Chairperson Report - AGM 2021
WRITTEN 3rd Of October 2021
Once again I want to say that it has been an honour to represent the Hāwea District over the past 2 years. I am delighted with the work both our predecessors and the current Communications team have completed in relation to the new Hāwea Community Association website to ensure that the Hāwea Community can stay fully updated with the local moving and shaking of life in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Sadly, due to external work commitments, I now need to step down from the role of Chairperson as I do not currently have the time required to adequately represent the community in this capacity.
I hope to stay fully involved as a member of the Executive committee and would strongly urge others to put themselves forward to ensure that Hāwea continues to develop in a way that meets with the community aspirations and interests of the ratepayers.
As I step away, I remain very impressed by the work of the newly formed Comms team in relation to the website. This has been a huge collaboration between volunteers over a three-year period. It has taken different forms during development and the Scope has continued to evolve based on community needs and, the availability of expertise from our amazing volunteers.
I would like to thank each and everyone one of the people involved in this project including the original HCA pioneers, Tim Ryan and April MacKenzie, Di Kenton who re-picked up and continued to develop the original Scope which was launched earlier this year and, to Joanna Williamson, Zoe Brock, Jessica McDougall, Danny Mollan and Mike Anderson for their time and efforts in making the website a true work of art.
This is an amazing asset for our community however, it will require constant resources going forward to ensure it remains a valuable community tool. As such, the committee have discussed setting aside a budget to ensure that this can be run effectively. However, whilst we may be able to offer some minor compensation for services, it will still rely heavily on volunteer resources.
If you are interested in supporting our work to ensure the community is kept up to date with notifications and easy access to projects, events, businesses, and services across the Hāwea district, please consider becoming a fully paid member of the HCA. We are a not-for-profit organisation and we rely on your subscription fees to ensure your interests are fairly represented.
Please also consider standing for the HCA Executive Committee for the 2021/22 year. If you want to understand how our rates are being spent or want to be involved in ensuring adequate services and facilities are provided to the community. this is a great place to find out. Anyone looking to run for Council would find a good grounding in the complexities of providing representation!
Full details of the committee roles are available if you would like to see what tasks are involved and, the time commitments required to complete the duties.
In other updates, the Proposed District Plans Appeals are underway, and we are expecting to move to Mediation in April of this year. In the meantime, we have lodged a submission on the “scope” of the appeal from Universal Developments, which we believe outside of the current remit of Stage 3. We remain in discussion with our lawyer regarding this topic and will keep the community updated, as more information comes to light.
It is now 12 months since the Council identified the “key stakeholders” from Hāwea to meet and consult on the Spatial Plan. Once again, Hāwea sent a consistent message around the way we would like to see our settlements develop and that involved densification at the Lake rather than Urban sprawl with controlled growth on the Flat. This is at odds with the current appeal lodged by Universal Developments.
As an Association, we need to consolidate our infrastructure before allowing a developer to add significant numbers of cars to our roads and kilometres of new pipes, services and roading infrastructure (currently unclear who will pay for this) that will dramatically affect household rate rises, well in excess of what we have already seen over recent years.
We are not against affordable housing however, we have seen a dramatic increase in what was purported to be “affordable” by the Developer of the SHA at the Hearing in August last year, where he expected properties to hit the market with a “1” at the beginning of the price tag, to actually seeing it well into the “2”s before he requested a further price increase earlier this year.
The Airport conversation has taken a dramatic turn with information released in recent weeks of the possible runway options for a new Airport in Tarras. As an Association, we do not currently have a stance on the Tarras airport however, this will be a task for the new Chair to establish the mandate.
Covid has again been challenging for everyone with recent lockdowns having an even more detrimental effect on people this time as many people felt like we had moved on however, this bought it back to us with a bang. I would urge people to look out for each other at this uncertain time, especially as we head into Christmas. One thing we know about Hāwea and the reason a lot of people love living here is, we have each other’s backs.
If you are finding it tough, reach out. No one wants to see anyone doing it tough so, let people know. Most of us have been there at some point so, we’re not afraid of helping. Just ask. Pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself.
Finally, I want to thank all the people that have been an integral part of the HCA over the last 12 months.
Rob White stepped in as Deputy Chairperson and has been an amazing force on the Proposed District Plan and all the associated conversations around infrastructure for 2 years. Unfortunately, Rob stood down a couple of months ago so, this role is currently open.
Joanna Williamson has been fabulous in the role of Secretary and has worked tirelessly on the Website content and launch. We would like to congratulate Joanna on the impending arrival of a new family member and therefore, you’ll understand when I say she also needed to take a step back in July. Joanna will remain as part of the Comms team; however, we will be looking to find a new secretary for the 2021/22 year. With the establishment of the Comms Team, this role has reduced in size.
John Taylor has provided us with financial assistance as Treasurer and is happy to remain in this role for the next tenure unless a young “whippersnapper” would like to put their hand up. Age not actually an issue so, happy to look at people with “maturity” if you’re really keen. Otherwise, we will gratefully retain John’s very capable services.
Laura Solbak has been our liaison on Greenwaste during 2020 and 2021, amongst other things however, after 7 years on the Committee, Laura will be taking a well-earned break. Thank you for all of your work Laura.
Don Robertson and John Langley have been our go-to guys for everything water related and will be remaining in situ unless they are ousted by competitive voting for this year’s election. Many thanks to these two gentlemen who have remained steadfast in representing the needs of Hāwea community.
Murray Gardner has been a stalwart and still made it to meetings on crutches! He has been instrumental in representing the Hāwea Community interests in relation to the Airport over the past few years! Thank you Murray. Again, after a distinguished tenure with the HCA, including a stint as Deputy Chair, Murray will be stepping down.
Thank you to Louise Merrall who joined us in 2020 for taking on the portfolio for the Playground project. Also, to the community volunteers who make up the Playground subcommittee. Without these volunteers, nothing would progress. Louise will be staying on for 2021/22 unless heavy voting should see her ousted. (In the very unlikely event that happens, we’re still keeping her for playgrounds!)
Farewell and thank you to Mike Anderson who has also been with the Committee for some years now. Mike has become increasingly busy with work commitments, and we wish him well.
In short, thank you to all of the Committee members over my time as Chair and also to those that have assisted us with queries, concerns, and projects both in the community and from Council. In particular, thank you to Diana Manson from the QLDC Parks team, Jess Garrett at QLDC for following up on our Comms and to Quentin Smith, Niamh Shaw and Niki Gladding for actively listening and following up on the aspirations of the Hāwea Community.
My best wishes and support to the new Chairperson for 2021/22.
Cherilyn Walthew
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