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Annual Budget Submissions 2019-20
The Committee considered
submissions on the Annual Budget 2019-20 together with supporting oral
statements including additional tabled material.
The following persons
appeared before the Committee and made oral statements in support of their
submissions and replied to questions from Elected Members, the additional
points being:
9.00am Wednesday 8 May 2019
Kevin Hill (45):
Further information (Handout) was tabled at the meeting for
circulation to Elected Members.
Kevin Hill spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
- A lack of learning to swim was often the cause of drowning in
adults, and funds could be used more wisely targeting an older age group of
children who were in a better position to learn.
- There were a small percentage of schools that had a plan for
swimming lessons however most teachers were not trained to teach swimming.
Universal College of Learning – Brian Trott (57):
Representing the Universal College of Learning, Brian Trott spoke
to the submission and made the following additional comments:
- UCOL was a not for profit organisation with a large asset base
that was difficult to maintain.
- The timeline for restoring the old Plunket rooms was thought to be
feasible.
- Issues of privacy due to the building location were not thought to
be a problem.
Councillor Leonie Hapeta declared an
interest in submission 57 above and withdrew from the discussion.
Tony Passman (60):
Further information (Powerpoint presentation) was tabled at the
meeting for circulation to Elected Members.
Tony Passman spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
- When speaking to neighbours, a large number of residents did not
know Palmerston North had a flag.
- There was concern around the lack of notification from Council of
the work being undertaken near the property.
- Children played in the area and there was concern for their safety
due to the amount of vegetation.
Marilyn Bulloch (72):
Further information (Handout) was tabled at the meeting for
circulation to Elected Members
Marilyn Bulloch spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
- The petition had received several hundred signatures so far.
- There were very few funding opportunities available and the
management committee were approaching Massey to offer expertise in accounting
matters.
Extinction Rebellion – Beth Tolley (74):
Further information (Handout) was tabled at the meeting for
circulation to Elected Members
Representing Extinction Rebellion, Beth Tolley spoke to the
submission and made no additional comments.
Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting
at 10.08am
Paul Perry (115):
Paul Perry spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
- A lot of residents were paying lower rates than they should be due
to the land based rating system.
- There were additional revenue opportunities Council should look
at.
National Council of Women (140):
Representing the National Council of Women, Robyn Barnett spoke to
the submission and made the following additional comments:
- Reducing waiting times for people needing somewhere to live was
important.
- The women’s centre in Waldegrave Street provided a sanctuary
unlike anywhere else in the community.
Councillor Lorna Johnson declared an
interest in submission 140 above.
Bunnythorpe Community Committee – Jean Thompson Church (156):
Representing the Bunnythorpe Community Committee, Jean Thompson
Church spoke to the submission and made the following additional comments:
- There was concern around postal services to the village and
residents subsequently missing out Council news.
- Residents were pleased to be advised that new stickers and road
signs had been ordered for the Bunnythorpe recreation ground.
Te Whare o Ngā Wāhine Palmerston North Women’s
Centre – Krys Baker (59):
Representing the Te Whare o Ngā Wāhine Palmerston North
Women’s Centre, Krys Baker spoke to the submission and made the
following additional comments:
- There was great concern for vulnerable people if the Centre was
required to close.
- There were not many women’s centres in New Zealand, making
it a unique place.
- Reduced operating hours had not been considered due to people
wanting weekend opening times as well.
The meeting adjourned at 10.48am
12.00pm Wednesday 8 May 2019
Memorial Park Trust (157):
Representing the Memorial Park Trust, Sandy Nimmo spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
- Possibility
of an extra walkway from the street to the park closest to the skating rink.
Ramp walkway so people with wheels can use it. Encourage Council to take a
look at that as it would be a huge bonus.
- There needs to be more vigilance from the parking officers in
relation to the disabled carparks. Suggest that some of those parks in the
lower portion be paid parking.
MASH Trust (179):
Representing the MASH Trust, Dave Robinson and Christina
Hemmingsen spoke to the submission and made the following
additional comments:
- There are more opportunities to continue their partnership with
Council in the future. The System Transformation of Disability Support
Services is currently being prototyped here in MidCentral and like many
providers they will be looking to adjust some of their service delivery
models and going forward will likely look to enable greater access for those
that they work with with Council and other community facilities.
