Official Council Notices for 19 November 2009
Blenheim's First Multi-Storey Parking Building Designed for Alfred Street
A modern three-tiered parking building designed for the current Council-owned public carpark site in Alfred Street will greatly improve the parking capacity of central Blenheim.
The design incorporates a tree-planted boulevard running along Alfred Street to a pedestrian crossing which is directly lined up to the front doors of the Combined Clubs Complex. It means there'll be a quick, protected walk of just 90-metres along a well-lit route from the carpark to the clubs complex.
The new carpark building will have room for 350 cars and be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security lighting has been designed to ensure that the area will be bright and safe even during the hours of darkness.
The new building will cover much of the present carpark site, abutting the Criterion Hotel and giving easy access to the centre of town through the walkway emerging on High Street.
It's hoped that tenders can be called in the new year with the project completed before the end of next year.
The concept plan allows for future retail space on part of the Alfred Street frontage, behind the Millennium Art Gallery and opposite Blenheim School, although there are no plans to move ahead on this at present.
Planted by a Prince
Marlborough has many introduced trees that date back to the early days of the settlement of the district.
Some of the oldest examples are eucalypts believed to have been put in as marker pegs while other exotics, particularly those in public spaces, were planted to mark momentous events in the district or official visits by royalty.
Some fine examples can be seen in Seymour Square. Once a swamp, the hectare of land was drained for cricket and rugby matches before the public gardens were developed in the early 1900s. The older trees still there include the cypresses lining the pathways, planted in 1912, and the Pin Oak, Quercus palustris, which spreads its branches across the north-west point of the Square, at the Henry and Alfred Street corner.
Planted in May 1920 by Edward, Prince of Wales, later to become, briefly, Edward VIII, the oak tree now rises to a height of 16-metres.
It will no doubt be examined by the delegates at this month's NZ Arboricultural Association conference being held in Blenheim. A field trip viewing the heritage trees of Blenheim is part of the conference programme which concentrates on rediscovering and celebrating our heritage trees.
The Marlborough District Council is currently ensuring that an updated register of heritage trees is included in the resource management plan for the region.
Queen Elizabeth II Award of Music
Notice is given that the committee administering the above fund will give consideration to an award or awards to the Marlborough/Kaikoura candidate (or candidates) 18 years of age or under who in 2009 passed the Royal School of College or Trinity College of Music examinations Grade VIII instrumental or Grade VI vocal whether or not the candidate was examined within the Marlborough or Kaikoura Districts.
The residency qualification is a minimum of one year for residents of Marlborough/Kaikoura though students who happen to be temporarily residing in other areas are eligible.
The Awards Committee will consider nominations received. It is at their discretion whether or not to make an award.
Nominations for the award must be received in writing addressed to the District Secretary, Marlborough District Council, PO Box 443, Blenheim 7240 on or before Friday 4 December 2009.
There are no nomination forms but it would be of assistance for the Awards Committee to receive background information in support of any nomination lodged.
Alistair Sowman
Mayor, Marlborough District
Any enquiries should be directed to Tony Quirk, Marlborough District Council telephone 03 520 7429 or email tony.quirk@marlborough.govt.nz.
Special 150th Anniversary Community Award
We celebrated Marlborough's 150th anniversary on 2nd November.
As part of these celebrations Council is calling for nominations for a special 150th anniversary community award. There are to be up to 50 of these awarded. Why 50? It's been 50 years since we last celebrated our anniversary & 50 years until we celebrate the next.
We are calling for nominations for deserving individuals. If you know of someone you would like to nominate, who has made a real difference in the community, please contact the Marlborough District Council for a nomination form on 03 520 7400 or email mdc@marlborough.govt.nz.
A pdf version of the nomination form can also be found on the Council website www.marlborough.govt.nz/Community
Please note all nominations must be sent back to Council by 27th November 2009. Nominations will then be reviewed by a special committee. These awards will be presented in December at a special awards ceremony.
Changes to Resource Consent Processing
The Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009 came into force on 1 October 2009. This Act introduces a number of changes to the way Council must now process applications for resource consents. In particular Council must meet the processing timeframes set out in the Act.
