Submission the Council's Long Term Plan 2015

Kaikohe Business Association Inc.

Chair: Steve Sangster – Secretary: Mike Shaw – Treasurer: Joe Nol

PO Box 497 – KAIKOHE

Submission on the Consultation Document for the Proposed LTP 2015-25

Introduction

This is a well presented and easy to understand document – well done. The focus of the Kaikohe Business Association is clearly an economic one, however we are mindful that social issues are a challenge affecting everyone in the District. We want economic development that results in resilient jobs for those aspiring to stay in their communities, strengthening both the financial and social fabric. Underpinning economic development are infrastructure challenges that may not be surmountable without additional assistance from government in the short term. Hence we appeal to Council to be somewhat more aspirational in its outlook, tempered by the reality of a sparse population with modest incomes.

“we expect that the number of visitors to the District will continue to decline” (p.3)

Kaikohe Business Association is not envisioning that visitor numbers will decline over the term of the LTP. It is short sighted to have this thinking entrenched: i.e. that Paihia and Kerikeri will be the only towns to enjoy increased visitor traffic. We have at least five real drivers of increased traffic and visitor numbers to other areas which must be anticipated:

• 1. Increased Ngapuhi wealth from Treaty Of Waitangi settlements which will result in local investments.

  2. Industrial and energy developments by Top Energy at Ngawha to kick start a resurgence in our economy.

  3. The ageing population in New Zealand and in particular increased growth in Auckland is likely to see large numbers of the retiring baby boomer population moving North, albeit primarily to the east coast.

  4. An increased range of visitor attractions and unique cultural experiences will ensure that tourism continues to grow – a real source of improved economic outcomes.

  5. Completion of the cycle trail is sure to increase visitor numbers, and must be done as soon as practicable.

Roading

We want Council to maintain pressure on government and Transit New Zealand to classify our roads more highly so that they receive the funding needed to maintain and improve them with increased traffic volumes.

Rating Review

We agree with Council’s review of the rating system to allocate the costs of services to ratepayers more equitably. However in sparsely populated areas with weak economies this will prove difficult to justify if it is purely on a pro rata basis. The result could be a greater imbalance of facilities and more ‘haves and have nots’. In other words, increased inequality could be a perverse outcome of such a model.

“We don’t have access to large charitable funders that some councils do”. (p. 6)

This needs to be better explained please – as ratepayers we need to understand why not, should this be so, and if anything can be done to address it.

Kaikohe Infrastructure

We submit that Kaikohe is in great need of considerable improvements to basic infrastructure. Improvements will result in positive economic and social outcomes, both for the town and the Western Ward (for which it is the primary service town). Enhancements to Kaikohe, and its ultimate reinvigoration, must surely benefit us all.

Projects that have been started - yet remain incomplete - need a renewed focus to complete them.

In conjunction with efforts by this Association to re-brand and improve the economic performance of Kaikohe, we call upon Far North District Council to partner the wider community to deliver a range of improvements that are long overdue. We are all parties to the problems and the solutions.

Kaikohe has been in economic decline for decades, yet remains the home of Ngapuhi, Aotearoa / New Zealand’s largest iwi. As such its future as a cultural and spiritual centre for a large part of the Far North population is assured. We also call upon Far North District Council to provide for the meaningful input and participation of tangata whenua in all its planning processes.

Kaikohe accommodates the Headquarters of Far North District Council. We submit that it should ever remain so. This is because of its optimum - and thus most efficient - geographic location in the Far North. We support the recent proposal to revamp the Council Chambers and staff headquarters, together with improvements to Memorial Hall and integration of the library, in the one location. We oppose any renewal of the lease of the John Butler Centre in Kerikeri, as it divides Council resources, creating inefficiencies that add unnecessarily to Council costs. It is noted that Council owns the site on Memorial Ave in Kaikohe as unencumbered freehold.

Required improvements to Kaikohe include footpaths, cycling infrastructure (to complement Pou Herenga Tai, the coast to coast cycle trail) and public toilets. There is also an urgent need to provide for enhancements to existing community amenities in the town. Kaikohe services a widely spread population, particularly to the west including Hokianga. Its people have low incomes of $17,900 p.a., and a markedly high proportion of residents – 32.3% - are aged under 15 years (source: Statistics NZ).

Public Toilets

A particularly detracting feature of Kaikohe is its lack of Public Toilets. This is in spite of a recent upgrade of the existing facilities in Library Lane. At least one additional set of facilities is required adjacent to Memorial Park.

Pou Herenga Tai, coast to coast Cycle Trail

This is a great asset to Kaikohe, however lacks the obvious need for public convenience facilities. These should be provided at all access points to the trail in the townships of Moerewa, Kaikohe, Okaihau and Horeke.

