Quarterly Newsletter - Central Otago District Council Winter 2015

CENTRAL CONNECTION

A W O R L D O F D I F F E R E N C E

The new Bylaw will enable the Council to undertake a simple enforcement process to implement its Roading Policy, which was adopted in February 2014. Both the policy and the bylaw went out for public consultation with changes made as a result of feedback.

The Roading Policy... ensures that Council can achieve its vision of a safe, efficient and fully accessible transportation network. The Policy provides guidelines for people who are undertaking activities on or beside roads which may affect use of the road network, or could damage the roading assets.

ensures that Council can achieve its vision of a safe, efficient and fully accessible transportation network. The Policy provides guidelines for people who are undertaking activities on or beside roads which may affect use of the road network, or could damage the roading assets.

Below and over the page we outline two parts of the bylaw that attracted the most attention during the public consultation. We encourage you to check out the Bylaw document itself for more detail.

establishes a clear and simple regulatory regime that is simple and efficient for people to follow, and provides for the recovery of administration and enforcement costs where necessary;

allows the Council to recover the cost of works required to repair or maintain roads incurred as a consequence of people undertaking activities on or beside roads that cause damage.

Council will be rolling out a series of communications over the next 6-12 months targeted to specific groups in the community most affected by different sections of the bylaw.

GET TO KNOW HOW

THE ROADING BYLAW

AFFECTS YOU

Part 1 – Stock Movement, Stock Racesand Temporary Grazing

Part 2 – Alfresco Dining, MobileActivities and Advertising on Roads

Part 3 – Temporary TrafficManagement

Part 4 – Roadside Planting andStorage

Part 5 – Damage to Roads

Part 6 – Services, Formation, Accessways and Dust Suppression

Part 7 – Fencing

Part 8 – Time Restricted Parking

Part 9 – Heavy Vehicles Restrictions

Heavy Vehicle RestrictionsThe objective of the bylaw is to limit the use of Barry Avenue and other residential streets as a through route for large heavy vehicles. The restriction applies to the following streets:

Barry Avenue between McNulty Road and Neplusultra Street

Alpha Street between State Highway 8B and Inniscourt Street

Gair Avenue between Barry Avenue and McNulty Road

Waenga Drive between Murray Terrace and Gair Avenue.

Small to mid-sized commercial vehicles which have a gross vehicle mass as shown on the certificate of loading of less than 11,000kg, buses, and larger vehicles undertaking deliveries or providing services within the excluded areas are exempt from the provisions of the bylaw.

THE CENTRAL OTAGO DISTRICT COUNCIL ROADING BYLAW CAME INTO EFFECT ON 1 JULY

The Roading Bylaw...

The Bylaw is divided into 9 parts

The Roading Policy...

From the Mayor’s DeskA question that I am often asked is – how is Central Otago doing? There are economic indicators that we can use to answer and of course there are other indicators of liveability that compare us to the rest of New Zealand. I never know what to take out of these statistics so I base my answer on my observations of how things are going. Please tell me if you think I have got it wrong. Central Otago has enjoyed a period of consistent and sustained growth for a number of years now and this is forecast to continue. We have low unemployment. The horticulture and viticulture sectors are buoyant after a summer that delivered a superb crop of cherries and a grape harvest that should produce an excellent vintage and keep our wines centre stage on the international markets.There is a lot happening on our farms. New rules and the growing understanding of the importance and scarcity of water is leading to investment in more efficient means of applying this essential ingredient to farming in Central Otago. With this investment comes jobs and growth. For the first time in my lifetime, I am seeing new houses and new opportunities for people wanting to work and live in our rural areas.Servicing this growth encourages new business opportunities and the revitalisation of our smaller towns. To cater for this anticipated growth and to meet the needs of a modern world our Council is embarking on an extensive upgrade of our three waters infrastructure. This spend will further stimulate the local economy and provide business opportunities for local contractors. It will also future proof Central Otago and ensure we can offer services that will attract visitors and residents to our towns. It will also ensure that our environment does not suffer the side effects of growth and we remain a place that attracts some people to visit and others to stay a little while longer. I look at the things that attracted me to Central Otago and they still exist, and I look at some of the new attractions and I realise just how lucky we are to live in this wonderful part of the world. So when people ask me,"How is Central Otago doing?" I answer “It’s alright here and I think it is going to be alright for quite a bit longer”... and that’s not hard to do while sipping pinot noir in the main street of Clyde at the new and improved Olivers.

