An interesting Engineering Committee meeting this week (21.06.18) highlighted the one rule for them one rule for us inconsistencies I see at Council. Recently, I tried to establish that new homes would have to put in a rainwater storage tank. I wasn’t too concerned whether that was part of their water supply network, or just a stormwater retention system. If it is to be … [Read More...]
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No Vote On Dam
Mayor Kempthorne confirmed that there would be no vote for the ratepayers on the Waimea Dam in the Council meeting 24.5.18. Not once, but twice, he used his casting … [Read More...]
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Who Governs TDC
Who is Governing TDC? The question of who is Governing the Tasman District Council is on the face of it an odd one some might say. It is obvious that we, as a … [Read More...]
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Freedom Camping – A Disaster Waiting To Happen?
It was interesting to attend the recent LGNZ Freedom Camping Symposium and hear how other Councils view the problem. The consensus appeared to be that campers were welcome; Councils were just requesting that Government share some of the income that these … [Read More...]
WIL Chairman Murray King Accuses TDC of High Appetite for Risk
Waimea Irrigators reveal some interesting information in their submissions to the Tasman District Council’s Long Term Plan. WIL chairman Murray King states that: The allocation of cost Overruns beyond the first $3 million was reached between the parties on … [Read More...]
Amazing Sleight Of Hand From The Mayor
Our Mayor demonstrated his amazing sleight of hand abilities at today’s council meeting. As a result of the tragic impact of the recent cyclones, the Mayor offered to give $3000 of his Mayoral Discretionary fund to the personal hardship fund for cyclone … [Read More...]
Wakefield Historical Mural
When the Wakefield Mural restoration group were in the market for an artist to refurbish the old historical mural on the side of the chemist shop I contacted local legend Pete Madsen and asked if he would be interested in a community project. He responded … [Read More...]
Mapua Drive Sculpture Dawn Blessing
It was an honour to be able to fill in for the Mayor at the dawn blessing ceremony of the Mapua Drive gateway sculpture. The hard work of many people in the community, especially those associated with the Coastal Initative Group has resulted in some striking … [Read More...]
Concerns Growing Over Waimea Dam
My concerns over the proposed Waimea Dam continue to grow. Not helped by the two days of “deliberations” following the recent public consultation. We were asked to submit any questions that we had prior to deliberations where a panel of “objective technical … [Read More...]
Dam What Is It Costing Me
Number Crunching the Dam One of the main questions arising around the dam is “How much is it going to cost me?” I will endeavour to unpack the figures as they have been presented. One staff member was explaining that these are the worst-case scenario, … [Read More...]