Notice of Council Resolution on Electoral System and of Right to Demand a Poll

Notice is given under section 28 of the Local Electoral Act 2001, that the Kaipara District Council has resolved to hold its next triennial general election under the Single Transferable Voting electoral system. This electoral system will be used for the 2010 triennial general election of the Kaipara District Council. Electors of the Kaipara District Council have a right to demand a poll at any time to countermand the resolution to use the Single Transferable Voting electoral system. Should a valid demand for a poll be received by 28 February 2009 (effectively 2 March 2009), a poll will be held by 21 May 2009 on whether the Single Transferable Voting or the First Past the Post electoral system will be used for the next two triennial general elections (2010 and 2013) of the Kaipara District Council. If a valid demand for a poll is received after 28 February 2009 (effectively 2 March 2009), a poll will be held after 21 May 2009 with the outcome applicable for the 2013 and 2016 triennial general elections. A valid demand must be: made in writing; signed by at least 5 percent of eligible electors of the Kaipara District Council. This equates to 620 elector signatures; delivered to Council's Main Office, 42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville by 5 pm, Monday 2 March 2009 (for the outcome of the poll to apply to the 2010 triennial general election of the Kaipara District Council). Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it his or her full name and the address for which he or she is qualified as an elector of the Kaipara District Council. Dated at Dargaville, 2 September 2008 J McKerchar Chief Executive

Grand Centennial Weekend - 26 to 28 Sept 2008

26 September
MARK WILLIAMS & DRAGON
8.00pm Dargaville Town Hall
$35.50 per Ticket - Available
at The Noise Co. and all Hunting and Fishing outlets in Northland.

27 September
Sports Events
9.00am at Dargaville High School.
7.00pm at Dargaville Town Hall.
Whangarei Basin City Big Band.
Supper provided.
$20.50 per ticket available at The Noise Co.
Dress in any era from 1908 - 2008

28 September
2.00pm at Dargaville Town Hall.
$15.50 VIP reserved seating or $10.50 Standard entry.
Tickets at The Noise Co.
Performers: Kevin Friedrich, Kim Copedo & Annette Hawkins,
Ronnie Antonio, Otamatea Repertory Society and many more...

Grand Centennial Poster

Lake Rototuna Planting

More than 700 trees and shrubs were planted on the shores of Lake Rototuna last week in an exercise involving Pouto School, the Pouto community, Kaipara District Council, the Department of Conservation and local Iwi - Te Uri O Hau.

The nine hectare dune lake is the most easily accessible on the Pouto Peninsula and is part of a system ranked as ‘ecologically outstanding’

A protection project was initiated by Kauri Coast Forest and Bird in 1999.  It involves fencing to prevent stock access and replanting the lake’s margins with suitable native species.  Since then it has become a joint venture between the local community, Department of Conservation, Kaipara District Council and Te Uri O Hau.

“The idea is to create a riparian buffer between agriculture and the lake, which would filter out nutrients and enhance the lake’s water quality for both aquatic and bird life,” says Kaipara District Council’s Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole, who describes it as “a great project to be part of.” 

Kaipara District Council has supported the project with grants from its Biodiversity Improvement Fund, which this year provided $2,500 for plants and fertiliser.

Last Friday (22 August) about 35 people, including almost all the pupils from Pouto School, plus parents, Iwi, Council personnel, plus Department of Conservation staff and Conservation Corps members planted between 700 and 800 Manuka, Coprosma, Flax, Cabbage Trees and other species. About 200 of these were planted by the children.

“The Pouto community have really taken this project to heart and the planting days are always very well supported,” Mr Soole says.”

About half the planned buffer zone, ranging from about 15 to 50 metres in width is now planted and Mr  Soole estimates it will take another 10 years to complete this important work.

“But already it’s great to see that some of the original plantings are starting to flower and seed, meaning the natural process is starting to take over.”

Kaipara District Council is also looking at what can be done on the roadside to reduce the impact of dirty water coming off the road.

