blog

Not our Costs Please

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:50:00 +1300

While the year has not started so well with criminal events like the former hospital arson and hold-up at NZ Post, I remain positive for CHB and Council 2010.

Over the years it has been tremendously sad to see a grand building like the old hospital become slowly more dilapidated and a safety risk to the community. The building and site is privately owned and these issues are usually seen as ‘outside’ Council – however safety for the community is paramount, and Council’s involvement in managing the risk from this building became even more apparent with the major arson event on 25 January.

Of immediate concern was any harmful effect of unstable asbestos in the former hospital buildings. So far, tests have shown no contamination off-site which is a relief for all involved.

Council is currently working to enact their responsibilities under the Building Act and Environmental Act and has been working with the Auckland owner as well as various services such as the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Fire Service, Department of Labour, CHB Demolition and Capital Environmental Services to resolve a way forward.

The flow on effects of this senseless act of arson created a lot of hard work and left a greater unsightly mess. We have written to the former property owners – the Ministry of Health – expressing our concerns about the remaining buildings and assessing any risk to the community. We as a Council do not believe our ratepayers should be responsible for any associated costs.

Ideally the owner will take full responsibility and manage the site or sell to someone who will.

Waipawa Celebrates 150 years

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:05:00 +1300

What an honour it is to be a part of local history as Waipawa turns 150 years old in 2010. I’m sure if our town fathers could see Waipawa today, they would be very pleased and proud of how far their beloved community has progressed.

As we commemorate such a wonderful milestone, I would like to personally acknowledge all the citizens living in Waipawa – young and old – as well as past residents, relatives, whanau, dignitaries, neighbouring towns, ex-councillors and Mayors and many many friends and visitors who have helped to make Waipawa what it is today. I hope you will all be joining in the celebrations on the 13 February 2010 and the other activities over the coming months.

As the first inland town in Hawkes Bay, Waipawa has even from its earliest days taken a leading part in the history of the province. The early settlement of Waipawa was indeed a heroic venture for those early pioneers. Fredrick Sedgwick Abbott was granted a grazing licence for a large tract of land with its southern boundary the Waipawa River. The year was 1853. In 1857, T.H. Fitzgerald opened the first store and the following year he had built “The Pines” – the oldest house in Waipawa which is still standing. William Rathbone arrived in Waipawa in 1859 and the following year began business as a General merchant. He was appointed postmaster as well as registrar of Births deaths and Marriages.(1)

New Zealand in the 1850’s and 1860’s was only ten years on from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. By signing the Treaty, Maori and Pakeha had signalled willingness by both cultures to live and grow together in Aotearoa as one nation. Later, that relationship would be fraught with difficulty – but it was during this early phase of national cooperation that F.S. Abbott purchased sixty acres of land from the crown on the banks of the Waipawa River for forty pounds. It was on this land he laid out his township of Abotts-Ford – so named because people travelling south always crossed the river at Abbott’s ford.

On February 20th 1860 Abbott submitted to public auction “the Township of Abbottsford.” He also donated land for an Anglican Church, Cemetery, School and Domain Reserve. The Government purchased land for a court house and District survey office. Within a very short time the township could boast four hotels and five stores. Abbottsford began to grow and prosper, a pioneering township with a great heart was born. During the 1870’s the town reverted to its original pretty name of Waipawa.

As early as 1876, the seeds of local government were sown when Waipawa became a county in its own right – covering over 2000 square miles from the Manawatu Gorge to Pukehou. Citizens formed several Road Boards which became the beginnings of the main Waipawa Town Board. According to local historian Margaret Gray, the first Town Board members “gave much to Waipawa and it seems fitting that they are remembered by their names, perpetuated in the streets of the bush area.” (2) Many of you will recognise those names: Messrs Edward Bibby, James Bennett, Francis Shanly, Duncan Guy, and Stephen McGreevy. Soon after in 1907, the first Waipawa Borough Council was elected with eight Council members and the first Mayor of Waipawa, W I Limbrick. One of the first tasks of the new Council was to purchase the Oddfellows Hall and property in Kenilworth Street, which eventually became the Council Chambers and new Town Hall and Municipal Theatre.

And the rest, as they say, is history. As we reflect on those humble beginnings 150 years ago, and the many achievements in between, we soon turn our attention to the strong and caring town that Waipawa has become; built by and for the people.