As government appointed developer and Trustee of taxpayer monies to develop this Cycle Trail, we submit that Council include toilet facilities as an essential component of this attraction. There is much to be gained by way of economic development in the Far North by enhancement of the trail.

There is also the vexatious issue of the trail diverting riders away from the Kaikohe CBD, hence the opportunity to boost the town’s economy is lost. We await further consideration of this matter.

Footpaths

A number of footpath projects remain incomplete legacies of yesteryear. They are typified by being incomplete and/or non-contiguous. These projects must be completed and/or revamped as appropriate, after a long period of inaction.

Broadway:

Kaikohe’s main street (also State Highway 12, a critical arterial road in the region) has bituminous footpaths with brick inserts between Park Rd and Wihongi St on the northern side. On the southern side these extend from Station Rd to Wihongi St. These works were undertaken around 15 years ago. They have never been completed.

This is an unacceptable blight upon the town that must be remedied soonest. In many locations uneven surfaces in existing footpaths are a public safety hazard, in particular to the east of Routley Ave. Businesses and social agencies located in this area at the “bottom” (eastern) end of the township are left feeling like lost cousins, or the ‘have nots’.

It is a high priority for these footpaths to be upgraded in their entirety, to a uniform standard. The bitumen surfaces have proven difficult to clean and maintain. In addition the bitumen is impractical in hot weather when the surface ends up adhered to shopkeeper’s floor coverings. These footpaths need to be changed to a more practical, serviceable and safe surface. We submit that these improved surfaces and pedestrian thoroughfare should extend from Ngapua Place to Kowhai Ave on the southern side of Broadway, and from Tawanui Rd to Hongi St on the northern side. This would then provide a uniform surface over the whole of the main CBD throughfare.

Recreation Rd / Station Rd East:

The footpaths in this area require completion. There is a large gap on the northern side of Recreation Rd, from Raihara St to Station Rd E, and up the eastern side of Station Rd E to join up with the footpath at the western end of Memorial Ave (corner of the Skate Park). This will provide continuous pedestrian access from the CBD to the Pioneer Village and Lindvart Park (on the opposite side of Recreation Rd), as well as improve access to the skate park. There is adequate space available to accommodate the completion of the footpath network in this area.

Motor Home Friendly Town

The Kaikohe Business Association has been working to achieve “Motor Home Friendly” status with the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc(NZMCA).

Most of the criteria are met already. We have a dump station for toilet waste, an i-Site is under construction, and sites are available for ‘self contained’ vehicles to park at the Showgrounds and at the RSA carpark.

To achieve this status will require Far North District Council consideration and amendment of its policies: the text below clarifies the position of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association as provided by James Imlach (Resource Management Planner, NZMCA).

For a town to receive MHF [Motor Home Friendly] status, their city/district bylaws must be consistent with the primary thrust of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 (FCA), i.e. freedom camping is a permitted activity everywhere in a local authority area, except at those sites where it is specifically restricted or prohibited. The FCA reverses the approach taken by some current bylaws (including FNDC) which designate places where freedom camping is allowed, and generally prohibit it everywhere else.

For the NZMCA to reconsider Kaikohe’s application the FNDC must review its current freedom camping-related restrictions in line with the FCA. And any reasons to restrict or prohibit the activity must not be unlawful (e.g. to reduce conflict with commercial interests, as proposed in FNDC’s Freedom Camping Policy 2011).

Significant and sorely needed tourism spend is currently hampered by a lack of policy alignment with the legislation. The mayor of Taupo was quoted in July 2011 as saying "I don't mean to be flippant, but if you don't want motorhome dollars, send them down to us. We will welcome them with open arms". A 2011 study in Taupo showed that the average spend per motorhome over two days was $401. This is bound to have risen since then.

A negative perception of ‘freedom campers’ is that of refuse left behind on roadsides, laybys etc. We suggest that the vast majority of litter problems are in fact created by irresponsible motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

We submit that Far North District Council reconsiders and alters the policy on Freedom Camping, in order that the requirements of the Freedom Camping Act 2011 are met. The entire region is missing out on sorely needed revenue as a result. There is considerable potential for economic stimulus by changing the said policy and further embracing the Freedom Camping fraternity in the Far North

Bilingual Signage

Town signage is in a poor state of repair, with many signs dilapidated, dirty, and/or damaged in some way. The population of Kaikohe is predominantly Maori, who make up 73.5% of the total (source: Statistics NZ). Therefore we submit that as signage is replaced it be produced in both English and Te Reo Maori. This will add to the cultural significance of the town, be a feature of interest to tourists and therefore contribute to positive economic outcomes.

Thank you sincerely,

For Kaikohe Business Association inc.

Steve Sangster, Chair