For more information contact Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole, phone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

Public Notification RM080104 and CON20071932401-03

KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL
NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR NEW RESOURCE CONSENTS

The following applications for resource consent have been received by the Kaipara District Council and the Northland Regional Council and are hereby publicly notified pursuant to Section 93(2) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION NO: RM080104

TYPE OF CONSENTS: To undertake a subdivision in four stages to create 121 clustered rural-residential lots, 3 roads to vest, two esplanade reserves to vest, 3 common buffer areas, and a balance area.

PROCESSING OFFICER: Jeff Kemp, Planning Consultant , telephone (09) 4075253

NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION NO: CON20071932401-03

TYPE OF CONSENTS:

PROCESSING OFFICER: Geoff Heaps, telephone (09) 438 4639

Any person wishing to make a submission on the above applications to the Northland Regional Council should send it to the Northland Regional Council, (36 Water Street), Private Bag 9021, Whangarei 0140.

Submissions are to be made in writing and will be received up until 24 September 2008. Any submission shall state (a) the reason for making the submission and the decision that the person wishes the Council to make, and the general nature of any conditions sought; (b) whether or not the person making the submission wishes to be heard. A submission may state whether it is neutral, in support of, or in opposition to the application. A person who makes a submission shall serve a copy of it on the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable after serving the submission on the Council.

• The above-mentioned applications and accompanying information may be viewed at the Northland Regional Council’s office at 36 Water Street, Whangarei and; Northland Regional Council’s Area Office, 61B Victoria Street, Dargaville;
• Kaipara District Council, 42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville;
• Kaipara District Council’s Kaiwaka Service Centre, SH1, Kaiwaka.

27 August 2008

Public Notification RM080016

KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION FOR RESOURCE CONSENT

REFERENCE NUMBER: RM 080016

The Kaipara District Council has received an application from J Morris for Resource Consent.

Proposal: Land use consent for alterations and additions to an existing dairy/takeaway bar in the Residential Zone at 110 Hokianga Road, Dargaville. The total increase in commercial use area of the site proposed is 86.8m². The proposal also infringes yard boundaries, height in relation to boundary, signage, parking, and impermeable surface environmental standards for the Residential Zone.

Location: 110 Hokianga Road, Dargaville

Legal Description - Lot 15 DP 6979 (CT NA87A/88) .

The application may be inspected at the Council’s District office at 42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or Service Centre on SH1, Kaiwaka. Please contact Customer Services on (09) 439 7059 if you have any questions about the application.

Any person may make a submission on the application. You may do so by sending a written submission to the Kaipara District Council at 42 Hokianga Road, Private Bag 1001, Dargaville. The submission must be in Form 13. Copies of this form are available from the Kaipara District Council offices.

Submissions close on Wednesday 10 September 2008

You must also serve a copy of your submission on the applicant whose address for service is B Randall, Randall Architecture Ltd, 162a Hokianga Road, Dargaville as soon as reasonably practicable after serving your submission on the Kaipara District Council.

Would you please quote the reference number at the start of this notice when writing or calling about this application, and direct any correspondence or queries to the Customer Service Centre at the Dargaville Council office.

Flea Market a Colourful Start for Centennial Celebrations

Stalls, special deals, costume and colour will turn Victoria Street into a bustling bazaar on Friday 26 September, launching three days of celebration commemorating the centennial of Dargaville becoming a borough. 

The colourful flea market in Victoria Street will kick off at 9.00am and Kaiparas Community Development Facilitator Heidi Dreyer is urging shopkeepers, community groups, craftspeople and the whole community to take part. “We want shopkeepers out on the street with stalls and offering special deals, for craftspeople and artists to have their goods on sale, people to hold garage sales - in fact anyone wanting to sell or promote something. “Also we hope businesses will decorate their windows and want people to dress up to represent any era from the last 100 years"
Heidi says with many visitors coming to the celebrations the flea market is a wonderful chance to showcase the town and also provide a great event for locals. “We ask everyone to get into the festive spirit and take part"
Shopkeepers can make their own arrangements and anyone else wanting to set up a stall is asked to roll up to the band rotunda before 8.30am.  Victoria Street will be closed to all but stall holders traffic from 7.00am to 7.00pm.

