Wakatu urges more TDC funding for Motueka

June 24th, 2012

Wakatu Inc has released an open letter to the Tasman District Council, urging for more attention and funding be given to Motueka's infrastructure and in particular the river flood protection work.

"Infrastructure and planning be needs to happen where it is needed most. Motueka is the centre of economic development and the horticulture industry in Tasman and Nelson," the letter states.

"Motueka is the largest town in New Zealand without a reticulated water sup[ply. Its infrastructure is tired and old and puts future development at risk. Power, water and sewerage services are inadequate to support development and growth.

"With the new Ruby Bay bypass in place, more people will choose to live in Motueka and commute to Nelson. Motueka is poised to grow but won't do so unless the council makes its growth a priority over large, unnecessary costly projects."

The letter, signed by Wakatu chief executive Keith Palmer and chairman Paul Morgan, called for the council to reinstate the full $16.32 million funding for stopbank works in the lower Motueka Valley, which was cut to $5m in the council's draft long-term plan.

Wakatu also objected to the council taking on more debt to fund projects such as the $38.2m coastal Tasman water pipeline to Mapua, which it argued was not needed now.

Paul Morgan said he planned to address the full council during the public forum of its meeting next Wednesday. The letter also asks for the council to meet with the Motueka community before the Long Term Plan is finalised at the end of the month.

Read the full letter exclusively here »

Comment by Malcom Garrett:
[Posted 1 July 2012]

Wakatu Incorporation may be a "Big Boy" in terms of land ownership and investment in this area, and well able speak for themselves, but we all need to listen and support them in this matter.

There was an unfortunate emphasis earlier in the submission process on making do with minor repairs to the existing stop banks which came from some locals. The truth of the matter is the most of Motueka sits on a floodplain, and with the increasingly unreliable weather patterns, there is little doubt that a catastrophic event is far more likely than in the past.

I have seen historical pix of the flooding in the main township. No one wants a repeat of that experience today. Having been through a major unforeseen event in Southland some years ago, I can vouch for the serious impact it had on the local economy for some time after it all subsided, not to mention the trauma of the immediate impact.

No need to mention the rather less important reticulation of water in the township, or the proposed transfer of water to the hills developments. Building in the hills I can support, but owners need to take care of their own water needs there, by ensuring adequate rainwater recovery systems are installed, along with other self-sufficiency actions such as solar hot water and photo-voltaic cell banks, along with superior insulation as mentioned just recently. Why not make it a requirement of building permits, that such steps are undertaken? Now that would be real progress!

Comment by Philip Grimmett:
[Posted 23 July 2012]

Following my recent submission to the TDC on the Long Term Plan, I was very interested in the letter I received from the TDC. It noted that 128 residents had issues with the cost to the ratepayer of the Lee Valley Dam and also the use of the valuable water resource itself. The council has decided to retain the Lee Valley 'proposed' dam in the LTP and to "refine the possible funding model and costs."

What was of particular interest to me, mentioned in the correspondence, was that "Dr Nick Smith has also met with Council and has indicated that the project should receive significant Central Government financial support." This raises the question as to why Central Government would provide 'significant Central Government financial support' for the Lee Valley dam when it cannot find money to reticulate Motueka's water or to secure the town from a major flooding event.

It would be more sensible to fund flood prevention for Motueka as suggested by the Wakatu submission. Dr Nick Smith should be asked if there will be 'significant Central Government financial support' for Motueka's flood bank work needed, and if not, why not. Given that Dr Smith's allegiance is not really to the TDC, but Nelson, this is puzzling.

One can only conclude that Dr Smith is interfering with local body politics and seeking favour with the Lee Valley Dam lobby. This is hypocritical when Central Government is telling local government to cut costs, reduce debt and stick to the provision of basic public services.

This proposal will increase total council debt and costs, while also raising the risk to the ratepayer of backing a private enterprise Lee Valley Dam scheme. This is a private initiative and the council (ratepayers) should not be paying for it, especially in these difficult financial times. The Council's role is to be a responsible caretaker of the public interest and not investors in private enterprise.

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