Hub proposal approaches first decision point

November 9th, 2012

The proposal to create a Motueka community/tourism hub has reached the stage where its feasibility is being considered by senior Tasman District Council staff.

The project, one of a handful undertaken by Vision Motueka, has been largely in neutral gear for the past month or so in preparation for a meeting on Monday November 12th between the group's co-ordinator David Armstrong, TDC mayor Richard Kempthorne, senior TDC staff including the CEO, and one Motueka ward councillor.

Vision Motueka hopes the outcome of that meeting will be a decision by council to examine the feasibility of creating a hub as a strategic, long-term facility for Motueka, before the upgrading of the library goes ahead on its present cramped site.

Over the past four months, Vision Motueka has been pooling ideas, listening to interested people in the community, and gathering information about possible sites and potential buildings and facilities to include in a great hub. This has resulted in the following description of the proposed hub:

"A central community and tourism meeting place for the Motueka area, incorporating a range of facilities that encourage community participation, provide quality information to visitors, and celebrate the area's heritage, culture, community and attractions."

Specification of the types of buildings and functions that would be incorporated into the buildings and spaces has been deliberately vague and open to date, to encourage innovative thinking. However, community input from individuals and the public workshop suggest that ideally it would include:

Core civic functions including library, council service centre, public meeting room (with performance capabilities), and public toilets/washrooms.
Equally important, an area to showcase the area's history, culture, geography and people - like a DoC information centre but linking with an i-Site function, a museum-like space, and a gallery for art, sculpture and other non-permanent exhibitions.
Family-friendly playgrounds and picnic areas (part covered for use in wet weather), including an outdoor informal performance area and casual recreation facilities for youth.
Car parking close by, plus space for outdoor community gatherings such as festivals. A slow "in-only" road from High Street, with exit via back/side roads.
Other options put forward by many include a service agency building (Plunket, Family Service Centre, etc), a cafe (or easy access to local cafes), a youth centre, a weka-rearing enclosure, an aquarium, and even a giant golden sandpit.

One key part of the proposal deemed essential is that the hub and surrounding area must be easily visible and inviting directly from central High Street.

Council recognises that at present there is a confluence of issues that suggest a long-term, strategic planning solution to the town's development is desirable. These issues include:

The rebuilding of the library.
Earthquake testing of several public buildings that may have negative results.
Possible rezoning of parts of the town.
The West Motueka development plan, Wakatu's Grey Street development, and associated green reserves requirements.
TDC's own plans for its service centre.
Pending Treaty settlements that will affect land ownership and tenure around public buildings and land.
The cycle trail's arrival and its part in the town's strategic planning.

Vision Motueka believes that rather than fix each one of these in isolation as it crops up, it would be better to take time to plan an integrated, strategic approach for long-term community and financial benefit.

The most important initial planning decision would be on where the hub would be sited. After initial fact-finding, Vision Motueka feels that there are two promising sites, both with advantages and difficulties.

Decks Reserve car park is largely council owned and is an existing de facto hub of sorts, although some private commercial properties occupy some of its space. It already houses the Community House and i-Site. However the green space is reserve land and may place too many restrictions on development of the overall spatial design.

Any large-scale development of this area would probably impact on the very popular Sunday Market. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of a right hand turn off High Street for north-bound traffic (the main outside market) to enter, compared to a left turn into the western side.
Most of the vacant land to the west of High Street is owned by the Education Ministry, while Maori interests own and lease the shops between the land and High Street. Placing the hub here leaves Decks Reserve intact. It is close to the main primary school and museum as well as to the sports grounds and high school.

It is also pretty much a 'greenfield' space for development. Parklands School is keen to be associated with the hub and link seamlessly with it, and the Principal says the school would be willing to consider any request for siting the Hub within its grounds.

Vision Motueka hopes council will provide some planning expertise and knowledge of land ownership and occupancy to conduct a feasibility study, advise on a preferred site and help with a concept plan. The aim is also to set up a formal entity such as a Trust to carry the project forward.

Comment by Tony Small:
[Posted 11 November 2012]

Great idea. Would there be room for a Men's Shed there?

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