BEACH COMMUNITY BOARD BRIEFS
Dogs on the beach
Concerns were again raised on the issue of compliance regarding dogs on beaches and in campervans. The main concern was with dogs running loose on the beach. The public wanted to know where the Contractor Watchdog Services were based, and what were their hours of employment. The Board and Council staff explained that although the contractor is based in Tauranga they would have staff based locally for the period of the contract.
They said that if a problem arose with dogs, parking or campervans, a call to the 0800 council number would instigate an immediate response. The concern raised was the length of time it took to resolveissues if the contractor had to travel from Tauranga.
Archie Leach Reserve
It was brought to the Community Board’s notice that trees were being cut down in the reserve and left lying there. The Reserves Manager had agreed to tidy up and do some work on the reserve so that a community group could manage it as an environmental project. The chairman said he would investigate it.
Bridge upgrade
The pedestrian bridge over the creek by the Beach Hotel is to be upgraded After consultation with the roading engineer, it was proposed that designs for a new bridge go out for tender.
Development fund
The Board had requested a full historic breakdown of the Town Centre Development Fund. Council staff replied it would be available at the next Board meeting in February. The discussion then centred on how the Beach was to move forward. Comment was made that people have “had their say” many times over the last 12 months and now they would like to know exactly what was coming out of all that data and when anything was going to happen. Councillor Williams suggested a good option was for the Board to hire a consultant to gather together all the data and come back with a concept for all of Waihi Beach, including Athenree and Bowentown, not just the town centre The project would be funded by the Community Board and the amount of $25,000 was put forward as an initial figure.
Athenree Action Group
The group has grown in strength and numbers and achieved some positive results. Two mangrove working bees in the last month have cleared a huge part of the harbour. One school bus shelter has been renovated and upgraded and the other old one has been turned into a food exchange stall which has been well supported by the community.
Councillor’s Report
Councillor Williams reported that road safety improvements costing $100 million are set for State Highway 2 from Waihi to mokoroa, but the Katikati bypass is again on the very back burner. Katikati Boat Club has bought a container to use for boat storage. This was a joint Council/ Community project. The debt level of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has dropped from $7000 per ratepayer seven years ago to $5500 last year and will drop further this year. The council now has an AA rating. Western Bay and Tauranga councils are in discussion on re-drawing a boundary which would mean some of Western Bay of Plenty District Council changed to Tauranga council.
Entrance to Waihi Beach
The Board is fed up with the constant battle to get the entranceway down to the roundabout maintained. The area was upgraded about six years ago and plantings with a value of $10,000 were assigned to the area.
Most of those plants have since died and the area is not being maintained. The Board discussed scrubbing plantings and just mowing it, or replanting with sustainable plants. The Board decided to get someone local with expertise to assess the site and plan for an upgrade.
Upgrade at dam site
The Board, together with Reserves staff, have agreed to relocate the Wilson Road Exeloo toilet adjacent to the old depot building and install a concrete footpath from the bridge to the buildings. Provision is being made for a local artist to paint a mural, with bike stands, seating and an area for a future barbecue.
Speed limit changes
Proposed changes for speed limits at the Beach include Steele Rd to Kotunui Rd down to 50km, Waihi Beach Primary school zone down to 40km, Seaforth Road 100km area down to 50k from Pio Shores to Albacore Ave. Wilson Road from Citrus Ave to Seaforth Rd down from 50km to 30km.