Eketāhuna Community Board

Minutes of a meeting of the Eketāhuna Community Board held in the Eketāhuna War Memorial Hall, corner of Jones Street and State Highway 2, Eketāhuna on Monday 11 July 2022 commencing at 10.00am.

 

1.               Present

Board Members C C Death (Chairperson), S C McGhie (Deputy Chairperson),         T M Carew, D F Clifton and Cr R A Treder (Council appointed Community Board Member).

In Attendance

Mrs T Collis         -        Her Worship the Mayor

Representatives for Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum as outlined in item 8

 

2.               Apologies

2.1

As the Manager - Democracy Services Richard Taylor could not attend the meeting due to being unwell the minutes were taken by Mayor Tracey Collis.

3.               Personal Matters

3.1

Nil

4.               Notification of Items Not on the Agenda

4.1

Jazz in the Park

4.1.1

The time of year when the Jazz in the Park community event is held in Eketāhuna is questioned (12 February 2022), and whether that date should be changed.

4.1.2

There was discussion on that matter, and it was decided to leave the date as set for scheduling this event.

4.2

Camelia Tree on State Highway 2

4.2.1

A camelia tree was flattened by a car, and a meeting shall be held with Economic and Community Development Advisor Colin Yonge noting Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s challenge with signage on State Highway 2 at the entrance to town.

4.3

Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum Project

4.3.1

Representatives for Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum will attend the meeting at 10.30am to make a presentation on their Early Settlers Cemetery proposed Whatarau Memorial Walk project.

5.               Confirmation of Minutes

5.1

That the minutes of the Eketāhuna Community Board meeting held on 13 June 2022 (as circulated) be confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Clifton/McGhie                                                                                                Carried

6.               Matters Arising from the Minutes

6.1

Urban Kerbside Recycling Service (Item 7.2)

6.1.1

Properties on the town boundary located in the rural zoned area do not receive the urban kerbside recycling bins collection service as they are not charged a rate to fund the cost involved.

6.1.2

The current zoning of such properties on the fringe of the rural/urban boundary could be raised in the District Plan review.

6.1.3

This subject is noted for a potential town meeting to discuss the implications of re-zoning in Eketāhuna.

6.2

Eketāhuna Our Town Incorporated (Item 9.2)

6.2.1

The Matariki flags looked great, and the Waka Park and carvings are amazing with a well-attended event held for their unveiling.

6.2.2

Warren Chase did a great job on the day, and congratulations are conveyed to him and the team for the Waka Park which is now complete.

6.2.3

Around 40 to 50 people attended the event, and following this people went to the museum for a display and book launch for the Anderson family.

6.3

Welcome to New Residents Afternoon Tea (Item 10.1)

6.3.1

Board Member Terry Carew noted there are a lot of new people in town, and given this situation a welcome to new residents afternoon tea should be arranged at the end of August (before the election).

6.3.2

Deputy Chairperson Board Member Steen McGhie asked for previous information from welcome to new residents events arranged by the Board relative to the work and planning involved.

6.3.3

Board Member Denise Clifton queried whether people would come out to attend in the cold weather, and Chairperson Board Member Charlie Death felt the event should be held over until the warmer months.

6.3.4

That it is recommended the new Board following this year’s election give consideration to arranging a welcome to new residents afternoon tea early in 2023.

Clifton/McGhie                                                                                               Carried

7.                Tararua District Council Report

7.1

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 29 June 2022 (as circulated) be received.

Clifton/McGhie                                                                                                Carried

7.2

Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge Master Plan

7.2.1

The Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge Master Plan presentation was impressive and is available on the website.

7.2.2

The new road is on schedule, and Council will apply to the one million dollar Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Recreational Path Fund for financial assistance to undertake the Lindauer Walkway Trail project (that has three stages).

7.3

Rates Rebate Thresholds

7.3.1

The level of the government’s rates rebate thresholds have been reviewed and increased  for this financial year.

7.4

X-Ray and Radiology Services at Dannevirke Community Hospital

7.4.1

It is pleasing to note the successful lobbying undertaken with MidCentral Health resulting in the availability of x-ray and radiology services at Dannevirke Community Hospital being reinstated.

7.5

Eketāhuna Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

7.5.1

Board members would like the opportunity to visit the plant, and also support consideration is given for a public event being arranged for that purpose.