The consequences of the changes in the Act for applicants can be summarised as follows:
- Council will only accept complete applications for processing. This means that each application must include a full description of the activity proposed, full plans, a complete assessment of environmental effects (AEE) and all necessary technical information at the time it is lodged.
- Where an application requires public notification the notice will appear in the PUBLIC NOTICES section of the Marlborough Express. Public notification may occur on any day of the week.
- At the time an application for resource consent is accepted by Council the applicant will be advised of the processing timeframe including any likely date for a hearing (should one be required) and the date a decision will be issued.
To assist applicants Council would encourage them to make appointments to discuss their proposal and application prior to lodgement. These meetings will enable Council to provide pre-application comment on the proposal and on the level of detail to be submitted with the application.
These changes to Council's processes are being progressively introduced over the next six weeks. It is expected that they will be fully operational by 5 January 2010.
As the processes are finalised information sheets will be prepared and available from Council's Offices. This information will be available on Council's website as it is redeveloped.
Positive Ageing
Help Yourself to Stay Safely Behind the Wheel
There are many older drivers in Marlborough. It is a desirable retirement location and, as such, has above the national average of older people as a percentage in the population. Because Marlborough doesn't have a comprehensive public transport system, older people will drive for longer than, perhaps, city people with many alternative transport options.
Maintaining mobility independence is vitally important to the health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically, of our older people. Confined to home without independent options for travel to libraries, doctors, supermarkets and social gatherings can be a depressing situation for a person to be faced with after years of freedom of mobility as a driver. It is often hard for an older person to ask for help with their travel without the feeling of imposing, and so they will often not ask and slowly lose touch with their friends and social groups.
Older drivers are considerably more physically fragile than younger drivers so, in a crash situation, the same crash involving an older driver may result in their death while a younger driver will quickly recover from injuries sustained. It is important, as an older driver, to try to maintain a level of physical fitness and flexibility to increase your ability to remain a safe driver. It is vital to exercise neck and shoulder muscles to retain a level of flexibility to look over the shoulder as required when manoeuvring in the vehicle.
Your health can have a direct impact on your ability to drive safely:
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You must be medically assessed at the age of 75, at 80 and every two years after that in order to detect any changes to health that might affect driving skills.
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Make sure your eyesight is OK. If you're over 60 have a regular eye test and if you are prescribed glasses for driving remember to wear them. If vision is an issue, make sure you keep your windscreen clean and avoid night driving if possible.
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Stay alert and don't drive when you're feeling tired. Remember that medication can affect the speed of your responses.
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Make sure you are aware of the side effects of any drugs you may be taking. New laws for drugged driving include an increased number of products and you should check with your pharmacist or your doctor if you have any concerns about whether the drugs you take will affect your driving.
Help yourself stay sharp - and safe behind the wheel - by ensuring your driving skills and knowledge of the road rules is up to date.
Driving courses for mature drivers are available free of charge for anyone needing an update on the road rules and general tips for safe driving. It's a good way of familiarising yourself with some of the changes to roads and intersections around Blenheim. More information about these courses, run by Marlborough Roads, is available by phoning 520 8330.
If you do have to give up your licence, there are other options for moving about in Marlborough. Groups like the Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern, and the Marlborough District Council, can help you with more information on:
- community transport options like the Blenheim Bus and the Total Mobility Scheme, offering discounted taxi fares for some people with disabilities
- other organisations with resources and equipment for people with disabilities.
You can also order a copy of 'Keeping Moving', a guide for older drivers by New Zealand Transport Agency, by ringing Marlborough Roads on 520 8330.
Our Land, Our Water, Our Place
Winery Waste Turned into Buckets and Roads
Imagine a rugby field stacked up with rubbish as high as a 15-storey building. That's about 50,000 tonnes of waste and that's how much Marlborough produces each year.
Marlborough District Council's 2008 State of the Environment report says households have been cutting down on how much they throw away but there's been a significant increase in industrial waste going to the landfill, especially at grape harvest time.
A snapshot survey by the council in April 2008 showed that 38 per cent of all landfill waste came from vineyards and wineries. Most of this was diatomaceous earth - which is used to filter the grape juice - and made up 65 per cent of the rubble going to the landfill.
