News in brief
WATERSLIDE FUN: Nahum Kelly, Supon Vann, Luke Overweel, Suzanne Viveen, Elvi Overweel, Lucinda Eckstrom, Cora Buenz, Colleen Brophy Buenz, Eric Buenz, Emre Vollweiler-Kelly, Jane Buenz and Lucy Vann enjoy waterslide fun up the Motueka Valley over the Christmas holidays. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.
Richmond road safety work
Road safety work has begun on streets around Richmond School. Tasman District Council’s contractor Downer Construction is constructing two raised pedestrian crossings on Dorset and Cambridge streets and a pedestrian raised table on the intersection of Church and Gladstone Rd. The work will assist in slowing vehicle speeds in the neighbourhood and improve pedestrian access. Work began on Dorset and Cambridge streets on 9 January and should be finished by 2 February. The work on the Church St/Gladstone Rd intersection will start on 30 January, taking about a week. There will be some road closures and detours while the work is being done.
Pool upgrades canned
Leaky pools will have to be continuously refilled after Nelson City Council has decided they cannot justify spending money on major upgrades to the Riverside and Nayland Pool complexes. Extra funding will be provided to maintain and service the pools, but a 2022 options report preferred upgrading both pools; however it also came with a price tag of $27.82 million and $38.89 million respectively.
Wallace St bus stop to move
The Wallace St bus stop is going to shift from outside 12 Wallace St, opposite Hart Lane, to outside the Motueka Public Library. The business at 12 Wallace St has highlighted difficulties with having a bus stop located directly outside. The footpath is also narrow where the current bus stop is. Moving the bus stop is expected to benefit the business, as well as footpath and public transport users, but will come at the cost of one car park outside the library.
Scouts halls under scrutiny
Poor maintenance and under use of Scout halls has been raised by Tasman District Council as a concern. The issue was discussed at an operations committee meeting in December. Concerns were raised about the Riwaka, Tākaka, and Wakefield Scout halls which are owned by Scouts Aotearoa and sit on council-owned land. The council is concerned that the halls weren’t being actively used, and has asked the scouts what their intentions are.