At 4.00 pm the street becomes a racetrack as teams of four race trolleys from the band rotunda to the ANZ Bank and back.  Trolleys are provided and entry costs $5.00 per team, which will be donated to charity.

"Businesses or clubs can challenge each other, families can enter teams or just get a group together for some fun" says Heidi who would like the race to become an annual fixture.

Entries are also wanted for the Saturday Sports at Dargaville High School where 'oldies' can test their skills against each other and the younger generation.  "Action includes seven-aside rugby, netball, hockey and cricket and we want everyone from golden oldies to secondary school sides."

For more information on the flea market, trolley derby and sports events contact Carine Lange, telephone 021 424 354 or 09 439 6922.

The celebrations also include Dargaville's own pop star Mark Williams returning to his home patch with iconic band Dragon for a triumphant concert on the Friday night.  Supporting acts include local bands, Dave and Undertow, featuring vocalist Melissa.

"This concert and Mark Williams' return to Dargaville is attracting huge interest, including national television, "Heidi says.

Saturday night's Celebration Ball has music by the Whangarei Basin Big Brass Band plus entertainment by Dargaville High School pianist Thomas Koloi.  It is also strongly supported by Instep Dance Studio.

Sunday afternoon's variety concert features a great line-up, including Kevin Friedrich, Kim Copedo and Annette Hawkins, Ronnie Antonio, Otamatea Repertory Society, Dargaville Little Theatre, Kauri Chorus and Kids Idol Maungaturoto winner Brooke Menzies.  Also, a skeleton crew is honing their skills to present a mystery 'Council Thriller' act.

MayorNeil Tiller predicts the centennial celebration will be a great event.

"It is shaping up as a fantastic three days and I hope everyone will help celebrate this important milestone," he says. "The town has a colourful and important history and the centenary provides a great opportunity to re-acquaint ourselves with some of this and have a great time in the process."

All tickets go on sale on Monday 25 August.  Tickets for Mark Williams/Dragon will be available from The Noise Co and all McCoy & Thomas Sports Hunting and Fishing outlets in Northland while tickets for the ball and Sunday concert will be sold at The Noise Co. 

A Chance to Preserve Kaipara's Unique Heritage

Kaipara District Council is again offering help to preserve our district's vital heritage through the Kaipara Heritage Assistance Fund.

The fund was set up in 2006 and as a result of its success Council has again set aside $10,000 for 2008 to help and encourage people to protect and preserve resources of heritage value.

These can include historic sites, buildings and archaeological sites. Projects can include archaeological assessments as well as physical preservation.
Individuals, groups - including community groups and organisations - private landowners, iwi and hapu can all apply.

But to qualify for funding, projects must:
1 be within the Kaipara District
2 have the support of the owner of the heritage resource
3 be of proven historical significance
4 demonstrate some community benefit
5 be essential and appropriate to ensure the preservation of the heritage resource
6 include a contribution from the applicant

Last year eight projects were funded, including repairs to four historic churches, - St Agnes at Kaihu, Church of the Holy Trinity in Dargaville, Hukatere's St Michael on the Hill and All Saints at Mititai. Other heritage buildings receiving assistance included the Mangawhai Hall, Dargaville's former Salvation Army building and the former Dargaville Police Station at Arapohue Bush Camp. Funds were also allocated towards providing an archaeological report for the old brick kiln site at Paparoa.

Six successful projects in 2006 included weatherproofing Dargaville's iconic Post Office Clock Tower, preparing a conservation plan for Kakaraea Church and restoration of the former Te Kopuru Hospital Flagstaff Memorial. New Zealand Historic Places Trust's Northland Manager, Stuart Park, stresses the importance of protecting our unique, rich and varied heritage and is urging Kaipara residents to take up the offer of assistance.