For disposing plastic spray and chemical containers, the council is part of the national Agrecovery scheme. The cleaned containers are collected by a special Agrecovery truck with a shredder on board. The shredded plastic is sold and made into other products like buckets. Plastic irrigation pipes, bird netting and vine guards are not as easy to recycle because they are made of a mix of plastics.
Council is in support of local wine industry plans to establish a large composting system to cope with the increase in grape marc (what's left after the grapes are pressed) being brought to the landfill. And at the other end of the wine process - once the wine has been drunk - all bottles brought in for recycling are crushed by Fulton Hogan at Renwick and used as a base layer in making roads.
The State of the Environment 2008 report is available at the Council offices in Seymour Street and online
www.marlborough.govt.nz/enviromonitoring
Marlborough 150th Anniversary Events
During November
November is 'Marlborough Pass' month, where different key businesses in the region have put together special offers, specifically for Marlburians, to experience our beautiful region. For example, free admission for Marlburians and Half Price for your out of town visitors to the Marlborough Museum; a two for one admission on the Montana Pioneer wine tour; two for one admission to the Aviation Heritage Centre.....plus many more.
A copy of this voucher is available from the Marlborough District Council reception in Seymour Street, Blenheim.
During November also; Marlborough Historical Society - Photographic display 'Marlborough and its environs 1910 - 1959' at Marlborough Museum.
22 November
Marlborough Historical Society presentation at the Marlborough Museum - 'Norm Brayshaw, a true pioneer of New Zealand heritage' by Reg Nichol - 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm approximately - gold coin donation appreciated - no need to register.
28th November
D'Urville Island residents association community lunch to celebrate Marlborough's 150th anniversary - contact Christine Ashton on 03 5765330 or email astonfamily@actrix.co.nz for more information - registration required.
During December
Marlborough Historical Society - photographic display 'Marlborough and its environs 1910 - 1959' at Marlborough Museum.
11 December
Marlborough 150th community awards function - up to 50 awards given out to nominated recipients - for more details or a nomination form please call Katie Speakman on 021 1135140 or email olivefarm@xtra.co.nz
Community News - Did you Know?
Diabetes Marlborough
Diabetes Marlborough provides support, information and education for people with diabetes and their families. This includes quarterly magazine, information kits, access to library of books and monthly meetings. For more information contact 577 5549.
Temporary Road Closure - Sunday 29 November 2009
Sports Marlborough Women's Duathlon
Prohibited Parking
Notice is given that parking of vehicles on the southern side of Kinross Street from the intersection of Redwood Street to the entrance to car park adjacent to Cinema Three is prohibited on Sunday 29 November 2009 from 7.30 am and 12.00 noon to ensure competitor safety during the Sports Marlborough Women's Duathlon.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Keith Turner, Marlborough Roads, Ph: 520 8335.
ALISTAIR SOWMAN
MAYOR
Temporary Road Closure - Wednesday 2 December 2009
Christmas Tree Installation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN under Section 342 of the Local Government Act 1974 that
Market Street Blenheim from Maxwell Road to Arthur Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic on Wednesday 2 December 2009 or if wet on Thursday 3 December 2009 from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm for the purpose of installing the festive Christmas tree.
It will be an offence under the above regulations for any person other than under the authority of an authorised permit to use the road for ordinary vehicular traffic during the period of closure.
Any enquiries should be addressed to Keith Turner, Marlborough Roads, Phone 520 8335.
ALISTAIR SOWMAN
MAYOR
Dog Control Policy and Practices Annual Report
1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009
On 29 October 2009 a report pursuant to Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996, was adopted by Marlborough District Council.
The report provides information and statistics on Marlborough District Council's dog control activities for the year 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.
A copy of the report can be obtained if you follow the link to our website http://www.marlborough.govt.nz/documents/summarylist.cfm or from Council offices in Blenheim and Picton, or call Council on Ph: 520 7400.
Awatere and Seddon Drinking Water
Boil Water Notice
The water from Council's reticulation in the Awatere and Seddon is untreated and does not meet the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2000. This water may contain bacteria which are detrimental to human health. All water used for drinking, food preparation or cleaning teeth should be boiled.
For further information contact our Customer Service Centre Ph: 520 7400.