Tony LepperCentral Otago Mayor

Time restricted parkingCouncil introduced restricted parking zones around central business areas in Cromwell and Alexandra back in 2007 but the new Bylaw allows enforcement of these restrictions for the first time.

The aim of the restrictions is to assist our local businesses by ensuring the parks closest to the town centres are available for people accessing local businesses and services or visiting.

Parking fines, ranging between $20 to $50, can now be issued to those found breaching the restrictions.

Extensive parking areas around the commercial areas remain available for all day parking for employees or those wishing to stay a bit longer.

Alexandra Car Park Restrictions

Cromwell Car Park Restrictions

Where to read itThe Bylaw can be viewed on the Council website at codc.govt.nz/publications/bylaws and the associated policy can be found at codc.govt.nz/publications/policies

Hard copies are also available at all Council service centres and libraries.

3 Waters Charging set to change in 2016/17The future of 3 Waters Charging was the major topic for feedback during the recent Long Term Plan consultation. The proposal to change the way water, wastewater and stormwater is funded from the 2016/17 year attracted 153 submissions.

Of those 54% supported a fully subsidised model, 23% preferred partially subsidised and 23% fell into the camp of wanting the status quo or an alternate solution. Some of the submitters supporting the fully subsidised option said they felt it was important to protect Central Otago’s smaller communities by spreading the cost of major upgrades to existing water and wastewater schemes.

There was significant debate and deliberation

Central Otago residents have transitioned well to the new kerbside recycling system. Recycling quality is generally very high so keep up the good work.

There are a few areas where improvements could still be made. Here are a few pointers:

• Bins must be out by 7am.

• Broken plastic toys are not recyclable.

• All newspapers and magazines must be put loose in the recycling bin (not tied in bundles in bags).

• Bottle lids and caps go in the yellow recycling bin. Glass only in the blue bin.

• Overfull bins won’t be collected. Ensure your lid is closed.

• If you have more recycling or rubbish than can fit in your bins – make use of your closest recycling drop-off facility and/or transfer station.

For more information on how to minimise waste and recycle properly go to www.codc.govt.nz/zerowaste

Recycling efforts praised

on the matter, which ultimately resulted in Council opting for a fully subsidised funding model to be introduced in Year 2 (2016/17) of the Plan, subject to a full review of the Revenue and Financing Policy during the coming 12 months.

Under this new fully subsidised funding model, all ratepayers connected to a Council water or wastewater scheme will pay the same amount for their uniform annual charge for water/wastewater services.

Those connected to a Council water scheme will continue to receive a quarterly water account and receive a volumetric charge for the water used through the meter.

HEARTsafe is a community initiative supported and facilitated by St John & Laerdal aiming to increase the chances of survival after sudden cardiac arrest.

It does this by encouraging communities to install AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in public, training people to use AEDs and increasing the number of people who know CPR.

A group has been set up in Alexandra to facilitate this initiative and work has started in mapping the AEDs in our community and encouraging businesses to train their staff in the operation of these machines. For more information contact nev@trailjourneys.co.nz

Policy ReviewCouncil’s Revenue and Financing Policy drives the way Council activities are funded. Council plans to undertake an extensive review of this policy to ensure the funding of activities remains relevant. This review will look at funding sources such as general rates, targeted rates, fees, charges and other income such as subsidies from NZTA or from other departments of central government. Any changes to the policy arising from this review will be subject to consultation prior to adoption by Council and implementation for the 2016-17 year.

Cool those hot ashesRemember that putting hot ashes and flammable materials in your wheelie bin is a recipe for disaster. Put your ashes in a metal container with a lid. They will take at least 10 days to completely cool down. Once you are sure they are cold, you can dispose of them directly at your local transfer station or wrap and place them in your wheelie bin.

Sport NZ Travel Fund CODC has $9500 funding to distribute to local junior sporting clubs and organisations to assist with travel costs for regular local sporting competition. Get an applications form from your nearest Council service centre, online at codc.govt.nz/funding or email judith.whyte@codc.govt.nz. Applications close Friday 23 October 2015.

Dog registration reminderDog owners in Central Otago are reminded that they need to register their dog by 31 July to avoid receiving a 50% penalty.

Dog registration fees can be paid online at www.codc.govt.nz/dog-registration. Register online during July and be in to win one of five free lifetime registrations for your dog. Alternate methods include in person at any Council service centre, by post and via Freephone on 0800 REG DOG (734 364).