"The knowledge we gain from our past helps communities understand where they have come from and what makes them special," he says. "Cultural heritage is essential to our well-being and is not just an optional extra. Kaipara District Council is to be applauded for its initiative in helping residents care for the district's heritage"
Mr Park emphasises that preserving our heritage successfully needs commitment from both private landowners and the community.

Applications to the Kaipara Heritage Assistance Fund close on 31 October 2008. Guidelines and application forms are available from Kaipara District Council service centres or on-line at www.kaipara.govt.nz

More information is also available from the Customer Service Team on 09 439 7059, 0800 727 059 or 0800 100 388.
For more information contact Paula Hansen telephone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059

Mangawhai Heads Development

Beachgoers heading for the surf beach at Mangawhai Heads this summer are in for a magical surprise thanks to a major re-development due to start next month. Attractive new user-friendly facilities replace the old tied ones. There will be new sand ladders for beach access, new picnic tables and seats, a helicopter pad ready for landscaping and new plantings in the autumn planting season. Parking will be expanded and include a new configuration including parking for camper vans.

"We will at long last have facilities to match this outstanding landscape, says Kaipara District Council's Southern Community Spaces portfolio holder, Councillor Julia Sutherland. "The community has been asking for this for a long time and I'm very pleased that the project is about to get underway." Work is expected to start mid September and to facilitate this Mangawhai Heads Reserve will be closed to all but pedestrian traffic from then until December 15, although access will be available for emergency vehicles and surf lifesavers.

Allowing pedestrian access will put considerable pressure on this area and Kaipara District Council is considering ways to ease this, including the possibility of a weekend shuttle service to the Surf Beach from around the Mangawhai area. "I know this restriction will create inconvenience in the short term, I am sure that the long term benefits will far outweigh this," Cr Sutherland says. She says splitting the project into two parts is not a viable option as it would increase the time and amount of disruption involved as well as substantially increasing costs.

Facilities at the popular beach have been growing increasingly inadequate as more and more people discover it and for some time residents have been asking for improvements in the Mangawhai Heads Reserve. After considerable liaison plus community and iwi input, Kaipara District Council has approved an exciting redevelopment plan which is being funded from the Council's Reserves Contribution Fund, built up from  levies on development projects.

The new eye-catching toilet block, which will be built closer to the surf club, will incorporate a contemporary design featuring strong lines and vibrant colours reflecting pohutukawa. New signage will reflect Mangawhai's coastal character and become the basis for future signage throughout the reserves in the coastal area. Similarly, picnic tables and bench seats are also being designed to reflect the local character. Council hopes to have the re-development finished when the reserve re-opens December 15 but if weather or other factors delay work it will not re-start until March 1 to ensure that summer enjoyment of the beach is not affected.

It will keep residents in the area informed of progress, and will also provide regular updates on its website www.kaipara.govt.nz.

For more information contact Governance Manager Barbara Ware, phone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

Recycling Service Starts

Ready...Set...Recycle!
This environmentally responsible option becomes a reality in Kaipara from 8 September 2008 with the launch of an official fortnightly kerbside recycling bag collection in Dargaville and Mangawhai plus along the route between.

More and more Kaipara residents want to do their bit to reduce waste and conserve resources and have told Kaipara District Council they want recycling. As a result Council is very pleased to have accepted a proposal from Kaipara Refuse Ltd who already provide excellent official district-wide weekly rubbish collections.
Recycling pick-ups between Ruawai and Mangawhai will be every second Monday starting on 8 September, and in Dargaville township every second Thursday from 11 September. In Dargaville and Mangawhai contractors will collect in urban streets while in the towns between bags can be left at designated drop-off points. The official kerbside bag collection will accept glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard plus all cans and domestic plastic bottles. Windows and tempered glass will not be accepted and cans and bottles must be rinsed thoroughly. All items go in the one bag and will be sorted at Kaurilands by the clients then transported to recycling centres throughout the North Island.

Only the official blue recycling bags can be used. These cost $1.00 and will be available where-ever Kaipara Refuse blue bags are sold. To encourage everyone to get into the recycling habit Council will send all Kaipara residents a voucher which can be exchanged for a free bag and it will also be embarking on an extensive campaign to explain how the new service works and how to make best use of it.

