Autumn has arrived with a vengeance, though I still hope we will see some fine weather before we get into winter.
With grape picking, olive harvesting and the lifting of many mandates regarding Covid, I feel Martinborough will continue to be busy, especially on weekends. The planned return of the Martinborough Fair is something to look forward to, tentatively set for 1 May.
I recently met with the Minister of Transport, Hon Michael Wood, to discuss the Waihenga Bridge. Whilst it is an NZTA decision, I feel with knowledge of the safety issues by Minister Wood, along with lobbying within the Regional Land Transport Plan, I should have this back on the forward works plan within the next year.
The much-anticipated EcoReef trial on the Cape Palliser Road has finally been constructed in one location, and I really hope this will go some way to stabilising this stretch of road. I encourage you to stop and look at it when next heading out to the coast.
Council is currently working towards setting the rates, hopefully within the passed 2021-31 Long Term Plan levels or lower. This is difficult with high inflation and spiralling water costs, but there is a good chance we will manage this.
Three Waters legislation is marching on, and recommendations from a panel of Council representatives are being considered by Cabinet. This review attempted to address serious flaws in the proposed model, and I will be interested if they are accepted by the Minister, or whether it was a red herring on consultation.
Council has finally received answers to our questions, and these will be shared with the public. Please have no illusions that this is legislation being imposed, not collaboratively discussed, and both Council and public have no real say in the outcomes.
Finally, keep up to date with the public discussion on the future of Wharekaka – given the closure, there is a real opportunity to reinvent Wharekaka as a modern aged care facility fit for our community for the next few generations. I look forward to seeing the Trust’s ideas on how this can be achieved.
