Marlborough District Council Media Statement
Date: 21 June, 2017
Answer found for road safety issue at Waikawa Bay Primary School
A longstanding request from the families of children attending Waikawa Bay School is to be answered with the formation of safer roadside space along Waikawa Road.
During the hearing of submissions on the Council’s Annual Plan, the Waikawa Ratepayers and Residents Association appealed to the Council for a footpath to be formed between the school and Turners Road. Residents’ spokesman Hiram Taylor told councillors that concerns for pupil safety needed to be addressed.
Picton councillor Nadine Taylor says issues over neighbouring land ownership and the existence of a deep roadside drain had previously complicated the matter but a cost-effective solution had now been found.
“Instead of a big drainage, kerbing and channelling project that would have been necessary for a footpath to be constructed, we’ll retain and fill the roadside to create a 50-metre grassed berm along Waikawa Road. This should make enough space for cars to pull over and give children a safe corridor to the school, without them having to walk along the edge of a busy road.”
“The community has been very patient in waiting for this road safety issue to be resolved but they’ve also been persistent in telling us that a sensible solution is needed. I’m pleased we’ve now found an answer that will create a safer space for children and parents, and one that works within the roads budget,” she said.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said he was happy to see Council use its existing budgets to respond to some of the relatively small infrastructure improvements which communities considered important enough to raise during the Annual Plan process. ... See MoreSee Less
Marlborough District Council Media Statement
Date: 22 June, 2017
Latest stage completed in the Renwick-to-river cycle track
The latest addition to the district’s cycle network is a path which will give cyclists access to the Wairau River reserve and the Conders Bend mountain bike park at the edge of Renwick.
The new section of the Renwick-to-River trail is a 500m long, 2m wide ‘off-road’ path running parallel to SH6 from Rapaura Road to Newman’s Road and then under the Wairau Bridge to the bike track.
It’s the second stage of Renwick’s cycling route which follows the quieter side streets of Renwick to Blicks Road, and then goes ‘off road’ through the Forrest Estate winery, crossing Foxes Island Road to reach this newly completed section of pathway.
The Renwick Smart & Connected Bike Walk Working Group has overseen the completion of this second stage of the cycleway and Renwick councillor Cynthia Brooks congratulated the working group for its efforts in bringing so many people together to make the concept a reality.
Working Group spokesman Steve Hill says the aim was to provide a safe, family-friendly cycling, walking and jogging pathway to the popular river reserve area at the Wairau Bridge.
“It’s a safe path for joggers, cyclists and walkers including family groups with prams or pushchairs, giving them all good access to three important recreational spots at the river; the mountain bike park, the riverside reserve area where people fish, swim, kayak, raft and picnic, and the walking tracks along the Wairau River network of stopbanks.”
The first stage of the Renwick-to-river pathway had already proved its value, constantly used over the summer by both the local community and visiting tourists, he said.
“The pathway will be used even more now that it’s linked to the river stopbanks and the Conders Bend mountain bike track.”
The Marlborough District Council, through Bike Walk Marlborough Trust, and the Rata Foundation provided the funding for the project and Wairau River Wines, Hunter Wines and the Dudson Scott Gallery have allowed access at the boundaries of their private property.
“It’s only been possible because of the generous level of support from everyone involved – including local contractor Murray Newman from Newman Excavations who did an awesome job,” said Mr Hill.
“The cycleway is a fantastic asset for the Renwick community, providing a safe and convenient off-road alternative for recreational cyclists to access both the Conders Bend Mountain Bike Park and Wairau River and is part of the larger network of cycleways that the Marlborough District Council is currently developing,” said Braden Prideaux, Bike Walk Marlborough coordinator.
Councillor Brooks says two further off-road walking and cycle paths are still on the drawing board for Renwick and she is closely following the progress on these projects. ... See MoreSee Less
Marlborough District Council Media Statement
Date: 19 June, 2017
Council looking at options for special needs toilet amenities
Council staff are examining what would be required to provide specialised toilet and changing facilities within Blenheim’s CBD.
A submission to the Council’s annual plan called for safe facilities for changing and toileting needs for adults with special needs, including a hoist and adult-size changing table.
Currently there are some similar facilities available to the general public at Stadium 2000 in Kinross Street during the stadium operating hours although these are, at times, pre-booked by people using the Stadium.
Council’s Property and Community Facilities manager Jamie Lyall says inquiries are underway to see if another central location could be adapted and fitted out.
He said it would not be a public facility in the usual sense but accessed only by the families or carers of those requiring use of such specialised facilities, probably by way of a swipe card.
“This would be an amenity used by only a very few people with particular high needs and, given the level of vandalism at our public toilets, it would have to be accessible by security card only.”
Staff are considering whether it may be possible to convert part of existing toilet amenities at Liz Davison Place or the carparking building. Space was required for an adult-sized change table and hoist with room also to manoeuvre a wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Location was the key issue, said Mr Lyall.
“We would even consider meeting the cost of installing all the necessary equipment if a commercial building owner in town could offer a suitable space,” he said. ... See MoreSee Less