7.6

Civic Honour Award

7.6.1

Mayor Tracey Collis spoke about the event held to present Wayne Churchouse with his civic honour award for outstanding voluntary community service.

7.7

Mayor and Councillors Report

7.7.1

The information set out in the Mayor and Councillors June report is noted, including reference to the following matters:

·         Dannevirke impounded water supply was discussed.

·         Anna Christenson is approaching her Gold Star Award.

·         Three Waters Better Off Support Funding Package Workshops.

·         Cr Shirley Hull noted you can still celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee until 6 February 2023 and funding is available.

·         Connect Tararua remapping of the entire district is complete, and Callum Skeet will be analysing that data.

·         Carnival Park weed management work is being undertaken to complete restoration of this amazing piece of bush area.  There are QR scanners that bring up the history and photos, and it is well worth a visit to this interesting place with more work planned to progress growth and development of native planting.

·         Congratulations to Megan Hull on being the winner of the Downer Tararua Sports Awards Sportsperson of the Year and Supreme Sportsperson of the Year.  This recognition is well deserved to acknowledge her achievements of being selected as Black Sticks Co-Captain and 50 games played.

8.       Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum Project Early Settlers Cemetery Proposed Whatarau Memorial Walk

8.1

Bridget Wellwood and Bruce Lawrence for Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum attended the meeting to make a presentation regarding the Early Settlers Cemetery (in Alfredton Road) proposed Whatarau Memorial Walk project, including reference to the following matters:

·         Bruce is new to town and came on board with the museum.  They would like to restore the dignity of the Early Settlers Cemetery, noting the land was previously leased but this has ended.

·         This now enables the proposed project to proceed that research started ten years ago, and through the Board Council is requested to get the ground surveyed with ground penetrating radar where 31 bodies (ascertained from research undertaken and rising) are known names of people buried there.

·         A lot were children and only 11 are mentioned on the plaque of the existing monument.  Family have history that members are buried there during the 1882 diphtheria epidemic.

·         The replacement cemetery talked about how the river ran through the area, and concern with the health implications for the town.

·         To coincide with the Eketāhuna 150th Jubilee anniversary celebrations in 2023 the Early Settlers Cemetery Memorial Walk proposal is a worthy project to undertake, recognising there will be a large number of people and descendants coming to Eketāhuna for that occasion.

 

·         The only rough estimate of cost is from another project which is still under way identifying unmarked graves at Ashley Clinton.

·         That project is believed to cost approximately $8,000 for a week of ground radar services, and an approach could be made to Central Hawke’s Bay District Council for the relevant information.  Carterton District Council had undertaken similar work at Clareville Cemetery and could also be contacted.

·         A concept sketch was done by Denise Clifton some time ago of the suggested layout of the proposed Whatarau Memorial Walk, named after the late Russell Whatarau Gaskin (who had the original vision for this project).

·         The concept is to develop the walkway around the cemetery (hopefully where the graves are located they can be identified either through plaques or permanent markers installed) to make this a pleasant environment for families to come for reflection, mourning and contemplation.

·         Facebook screen shots from Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum page reflect people’s level of concern about the cemetery.  The graves were never re-interred prior to levelling of the site, and the extent of the burial ground boundaries needs to be determined.

·         There are community plans for a dog park getting some negative feedback, and this would be more suited to beyond the boundaries of the actual cemetery.

·         Clarifying the extent of the burial ground is equally important in order to progress the dog park, with the graves needing to be fenced off before that project could proceed.

8.2

Board Member Terry Carew indicated it was always the plan for the cemetery burial ground area to be separate from the development of the dog park.

8.3

In summary the request from this meeting is as follows:

·         Council organise and pay to get the Early Settlers Cemetery in Alfredton Road checked with ground penetrating radar to identify locations of unmarked graves.  It is considered to be the duty of Council to survey the property as manager and owner of the cemetery, and its Facilities Manager could follow up on this matter with councils that have undertaken such work previously.

·         Council ascertain if it has a copy or can access from its archives the hand drawn sketch pan with details regarding inscriptions, numbers and descriptions of the headstones and grave surrounds.  Also the site plan done by Crs Golder and Trevelyan of the cemetery site just prior to its bulldozing in 1969.  (There is some contention around the actual date of clearing the site - possibly between 1969 and 1973 as other findings suggest it was an Eketāhuna centennial 1973 project, and the existing monument was erected in time for that event).