School children are also being invited to help promote recycling by designing posters and displaying them in shops. In addition to giving the satisfaction of helping keep Kaipara clean and green, the competition offers a $1,000 prize to the class producing the best effort. Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller will launch the new service during a special celebration at the Mangawhai Farmers Market on 30 August. This will include information and advice along with tee shirts and balloons bearing recycling messages. Mayor Tiller has warmly welcomed official kerbside recycling to Kaipara and urges everyone to ensure it is successful.  "It is something a lot of residents have been wanting and I'm delighted we now have this opportunity to protect the environment, conserve resources and reduce the amounts trashed in landfills," he said. "Kaipara is a wonderful, environmentally friendly place and it is up to all of us to keep it that way. I urge everyone to recycle everything they can and support this excellent service."

The Mayor is particularly pleased that Kaipara Refuse is providing the recycling, saying "They have an excellent service record and their employment of people with disabilities through Kauriland Skills Centre is a huge bonus that is recognised throughout the community." "Also, as Council's official contractors, they offer accountability and guarantees of good service." "Our motto is 'ready...set...recycle'.  We are ready so it's now up to you, get set and recycle."

Kaipara Refuse Operations Manager Matthew Hayhurst sees the new service as a big step forward for his company and Kaipara. "Kaipara Refuse has been recycling for a number of years but this, until now, has been to a relatively small scale," he said. "We are pleased to announce that with the help of the Kaipara District Council, we are now able to bring a sustainable recycling programme that the Kaipara District and New Zealand can be proud of."

More information can be obtained from Claire Lichtwark McInnes on 09 439 7059 Matthew Hayhurst on 09 439 2146.

Harding Park Management Plan

Kaipara District Council has called for Expressions of Interest to prepare a Reserves Management Plan for the Pou Tu O Te Rangi Pa and Harding Park reserve in Dargaville.

Council notified its intention to prepare a plan last December and called for public suggestions over the summer. These, together with onsite investigations already completed by Council will help identify the issues to be addressed in the plan. 
Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole says the Council has been talking about Harding Park and Pou Tu O Te Rangi Pa for a number of years over ways to improve the public's experience of the area, while maintaining and enhancing its historic and cultural connection to both the immediate area and wider district.

"We have been getting pretty consistent messages regarding the need for improved signage, picnic and recreation areas, better public usage of the Park along with better connections of the various historic and cultural values of the area and a co ordinated approach by the various interest groups in the Park. We need a Reserves Management Plan that addresses all of these issues across the reserve area in an integrated way, and we need to get the right skills on board to do that planning."
The plan will detail the work that needs to be undertaken in the Harding Park reserve area, including the Pou Tu O Te Rangi Pa site and the old Mount Wesley Cemetery. Once completed, the draft Reserves Management Plan will be released for public submission under the Reserves Act 1977.

"We want to get this right," Stephen says. "We want to find a way forward that retains and protects all that is special in Harding Park while providing for the things that allow a growing number of residents and visitors to enjoy what the area has to offer. Harding Park is already a very attractive area. A Reserves Management Plan will ensure a co-ordinated approach to the future development of the park and its surrounds while protecting and improving the historic experience and nature of the park for all to enjoy."

The reserves are administered by Kaipara District Council and preparation of the management plan is being co-ordinated by a committee comprising representatives from Kaipara District Council,
Te Uri O Hau, Dargaville Museum and the Harding family.

For more information contact Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole on 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059

Better Field Days Access Planned for 2009

Kaipara District Council is working with Northland Field Days organisers and local residents to have the 2009 Field Days served by a three lane sealed access road to avoid traffic delays which caused problems at this year's event.

The 2008 Field Days were the first at the event's new site, accessed from Awakino Point East Road, and the 500 metres of two lane road produced hold-ups which led to Transit New Zealand insisting on improved traffic management for 2009. To ensure the vitally important event's continuity Council plans to widen and seal the first 500 metres of Awakino Point East Road to provide three lanes of traffic; allowing two in and one out when traffic is arriving and the reverse when most is leaving. The work will involve filling one roadside drain and piping the water to the other side and moving a number of power poles. Also, Field Days organisers are looking at ways of improving traffic flows at the site's entrances.