As the 25th Mayor of Waipawa and wider Central Hawke’s Bay, I can only thank Waipawa’s founding fathers and mothers, past and present citizens, neighbours, families and friends once again, and ask our community to support each other and continue to keep Waipawa as positive and progressive over the next 150 years – and beyond.

Trish Giddens
Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay

(1-2 Historic references are from the book “Abbott’s Ford – A History of Waipawa” by Margaret A Gray, 1989)

The Year in Review

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:41:00 +1300

Another year gone by and with reflection comes appreciation of the privilege and opportunities afforded as Mayor of our District.

Although the recession and effects of yet another year of drought were felt (and continue to be felt), for the year in review we have much to appreciate and look forward to. The Rate Review was a large undertaking and the Waipukurau Fluoridation Debate a contentious issue. As democracy goes, the results did not please all.

Positive impacts during the year include the Liquor Bans, the Playground upgrades, the establishment of Inspire – the CHB Youth Council and very few complaints/concerns which were predominantly suitably resolved. The community has been outstanding with Community gardens being established in Waipukurau and Waipawa and progress of a Community Marae and the Green Kiwi Trust.

Disappointments of 2009 (although not directly Council issues) are the unsightly state of the old Public hospital and the unresolved access to Parimahu Point, Blackhead. Hopefully these will both be resolved in 2010.

Generally 2009 has been a good year and we look forward to progress towards our wastewater upgrades and water storage programmes, completed refurbishment of the Waipawa Library, upgrade of the Municipal Theatre, 150 year celebrations of Waipawa and amalgamation deliberations.

On behalf of the District Council my Christmas Blessings and good wishes to all for the New Year and a large thank you to all our supportive contributors.

I look forward to working for you in 2010.

Trish Giddens
MAYOR

Worthwhile Meetings

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:25:00 +1300

A group of 16 Councils from Wairoa across to Taranaki and down to the Manawatu are called Zone 3 and meet 6 monthly. The usual agenda covers current issues, presentations from relative Agencies, an update by the President of Local Government, a tour of the district hosting the meeting, a meal shared, and the opportunity for each Mayor to give a 5 minute delivery of how each respective Council is faring.

Here is a summary of the latest Zone 3 meeting held in Hawera:

•   Voluntary amalgamation of rural fire services is to be encouraged
•   Energy Efficiency and the Conservation Authority is persuading Councils to be involved in the government’s insulation and heating retrofit programme and other energy efficiency measures
•   The NZ Utilities Advisory Group addressed us about the Infrastructure Bill currently before Parliament and emphasised the positives
•   The Education Review Office spoke about their role and offered to share information which would be useful to help local authorities partner with schools
•   Civic Assurance and Riskpool - update on current activities and future insurance costs for Councils.

So during this sojourn to Hawera and collegial networking, we’ve heard beneficial information about how to benefit our community, and also how this information reflects Central Government’s continued movements to gain efficiencies across all services. We gain much by sharing current key issues but also by viewing projects in place and how they are to be enhanced e.g. the Tawhiti Museum, and also by seeing new projects such as Hawera’s new $23 million Sports Stadium.

A well worthwhile meeting!

More than rates, rubbish, and rats.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:09:00 +1300

What has become more evident in my position as Mayor is the work and support undertaken by Council for no other reason than for the public good.

Council supports many community organisations that are providing great services largely on a voluntary and not for profit basis. Our help may be easy and only require a meeting address or a letter of support to prospective funders, but this support is essential to the credibility of these organisations and shows we are working together as a community.

Council also supports the community as a whole to address and resolve issues in which it does not necessarily have a direct responsibility. The old hospital is one such case and although it is in private ownership, we are communicating with the owner, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Occupational Safety and Health in an attempt to make the buildings and site safe and less of an eyesore. Of course ideally we would like to see this site developed for the greater good. Another community project is the new Community Marae, where Council has offered to support the process and oversee finances and fundraising – without directly running the project.

This we undertake without a direct impact on the rate payer. By helping the community in any way we can (and without any impact on rates), we as Council acknowledge the voice of our citizens that our community is certainly more than rates, rubbish, and rats.