8.4

A discussion with Facilities Manager Jessi McKenzie has occurred about the map and details of the grave descriptions, along with a visit to the site undertaken by her and Cr Shirley Hull, Board Member Denise Clifton and Eketāhuna Mellemskov Museum representative Bridget Wellwood.

8.5

Eketāhuna Our Town Committee has approached the Lottery Grants Board to advise them there is a plan to develop a dog park/memorial ground or combined, with the Facilities Manager aware of that proposal.

8.6

There will be a need to go the community as a whole for discussion about the project that is work in progress, and it can now proceed as the land is not being grazed.

8.7

Eketāhuna/Mellemskov Museum shall manage the project, consult with local clergy and kaumatua around the spiritual significance of the site, and will hold a community event to open it once complete.

8.8

Returned and Services Association have two cases of photographs that could be looked at to see the area as it was originally, and the site is overlooked by mature pine trees along the western boundary of the domain land.

8.9

These will probably need to be removed as they are likely to start falling over, and could be sold locally for firewood as a fundraiser to offset the costs of the landscaping project for the walkway.

8.10

It is expected the people of Eketāhuna will have no hesitation in supporting the rest of the development of this historic and sacred site.

8.11

They are likely to provide voluntary labour, and with some fundraising and community awareness around the project donations of suitable native plants and landscaping materials will also be forthcoming.

8.12

To facilitate planning for this project will be progressed in conjunction with Department of Internal Affairs representative Brooke Carter, the Board, Eketāhuna Our Town Committee and a Facebook page.

 

9.                Reports from Board Representatives Appointed to Organisations and Assigned Responsibilities

9.1

Better Off Support Package

9.1.1

Deputy Chairperson Board Member Steen McGhie reported on the Better Off Support Package Workshop (Three Waters Reform) held in Dannevirke on 14 June 2022, including reference to the following matters:

·         Proposed projects identified for this funding to be directed in the Tararua District are:

1)      Building iwi capacity.

2)      Building a Master Plan for Tararua.

3)      Understanding the extent and state of Council’s Three Waters assets.

4)      Executing Council’s Play, Active, Recreation and Sport Strategy.

5)      Developing community gardens and associated activity.  Steen commented on composting.

9.1.2

Tararua has the opportunity to apply for $3.8milliion, with 10% being paid on approval of the application.

9.1.3

The Chief Executive will bring business cases and papers to Council in August for its consideration.

10.            Correspondence

 

10.1

That the correspondence as listed be received.

a)      Eketāhuna Our Town Incorporated

             Re:  9 June 2022 committee meeting minutes and reports

Clifton/McGhie                                                                                                Carried

10.2

Board Member Terry Carew spoke on various matters from the Eketāhuna Our Town Committee meeting, including reference to the following:

·         Eketāhuna Information Centre’s rent has increased by $1,200 per year, and the grant received from Council will be looked at to cover the additional costs incurred.

·         Upgrading the town’s CCTV system has gone out to owners of buildings to place the cameras, with a letter sent to state what they do and obtain approval for their siting to permit the agreed location for installation.

·         The cost is only $10 per annum to run a camera, and they will start to be put in place in August this year.

·         There will be cameras placed at the main points of entry into Eketāhuna, and at the rugby grounds to prevent issues.  (A car was broken into that was left there overnight.)

·         The cameras will link directly into Palmerston North Police Station, and no one can access the information apart from police.

·         The cost to upgrade the cameras is $48,000,  and discussion is occurring with Manager Strategy and Climate Change Peter Wimsett to ensure the town’s CCTV system is maintained to keep up with technology.

11.             Chairperson’s Remarks

11.1

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

11.1.1

Well done to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre on the results achieved from their pest management and trapping programme, including the following:

·         Poison carrots have eradicated 3,000 rabbits.

·         1,716 pest animals were shot, and by the end of July they would like to get 4 ferrets, 1 stoat and 48 feral cats in their shoot.

11.1.2

Board Member Terry Carew explained the trapping programme, and the concern of feral cats on the ridgeline.  There is an area of 3,600 hectares around Mount Bruce involved in trapping rabbits.

12.             Items Not on the Agenda

12.1

Refer to the matters detailed in items 4.1, 4.2 and 8 of these minutes.

 

 

There being no further business the Chairperson thanked those present for their attendance and contributions, and declared the meeting closed at 11.14am.

 

 

 

____________________________

                   Chairperson