Otorohanga Community Board MINUTES 11 August 2011 OTOROHANGA COMMUNITY BOARD 11 August 2011 Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Otorohanga Community Board held in the Council Chambers, Maniapoto St, Otorohanga on Thursday 11 August 2011 commencing at 4.03pm. MINUTES Minutes are unconfirmed and subject to amendment at the next meeting of the Board. ORDER OF BUSINESS: ITEM PRECIS PAGE PRESENT 1 IN ATTENDANCE 1 APOLOGY 1 ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN GENERAL BUSINESS 1 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES – 14 JULY 2011 1 REPORTS 3 Item-49 OCB MATTERS REFERRED FROM 14 JULY 2011 3 GENERAL 3 MEETING CLOSURE 5 Otorohanga Community Board – MINUTES – 11 August 2011 PRESENT Mr R Prescott (Chair), Mrs EM Cowan, Mr AG Ormsby (attended 4.07pm), Mr PD Tindle and Mr DR Williams. IN ATTENDANCE Cr D Pilkington, Messrs DC Clibbery (Chief Executive), R Chadwick (Engineering Manager) and CA Tutty (Governance Supervisor). APOLOGY Resolved that the apology received from Mrs AC Laws be sustained. Mrs Cowan / Mr Tindle ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN GENERAL BUSINESS The Governance Supervisor reported that a request had been received from the Beattie Home Rose & Flower Show for banners to be erected at the north and south ends of Otorohanga and to allow chalk roses and flowers to be drawn on the Maniapoto Street pavement prior to the day of the Show. Following discussion a resolution may be required. The Engineering Manager advised he has a report prepared by Council’s Roading Manager on the Kiwitown Mitre 10 vehicle access which may also require a resolution. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES – 14 JULY 2011 Mr Williams moved that the minutes of the meeting of the Otorohanga Community Board held on 14 July 2011, as previously circulated, be approved as a true and correct record of that meeting. Mrs Cowan moved an amendment to the resolution of 14 July 2011 regarding the Project Kiwiana request to erect Silver Ferns on the Fin Phillips Reserve. The amended motion being – ‘That the Board grant approval to the Project Kiwiana Committee to erect Silver Fern Kiwiana Installations on the Fin Phillips Reserve, subject to the maintenance, erection and removal of the Installations being the responsibility of the Committee and that their removal is at the discretion of the Board.’ The Chief Executive reported that there were issues around whether the Silver Ferns are signs and if so, under the current District Plan they would require a Resource Consent. He said the definition of a sign is extremely broad however, being, “any display or device (including frames and other supporting structures and lighting) visible from any place, which is intended to attract the attention of passing people”. The Chief Executive further advised that should it be accepted that the Silver Fern installations are signs, there is the question of whether they are ‘on’ or ‘off’ site signs. ‘Off’ site signs are those not on the site that is selling or providing a service. Mr Ormsby attended the meeting at 4.07pm. The Chief Executive referred to ‘off-site’ signs and the standards and rules that apply, in particular that which states that ‘Advertising signs are to be located within one kilometre of the activity they advertise.’ He advised that the application to erect the Silver Ferns referred to this project as being a ‘promotion’ of the Rugby World Cup. Mrs Cowan then recited a description of the Silver Fern being ‘the Silver Fern is widely representative of NZ and New Zealanders. It is a powerful and emotional symbol of inspiration and one that all Kiwi’s can relate to. It’s no surprise that the Silver Fern symbol is widely used in sport, given NZ’s passion for and commitment to sport. However, it is misleading to regard it as merely a sports symbol, it pervades the imagery of all New Zealand and has inspired New Zealanders in all aspects of their lives… from the Otorohanga Community Board - MINUTES – 11 August 2011 Page 1 famous NZ export Fernleaf butter, the badges of most NZ Army Units, Neil Dawson’s Civic Square sculpture in Wellington, Katerina Nehua’s swimming costume for endurance swimming (1904-48), to our National Netball team, the Silver Ferns.’ ‘It has played an inspirational role for the military NZ Army contingents, who saw overseas service in the South African War of 1899 – 1902, are understood to have worn fern leaf badges. The fern leaf had become the Army’s predominant badge by WWI. And of course the Silver Fern is the leading symbol in NZ’s national game, rugby.’ Mrs Cowan expressed the opinion she believed the proposal was a continuation of the Kiwiana theme. The Chair said he still struggled whether the Silver Ferns are actually a sign. Mrs Cowan replied that they are a symbol of a nation. The Chief Executive again referred to ‘off-site’ signs Standards 20G one of which reads ‘No sign may be erected upon an archaeological, historical or cultural site or any site of significance identified by Iwi/hapu. He reported that the decision needs to be made by Council’s regulatory division and that it is their belief that a Resource Consent is required. The Chief Executive then read the description of a temporary sign being ‘a sign which is erected only for the purpose of informing the general public about upcoming Community events, elections or property sales. The sign may only be erected for a period not exceeding six months and is to be removed within seven days of the completion of the event, election or property sale’. Mrs Cowan queried whether every time Project Kiwiana wishes to erect Kiwiana signage is it going to have to go through a Resource Consent process. The Chief Executive replied this would not be the case as most such ‘signs’ would be permitted activities. Mr Ormsby said he would like to see more Silver Ferns erected on the Fin Phillips Reserve and reported that Mr Phillips had donated the land for the benefit of this town. Mrs Cowan queried whether the District Plan rules have been interpreted correctly as the Silver Ferns are not exclusively for the World Cup. This is a longer project for the benefit of the town. Mrs Cowan then presented a letter forwarded by Council’s Environmental Services Manager to the Chairperson of the Project Kiwiana Committee. The letter referred to the Silver Fern signs which have been erected on the Bob Horsfall Reserve (this is incorrect and should read the Fin Phillips Reserve) at the north end of Maniapoto Street. It stated that the rules of the Otorohanga District Plan allow for temporary signs to be in place for up to six months and are to be removed within seven days of the completion of the event. With the final of the Rugby World Cup being held on 23 October 2011, a Resource Consent will be required if these signs are to remain in place after 1 November 2011. Mr Tindle expressed the opinion he could not see Council hamstringing the proposal as it has benefit to the Community. He said he would like to see them remain on the Fin Phillips Reserve and he felt that the process should be handled through Council’s Regulatory staff. Mr Ormsby replied he is of the opinion that the issue should be handled by the Community Board as this is ‘our’ town and the Board should be involved. The Chief Executive reported there was no problem. The Silver Ferns could stay until the end of the Rugby World Cup and after that they would become a permitted activity as they are then not advertising anything. He agreed that the Environmental Services Manager’s letter needs to be revised. Mr Williams expressed his opposition to the erection of the Silver Ferns and expressed the opinion that there are too many kiwiana items around the town. He said the Reserve should be established as a bush reserve. Mr Williams said that although the majority support the proposal, he is in opposition to it. Mrs Cowan then withdrew her amendment to the motion on the understanding that Council’s letter is clarified. Mrs Cowan then seconded the confirmation of the minutes and the adoption of its recommendations. Otorohanga Community Board - MINUTES – 11 August 2011 Page 2 Mr Williams / Mrs Cowan REPORTS Item-49 OCB MATTERS REFERRED FROM 14 JULY 2011 Discussion REQUEST TO REMOVE TREE ON ROAD RESERVE – TE KAWA STREET Mr Williams referred to the request to remove a tree from Road Reserve adjacent to a property at 57 Rangitahi Street, Otorohanga and said this had been inspected by Mrs Rosemary Davison and himself. He reported that this is only one lonely Maple tree which, other than requiring pruning, did not appear to be creating any problems. Mrs Davison and Mr Williams agreed that the tree should remain in its current position. This was conveyed to Council’s Community Facilities Officer. LIBRARY MEETING ROOM SURPLUS The Chief Executive advised that any surplus tables or whiteboards from the former Library Meeting Room have already been disposed of. POOL COMPLEX – CHANGING TABLE The Engineering Manager advised that the installation of changing tables as requested by IHC at the Pool complex is in process with Council’s Community Facilities Officer obtaining prices. GENERAL PROGRESS PARK In reply to Mr Ormsby, the Chief Executive advised that a section has been sold in Progress Drive for a figure slightly less than the original asking price. He said the purchaser is a scrap metal dealer currently located on Tuhoro Street. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Mr Ormsby queried where the town was headed and suggested there is a need to look at the current position in the town.