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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BLUFF COMMUNITY BOARD HELD IN THE BLUFF
MUNICIPAL CHAMBERS, GORE STREET, BLUFF ON MONDAY 26 MARCH 2007
AT 7.00 PM
PRESENT: Mr R W Powley - Chairman
Mrs A C Brocklehurst
Mrs J M Mitchell
Mr S E Morrison
Mr A K Perkins
Cr G T Piercy
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr L Beer - Bluff Publicity/Promotions Officer
Mr S Ridden – Manager Corporate Services
Mrs H Williams - Manager Bluff Service Centre
Mrs E Tulett – Manager Communications and Secretarial Services
1. PUBLIC FORUM
Mr Bill Smellie spoke to the Community Board about Omaui and what he believed
the Council should do to improve the township. His remarks included:
There have been ongoing comments about Omaui over the years;
It has become untidy compared with other areas;
There is a general consensus from residents and visitors that something
should be done about the place;
It is a place that could be brought up to be a very desirable area;
It needs a simple tidy up, starting from the Omaui-Greenhills Road;
That stretch of bitumen has been a problem since it was put down about
12 years ago;
Other coastal towns in the South and North Islands are usually beautifully
groomed. (He named other coastal towns that he thought were well
groomed.)
You come to Omaui which is quite bad, then go to Colac Bay which is
beautifully groomed;
Expenditure on Omaui would lift values and create opportunities by creating
other areas to live out there;
Like attracts like.
Mr Smellie made the following suggestions as to where Omaui could be
upgraded:
A reseal from the Golf Club (on Greenhills Road) to the second Quarry. That
has been a disaster from day one it was put down. It is an appalling piece of
road and not good to drive on. The cost of maintenance over 12 years would
have paid for a reseal. (He went through the sequence of laying the road
surface and the cost of maintenance three times a year.)
I’ve been quoted $150,000 as the cost of a full reseal;
More than that would have been spent on maintenance;
There has been an improvement in the gravel area, with initiatives that have
been taken that have been reasonably successful;
The water table needs to be upgraded;
The road seems to be upgraded at the same time each year;
The pot hole fill seems to be reasonably successful;
It would be nice to see it sealed but there would be other repercussions;
I suggest that in the township we make a 10 metre esplanade and backfill
around from where the beach starts and a ramp down to the beach;
I don’t think there is a huge cost in doing that;
The roadside channels around the township need to be dealt to. The main
thing is that culvert pipes underneath gateways are needed to stop excess
water from scouring the road, which happens several times a year;
I’d like to see a 3.6 - 4m seal around the township loop;
This has been quoted to me between $40,000 - $65,000, which would be from
the camp, the total loop and into the car park;
It is exactly a kilometre. I have measured it out;
I’d also like to see a light over the Reserve, for security;
I think if those projects were costed out, I think in today’s environment they
would be pretty minimal costs.
The Chairman asked if the ramp would allow vehicle access. Mr Smellie said he
didn’t see that driving on the beach would be detrimental. The ramp could allow
public walking access to the beach and vehicle access too. The Chairman
summarised that it would be a multipurpose ramp.
Mr Smellie offered to go with Board members in a car to look at the situation. The
Chairman thanked him for the offer but said Board members were due to go out to
look at the area again.
Cr Piercy said he thought the esplanade idea was a good one.
The Chairman thanked Mr Smellie for his presentation and undertook to look at
each of the issues.
Cr Piercy said he was concerned Omaui Road was not being monitored and
asked Mr Smellie to ring Russell Pearson at Council when it was bad.
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 FEBRUARY 2007
Moved Cr Piercy, seconded J Mitchell and RESOLVED that the minutes be
approved as a true and correct record.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THAT MEETING
3.1 Marina
J Mitchell asked if there had been any further information from the Committee.
The Chairman said that there had not.
3.2 Pool Party
The Chairman said in follow up discussions with Pool Staff they had indicated it
was more advantageous to begin the swimming season with a pool party, rather
than hold one at the end of the season.
3.3 Christmas Lights
The Chairman said that the Director of Works was having Christmas lights costed
and would speak to the contractors about putting them up in Bluff.
3.4 Paua House
The Chairman said the shells had been taken away, which had been well
publicised in the media. The whereabouts of the shells was unknown.
Information had come to hand that indicated that the Canterbury Museum was not
interested in the shells.
