Martinborough district ratepayers are being asked by SWDC if they will support a proposed targeted rate to enable the Waihinga Centre project to go ahead.
The project Steering Group is urging residents to ensure the future of the development by voting in favour of the special rate and ensuring consultation forms are returned for Council consideration. The Group see a number of immediate benefits from this project: a Town Hall that is safe, modern and attractive; important community services together under one roof in a purpose-built facility; and a reinvigorated town centre.
The development will create a people-friendly public meeting space where all sectors of the community can rub shoulders. Project Spokesman, Mr Stevens saw particular benefits in this for older residents who can be quite isolated. “It will also be a magnet for families who can take advantage of the library, toy library, Plunket and the exciting new playground all in the one place.”
The Steering Group say experience elsewhere indicates that there will also be other, longer term economic benefits for the district, each reinforcing the other. More people will want to live here, more jobs are created, young people have less reason to leave, businesses thrive or arrive, tourism booms and property values increase and along with them Council revenues. Those with long memories will remember how the arrival of the wine industry and developments like the Martinborough Hotel helped this happen for Martinborough in previous decades.
Tourism for example is already very important for the economy of our town but cannot be taken for granted. Edwin Read, Chair of the Kokomai Creative Festival say he is looking forward to the renovated Town Hall becoming available. “A new and improved Martinborough venue would mean an increase in shows and events in the town. At the moment we are unable to use the hall due to the earthquake risk and we would be happy to host more events in the space if it was upgraded.” More shows, more visitors!
Martinborough is also dependent on local retail businesses for the essential services they offer, the employment they provide and the vitality they add to our town. We are so lucky to still have a very good selection of retail, accommodation, restaurants, cafes and specialty shops. The Council’s proposed targeted rate provides an opportunity for the community as a whole to invest in a project that will not only enhance the town centre but provide real economic benefits to our district.
Ratepayers have until 16 October to return their consultation papers, please ensure you read the document before completing the option section. The Council will be holding a public meeting in the Town Hall on Monday 12 October at 7pm if you would like further information
Waihinga Centre Communications Team.
The Targeted Rate Debate
How Did This Happen?
Until a few months ago the funding for the Waihinga Centre project seemed on track. Generous individuals and businesses in the community had donated more than $1.4 million and grants and Council allocations were expected to provide the rest. Plans for the new centre had been drawn up, the community consulted and resource consent had been granted.
So what happened? Whilst the project cost remains the same the grant funding came in at less than originally forecast and a key element of the Council’s funding mix had to be abandoned on legal advice. This left a shortfall of $1.30 million if the project was to be completed. Prudently, the Council decided that it could not go ahead without this money and elected to ask Ratepayers if they would be prepared to fund the deficit.
Can’t the Project be Amended or Downsized?
There are several problems here: structural, procedural and financial.
The design has already been through the Resource Consent process and cannot be changed easily without incurring significant further costs and reapplying for consent. There are other unavoidable consequences that would scuttle the entire enterprise.
A significant percentage of the available funding is conditional on the project going ahead as currently designed. Any major changes would invalidate the $2.2 million of existing grants and pledges. New grant applications and fundraising would have to be undertaken.
The chosen design is seen as the most cost effective way of both saving the hall and providing improved community amenities. Public funders and donors are much more interested in giving to a multi-purpose building than a Town Hall on its own.
What Happens if the Rate is not Agreed?
The amount being sought from ratepayers in only a small percentage of the total cost (20%) but without it, for the reasons set out above, the Waihinga Centre will not have sufficient funds to go ahead.
$15 per quarter for each ratepayer is all that is needed to keep the Waihinga Centre project on track, we urge you to support this project for the economic, social and cultural benefits it will bring to our community.
Another Wairarapa Success Story
Ten years ago our neighbours in Carterton faced a problem similar to the one Martinborough is addressing right now. Their hodgepodge of public buildings were aging and ratepayers faced the prospect of expensive repairs or replacement if they were not to lose those facilities.
Their Council took the bold, and some thought rash decision to keep the historic library building and add a significant new structure housing an auditorium, meeting rooms, Information Centre, Library, Plunket, Youth Centre and Toy Library. It was funded by a combination of ratepayer money and community fundraising.
Councillor Elaine Brazendale was part of the process from the beginning. She believes a vibrant community hub offers many benefits. Sometimes these are hard to measure but still very important. She likens it to the role of a medical centre, helping keep the community “healthy” and thriving.
So, has this vision come to fruition for Carterton? There were some hiccups along the way but Elaine says there’s no doubt that the Centre has been a great success and even doubters have come around. “It’s brought new events to town, increased the use of library and other facilities, and provides an opportunity for much more mixing of people in the community – young and old, locals, visitors, and new residents.”
Perhaps most importantly, she says, it has made Carterton a more attractive place, and given it a boost that will help it prosper in the future.
Why not pop in to the Events Centre and have a look at what Carterton has achieved and what Martinborough is aiming for too (minus the hiccups). You could even take advantage of some of the exciting events coming up there, including the Kokomai Arts Festival. (www.cartertonec.co.nz/events-carterton-wairarapa).
Want to know more?
Website: waihingacentre.nz
Facebook: Martinborough Community Centre
e-mail: info@waihingacentre.nz
Newsletter: E-mail us if you would like to receive e-mail updates on the progress of this project.
Public Information Evening: Martinborough Town Hall, 7pm, 12th October 2015
Sponsor – as last month but depending on the column layout I’m happy for you to shrink it to 1/3 page width instead of ½. I am also happy for you to remove the ad and just use the text below, as I’m assuming space will be very tight.
Thank you to the Martinborough Star and Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park for sponsoring this page.
