KMB plans for another productive year

August 18th, 2015
[by David Armstrong]

Keep Motueka Beautiful is preparing for another year of positive improvements to the town's environment, with several busy projects on the go.

At their annual general meeting held last night, the committee reflected on the progress of a range of projects which are managed through largely separate working groups, with each committee member managing or contributing to one or more projects.

In his report, the re-elected chairman (for his "final year" in this role, he swears) David Ogilvie said that while there had been some frustrating delays to some of the group's projects, there had been good progress in others.

In particular, the planting out of the first proper community orchard, or food forest, in Ledger Goodman Reserve has been an excellent innovation.

"Should this venture be a success, it is likely that opportunities to establish community orchards in other neighbourhoods will be sought," he said.

One big disappointment for all, including the Council, has been the stalling of a project to plant an avenue of trees along southern High Street.

The owners of the highway, NZTA, got cold feet about building places to plant the trees along the roadside where the power cables have been buried under the ground and the footpath widened for Great Taste Trail cyclists.

Significant funds had been allocated for this project, but it is likely that these will be carried over for other projects.

KMB's major current work is a three-year program to restore and enhance the amenity and recreational values and the landscape at Motueka Beach Reserve and Harbour Quays.

This project seeks to turn the area between the saltwater baths and the harbour entrance into a wonderful recreational amenity, where people and families can enjoy the coastal scenery and outlook.

Already the Beach Reserve has a new walkway with wetland plantings, plus other native plantings including grasses and shrubs and several new mature trees. Working on the Harbour Quays phase is at an early stage, but KMB is collaborating with Council staff on a plan that will transform the ugly area into a popular place for locals and tourists.

In his report, David noted that the community orchard project typifies the quite distinctive role that Keep Motueka Beautiful has: something different, something "out of the ordinary".

The group's largest project previously, which is now mainly in maintenance mode, is the Adopt-a-plot area which over the past decade has transformed a barren wasteland into an attractive and popular place to walk and cycle.

David highlighted the close work between the committee and Tasman District Council as well as the Council contractor Nelmac, in developing and looking after Motueka's landscape, parks and reserves, trees gardens and walkways.

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