4. INTRODUCTION OF THE MANAGER CORPORATE SERVICES
The Chairman introduced the new Manager Corporate Services, Stephen Ridden,
to the Community Board. Mr Ridden outlined his responsibilities at Council,
including managing 20 full time staff members, plus casuals.
Mr Ridden said that he wanted to meet the Community Board and that he had an
open door and a listening ear.
He said he had come to Bluff a few times since Christmas and he intended to visit
at least twice a month.
Mr Ridden also outlined the new telephone system to move calls from Bluff to
Invercargill. The intention was to free up Bluff staff to deal with customers on the
shop floor. After hours callers would be switched through to the Water Tower.
The system was still a “work in progress” and he asked the Community Board for
patience.
J Mitchell outlined a complaint from a Bluff resident about a telephone call the
previous week. Mr Ridden accepted that it should never have happened and had
spoken to the Customer Services Team Leader about the matter.
5. REPORT OF THE BLUFF PUBLICITY/PROMOTIONS OFFICER
The report had been circulated.
5.1 Stabi-Craft Fishing Tournament
Mr Beer's remarks included:
The tournament is this weekend;
A media release about the Fishing Expo on Friday evening has been sent out
advising of the changed time;
We also put out a release late last week about the boat teams event,
promoting the fact it is for a $4,000 electronics prize;
We are working with the media this week on several fronts to create good
stories as the week goes on;
We’ve also submitted feature material to both The Southland Times and The
Southland Express;
There is less emphasis on entertainment this year but there will be some
between 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm.
5.2 Oyster Bay Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival
Mr Beer's remarks included:
The Southern Seas Cabaret was clashing with a Sting match;
The Cabaret has been moved to avoid the clash;
We had a photo story with Mayor Tim last week to publicise the change.
5.3 Website
Mr Beer's remarks included:
It has been very busy of late;
The largest number of inquiries have been about the Bluff Oyster;
School project inquiries have also been numerous, which is good because it
means people are studying Bluff.
5.4 Kiwi Kitchens
Mr Beer's remarks included:
The show, featuring Spencer Morrison preparing battered Bluff oysters, will be
filmed this Sunday;
The names of a number of Bluff residents were put forward and the television
company made the decision as to who was suitable.
5.5 Oyster Boat Song
5.6 I-site
Mr Beer's remarks included:
We have been talking to the I-site Manager regarding information given out
about Bluff accommodation and have been given assurances;
In such matters we have to take people at their word;
If people asked about Motel accommodation, they would be told there were no
motels;
The i-Site feels that staff are giving information accurately.
Cr Piercy asked if there was a list of accommodation in Bluff. Mr Beer said there was
a promotional clear file that was updated every year and sent to I-sites.
J Mitchell suggested speaking to the unofficial information centres around town.
Mr Beer agreed that one of the things was that there were so many people giving
out information and they were not always right. It was timely to look at those
places on the periphery.
Moved A Perkins, seconded S Morrison and RESOLVED that the report be
received.
5.7 Otago University Tourism Class
Mr Beer said an Otago University Tourism class had visited Bluff and its various
attractions. They saw the place on a beautiful day and in a very good light.
6. REPORT OF THE CORPORATE PLANNER – DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN
The report had been given to Members immediately prior to the meeting. The
Chairman asked Board members to read it and come up with any questions they
wanted answered.
7. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF WORKS AND SERVICES
The report had been circulated.
7.1 Bluff Water Supply
The Chairman said it was hoped to have a comprehensive report on the water
supply available in May.
7.2 Pilcher Avenue
The Chairman said this was still being processed.
7.3 Bluff Pilot Station Walkway
The Chairman said Members had looked at this during their inspection. He was
waiting on further information.
7.4 Bluff Camping Ground
Members were aware that there had been good patronage.
7.5 Bluff Pool
A Supplementary Report was tabled. It contained amended figures, showing that
there was a bigger drop in patronage than in the previous year.
The Chairman said one of the things that impacted on this was the number of
pupils travelling to Invercargill after the schools restructuring.
Moved A Brocklehurst, seconded J Mitchell and RESOLVED that the report be
received.
8. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES
8.1 ATM Machine
The Chairman said KiwiBank did not believe it could justify installing a machine
because there was an insufficient number of transactions. The Chairman said he
had spoken to Bill Cassidy recently regarding concerns about people coming to
the Service Centre with credit cards and not being able to access money.