- They are on the eve of announcements around the funding package to
support the government’s response to the mental health inquiry. They
think that particularly in terms of housing, accommodation and other
facilities that enable treatment and support there is a lot of opportunity
for themselves and Council to work together to do more.
- It is important for them to acknowledge the partnership they hold
with Council and the time and energy Council are putting to moving towards
their five strategic goals that promote positive outcomes and well-being for
the community.
- The Mental Health Enquiry report recommends a whole of government
approach to well-being, prevention and social determinants. Identifying that
people are unlikely to experience well-being if their basic needs are not
met. The stress and trauma that people experience from lack of appropriate
housing and poverty cannot be addressed by mental health and addiction
inventions alone. This requires a whole of community approach supported by
intersectoral collaboration to find the solution.
- Every week they are seeing new situations where individuals and
families are struggling to find housing/accommodation and the MASH Trust are
working harder than ever before to try and find immediate solutions while
focusing on the long term strategy for change. Working together with Council
can improve the acute crisis situation but they must find time to look
forward, plan and implement long term accommodation and health
well-being outcomes.
All Saints Anglican Parish Green Task Force (167):
Further information (Powerpoint presentation) was tabled at the
meeting for circulation to Elected Members.
Representing the All Saints Anglican Parish Green Task Force, Robert
Gibb spoke to the submission and made no additional comments.
Councillor Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke left the
meeting at 12.34pm.
Manawatu VolleyBall Club (171):
Further information (Powerpoint presentation) was tabled at the
meeting for circulation to Elected Members.
Representing the Manawatu Volleyball Club, Tim Middlehurst spoke
to the submission and made no additional comments.
Cynthia Peek (162):
Cynthia Peek spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comment:
Councillor Karen Naylor left the meeting
at 1.02pm.
- Has spoken to other parents about the pricing issue at Council
pools and it is a common issue.
The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting
at 1.04pm.
Councillor Vaughan Dennison left the
meeting at 1.04pm.
Councillor Leonie Hapeta left the meeting
at 1.04pm.
George Buchan (180):
Further information (Handout) was tabled at the meeting for
circulation to Elected Members
Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting
at 1.05pm
George Buchan spoke to his submission and made no additional
comments.
Meeting adjourned at 1.16pm
12.00pm Wednesday 9 May 2019
Palmerston North Women’s Health Collective (48):
Representing the Palmerston North Women’s Health Collective,
Jean Hera spoke to the submission and made no additional comments.
Councillor Susan Baty left the meeting at
12.15pm.
Councillor Adrian Broad left the meeting
at 12.15pm.
Caccia Birch Trust Board (69):
Further information (Handout) was tabled at the meeting for circulation
to Elected Members.
Representing the Caccia Birch Trust Board, Nicky Birch spoke to
the submission and made no additional comments.
Jo Erkens (155):
Jo Erkens spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
Councillor Susan Baty entered the meeting
again at 12.28pm.
- Issues were raised about Council’s financial decisions
including the Ashhurst Domain repair that was about $20,000 and was not
attended to for nearly 3 years, which caused the cost to increase to $1.5million,
the James Line road project where a stormwater drain was not included which
extended the project out, after solar panels were installed on top of several
Council buildings, the city has not seen any decrease in rates or an update
on those panels, LED street lighting where many people were complaining that
their street has reduced lighting and fancy new lighting on the new
walk/cycle bridge.
- It is more important for the Council to spend money on the Square
and surrounds than to ensure streets do not flood from downpours.
- How is Council going to react to weather changes as we need
sufficient water supply for the dry periods every year and stormwater drains
who are able to cope with the flood of water that we may expect.
- Every year the total number of houses in Palmerston North
increase, which increases the rates that Council receives but year after year
the Council is demanding more rates from ratepayers. Why? The Council should
control and limit the annual demands on the residential ratepayers and plan
accordingly.
Eric Constantine (153):
Further information (diagrams) was tabled at the meeting for
circulation to Elected Members.
Eric Constantine spoke to his submission and made no additional
comments.
