KMB begins path to new strategic direction

February 19th, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

With most of the town's off-road walkways now built, Keep Motueka Beautiful (KMB) is turning its attention to smaller beautification projects including tree planting and improvements at Port Motueka.

Last night a good crowd of enthusiastic committee members and interested observers agreed on a new strategic direction for the group, and agreed to pass on to Tasman District Council the responsibility of maintaining the completed estuary and coastal walkways.

TDC's Reserves Manager Beryl Wilkes, who attended the meeting, said the Council was very keen to take on that responsibility as it is common practice in other New Zealand towns for councils to manage paths established by beautification groups.

That will mean KMB will no longer receive Council grant funding for that purpose, and future grants will be given only for capital works projects.

With the walkway system essentially complete, KMB is keen to look at other projects. The only walkway issue still uncertain is the responsibility for upgrading some parts of the walkways, as yet not fully decided, to accommodate tourists on the local pieces of the Great Taste cycle trail.

The departure late last year of Bob Cooke from the committee (see our story here) meant the rest of the committee needed to take some of the workload previously carried by Bob, and to form teams to run new and existing projects. Bob project-managed and drove the walkways projects for many years.

Bob is continuing volunteer work, particularly in maintaining the Adopt-a-Plot planting and pathway complex near Old Wharf Road which he established, and his on-going contribution was warmly acknowledged at last night's meeting. The managing and reporting of maintenance work in that area has been taken on by committee members Paul and Isobel Mosely.

Paul and Isobel will also take a leading role in developing some concept plans for the next major KMB project - to revitalise the two beach reserve at Port Motueka, East Quay and the coastal strip from the saltwater baths to Old Wharf Road. A committee including Paul, Agnes McNabb, Cr Eileen Wilkins and a Council staff member will develop these plans.

The committee accepted five priorities as part of its strategy for the years ahead:

Projects by individual members on small public plots around town, such as outside Liquorland.
The Adopt-a-Plot complex.
Revitalisation and beautification of the Motueka Beach Reserve areas at Port Motueka.
Landscaping around town where needed, with new large trees and extra planting areas.
Finding ways of encouraging more community involvement in beautification, such as frontage competitions.

They will also work on concepts for an entrance sign - probably using the theme of a giant apple and the message "Welcome to Motueka, the Growing Town" - for the western entrance to town from Motueka Valley.

There was general agreement that some prominent areas of town, such as along High Street South and the town in general, would be far more attractive over time with many more mature trees. This emphasis was seen as the start of a change in focus for KMB from walkways to beautification.

Another visual improvement will be the replanting of the town entrance roundabout, which will be done by TDC in April or May, to which KMB has donated $2000, some of which was earlier donated by i-SITE for a beautification project.

Comment by Matt Beech:
[Posted 23 February 2013]

It's gratifying to know that Bob Cooke's involvement will be ongoing, as he has given so much to KMB over the years. The walk through the area is always worthwhile, especially first thing in the morning. Our 15 year old dog enjoys it too!

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