Mr Cassidy said those concerns would be looked at.
Cr Piercy asked how anyone could predict the use of an ATM, when there wasn’t
one that could be used.
The Chairman said there was another bank that would come to Bluff “tomorrow”
and install an ATM in a shop. This would have quite an impact on the Service
Centre business.
He felt the City should go back to KiwiBank and make another approach about an
ATM. KiwiBank was the bank they wanted to install an ATM machine, he said.
Cr Piercy said the Council wanted the Service Centre to be viable, but the
question of service to the public at large should override that.
J Mitchell suggested promoting the Eftpos service and the hours in the next Bluff
Promotions’ brochure.
Mrs Williams said that Eftpos allowed New Zealanders to access money, but
tourists could not access money with credit cards. The Service Centre would like
to be able to take credit cards.
S Morrison asked why KiwiBank wasn’t interested in putting in an ATM when
another bank was.
J Mitchell said it was important to recognise that all banks left Bluff and KiwiBank
was the only one that came back.
Moved J Mitchell, seconded A Brocklehurst and RESOLVED that the option of an
ATM be further investigated;
And
That the utilisation of credit cards through the Service Centre be further
investigated.
8.2 Housing Care Service
Moved Cr Piercy, seconded A Perkins and RESOLVED that the report be
received.
9. MATTERS ARISING FROM ANNUAL INSPECTION
9.1 Pool
The Chairman said members had received the schedule of work that needed to
be done on the pool and it involved considerable expenditure. Certain work would
be done this year but it all came back to how much money was available and
priorities.
9.2 Bluff Hill
Members looked at damage caused by vandals and had discussed the feasibility
of security cameras. The Chairman said DOC was providing a legal document to
define the responsibilities of each party (DOC and Council) regarding Bluff Hill.
An agreement would be drawn up.
9.3 Reservoir
Members looked at the reservoir. The Chairman said not only was the reservoir
leaking but there were water reticulation problems. A report would be prepared
on future water supply storage in Bluff.
9.4 Stirling Point
Members were advised that work on the toilet and signpost would go out for
tender.
The track and chain both needed to be funded and a report would be provided by
the Director of Works as to how this should be handled.
10. ACTION SHEET
There were no items on the Action Sheet from the previous meeting.
11. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
11.1 NZAS Letter
The Chairman tabled a letter from Andrea Carson with an invitation to visit the
Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. It advised that Brian Cooper was finishing at the
smelter and Paul Hemburrow would take over as General Manager.
11.2 RSA Letter
The Chairman tabled a letter inviting members to take part in the ANZAC Day
parade on 25 April 2007, assembling at the back of the RSA Clubrooms at
10.45 am.
11.3 Letters from Bursary Recipients
The Chairman tabled two letters from Megan Mitchell showing her results and
advising of the courses she is going to study this year.
He also tabled a letter and card from Marita Leask thanking the Board for its
financial support.
11.4 Letter from Ms J Dagg
The Chairman said the letter tabled from Ms Dagg at the February meeting had
been forwarded to the Director of Works whose staff members were investigating
each of the issues she had raised.
11.5 Boyne Street Property
The Chairman tabled a resolution passed by the Community Board in 1989,
recommending that the land at 19 Boyne Street be set aside for pensioner
housing. Members were advised that the Council’s Investment Manager had
received an offer for the land and wanted to know if the Community Board was
still of the same view as in 1989.
Moved J Mitchell, seconded S Morrison and RESOLVED that the Board
reinforces its resolution of 1989 and keep the land for pensioner housing.
12. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements were omitted from the Agenda in error and the Chairman
asked that they be faxed to Board Members as soon as possible.
13. URGENT BUSINESS
Nil.
14. COMMUNITY BOARD IN PUBLIC EXCLUDED SESSION
Moved Mr Powley, seconded A Perkins and RESOLVED that the public be
excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting, namely:
Confirmation of minutes of the Public Excluded Session of the 12 February 2007
meeting. The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is
excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the
specific grounds under Section 48(1)(d) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as
follows:
General subject of Reason for passing Ground(s) under
each matter to be this resolution in Section 48(1) for
considered relation to each matter the passing of this
resolution
Paua House update To protect the privacy of Section 7(2) a
natural persons,
including that of
deceased natural
persons
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