Trish Giddens
Mayor

Part of a Greater Council

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:56:00 +1200

Speaking previously of the research which indicates amalgamation of local government authorities has not necessarily saved money but produced a higher quality of output, I now believe both must be achievable albeit with slight financial efficiencies.
After all how can the prospect of one district plan, one rate demand and collection system, employment contracts with one maybe two authorities not save some costs.

I have said and do believe it is still inevitable that in some form we will within the couple of years (and if so, hopefully voluntarily) look to become part of a greater council.

Irrespective of the most approved option by the community in an attempt to achieve good representation I believe as proposals are put forward it is imperative we are in on the ground floor and the initial discussions.

Rates - Value for Money

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:24:00 +1200

The mood lightened today at conference when the Hon John Carter, Associate Minister of Local Government , engendered some confidence and hope with the occasion injection of humour into local politics. Why - there is now no plan to cap rates, there is a review underway of the Building and Resource Management Acts to cut red tape and reduce the cost of compliance, a moritorium on the Drinking Water Standards for 3 years to allow further investigation, a review of the auditing timelines and associated costs. A review of the Local government Act 2002 is looking to simplify the LTCCP and annual accounts, consider councils publishing a pre-election fiscal update and strategy, have plain english financial disclosures, review community outcomes process and more. All this is from our Government whose representatives including our Prime Minister reiterated throughout their speeches their committment to eliminate what holds NZ back and ensure ratepayers receive value for Money. I with the majority was heartened by these favourable proposed changes as all ratepayers will be. So now we are informed of why things had to change, what is to change and how these will benefit us all. I agree the government has been listening and with the significant inroads into political thinking over the past six months, we received a good positive wrap up to a good conference.

Local Government Conference

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:35:00 +1200

Today Minister Rodney Hide has addressed some 600 attendees here in Christchurch at the Local Government NZ conference with a message of ''Is what we doing going to make the boat go faster''. i.e. Improve our economic performance. If not - then that is what is wanted. I believe the review of the Local Government Act 2002 amongst other points looks at the core roles of councils indicating these should include transport, water services, public health an safety. Along with the Ministers' own platitude of an excellent Education project in Manukau and I quote 'COMET taught me the crucial role Local Government can play in better directing and facilitating centrally funded programmes such as education" and then the Hon. John Carter addressing us on the benefit of good Aging Strategy's from our councils, Judge Andrew Beacroft seeking Councils help with Youth offending - I like others was a litte confused on exactly where we were to row the boat to. But then there was mention of the use of binding polls or referenda. So I gather if the poll or referenda says we can provide these services - then we can. I couldn't imagine not working with the many agencies we do for the wider good of our community.
So - interesting times in Local Government.

What’s happening to the Old Hospital?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:48:00 +1200

No one likes to see once fully functional public buildings now derelict with broken windows and doors, and the target of graffiti.

While Council receives many compliments of how great our gardens and grounds are looking, clearly the public of CHB are not happy with the state of the old hospital. At recent meetings where the subject matter has been totally unrelated, the question eventually asked is ‘What’s happening to the Old Hospital’? As the Manager of the hospital at the time of sale, it is disheartening to see the wanton destruction that has taken place. Ex employees also despair at the sight of the building many built their careers on.

Council CEO, John Freeman, and I met with Occupational Safety & Health and the District Health Board in a bid to ensure we do as much as we can as a Council. Regretfully, our responsibilities are limited, as the building is privately owned.

Sadly, with school holidays upon us the graffiti gets greater, and while we await a report regarding possible contaminated material, trespassers risk possible danger to their health.

Hopefully, the current state of the building has a short life and the future holds a positive resolution and a building or site we can appreciate again.

Youth Council

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:24:00 +1200

When standing for the Mayoralty I was keen to have a youth voice in some forum to help Council when making decisions. CHB has 2000 young people within the ages of 12 and 24. While most of our young ones are doing well I am aware that some have fallen through the gaps.

The formation of a Youth Council will bring their perspective to Council and may influence the community's future direction.

I'm inspired by Mayor Dale Williams of Otorohanga and his brilliant work with youth and the Mayoral Taskforce for Jobs. Networking with CYFs, Police, Ministry of Social Development, Schools and employers etc will help us to make those connections and catch them instead of being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. For example we can help kids get jobs instead of sitting around at home and the Youth Council can tell us what their real concerns are and what is in their minds.

If you know of any young people who may be interested click on this link