Arts FundingApplications are now open for the latest round of Creative New Zealand funding for art and cultural projects. Forms are available at your local Council offices, on Council’s website (codc.govt.nz/funding) or email judith.whyte@codc.govt.nz. Applications close on Friday 14 August 2015 at 4pm.

Entries are now open for the Arts Gold Awards and artists have until 4pm Friday 18 September to get their entries in for the national contemporary art contest.

The Arts Gold Awards is a biennial art competition, organised by the Central Otago District Arts Trust, designed to help raise the profiles of New Zealand artists.

The winner of the Art Excellence Award will receive $5000 and the Central Otago Artist Award winner receives $3000. This year’s

Call for entries for Arts Gold Awards

Community PlansThe draft Ophir Community Plan has been developed through feedback provided by community residents and ratepayers, local businesses and visitors to the village. The Ophir Community Plan working group is now calling for community input to make sure the Plan is a ‘true fit’ for the Ophir community’s vision and values.

The draft Plan can be viewed on the centralotagonz.com website. Alternatively copies can be sourced from the Ophir Post Office or from Community Development Manager Paula Penno.

The Naseby community is in the process of reviewing its Community Plan. Naseby Vision, the community organisation that drives the Naseby Plan, recognised the tremendous community efforts in progessing the initiatives and addressing the recommendations within its existing “second edition” Plan. The group is now in the process of gathering community input to establish new community objectives and recommendations that will help develop Naseby’s third Community Plan.

Fashion Collection Feasibility

Central Otago townsfolk will hear the ringing of bells and the sound of lyrical cries this September as 20 liveried heralds from around the world compete in the Central Otago World Town Crier Tournament.

The tournament, which runs from 24-30 September, is being organised by Central Otago’s own town crier Paddy-Ann Pemberton. It will be the first time the event has been hosted in New Zealand.

“I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to showcase this world event,” said Paddy-Ann. “To be able to share our ‘World of Difference’ with the international fraternity of town criers is a privilege.”

Twenty colourful and flamboyant criers who hail from England, Wales, Canada, USA, Australia and other parts of New Zealand, will deliver three competition cries over the course of the week in Alexandra, Roxburgh and Cromwell, where the public are invited to attend free of charge.

Paddy-Ann said the Town Criers’ participation in the Alexandra Blossom Festival Parade will be a big draw card for this year’s 59th event. The criers will also visit schools and retirement homes and they'll take part in a community concert in Roxburgh. Tours to experience the

The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board has allocated the Central Otago District Council a grant of $40,000 to conduct a feasibility study for the Eden Hore Fashion Collection.

The feasibility study will investigate options for the long term care and storage of the collection, as well as ways that the collection can be available to the public to view and enjoy while still protecting the garments from premature wear and damage.

The study will be carried out within the next 10 months.

wider Central Otago area and even a “take a Town Crier to tea” event have also been planned.

Paddy-Ann, who has taken part in nine world crier tournaments in the past 13 years, said she is looking forward to showcasing Central Otago to her fellow town criers, and them in turn spreading the word about our region.

At every annual tournament town criers compete for the media prize (something Paddy-Ann has won several times), which is presented to the crier who generates the most publicity for the host town or city.

Last year the tournament was held in Chester, UK and the competing criers generated nearly 1800 square column inches of print media and 250 minutes of radio and television time for the town before they even arrived in Chester for the tournament.

Paddy-Ann wished to thank the community for its support, in particular the three main sponsors Golden Gate Lodge, Local Radio Classic Gold and Monteith’s Golden, who had allowed her to run with a ‘Gold’ theme for the event, so fitting for our historic gold-mining district.

For the full World Town Crier Tournament programme visit: www.centralotagonz.com

The Central Otago District Council purchased the Eden Hore Fashion Collection on behalf of the community in August 2013. The collection, which includes 276 items, is the largest private collection of 1970s haute couture in the southern hemisphere.

Eden Hore was a high country sheep and cattle farmer from Kyeburn whose passion for haute couture fashion developed through his fascination with the transformation of raw materials from farming into stunning fashion garments.

judges are Dunedin Public Art Gallery Director Cam McCracken, Real Art Roadshow Director Fiona Campbell, and independent art curator and writer Brian Wood.

The exhibition will run from 16 October to 29 November at the Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery in Alexandra. At the close of the exhibition the Viewers’ Choice Award winner, determined by votes submitted both at the exhibition and via the online gallery, will be presented with their $1000 prize. See www.artsgold.co.nz for more detail.

Something to shout about