Donations made to raise funds for boardwalk

February 22nd, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

Keep Motueka Beautiful has opened an NBS bank account to receive donations to allow it to pay for the materials to build the final piece of the Estuary Inlet walkway, the Link Park boardwalk.

Already two very significant private donations have been made, taking Keep Motueka Beautiful (KMB) to around the half-way mark in its fundraising goal, and people wanting to donate can drop into the NBS office in High Street to set up a payment.

The 96-metre boardwalk over the mudflats in the south-eastern corner of the estuary will cost about $20,000 in materials, less than originally estimated. (See our earlier story.)

Now KMB project leader Bob Cooke has managed to obtain the promise of free labour and carpentry services using 19 NMIT students in association with the Department of Conservation for four weeks from late in April.

If the full amount can be raised by then to pay for the boardwalk materials, the only remaining obstacle is getting a resource consent for the work. At its monthly meeting this week, KMB members heard that the Council were as yet unsure if the consent application will be notified or not and when it may be granted.

Council funds to complete the path from the boardwalk to York Park will not be available until the next financial year, starting in July.

Meanwhile KMB were happy to hear the news that, thanks to hard-working committee member John Cirne, the caretaking of the beach reserve at Port Motueka has raised just over $1136 for the past two months from the honesty box installed there for campers using the site for overnight stays.

This is by far the largest amount ever paid by campers and possibly reflects not only the good work John does in maintaining the site and keeping the facilities clean but also the growing awareness of the 'freedom camping' issue and people trying to do the right thing.

Through the summer, and since the freedom camping laws were enacted last year, there have been complaints received from people on both sides - for freedom camping and against the practice - and police have been actively moving people on from the Beach Reserve if their vehicles are not self-contained.

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]

We wish to thank these local community-minded businesses who generously sponsor our site. They recognise the value of supporting this community asset, and in return Motueka Online is pleased to use and recommend their services whenever appropriate.

Ray White Motueka, Parkes Automotive, Motueka Floral Studio, Nelson Building Society, House of Travel