Council has budgeted its share of the cost in the current year's Annual Plan and will seek the balance from "R Funds"; derived from a fuel tax and to be used for regionally important projects. This requires agreement from all Northland councils and the Regional Land Transport Committee. At the same time Kaipara District Council and 17 landowners on Awakino Point East Road have reached an agreement for them to contribute the $160,000 local share to seal the remainder of the road beyond the Field Days' entrance. To proceed this will require New Zealand Land Transport Agency subsidy. "Our engineering advice is that the road can be sealed by next year's Field Days but the priority will be to get the widening done." says West Coast/Central councillor Julie Geange who is rapt at the outcome and the willingness of residents to contribute. "It is a model example of how the community and Council can work together for the benefit of everyone."

The planned upgrade has been warmly welcomed by Northland Field Days President David Phillips. "We are extremely grateful to Kaipara District Council for their proactive approach to the upgrading of Awakino Point East Road and to the residents who have been very supportive throughout the consultation process with the Council," Mr Phillips says. "The sealing of the road provides benefits to all; the Northland Field Days, residents and indeed everyone who uses this road." Awakino Point East Road resident Don Thomas doesn't want to get too excited until the subsidy is obtained to ensure the sealing goes ahead. However he says it was great to see all the residents realise this is probably the only chance to get the road sealed, then join together and give what they could to make the project proceed.

For more information contact Acting Assets Manager Stephen Soole, phone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

Chicanes to Calm Traffic in Montgomery Avenue

Two sets of chicanes will be installed in Dargaville's Montgomery Avenue to slow traffic speeds which have been concerning residents.

They will be near the crown of the first rise plus the bottom of the dip at the Huia Crescent intersection and will feature kerbings on the road's sides and centre.  Construction is likely to be during August. Speed in the street has been the subject of a large number of requests to Kaipara District Council, including a 30 signature petition, with concerns focusing on traffic rounding a sharp corner after coming over the crown of a hill which creates poor visibility. The problem has been compounded by the straight wide street leading up to this point.

Council initially proposed building chicanes in the street but at a meeting of residents a number indicated that they preferred speed platforms like those in Victoria Street. However, these are considered undesirable in residential streets as they can damage low riding vehicles and tempt "racers" to try to get airborne, so Council agreed at its July meeting to proceed with chicanes.
Northern Roading Portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Alspach says Montgomery Avenue is the most urgent case in Dargaville for 'traffic calming' measures and while speed humps would not be suitable, he is hopeful the chicanes will have the desired effect.
Mr Alspach says Council receives requests for traffic calming measures from all over Kaipara but has previously adopted a cautious approach for a variety of reasons, including the availability of effective measures and the risk of simply shifting a problem to another street.

But Council will be watching the results in Montgomery Avenue with interest as the installation there could be followed by others around the district. However, the high cost means they are unlikely to become common.
Dargaville Councillor Brian Burnett is pleased that the many concerns expressed by residents are being addressed.
"Montgomery Avenue will now hopefully be relieved of the hoon element amongst drivers who have been speeding up and down that street, placing other road users and pedestrians in danger," he says.
"I am assured that these traffic calming measures will restore Montgomery Avenue to legal speed limits again and commend residents for their persistence in having this problem addressed."

For more information contact Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole, on 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

Please Display Your New RAPID Number

A RAPID number at your gate could save your life or home. This is the blunt message from Kaipara District Council and the district's emergency services who are urging rural property owners to erect the new numbers they receive in the mail.
"Please put them up where they can be seen and keep them visible" urges Dargaville St John Team Manager Robyn Guy who says the numbers have been invaluable to ambulance services, especially at night.