Environment Network Manawatu (124):
Representing Environment Network Manawatu, Stewart Harrex spoke to
the submission and made the following additional comments:
- Need to see Councillors out in the public engaging more with the
people of Palmerston North City.
- Conversations need to be had about decomposable coffee cups and
reducing plastics etc. The decomposable coffee cups need to be put in with
compost and not just thrown in the rubbish bin.
- Was very surprised and concerned to see the polystyrene facility
close down.
Meeting adjourned at 12.58pm
3.30pm Thursday 9 May 2019
Manawatu Tenants’ Union (158):
Representing the Manawatu Tenants’ Union, Ben Schmidt spoke
to the submission and made the following additional comments:
- Congratulated
Council on actions and leadership to date and reiterated the need to go
further with development of additional social housing.
- Private
sector housing was not an option for most of these tenants; social housing is
the only way to guarantee safe, stable, healthy and affordable housing.
- There
has been a notable increase in elderly renters who are particularly
vulnerable.
Councillor Lew Findlay entered the meeting
at 3.40pm
New Zealand Rugby Museum (68):
Representing the New Zealand Rugby Museum (NZRM), Phil Monk and
Stephen Berg spoke to the submission and made the following additional
comments:
- This submission would have been made last year but was delayed due
to anticipating the finalisation of Te Manawa development.
- Balls, Bullets & Boots exhibition was well supported by PNCC
and NZ Army. Catherine Hehir was the production manager for this
exhibition and is essential to the continuation of best practice at the
museum. Exhibit will be decommissioned on 22 June with items
transferred to the museum.
- Balls, Bullets & Boots exhibition paid for itself despite
being a big risk. It was disappointing not to get the exhibition into
the main centres; only regional museums picked it up.
- This submission for funding was made to the Annual Plan rather
than applying for a Strategic Priority Grant as NZRM thought this was the
only process open to them.
- Financial support from PNCC is important as NZRU support is
$35,000 only per annum.
Harvey Jones (138):
Further information (PowerPoint presentation) was tabled at the meeting
for circulation to Elected Members.
Harvey Jones spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
- Undergrounding of power lines from the bridge to Ashhurst Library
was not in the budget.
- The installation of ultrafast broadband will create disruption to
the village shortly; it would be useful for all parties to collaborate to
minimise this.
- Ashhurst swimming pool to be named ‘Splashhurst’.
Housing Advice Centre (149):
Representing Housing Advice Centre, Sally Babbage spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
- Commended Council for being a good landlord and thereby an example
to the rest of the community.
- The increase of people moving to the city for work is pushing
people out from owning to rentals and creating a flow-on effect.
- The Centre is aware of partnership opportunities with Central
government and puts pressure on them as much as they can.
- The Centre is aware of a number of organisations in the city who
are attempting to get social housing provider status which will help with the
housing situation.
- Housing New Zealand land could be freed up for the provision of
affordable low cost social housing.
- The recent loss of 43 bedrooms in a boarding house environment was
keenly felt by the Centre. Most of the people affected found
alternative accommodation but some have not and the Centre is working closely
with these people to assist.
Teresa Alcock (61):
Teresa Alcock spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
- Aware of concerns Council and residents living near the lagoon
have and are addressing these by encouraging Club members to think about
respect and shared ownership of the area, with a view to this being a part of
the Club’s culture.
Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting
at 4.20pm
Manawatu Mountain Bike Club (168):
Further information (PowerPoint presentation) was tabled at the
meeting for circulation to Elected Members.
Councillor Lew Findlay entered the meeting
again at 4.22pm
Representing Manawatu Mountain Bike Club, Peter Wells spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments.
- While anecdotes are useful, it would be advantageous to have hard
economic figures for use in leveraging additional funding. Rotorua and
Nelson do this; the Club will do some homework to find out how this evidence
is obtained.
Councillor Leonie Hapeta left the meeting
at 4.30pm
Chloe Hopkins (163):
Chloe Hopkins spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
Councillor Leonie Hapeta entered the
meeting again at 4.34pm
- A minimum of 30 people walk or bike to school in Ashhurst or walk
to the bus stop along this stretch of road.
- Suggested change of speed limit be 60km from the hill up to where
you can turn left or continue straight to Feilding.
