevent similar issues. Gisborne District Council has recovered half of just over $100,000 spent on what its legal representative described as 'avoidable' legal costs in an Environment Court decision against a Chinese-owned forestry company. The case followed several recent enforcement actions taken by the council across several forests, including Kanuka, West Ho, Te Marunga, and Wakaroa, which the council says have resulted in forestry operators reducing risks and improving compliance. Environmentalists said they were pleased with the legal outcome but believe these issues should be addressed through stronger regulations. The council spent $101,175 on legal and expert witness costs associated with a four-day hearing in July last year. The hearing concerned enforcement orders related to woody debris and sediment migrating from commercial forestry activity in the Kanuka Forest in the Upper Waimata River catchment. According to the court decision, the council argued that the conduct of the forestry groups, China Forestry Group (CFG), and management company Wood Marketing Services (WMS), 'unnecessarily lengthened' the hearings process through conduct before and during the hearings, which included the NZ-based director of China Forestry Group NZ, Mr Yuxia Sun, resigning 10 days before the hearing. The council submitted that the respondents provided 'arguments without substance and technical or unmeritorious points which failed', which caused the council to incur more 'avoidable legal costs' drafting submissions in response. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, council's resource management compliance manager, Gary McKenzie, said the council had a responsibility to uphold environmental standards and protect public welfare as a regulatory authority. 'While some costs can be recovered through the courts, full cost recovery is not always possible. Like other regulatory agencies, we rely on public funding to fulfil these statutory obligations,' McKenzie said. He confirmed the costs awarded by the court had been paid to the council by the respondents. 'The council will continue to monitor forestry activity across the region and, where necessary, pursue legal action where environmental risks are not adequately managed.' During a council meeting last year, council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said about forestry prosecutions that for every $1 million spent on legal and investigation fees, 'you may get $250,000 back'. The environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT), served as a third respondent to the case, with Alanya Limmer, a King's Counsel from Uawa, working pro bono. Spokesman Manu Caddie said it was a poor way to manage environmental issues and not fair to ratepayers, as it took council resources, including staff time away from other priorities. 'A small community group like ours could never afford to go up against these multinational companies like China Forestry Group if it wasn't for Alanya's generosity,' Caddie said. He said it was the fifth enforcement order application against forestry companies, four of which have been successful and one of which was awaiting an outcome. 'This is an incredibly costly and ineffective way of trying to reduce risk in catchments across Tairāwhiti and should instead be dealt with through stronger regulations.' The lawyers of China Forestry Group and Wood Marketing Services said the organisations did not wish to comment. The court decision, made on April 28, enforced China Forestry Group NZ, its NZ director at the time, Mr Yuxia Sun (who has since resigned), and management company Wood Marketing Services to pay the council $51,000 and MTT $8500. The council sought various enforcement order applications on September 8, 2023, which were granted nearly a year later on August 9, 2024 However, 'the issue of costs was reserved', with the court granting leave for the council and MTT to apply for costs. The council sought half of its expenses incurred in its application, which the court rounded up to $51,000. The $51,000 will be split, $38,250 for China Forestry Group NZ and Sun, and $12,750 for Wood Marketing Services. MTT's $8500 will be split, $6000 for China Forestry Group and Sun and $2500 for Wood Marketing Services. The court found that the respondents contributed to the length of the case management process and the hearing, with 'WMS's contribution to the length of the process less than CFG in terms of the way it conducted itself at the hearing. Further, it complied with Court directions'.