"They give us confidence we are going to find the place and save having to slow down and look at every gateway for a name, or even driving up to a house to ask directions. They have made a big difference to our times and there could be cases where this might mean the difference between life and death." Kaipara District Council introduced the Rural Address Property Identification (RAPID) response system on rural Kaipara roads in 2001 and it has been of great assistance to emergency services as well as helping residents direct visitors to their properties.

It provides numbers for properties on each road, indicating the entrance's distance in meters, divided by 10, from the start of the road.  Numbers on the right hand side are even and the left are odd.  For example, number 373 would be 3.73km from the road's start and on the left side. However, the red in the original red and white aluminum plates has faded and many are becoming difficult to read.  As a result Council is replacing these with white PVC plates using white M3 reflective tape numbering.
About 3,500 plates are being mailed out to rural property owners and anyone with an old plate who does not receive a new blue and white one by mid August is asked to contact Kaipara District Council on 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

It also appears that there are a large number of rural addresses which do not have any RAPID number.  This can be rectified for $25 to cover the costs involved. "It is a small price to pay for peace of mind," says Mayor Neil Tiller. "Council believes these numbers are of great value to Kaipara's rural residents and I urge everyone to support the scheme by ensuring you have a number and displaying it."

For more information contact Governance Manager Barbara Ware, phone 09 439 7059 or
0800 727 059.

Certificate Recognises Councillors Expertise and Effort

Kaipara District Council Judicial Committee members Graham Taylor, Richard Alspach and Tom Smith have received certificates acknowledging their completion of the Ministry for The Environment's Good Decision Making Programme.

The Judicial Committee hears and decides the outcome of resource consent applications that require hearings. The Resource Management Amendment Act 2005 requires that the chair and a majority of members of any hearing panel must be accredited by successfully completing the Good Decision Making Programme. This is delivered by the University of Auckland's Centre for Continuing Education and provides the skills needed to run fair and effective resource consent, plan change and designation hearings and to make informed decisions. Councillors Alspach, Taylor and Smith have renewed the certification gained during their previous term as Councillors with an endorsement which allows them to chair a panel.

A number of other Councillors are also studying for the Good Decision Making Certificate Congratulating the Councillors at the July Council meeting, Mayor Neil Tiller said in addition to recognising the committee's qualifications, presenting the certificates gave an opportunity to acknowledge the work the Judicial Committee members put into their role. "They get a meeting allowance and mileage but they don't get compensated for the hours put in, both day and night, studying for this and the consents that come before them."

More information is available from Development Manager Mark Vincent, telephone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059

Mark Williams

Dargaville's own pop icon, Mark Williams, is coming home for a spectacular concert on Friday 26 September to star in a weekend of celebration marking 100 years since the establishment of the first Dargaville Borough Council.
The star, who grew up here and has produced chart-toppers like Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life, and Show no Mercy, will be appearing with the Sydney based veteran Kiwi rock band, Dragon, for whom he has been lead singer since 2005. Tickets for the concert in the Northern Wairoa Memorial Hall will cost $35.50. Tickets are limited and will be on sale from Monday 25 August at Noise Co in Dargaville and also at McCoy and Thomas Sports Hunting and Fishing outlets in Northland. "This is not a tribute band it's the real Mark Williams and the real Dragon" says Kaipara's Community Development Facilitator Heidi Dreyer. "It is an extraordinary opportunity to see our own Mark Williams in his home town with one of New Zealand's best loved bands."
She says interest is already high. "Everyone knows Mark Williams and people can't wait for the tickets to go on sale". "And Mark is very excited about performing back in his home town. He has gone out of his way to make this happen." Mark Williams began his career as a 16 year-old by forming a band, The Face, with a group of fellow Dargaville High School students. They won Northland's 1971 Battle of the Bands and went on to third place in the national finals. Television exposure on the Free Ride show helped launch his solo career and Mark's first single in 1975, Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life, topped New Zealand's charts for three weeks. His debut album, Mark Williams, became New Zealand's best selling pop/rock album of the seventies.
Two years later the single, It Doesn't matter Any More went to number one on the charts. The singer moved to Australia in 1978, where he has made three albums. Possibly his best known work is the platinum single, Show No Mercy, chosen to launch the 1990 Rugby League Grand Final and still used as a motivational anthem. In 2005 he became lead singer with Dragon which has produced hits like April Sun in Cuba, Rain, Are You Old Enough, This Time and Dreams of Ordinary Men.
Mark Williams' concert, which is being underwritten by the Kumara Box and ACM Insurance Group, is a highlight in exciting three day celebration of the formation of the Dargaville Borough Council in 1908. Other features include a flea market and trolley derby on the Friday.
Saturday has sports events at the Dargaville High School in the morning and a swept up Celebration Ball at night, while Sunday's programme includes a variety concert which promises something for everyone.
For more information contact Community Development Facilitator Heidi Dreyer, on telephone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059