- Safer crossing points (ie. a pedestrian crossing) down Oxford
Street would be great, as well as footpaths; would feel safer.
- Other than changing the speed limit, judder bars on both sides of
the road would assist.
- Need to enforce new speed limit; people need to know there are a
lot of children in the area.
The meeting adjourned at 4.41pm
7.00pm Thursday 9 May 2019
Lee Huffman (76):
Lee Huffman spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
- In comparison to other canoe polo locations the lagoon provided
better quality of water and sheltered courts. Wind can have a factor
during games and the lagoon provided shelter from that.
- The Lagoon also provided great areas that was safe for spectators
to watch in comparison to other venues such as Auckland where the courts are
in a quarry.
- Was aware that water quality was an issue and that canoe polo has
a responsibly to maintain weed growth. Ms Huffman had not noticed a
significant amount of sickness from participants.
Matthew McKenzie (119):
Matthew McKenzie spoke to his submission and made the
following additional comments:
- Active transport was important and an area that Council could
concentrate on.
- The current bridge doesn’t have anywhere to go and therefore
is currently not as effective as it could be.
Councillor Duncan McCann entered the meeting at
7.23pm
- When considering painted separate cycleways, if the funds were
limited could ensure that physical barriers are able to be fitted at a later
date
Kiwi Canoe Polo Club (135):
Representing the Kiwi Canoe Polo Club, Gregory Sawyer spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting
at 7.23pm
- Moving the courts was problematic and time consuming but has to be
done when the lagoon water level is low. The water level needs to be a
minimum of 900mm to allow rollover.
Councillor Vaughan Dennison entered the meeting at
7.29pm
- The deeper the water level enables the dilution of any pollutants
and the first 24 hours after a rain event is the most concern time for water
quality. Any solutions that would allow for a higher consistent water
level would be great.
The meeting adjourned at 7.32pm
9.00am Friday 10 May 2019
Councillor Vaughan Dennison entered the
meeting at 9.05am
Manawatu River Source to Sea (137):
Representing the Manawatu River Source to Sea, Alistair
Cole spoke to the submission and made the following additional comments
- The Palmy Plastic Pollution Challenge was able to cover more than
twice the area initially thought and collected 11,000 items of rubbish.
When the sorting was completed at Te Manawa there were over 100 volunteers
and 800 visitors.
Councillor Duncan McCann entered the
meeting at 9.13am
- Would need to consider sites where urban stream restoration could
occur. Auckland were currently using storm water interception methods
where large baskets collected waste before it got to the waterways.
Maryanne Mechen (145):
Maryanne Mechen spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
- Would not want to see the Crest changed as it tells the story of
the City’s settlement and the woman on the Crest represents strength
and resilience which is what we need moving forward.
- Did not believe that all events have to be based on economic
benefits as this was a narrow view and did not give a full picture of all the
benefits such as social cohesion that events bring as well.
Manawatu Golf Club (135):
Representing the Manawatu Golf Club, Warren Collett spoke to the
submission and made no additional comments.
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
(170):
Representing the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Coralee Matenga
and James Stewart spoke to the submission and made the following additional
comments:
- Thanked Council for their engagement with the rural side of the
City and especially in allowing use of the Square for the Rural Games.
- The support of the FarmCave enabled a successful bid to the
Provincial Growth Fund for new 'Rural Innovation Lab' which will be
used to help establish the facility at Massey University's Palmerston North
campus.
- Federated Farmers would been keen to engage with Council regarding
remissions for revalued farms.
Tanenuiarangi o Manawatu Incorporated
(62):
Representing the Tanenuiarangi o Manawatu Incorporated, Siobhan
Lynch-Karaitiana spoke to the submission and made the following additional
comments:
- Council has given written permission for Higgins quarry to change
the type of fuel that is being burnt from diesel to waste RLO oil on the land
they lease to Higgins. This activity is proposed for the next 35 years.
- By allowing this contaminants will increase by 33% above current
background levels.
- This activity would occur adjacent to a number of Rangitane waahi
tapu and Rangitane o Manawatu urge council to develop a policy so that lease
holders are required to look at reducing their impact on the environment, not
increasing them.
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