Bio Fund Allocation

Buying humane traps to destroy pests in 417 hectares of high quality indigenous forest at Brynderwyn is among six projects benefiting from the Kaipara District Council's Biodiversity Improvement Fund this year.  The contestable fund was established in 2004 to encourage biodiversity in the District and this year $10,890 has been allocated.
Marunui Conservation Limited has been granted $1,000 to replace Fenn Traps with new Department of Conservation 200 predator traps which meet draft National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee guidelines as humane killers.  The company was formed in 1987 to conserve the 417 hectares on the Southern Brynderwyn Hills.  This is the largest area covenanted by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust in Northland and is described as a fantastic representation of podocarp forest which shelters endangered or rare species including Hochstetter Frogs, Pied Tits, Bellbirds, Red Crowned Kakariki and Kaka.
Marunui Conservation Limited says comprehensive pest control since 2004 has produced significant benefits, including increased bird numbers.
Other projects receiving assistance include Andrew Trevelyan and Jenny Grainger, who have been granted $4,040 for fencing in their project at Mangawhai, fencing off natural watercourses and replanting them with natives.
Toni and Ron Sylvester, on behalf of Takahoa Bay Society Incorporated, received $1,100 towards replanting a gully and watercourse on Oneriri Peninsula.  They sought funding to purchase 100 kahikatea, 20 lancewoods, 30 mahoe plus slow release fertiliser.
The Absurbistan Community's project to protect and enhance watercourses and native bush on land retired from farming at Oneriri has been granted $1,500 toward buying trees and digger hirerage.
An ongoing Glinks Gully project, restoring a dune ecosystem damaged by cattle and fire, has been granted $750 for weed control and new plantings.  Glinks Gully Protection Society Incorporated has planted more than 2,000 plants there over the past four years.
$2,500 will supply plants for the Rototuna Restoration Project, involving the Pouto School and community for several years in replanting riparian margins around upper Lake Rototuna.
Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole says there were fewer applications this year than previously "but the quality of the projects involved was very high and the funding granted will make a significant contribution to them."
Kaipara District Council established the contestable Biodiversity Improvement Fund in 2004 to encourage environmental projects in the District.  Individuals, groups, community and conservation organisations, Maori groups or schools are all eligible to apply.
Projects must benefit Kaipara's native biodiversity and in judging them Council considers community benefit and the extent of other contributions, including voluntary labour. 
Grants are for a maximum of 50 per cent of a project.
For more information contact Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole, phone 09 439 7059 or 0800 727 059.

Citizenship Byliss-Barton

Kaipara gained eight new official Kiwis recently when the Bayliss and Barton families affirmed their allegiance before Mayor Neil Tiller at a citizenship ceremony at Kaipara District Council.

Pictured following the ceremony are Peter Barton, Christopher Bayliss holding two year-old Daniel who already had New Zealand citizenship by birth, Joshua Barton, Mayor Neil Tiller, nine year-old Anna Marie Bayliss, Stacy-Ann Bayliss, Pamela Barton, Eva Barton and Dr Roy Barton.

Both families have been living in Dargaville for four years and all came from the United Kingdom, with the exception of Mrs Stacy-Ann Bayliss who is originally from the West Indies and her daughter, Anna Marie who was born in Bermuda.